Ronaldo aims for Euro record but faces tough Polish defense

MARSEILLE: If Cristiano Ronaldo is to send Portugal to the semifinals and match Michel Platini's all-time European Championship scoring record, he'll have to find a way through a Poland defense that's among the toughest of the tournament.

Ronaldo has scored eight goals from four championships, one shy of Platini's nine, though he's been on inconsistent form in Platini's home country.

Frustrated and angry in Portugal's opening draws with Iceland and Austria, Ronaldo has shown flashes of his true talent since then, scoring two goals in a 3-3 draw with Hungary and setting up Ricardo Quaresma's winner against Croatia in the round of 16.

Portugal also has injury concerns, as left-back Raphael Guerreiro and midfielders Jose Moutinho and Andre Gomes are all doubtful.

Poland's top scorer in qualifying, Robert Lewandowski, remains scoreless in the tournament, but he's often been a sacrificial element in Poland's strategy, keeping defenses occupied to create space for winger Jakub Blaszczykowski or second striker Arkadiusz Milik.

However, the resulting chances have often been wasted, especially by Milik.

As Poland bids to reach its first tournament semifinal since the 1982 World Cup, Lukasz Fabianski will continue to deputize for injured first-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who has missed the last three games with a thigh injury.

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