Ronaldo will spearhead Portugal’s assault as they give the impression of being to beat a well-organised Switzerland facet.
Who: Portugal vs Switzerland
The place: Lusail Stadium
When: December 6, 10pm (19:00 GMT)
Portugal and Switzerland have already confronted one another twice this yr within the Nations League, profitable one sport apiece.
A Cristiano Ronaldo brace helped Portugal, ranked 9 on the planet, outclass Switzerland 4-0 in early June. However only a week later, the Swiss scored within the first minute and survived a barrage of Portugal assaults in an organised and resolute defensive show that helped them win 1-0.
These contests are a reminder that whereas Portugal head into this final 16 World Cup sport as favourites, Switzerland have the power to threaten and upset them.
Portugal topped their group, scoring six objectives throughout three matches. Switzerland completed second of their group after profitable their remaining sport 3-2 in opposition to Serbia in dramatic vogue. It was a match the place all guidelines went out the window as Switzerland misplaced their usually dependable defensive form, looking for a winner.
However as thrilling as that sport was, Switzerland will know that in opposition to a free-scoring Portugal, they have to return to the acquainted organised show that pissed off Brazil and Cameroon within the first two group-stage matches.
Ronaldo is 37 years outdated however continues to be a significant goal-scoring risk, as is Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, who scored twice in opposition to Uruguay. Joao Felix has additionally produced some high quality performances exhibiting why Atletico Madrid forked out $132m for the winger in 2019.
Switzerland don't boast such big-name forwards. Nonetheless, former Liverpool winger Xherdan Shaqiri has seemed vigorous this match, and ahead Breel Embolo, who has scored twice, will look to strain the veteran defender Pepe together with his tempo and energy.
Pepe has been compelled to deputise for Paris Saint-Germain’s Danilo Pereira after the centre-back broke a number of ribs throughout a coaching session.
The 2 sides have met on 5 events in all, with Portugal profitable three and Switzerland two.
Switzerland have a penchant for inflicting an upset at main tournaments, knocking out France on the 2020 Euros in an exhilarating comeback that left a shell-shocked French workforce combating amongst themselves.
The winner of this match will face the victor of the Morocco-Spain sport earlier on Tuesday.
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