Pulling the strings: Andres Iniesta will be pivotal to Spain's fortunes

The fact that so much is at stake may encourage cautious football. Nevertheless, it is debatable whether defending and counter- attacking comes naturally to this Portuguese team.

This is not the most talented group of players Portugal have had in recent years and against a limited Czech Republic team in last week’s quarter-final they did look like a side who would struggle to win without their captain and talisman Ronaldo.

Nevertheless, they are also a team who are happiest when in possession and that may bode well for an unusually open contest at the Donbass Arena.

Portugal coach Bento added: ‘Of course there are going to be moments in the game where we can combine and pass a lot. I have absolutely no doubt. And we want possession of the ball.

‘We have ambition. We know what we have to do. We have to impose pressure. Our aim is not to defend all the time. We know we can cause lots of problems.’

Ronaldo himself — scorer of three goals so far — was not present at the press conference. His name was never far away from the surface of discussion, though.

Told by a Ukrainian journalist that 95 per cent of the local women would be cheering for
Ronaldo, Bento’s reply was prompt. ‘If it was 95 per cent until now then I think in this game Cristiano could win over that last five per cent,’ he said.

As Del Bosque said of his opponents’ greatest threat: ‘He rarely goes unnoticed.’

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