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Sports

Bruno Alves scores in extra time, Portugal beats Mexico 1-0 in World Cup tuneup

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    Mexico defender Hector Moreno, left, tries to keep Portugal forward Eder away from the ball during the first half of their friendly soccer match in Foxborough, Mass., Friday, June 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (The Associated Press)

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    Mexico goalkeeper Jesus Corona saves a shot against Portugal during the first half of their friendly soccer match in Foxborough, Mass., Friday, June 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) (The Associated Press)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Bruno Alves scored on a header in extra time to give Portugal a 1-0 win over Mexico in a World Cup tuneup Friday night.

Mexico had dominated play in the second half before Joao Moutinho's direct kick from about 35 yards was headed past goalkeeper Jesus Corona.

But Mexico, ranked 20th in the world after barely qualifying for the World Cup, showed improvement in its final friendly before its opening game next Friday against Cameroon.

Fourth-ranked Portugal played without Cristiano Ronaldo, the 2013 FIFA world player of the year. He is recovering from tendinitis and a muscle injury, both in his left leg.

Until Alves scored, El Tri had the best chances in the second half, with Hector Herrera forcing goalkeeper Eduardo to make two key saves.

Ronaldo, the second-leading goal scorer in Portugal history, also was sidelined for Portugal's 3-1 loss to Brazil in Foxborough last Sept. 10 because of tendinitis.

Portugal was without two other injured players, midfielder Raul Meireles and defender Pepe. There was no word whether any of the three would play in Portugal's World Cup opener June 16 against Germany, ranked second in the world. Losing Ronaldo would be a huge problem for the Portuguese.

Portugal plays its final pre-World Cup friendly next Tuesday against Ireland at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

With a crowd of 56,292 at Gillette Stadium, both teams played more conservatively in the first half, with Portugal forward Eder having the best chances with four shots.

Mexico attacked from the start of the second half, looking little like the team that had to beat New Zealand in a playoff simply to get into the World Cup.

In the 52nd minute, Andres Guardado fired a 22-yard shot with his left foot that just went wide right. Then Herrera's shot from 6 yards on the right was knocked down by a charging Eduardo in the 62nd minute. And in the 68th minute, Eduardo stopped a 20-yard shot by Herrera.

Mexico completed its warm-up matches but must play in the World Cup without key midfielder Luis Montes. He broke his right leg last Saturday in a 3-1 win over Ecuador in Arlington, Texas. Three days later, Mexico lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-0 in Chicago.

Eder had some decent opportunities in the first half. He headed a ball over the crossbar from 15 yards in the 20th minute, had a hard shot knocked down by Corona in the 22nd minute, volleyed a 20-yarder wide in the 38th minute, and headed a ball wide from about 10 yards in the 39th minute.