ALEXIS SANCHEZ-2017Chile and Portugal will play for the semifinals of the Confederations Cup at the Kazan Arena in Tatarstan, Russia.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Alexis Sanchez, who have become two key figures in the Confederations Cup with their respective teams, want to clinch a spot in the final.

Portugal-Chile features the European champion against the champion of South America and the winner will play for the title on Sunday in St. Petersburg against the winner of the Mexico-Germany match, which takes place on Thursday in Sochi.

Chile and Portugal have met three times, with two Portuguese wins and a draw, so the Chileans will seek to break that trend and get an opportunity to play for the title.

In the attack Cristiano Ronaldo could reunite with his old partners, Nani and Ricardo Quaresma, as in the first game against Mexico (2-2), due to the ankle injury suffered by Bernardo Silva. Andre Silva will also be an option.

Chilean coach Juan Antonio Pizzi showed his satisfaction for having his 23 players available, after Gary Medel and Charles Aranguiz recovered from their injuries and that captain Claudio Bravo returned to the starting lineup against Australia after recovering from muscular problems.

Portugal and Chile are the semi-finalists that have allowed the least number of goals in the group stage (two), but the South American team has scored just four goals in the group stage, the least of the four semifinalists, despite their clearly defined offensive style.

Pizzi’s team has been much more powerful in the first halves, applying stifling pressure from the start, but in the second halves, they end up getting tired and allowing their opponents more freedom.

To reach this semifinal Chile defeated Cameroon 2-0, and drew 1-1 with Germany and Australia in the groups stage. Portugal meanwhile drew 2-2 with Mexico, won 1-0 against Russia and defeated New Zealand 4-0.

 

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