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Portugal vs Chile – Match Preview

We have reached the Semi Final stages of the FIFA Confederations Cup and the first of these two matches takes place this evening when European Champions Portugal go head to with Copa America Winners Chile. A fixture that will pit Cristiano Ronaldo and Alexis Sanchez with the winner moving onto Sunday’s Final.

Portugal are here by virtue of topping Group A after picking up seven points from three group matches, they earned the same points as Mexico but due to a better goal difference it was they and not the COMNEBOL representatives who ended up with group supremacy.

To be honest though it may have suited Portugal better to finish group runners-up and face something of an experimental Germany side, that said they are more than likely going to have to face Chile at some point so if they can clear this hurdle then the final would see them go into the game as favourites.

They made easy work of New Zealand on Saturday with a 4-0 win over the All Whites, although it did come at a cost when Bernardo Silva picked up an ankle injury he is no doubtful for the fixture with Chile but there is enough talent in this squad to make sure he is not missed too much.

For Chile they come into this game off the back of two successive 1-1 draws, firstly with Germany and then with Australia on Sunday. That was a result which meant they qualified through Group B as runners up and this subsequent tie with Portugal.

It was slightly nervy on Sunday against the Socceroos when they were behind thanks to James Troisi’s first half strike, had Australia had scored one more than it would have been them and not the Chilean’s advancing to the Semi Finals.

Thankfully though Chile found an equaliser on the 67th minute thanks to Martin Rodriguez’s strike. It was a game where Alexis Sanchez was kept quiet and he will need to be a lot more involved tonight if they are to get the better of Portugal.

Portugal go into the game as favourites and arguably have the more talented squad but this Chilean outfit is not one to be taken lightly. That said I think that Cristiano Ronaldo and company will just edge this one, I reckon it will be they that advance to the final with a win by a single goal.

Above you can see what my twitter followers think will happen later on, I will analyse that in more detail on my other website Real Football Data

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