Football is a team game, but in high-stake matches, it is sometimes the superstars that can single-handedly seal victory. This is what could unfold in the UEFA Euro 2016 semi-final, when Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal take on a Wales side lead by hot-shot Gareth Bale.
Fans eagerly await to see the world’s most expensive player clash with the former world’s most expensive player, as the Real Madrid team-mates look to end the other’s hopes of making the final in Paris.
Bale's #WAL will face Cristiano's #POR in the semifinal...#TogetherStronger #ForçaPortugal #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/O5jQPfE542
— Arsal (@iArsal11) July 2, 2016
so this means we know for sure either cristiano or bale will be in the final yay
— (@desiempreblanco) July 2, 2016
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Gareth Bale -
— Footy Funz (@FootyFunz) July 2, 2016
Who is the best player in world ? pic.twitter.com/2nv5voKVBN
Real Madrid teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale will face each other in semifinals. #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/HIgwnfWQOg
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 1, 2016
GARETH BALE TO MAKE CRISTIANO CRY IN THE SEMI FINALS
— Luna (@Ancelottied) July 1, 2016
But who'll come out on top? Who do the stats back? Here we take a look at their numbers.
Who is more lethal and clinical?
Cristiano has two goals to his name in the current European Championship, a not-so-bad tally given that the top-scorers – Griezmann, Morata, and Bale – have three each. However, Ronnie, one of Europe’s most lethal attackers, has not been clinical in front of goal usual.
#WAL Robson-Kanu on Gareth Bale: "Cristiano & Messi are both world-class players. But we have a world-class player who is better."
— M.A.J (@UItraSuristic) July 1, 2016
The 31-year-old’s two-goal tally has only found the back of the net in a single game – the 3-3 draw with Hungary – despite having had 36 shots, the same as the Italian national side put together. Bale, on the other hand, has scored three from 21 shots, tallying up to a 74% shot accuracy, compared to Cristiano’s 41%.
Chances created
Here is where the Portugal captain gets the better of the Welsh ace. With Bale joint-top in the goalscoring charts, Cristiano has been more of a playmaker than his Real Madrid team-mate. Ronaldo has an assists to his name; Gareth has none, but the three-time Ballon d’Or winner has also seven key passes and eight created chances under his belt. Bale’s tally sits at four for both criteria.
Free-kicks – the apprentice surpasses the master
Bale’s free-kicks have drastically improved since arriving at Santiago Bernabeu. Maybe he has been taking tips from Cristiano. Nonetheless, it is the former Spurs ace who has the edge over the former Man United star, having scored from a free-kick in Wales’ first two group stage games.
Cristiano, though, awaits his first free-kick goal in a major international tournament.
How would @Cristiano react if one of his #POR team-mates asked to take a free-kick? pic.twitter.com/ap9HqIU2Wt
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 30, 2016
Cristiano vs. Bale – the last time they faced off
They’ve worn the same jersey for three seasons now, but five years ago they took the pitch on opposing sides when Tottenham clashed with Los Blancos in the Champions League. Coincidentally – or maybe not – the winning goal in that match was scored by none other Cristiano, as Real Madrid went on to win 5-0 on aggregate.
Two of Europe’s biggest attackers will go head-to-head in the semi-final tie in Lyon. All of this just makes an exciting UEFA Euro 2016 game even more thrilling.
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