World Cup 2018: Portugal vs Spain - 3 Key Battles That Will Decide the Game

#3 Cristiano Ronaldo vs Gerard Pique

Will Cristiano Ronaldo score in his fourth World Cup?

Now playing in his fourth World Cup, one would have expected five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo to have been competing with Thomas Muller for most goals at the World Cup among active goalscorers.

Instead, Ronaldo has failed to come good at the quadrennial tournament. He has only scored three goals - one in each edition. However, this seems like the tournament for him.

He is at full fitness and Portugal are one of the top teams - they did win Euro 2016 after all. No longer a winger in the team, Ronaldo has now become a forward in Portugal's 4-4-2 - often partnered with Andre Silva.

But Ronaldo still drifts out wide so he can cut in or put in crosses by drawing out defenders to allow his midfielders to make runs into the box. Nevertheless, he will still be the focal point of attack.

And the man who will be tasked with denying him shots on goal will be Gerard Pique. Ronaldo usually cuts in from the left and that is Pique's territory more than it is Sergio Ramos'.

Gerard Pique will not want a repeat of the 2014 nightmare in Russia

Pique is no stranger to Ronaldo, of course. They've met each other umpteen times in Clasicos and Ronaldo has got the better of him in recent years with some fine goals.

What could also help Ronaldo is who ends up playing at right-back for Spain. If Dani Carvajal is fit and 100%, he will be a worthy rival. However, the same cannot be said of backup right-back Alvaro Odriozola.

The right-back is prone to attacking and does not track back in time to reset Spain's defensive line when they lose the ball. Lopetegui was so incensed with his performance that he was taken off at half-time against Tunisia.

But Pique will be key to handling Ronaldo - be it in one-on-one situations or on set-pieces.

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