Ronaldo-Lewandowski face off for Euros semis slot
Online Desk
30 Jun 2016 02:00 AM
Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo controls the ball during a training session at the team's base camp in Marcoussis, outskirts of Paris, on June 29, 2016, on the eve of the UEFA Euro 2016 quarter final football match Poland vs Portugal. Photo: AFP
Robert Lewandowski will be aiming to smash Cristiano Ronaldo's dreams of landing an international trophy when Poland meet Portugal in a Euro 2016 quarter-final clash on Thursday, AFP reports.
Ronaldo is just one goal away from more European championship history by matching French legend Michel Platini's record mark of nine goals in the finals.
The Real Madrid star has already become the first player to score in four Euros and broken the competition appearances record.
At 31 Ronaldo is unlikely to get a better chance for international glory.The winners in Marseille will face a semi-final clash against his Real Madrid teammate Gareth Bale and Wales or Belgium.
Portugal coach Fernando Santos insisted the weight of a nation's expectations will not burden the three-time world player of the year.
"It is a natural thing some are mentioned more than others because they are amazing players. Ronaldo knows how to deal with that," said Santos.
Despite a double against Hungary to help Portugal sneak through the group stage in third place, Ronaldo has yet to catch fire in France.
A flat display and post-match rant against Iceland in Portugal's opener was followed by a missed penalty in a stalemate against Austria.
He was also kept quiet for 117 minutes a dull last 16 clash with Croatia. But his only effort on goal led to the breakthrough as Ricardo Quaresma headed home after Danijel Subasic parried Ronaldo's effort.
Lewandowski is yet to find the net in four games in France, but kept his cool to convert from the spot as Poland progressed to their first major quarter-final for 34 years with a 5-4 penalty shootout win over Switzerland.
However, Poland coach Adam Nawalka insisted it is the better team and not just a shootout between Ronaldo and Lewandowski that will make the difference.
"I don't even want to mention Cristiano Ronaldo, who's one of the best in the world," said Nawalka.
"Football is a team game. No one player can decide the outcome of a match. Portugal have top class players throughout their team and we have to also focus on them."
