MARSEILLE: Two of Europe’s most prolific marksmen go head-to-head as Robert Lewandowski aims to end Cristiano Ronaldo’s dreams of landing an international trophy when Poland meet Portugal in a Euro 2016 quarter-final clash on Thursday.

Ronaldo is just one goal away from even more European championship history by matching French legend Michel Platini’s record mark of nine goals in the finals.

The Real Madrid star has already become the first player to score in four Euros and broken the competition record for appearances.

At 31 Ronaldo is unlikely to get a better chance for international glory with the winners in Marseille facing a semi-final clash against his Real Madrid team-mate Gareth Bale and Wales or Belgium.

Despite a double against Hungary to save Portugal’s blushes to sneak through the group stage in third place, Ronaldo — arguably one of sport’s greatest-ever athletes — has yet to catch fire in France.

A flat display and post-match rant against Iceland in Portugal’s opener was followed by a missed penalty in a stalemate against Austria.

He was also kept quiet for 117 minutes in a dull last 16 clash with Croatia, but his only effort on goal led to the breakthrough as Ricardo Quaresma headed home after Danijel Subasic parried Ronaldo’s effort.

But if Ronaldo is to send Portugal to the semi-finals, he’ll have to find a way through a Poland defence that’s among the toughest of the tournament.

The monstrous Polish centre-back pairing of Michal Pazdan and Kamil Glik — which looks formidable after conceding just a single goal in four games — face their toughest challenge yet, though their previous matches have not provided much by way of preparation for facing the Real Madrid star.

Describing 29-year-old Ronaldo as the “perfect athlete”, US lifestyle magazine Men’s Health says he hits speeds of more than 32 kph, jumps nearly a metre in the air off one leg, runs an average of 16 km per match and hits more winners in the last 20 minutes than anyone else.

For their part, Poland are good shotstoppers but winning ugly is fine for centre-back Jose Fonte, just as long as Portugal are winning.

“It doesn’t matter if you play beautiful or ugly football,” he said on Monday. “You have to win and I want to win. If we have to play badly every game and win, I’ll do it.

“We’ll always have a chance. We’ve got the best player in the world — Ronaldo — and the likes of Nani, Quaresma and Joao Mario.”

If the attack has stuttered, Portugal’s defence is also a concern with four goals conceded, the joint-worst of any team in the quarter-finals, along with Iceland.

The chaotic 3-3 draw with Hungary in the last group game prompted a rethink by coach Fernando Santos, who brought in the Southampton duo of Fonte and right-back Cedric for the last 16, in place of Ricardo Carvalho and Vierinha, who had started all three group games.

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

Poland’s top-scorer in qualifying, Lewandowski, remains without a goal in the tournament, but he’s often been a sacrificial element in Poland’s strategy, keeping defences occupied to create space for winger Jakub Blaszczykowski or second striker Arkadiusz Milik,

But he kept his cool to convert from the spot as Poland progressed to their first major quarter-final for 34 years with a 5-4 penalty shootout win over Switzerland.

It could be the confidence boost Lewandowski needs.

“We are not worried about Robert, not at all,” said Poland assistant boss Hubert Malowiejski, “Of course he felt some pain after that match, but there is not even the slightest bit of doubt he will be ready for Portugal.”

It is the scintillating left winger Kamil Grosicki who presents the biggest danger for Portugal’s ageing but experienced defence led by 33-year-old Pepe.

As Poland bids to reach their first tournament semi-final 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.

For Polish coach Adam Nawalka, the Ronaldo factor presents a tactical conundrum. Is he prepared to press high in search of a goal, knowing that a wrong step could unleash the Portuguese counter-attack, or does he sit back and risk becoming just a spectator to another Ronaldo masterclass?

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2016