25 Jun 2017

Portugal punish All Whites in final match

8:26 am on 25 June 2017

The New Zealand men's football team have been beaten four-nil by Portugal in their final match of the Confederations Cup, making it three losses from three matches in pool play.

All Whites coach Anthony Hudson at the Confederations Cup 2017.

All Whites coach Anthony Hudson at the Confederations Cup 2017. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Portugal striker Christiano Ronaldo opened the scoring for the European champions with a penalty kick in the 33rd minute.

Bernado Silva, Andre Silva and Nani also scored goals for Portugal to help them finish top of their pool on seven points.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos said the scoreline didn't reflect the intensity of the match and felt New Zealand deserved a goal.

"We knew it could be complicated because we had seen New Zealand play Mexico and the problems they caused the Mexicans. So we were forewarned," he said.

"I thought we played well in many parts of the game; in others, not so well. Overall though, it was a fair victory. But I think the New Zealand team should have scored a goal - they deserved one. They proved on the field that they're a team with a great spirit and real determination."

All Whites coach Anthony Hudson also felt the scoreline was harsh on his team and said that he saw plenty of cause for encouragement in their performance.

"Overall, there were some really positive signs in the game," he said. "We started the game really well, and were the stronger of the two teams. But we had a period in that first half when we allowed them to come into the game and gave ourselves too much to do to get back into it.

"But the biggest positive for me today was that we never, ever accepted the result. Every player went right to the end and there are so many positives I can take."