Claudio Bravo starred with three saved penalties as Chile beat Portugal to reach Confederations Cup final... the same number of Premier League stops he made for Manchester City in 2017!
- Claudio Bravo starred with three penalty saves for Chile against Portugal
- Bravo faced 11 shots in the Premier League on target in 2017, conceding eight
- The 34-year-old faces an uncertain City future since Ederson's £35m arrival
- Chilean saved the only penalty he faced for City against Tottenham last October
Claudio Bravo's travails since joining Manchester City from Barcelona for £15.4million last summer have been well-documented, but the experienced goalkeeper proved his worth for his country on Wednesday night.
Following a goalless 120 minutes, Bravo was the shootout hero for Chile as the City stopper made three penalty saves against Portugal to help his country reach the Confederations Cup final.
The 34-year-old made just three saves in the Premier League in 2017, despite playing in six games (529 minutes). He faced 11 shots on target in 2017, conceding eight times.
Claudio Bravo's penalty heroics gave Chile victory over Portugal in the Confederations Cup
The 34-year-old dives low to his left to keep out Nani's effort as Chile won 3-0 on penalties
The Manchester City goalkeeper saved all three spot-kicks to send Chile through to the final
Bravo was initially brought in by Pep Guardiola to replace Joe Hart last summer due to his ability with the ball at his feet, but his shot-stopping skills were increasingly scrutinised from January onwards.
Guardiola constantly batted away questions regarding Bravo's form and general happiness in Manchester, but he was eventually replaced by Willy Caballero after the Catalan lost patience with him.
Critics have questioned Bravo's strengths, especially given the ruthless dismissal of England No 1 Hart, and Ederson's £35million arrival from Benfica earlier this month has left him with a fight on his hands to regain the No 1 jersey.
But the former Real Sociedad keeper showed his qualities at stopping penalties as Chile reached the final of an international tournament for the third straight summer.
Bravo is mobbed by his ecstatic team-mates after saving the decisive spot-kick
Bravo's penalty heroics ensured Chile progressed to the Confederations Cup final
Bravo was heavily criticised for his inability to make stops before he was dropped by City
Bravo, who has made 115 appearances for Chile, saved the only penalty he faced for City in the Premier League last campaign, denying Erik Lamela in a 2-0 defeat by Tottenham last October.
Bravo's exploits came after the Copa America holders had kept Cristiano Ronaldo and Co at bay during a relatively uneventful match in which both sides showed the strains of playing four games in 10 days.
Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez would have been the expected Premier League star to shine for Chile if they were to book their place against Germany or Mexico in Sunday's final in St Petersburg.
The £35million arrival of Ederson Moraes from Benfica has left Bravo with a fight on his hands
City goalkeeper and Chile captain Bravo reacts during the tense affair on Wednesday in Russia
But it was Bravo who stepped up to the mark, keeping out efforts from from Ricardo Quaresma, Joao Moutinho and Nani as Chile converted all their spot-kicks.
After Arturo Vidal, Charles Aranguiz and Sanchez slotted from 12 yards to seal the win, Bravo told reporters: 'I don't think that (saving penalties) is just chance, it is work.
'It was a very intelligent game... the physical side wasn't enough. There was heart. And then there were the penalties, which were very clear.
'It was clear for me most of all: I knew my job, and it was up to previous standards. We leave very happy, because they are the European champions.'
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