Portugal boss Fernando Santos has given no indication over whether Cristiano Ronaldo will be rested for their final Confederations Cup group game against New Zealand vs Portugal
The 32-year-old’s 74th international goal delivered a win over Russia on Wednesday, meaning a draw against the pointless Kiwis would be enough for the Euro 2016 champions to advance to the last four.
Santos has promised he will rotate his team against the All Whites, with one change enforced due to Borussia Dortmund left-back Raphael Guerreiro’s injury, though he did not show his hand when it came to questions about his most valuable asset.
Ronaldo was rested at times by Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane towards the end of the season and reaped the benefits as he helped his club secure both the LaLiga and Champions League titles.
Put to him that those in Saint Petersburg and others watching back in New Zealand were excited about watching the forward, Santos told a press conference: “There are many millions who, every time Cristiano plays, New Zealand vs Portugal Live are very interested in him playing. He’s the best player in the world.
“Everybody wants to watch Cristiano Ronaldo, even I want to watch Cristiano Ronaldo!
“I don’t know if I’m going to play with Cristiano or not, I’m not going to tell you anything about the line-up. I don’t want the opponents to know. Rotation will take place, that’s what I can tell you.”
While acknowledging Ronaldo’s status, New Zealand manager Anthony Hudson was keen to stress that even without him, the European champions will pose a serious test for his already-eliminated side.
“I think he’s the best in the world,” Hudson said. “You take Ronaldo out of the team, you still have some world-class players in there as well. We’ve seen everything has been tried and it’s not one of those where if you deal with Ronaldo then that’s it. They have other top players.
“We have a gameplan that we’re going to stick to. We’re not overawed by it. We’re looking forward to it. We’re not just going there to play against Portugal and Ronaldo, we’re going there to get a result.”
Ronaldo might not be the only leading light New Zealand vs Portugal Live Stream. are facing in the coming months.
A return to Russia for next summer’s World Cup will only be possible if the All Whites, who must first win the qualifying section in Oceania, can then win a play-off against the team that finishes fifth in South America, which is a spot currently occupied by Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
“I don’t think it will be Argentina now they have the coach they have,” Hudson added, referencing the appointment of Jorge Sampaoli earlier this month.
“We have an incredible amount Portugal vs New Zealand of confidence that whoever we face, it’s the fifth best team in South America. They’re fifth for a reason and we’ll have confidence going into that game.”In an evenly-matched game at Sochi’s Fisht Stadium, Mexico survived a major scare to eventually run out 2-1 winners, after second-half goals by Raul Jimenez and Oribe Peralta overturned a first-half strike from New Zealand captain Chris Wood.
All Whites boss Anthony Hudson put his faith in youth by including 18-year-old Dane Ingham in the starting line-up – the second youngest player ever to appear at the Confederations Cup – along with 22-year-old Ryan Thomas.
New Zealand started much the brighter of the two teams, with Mexico struggling to get to grips with their high-pressing game. Mexico head coach Juan Carlos Osorio made major changes to the team that drew 2-2 with Portugal on Sunday, and his side struggled to find any fluency in the face of New Zealand’s intensity.Kiwi striker Wood almost gave the All Whites the lead around the half-hour mark but he failed to beat Mexico keeper Alfredo Portugal vs New Zealand Live Talavera when one-on-one.The New Zealand skipper made no mistake on 42 minutes though, capitalizing on sloppy Mexican play to fire past Talavera and give the All Whites a deserved lead going into the break.
Mexico unsurprisingly came out fired up for the second half, and put New Zealand under near-constant pressure from the off – going close through Giovani dos Santos, who fired over from five yards out when unmarked.
Wood had a golden chance to extend New Zealand’s lead when again one-on-one with Talavera, but failed to round the Mexico keeper and was made to rue the miss just seconds later when Jimenez equalized for Mexico with a sharp turn and strike on 54 minutes.
Rafa Marquez came on for El Tri, at 38 years and four months old becoming the second-oldest player ever to appear at the Tournament of Champions.
Portugal vs New Zealand Live Stream finally began to settle again and seemed to be gaining the ascendancy, but were hit by a sucker-blow when Mexico struck on 72 minutes, when Oribe Peralta fired in from a Javier Aquino