Portugal weighs resting Ronaldo for New Zealand game

Cristiano Ronaldo feels Portugal should now have their eye on winning the Confederations Cup after securing a place in the semi-finals after a 4-0 win over New Zealand in St Petersburg. "We competed very well and we're building a team that keeps on showing that it has the ability and determination to give as good as it gets against any side".

"We know that in the semi-finals both Chile and Germany are great teams, but we are confident and want to win".

The 32-year-old has a court date in Madrid next month, accused by Spanish authorities of tax evasion, and the fallout has resulted in Ronaldo threatening to leave Real. We really care about giving everything until the bitter end.

Ronaldo scored with a penalty kick in the 33rd minute, four minutes before Bernardo Silva slipped a shot into an unguarded goal.

Russian Federation must beat Mexico to be sure of qualification.

Portugal coach Santos said at a press conference: "I will analyse the opponents and prepare the game regardless of who we will play".

All White coach Anthony Hudson was pleased with the way his team had worked, and said there were plenty of positive to take from the game.

Ronaldo's latest goal sent him level with Hungary great Sandor Kocsis and to within nine of the legendary Ferenc Puskas' European record of 84 at worldwide level.

Mexico winger Hirving Lozano took advantage of an very bad mix-up in the Russian defense to score an extraordinary goal which gave his side a 2-1 win and knocked the Confederations Cup hosts out of the tournament on Saturday.

Russia's early exit from was another setback for next year's World Cup hosts who also went out of last year's European Championship at the group stage, when they failed to win a game and were regarded by many as the worst team in the tournament.

Hosts Russia took a deserved 25th-minute lead through Aleksandr Samedov, but Nestor Araujo equalised for Mexico with a looping header on the half hour. "We played very well, we wanted to win and get the result in the first half. It was an important victory for Mexican football".

"I helped the team, I scored the opening goal and I had a few more chances", said Ronaldo.

Despite indications that Santos will rest Cristiano Ronaldo with one eye on the semifinals, Portugal should have enough talent in the team to overcome a much lower ranked New Zealand team.