The All Whites have gone down 2-1 to Mexico in a thrilling and heated Confederations Cup group encounter in Sochi.
And Russia know the key to derailing Portugal is ensuring Ronaldo has a quiet match at Moscow's Spartak Stadium.
SOCHI, Russia (AP) - Mexico asserted its superiority in the second half against New Zealand to avoid a Confederations Cup embarrassment on Wednesday, coming from behind to win a fiery Group A encounter 2-1 that ended in a brawl.
However, the win was bittersweet as Portugal left-back Raphael Guerreiro was hospitalized with a suspected leg fracture. The European champions struggled to kill off the game despite several chances and could have conceded when Georgy Dzhikiya headed narrowly over in stoppage time.
Cristiano Ronaldo's woes deepened yesterday when the star striker who reportedly wants to quit Real Madrid was summoned to appear before a judge investigating tax fraud.
Akinfeev had kept his team in the match early in the second half when he tipped a powerful header by Andre Silva round the post.
Ronaldo took no questions from the media and did not comment on his legal issues.
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Portugal coach Fernando Santos has said he will rotate his team during the tournament. "He's a top quality player and, personally, this might have an impact on his new season as well". "Let's see. The exam results will tell us".
Santos praised his team for their dedication under pressure to hold on to the lead. That's all to say that though Mexico are certainly big favourites, they certainly shouldn't underestimate their opponents. Cristiano Ronaldo was named Man of the Match after assisting on Portugal's opening goal.
The Real Madrid star was unmarked at the back post, where he rose to head Raphael Guerreiro's cross past Russian Federation keeper Igor Akinfeev and into the net after just eight minutes.
Wood passed up another glorious opportunity when he got in behind the Mexican defence once again four minutes later, and he was made to pay within seconds when Jimenez smashed an equaliser past Marinovic.
Juan Carlos Osorio's side now just need a draw against Russian Federation in Kazan on Saturday to be sure of reaching the semi-finals, but New Zealand are bottom of the group and out of the tournament.
"There's nothing better than when it all depends on you", he said.
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