Red-hot Chile look to stop Ronaldo

battle within a battle: Cristiano Ronaldo (left), enjoying a rich vein of form, and the hard-working Alexis Sanchez will be the key men for Portugal and Chile respectively when the two sides lock horns in the first semifinal on Wednesday.

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Image may contain: 24 people, people smiling, people playing sports, text and outdoor

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THE TROPHY HAULS

Ronaldo: LaLiga, Champions League, Club World Cup
Sanchez: FA Cup

Arsenal's failure to qualify for the Champions League could prompt Sanchez's departure, despite their impressive FA Cup final win over Chelsea. Sanchez scored a contentious opener at Wembley, but staying at Arsenal will mean no place at Europe's top table for the Chilean, after Arsene Wenger's side finished fifth in the Premier League.

Copa America champions Chile will try to curb Portugal's superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in Wednesday's Confederations Cup semifinal with the goal-ace in rich form despite the tax storm brewing in Spain.

The 32-year-old converted a penalty in Saturday's 4-0 thrashing of New Zealand to claim his 75th international goal.

The Real Madrid forward has now scored 16 times in his last 10 games for club and country.

Portugal's captain will face tax evasion charges in a Madrid court next month, but has dazzled on the pitch in Russia, claiming man-of-the-match awards in all three games, netting two goals and providing an assist.

After steering Portugal to the Euro 2016 title in Paris a year ago, Ronaldo will want to claim a second international title in Sunday's Confederation Cup final in St Petersburg, against Mexico or Germany who meet in the other semifinal.

Ronaldo is closing in on the legendary Ferenc Puskas' European record of 84 international goals, despite the off-field turmoil and constant speculation about his future, having threatened to quit Real.

"We all know he's an amazing player, he's very dangerous and can decide a game alone," said Chile midfielder Marcelo Diaz, who has often faced Ronaldo with his club Celta Vigo, in Tuesday's press conference.

"He has had an amazing season in Spain, he's playing here with the same strength, which is why Portugal are in the semifinal.

"The main thing is trying to stop him getting the ball and scoring."

Chile, who won the Copa America in both 2015 and 2016, will present Portugal with their toughest test so far in Russia, yet the South Americans have yet to beat Portugal in three attempts with two defeats and a draw.

Fatigue could well be an issue in Portugal's ranks.

Head coach Fernando Santos opted to rest none of his forward line and it has been a long season for the likes of Ronaldo, Joao Moutinho, Andre Gomes and Bernardo Silva.

Defender Pepe sits out the game after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament in the big win over the Kiwis.

Left-back Raphael Guerreiro is struggling with a bruised foot from the win over Russia.

Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi has all 23 players fit and midfielder Charles Aranguiz has recovered from a knock in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Australia.

Despite doubts about Alexis Sanchez's Arsenal future, the Chile camp says their star striker is in high spirits. They hope his good performances will showcase his skills to potential future employers.
With a year left on his Gunners' contract, Sanchez is stalling on signing an extension amid rumours of a switch to Germany giants Bayern Munich.

"He's giving his best here and I think most players would like to be in a similar situation, because the best squads in the world want to have him, even if he is already at a good club," said Pizzi.

History is on the Iberian nation’s side although both haven’t met many times in the past. The first meeting happened in 1972 with Portugal humiliating their Chilean counterparts 4-1. The scoreline six years ago was more respectable as they played out a 1-1 draw.

Cristiano Ronaldo did not feature in that match. His number 7 jersey was carried by Ricardo Quaresma who came on as a substitute in the 62nd minute to replace first-half goalscorer Silvestre Varela.

Wednesday’s meet-up in Russia will offer the 32-year-old an opportunity to measure himself against the best of CONMEBOL’s teams.

To avoid the European champions captained by the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, the Chileans had to defeat Australia. This is a mission they failed to accomplish although the 1-1 draw was enough for the South Americans (5) to qualify from Group B as runners-up behind leaders Germany (7) who will be facing Mexico in the other semi-final clash.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal will look to move to within one game of securing the Confederations cup in Russia, with less than a year to go until the world cup gets underway.

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A 4-0 win over New Zealand on Saturday saw Portugal safely into the semi-finals.

Lying in their way is a Chile side that finished second in group B, booking a place in the semi-final with a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Australia on Sunday.

Despite some unconvincing performances from the South American champions so far, Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi has said that his team “won’t make it easy” for the European champions and has vowed Chile will “compete and try to beat them [Portugal]”.

Having dominated their respective continents just a year ago, Cristiano Ronaldo and Alexis Sanchez will take on the best from around the world at the Confederations Cup.

Ronaldo dragged Portugal to the final of Euro 2016, where they sealed glory despite the Real Madrid star's injury, while Sanchez and Chile tasted Copa America glory for a second year in a row.

World Cup champions Germany have selected an experimental squad as they look ahead to defending their crown in Russia next year, so A Seleccao and La Roja are bringing the star quality.

But which of the stellar attackers is best set to shine this year? With Opta data, we analyse Ronaldo and Sanchez's campaigns at Real Madrid and Arsenal respectively...