After an exhilarating opening ten minutes, in which both teams could and should have found the back of the net, the game deteriorated into a largely drab affair before springing into life late in extra-time.

The VAR was not called into action to review José Fonte's clear foul on Francisco Silva in the box.

Iranian referee Alireza Faghani had the option to initiate a video review of the incident but chose not to, instead awarding a goal-kick.

The impressive ArturoVidal and Martin Rodriguez then rattled the Portugal post and crossbar.

Goalless after two hours and so to penalties. Arturo Vidal, Charles Aránguiz and Alexis Sánchez were all on target for the Copa America champions whilst Manchester City’s much maligned keeper Claudio Bravo performed heroics as he saved the spot-kicks of Ricardo Quaresma, João Moutinho and Nani.

Portugal boss Fernando Santos had brought all three as substitutes with penalties in mind but they were so predictable and poor that Cristiano Ronaldo didn't even get a chance from the spot.

After a string of poor performances at the Etihad Stadium, Claudio Bravo only started three of City’s last sixteen games, it is expected that the record signing of Benfica keeper Ederson will see him sidelined yet again. But that won’t worry the Chile fans who hailed their hero much as Portugal did when Ricardo saved from Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher in the 2006 World Cup quarter-final penalty shoot-out against England.

In a late twist to the on-off transfer of Alexis Sánchez to Bayern Munich it would appear that the player’s excessive wage demand has scuppered the deal. Sanchez could walk for nothing this time next year with the attacker now in the final year of his contract. He could now join Claudio Bravo at Manchester City who are the only side willing to pay Sanchez’s wage demands and meet Arsenal’s €55m plus asking price.