Portugal vs. Spain: Footballers to Watch in Euro 2012 Semifinal Match
Portugal need a miracle.
Four teams remain in Euro 2012, and the Portuguese are the only team with a loss. Spain have been absolutely dominant. Portugal won’t be able to outplay the Spaniards as an entire unit, but if their top players outperform Spain’s best, then they'll be in position to pull off the upset.
Here are four footballers to watch in the European Championship semifinals match.
4. David Silva
David Silva makes things happen.
The 26-year-old Manchester City star has recorded three assists and a goal in Euro 2012. He’s one of just four players to set his teammates up for a trio of goals in the tournament. If Silva puts Spain’s strikers in position for quality shot attempts throughout the match, they should roll over Portugal.
3. Nani
Scotland striker Steve Archibald doesn’t have confidence in Portugal’s ability to shock the Spaniards. Pilar Suarez of Goal.com reported that he said: “I don't think Portugal have any other [decisive] players. Cristiano Ronaldo is everything.”
Nani should take that as an insult.
The lightning-fast Manchester United midfielder is the ultimate X-factor in the match because he possesses the ability to spark a victory, but he hasn’t been overwhelmingly productive through four games.
2. Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso put Spain on his back in their quarterfinals matchup against France. He scored both goals in the Spaniards' 2-0 victory. As their hottest goal scorer, he’ll ride his momentum into the semifinals and look to end Portugal’s tournament.
The Portuguese must learn from France’s mistakes, because if they don’t, Alonso will go wild again and clinch a final berth.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo will be the best footballer on the field, and he must play like it.
While Portugal are a major underdog, and they should be, Spain should be shaking in their cleats, because Ronaldo will enter the match scorching.
The last two games, he scored every one of Portugal’s goals in a 2-1 win over the Netherlands and a 1-0 triumph over the Czech Republic. The Portuguese advanced past their first two opponents without much help from Ronaldo, but against a Spain club that have outscored their opposition 8-2 in four matches, their superstar must shine bright if they plan on playing in the final.
David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.
