Claudio Bravo Made A Bold But Brilliant Prediction Before Penalty Heroics vs Portugal

Claudio Bravo was the unexpected hero during Chile's Confederation Cup semi-final victory over Portugal. The 34-year-old remarkably saved penalty kicks from Ricardo Quaresma, Joao Moutinho and Nani to send Portugal packing.

The Manchester City goalkeeper has come under a huge amount of criticism in recent months, but his heroics in Kazan last night proved that there is a glimmer of hope for Pep Guardiola.

As we mentioned earlier, despite making 22 appearances for Manchester City last season, Claudio Bravo made as many saves in the penalty shootout against Portugal as in the Premier League in 2017.

He also proved his incredible lease of life moments before he saved three penalties in the crucial shoot-out.

Bravo

Bravo

Bravo celebrates victory with Gary Medel after the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 semi-final. Images: PA

Chile teammate Arturo Vidal revealed shortly after the game what Bravo said to his international teammates before saving penalty kicks from Quaresma, Moutinho and former Manchester United winger Nani.

In an interview via ESPN Deportes, Vidal said that the 34-year-old predicted his heroics:

"Claudio is extraordinary. He told us before the penalties that he was going to stop two or three."

After the game, Bravo insisted that Chile's penalty shootout heroics was down to hard work and study:

"I don't think it's only chance. I think you need to work a lot, you need to study your opponent. I think we played with our heads. We were quite tired at the end but playing with our heads as well as our hearts.

"I knew what I had to do. Of course we're very happy because we've been able to stop the European champions.

"Portugal had many chances to score. I think the game was quite balanced. Both teams showed great respect for the other.

"The secret, I think, is that we never stop believing in ourselves and we want to do everything we can to win. We still have one more game to win."

Claudio Bravo wasn't the only goalkeeper to produce the goods this week.

Germany U21 goalkeeper Julian Pollersbeck saved Tammy Abraham's and Nathan Redmond's spot-kicks during the European Championship semi-final, but not without a secret weapon.

Check out what the keeper did before Chilwell converted:

Credit: Sky Sports

Do you think Claudio Bravo will come back better and stronger under Pep Guardiola next season? Should Manchester City give the 34-year-old a chance to prove himself?

Let us know in the comments.

(H/T: ESPN Deportes)

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_