Copa America winners Chile take on European champions and Portugal in the first semi-final at the Confederations Cup. The match will be played on Wednesday June 28
th 2017 at the Kazan Arena as both teams continue on their quests to lift ‘the cup of champions’ on Russian soil a year ahead of their return for the 2018 World Cup.
Chile ended as Group B runners-up after a win and two draws as they booked their place in the last four alongside Portugal who finished on top of Group A with two wins and a draw.
Portugal Group A results:
- Mexico (D) 2-2
- Russia (W) 1-0
- New Zealand (W) 4-0
Chile Group B results:
- Cameroon (W) 2-0
- Germany (D) 1-1
- Australia (D) 1-1
When it comes to key men look no further than Chile’s star-forward Alexis Sanchez and Portugal’s iconic number ‘7’ Cristiano Ronaldo as the players that can make a real difference. Sanchez spent three years in Spain, battling out bloody “El Clasicos” for Barcelona against Real Madrid’s Ronaldo before the former made the move to Arsenal in England. The two will come face-to-face for the first time in international football however, and Sanchez’ Chilean team-mate, Bayern Munich’s Arturo Vidal has already started the war of words ahead of Wednesday’s encounter, lashing out at the four-time Ballon d’Or winner. Speaking to reporters he said: "For me he does not exist. I have already told (Bayern Munich team-mate) Joshua Kimmich that we will meet again in the final!"