Ferdinand - biggest test of young career (Allsport).

By Damian Spellman, PA Sport

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Rio Ferdinand will write himself into English footballing folklore if he can do to Ronaldo on Friday what Bobby Moore did to Pele 32 years ago.

The Leeds defender has emerged as one of the best in the competition over the last fortnight, sparking comparisons with the only Englishman to date to lift the World Cup, but he will need all his talent and perhaps a slice of luck to shut out Brazil's most dangerous striker.

Ronaldo's brilliance is no secret, and with five goals to his name already, both Ferdinand and his team-mates know that their hopes could rest on their ability to contain the dangerous Inter Milan striker.

Here, PA Sport looks at where the battle between Ferdinand and Ronaldo could be won and lost.

PACE

Ferdinand is technically a good defender who anticipates situations before they occur, but the fact that he has genuine pace is a major asset.

He is rarely caught out of position nowadays, but on the odd occasion that he is, he has the speed to atone for it, an ability which also helps him to cover erring team-mates.

Ronaldo was frighteningly quick in his early career, and although two bad knee injuries have taken their toll, his pace over a short distance is a major weapon in his armoury.

However, it is perhaps his speed of thought and his ability to put it into action which represents the main danger to England.

SKILL

Comfortable with the ball at his feet and capable of distributing it accurately, Ferdinand is the kind of defender England have struggled to find since Moore.

He is not afraid to launch the ball into the stands when the situation dictates, but has the technique to retain possession in tight areas without panicking.

Ronaldo is quite simply one of the most thrilling dribblers the game has ever produced.

At times, the ball seems to be welded to his foot as he tricks his way past defenders frozen in his headlights to get himself into goalscoring positions.

PHYSICAL PRESENCE

At 6'2" and around 12st, Ferdinand is big enough to mix it with the most physical of frontmen and mobile enough to compete with the nimblest on the floor.

He wins his headers well and has grown adept at getting himself between his man and the ball and then holding off an opponent while he deals with the threat.

For such a skilful player, Ronaldo is no shrinking violet, standing a little over 6' tall and weighing in at 12st.

He uses his body strength well to get between defenders and is difficult to muscle off the ball, especially inside the penalty area.

READING OF THE GAME

Ferdinand's ability to read the game is what marks him put as such a good defender.

It is all well and good having the weapons to deal with a series of given situations, but only the knack of being in the right place at the right time will allow a player to put them to good use.

Ronaldo has the ability to go past people for fun, but also gives his team-mates options by finding space in side the opposition penalty area to give them a target.

Losing defenders by feinting one way and going the other is a major part of his game, but he is so successful at it because he knows where the ball will be delivered and exactly when he needs to get there.

FORM

Ferdinand could hardly be in any better form after confirming his improvement since joining Leeds by turning in a series of first-class displays at international level.

He has been at his best throughout the tournament, shining particularly in the 1-0 win over Argentina and barely putting a foot wrong in the four games to date.

Ronaldo's goals so far suggest that he is close to top form after a long spell out of the international limelight, and England will be hoping he has one of his few off-days on Friday.

He has been deeply involved in many of his side's most penetrative attacks to date and has proved a major handful for the defences who have tried, and largely, failed to contain him.