Portugal vs. Spain Live: Ronaldo Doesn't Have to Score to Lift Portugal

It's no secret that Cristiano Ronaldo's strength is his goal-scoring ability. He already has three goals in Euro 2012, and all three of them have come when Portugal has needed them most.

But even if Ronaldo doesn't score against Vicente del Bosque's Spanish side in the semifinals on Wednesday (2:45 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN3), he has the capability to be a pivotal factor in a victory.

Del Bosque, despite his match-by-match lineup changes throughout the tournament, hasn't been cryptic about keeping Ronaldo at bay.

Del Bosque said, via the Telegraph:

"

We will be taking special care of Cristiano Ronaldo.

It won't be an individual (marking) thing. There will be permanent support (from midfield), as there was two years ago."

"

As you may remember, Spain held Ronaldo scoreless in the two sides' Round of 16 match in the 2010 World Cup. But, as you may also remember, Hugo Almeida nearly scored in that match. It just so happens that Almeida will be the likely fill-in for the injured Helder Postiga on Wednesday at Donbass Arena in Ukraine.

The Portuguese must go into this match understanding that other players may have a better chance of scoring than Ronaldo, a foreign thought for the side. Spain has given up just one goal in four Euro 2012 matches, and a big part of that is because they've been able to stifle the top stars of each foe.

It appears that the last thing the Spanish want is for Ronaldo to beat them. In that sense, they will be focusing primarily on Ronaldo in defense. That opens up opportunities for other players, like Almeida. Midfielder Joao Moutinho, who has looked better in an attacking role during the tournament, will also be pivotal, moving the ball and delivering precise passes to the front (he has two assists in Euro 2012).

Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world, there's no debating that. On the other hand, Portugal didn't get here just because of Ronaldo. The Portuguese must show how powerful they are as a unit when the Spanish defense collapses on Ronaldo. It's their best chance of advancing to the final.