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Wales' Euro 2016 dream ended by Portugal

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The great Wales adventure at Euro 2016 came to a disappointing end as they were beaten in the semi-final by Portugal in Lyon.

Chris Coleman’s side entered the biggest game in Welsh football history at their first major tournament since 1958 carried by a wave of emotion and optimism after their 3-1 win against Belgium in the quarter-final.

The big threat was always going to be Cristiano Ronaldo – and so it proved as his magnificent header broke the deadlock after 50 minutes and his shot was redirected in by former Manchester United team-mate Nani three minutes later.

Wales sorely missed the energy and authority of suspended Aaron Ramsey in midfield and with Ronaldo overshadowing his Real Madrid team-mate Bale in this semi-final’s crucial battle, a journey that has made a country proud reached its conclusion.

Portugal will now face hosts France or Germany in the Stade de France final on Sunday.

Wales exit with pride

Wales players<!–

The Wales fans have been magnificent at Euro 2016, entering into the spirit of a patchy tournament with the same passion and positive thinking that has epitomised Coleman’s squad.

And as defeat became increasingly inevitable on a steamy night in Lyon, they showed their appreciation for what they have seen in these recent weeks with rousing songs and a splash of colour.

Wales may have lost here but the manner in which they approached Euro 2016 was exemplary and has provided memories that will last a lifetime, especially those second-half goals from Hal Robson-Kanu and Sam Vokes that sank Belgium.

They took the tournament head-on, perhaps only wavering when gripped by the occasion against England in Lens, even then only losing to Daniel Sturridge’s injury-time winner.

The confidence Wales can take away from France will provide the ideal platform for their World Cup qualifying campaign to reach Russia in two years’ time, which starts against Moldova in Cardiff in September.

Ronaldo edges out Bale

Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale<!–

It was the great personal confrontation of this Euro 2016 semi-final – the meeting of the two Real Madrid superstars on either side.

And, sadly for Wales, it was Ronaldo who came out on top, although this is no reflection on Bale, who has been a shining light on and off the pitch in France. He was tireless in Lyon and ends the tournament with his reputation enhanced as an international.

Bale was dangerous in the first half here, especially with one dangerous run and cross and shot clutched by Rui Patricio, but once Wales had suffered those two blows early in the second half it was beyond even his powers to be the catalyst for a comeback.

Ronaldo had a quiet first 45 minutes but, as the greats do, he changed the emphasis of game with a towering header that was a triumph of power, technique and ability that flashed past Wales keeper Wayne Hennessey.

Now he has the chance to crown his career with the honour that has always escaped him, namely leading Portugal to victory in a major tournament.

Ronaldo v Bale touches<!–

A step too far for Wales

Wayne Hennessey<!–

Wales were robbed of their dreams of reaching the Euro 2016 final when they conceded those two goals in three minutes at the start of the second half – and it was then that it looked like their exertions in reaching the last four finally caught up with them.

The demoralising effect of those two goals from Ronaldo and Nani had a visible impact on Coleman’s team.

Wales never looked likely to launch a comeback. Indeed it was Portugal who threatened to add more goals with Ronaldo firing a blistering free-kick just over as well as having other chances.

Once those blows had been delivered, Wales looked tired and short of ideas. There is no shame in that and they can take their leave from Euro 2016 with heads held high.

Coleman can build on superb 2016

Chris Coleman<!–

Wales manager Coleman joined his squad and staff in front of thousands of their supporters in a corner of Stade de Lyon to take the acclaim at the final – now this can can be a crucial point for manager and team.

They have mixed it with the best here, earning a fully justified place in the semi-finals.

The 46-year-old has rebuilt his own reputation, scarred by bad experiences at Real Sociedad, Coventry City and Larissa in Greece after showing such promise at Fulham.

Coleman took the Welsh job in tragic circumstances in January 2012 following the death of his friend and predecessor Gary Speed, and soon answered any questions about his credentials by guiding them to Euro 2016.

Here, in contrast to the shambles played out by England, Wales looked motivated, organised and with a clear plan.

This may the end of one momentous journey but it could be the start of another.

Man of the match – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Cristiano Ronaldo<!–

The game in numbers

  • Cristiano Ronaldo is the first player to play in three Euro semi-finals (2004, 2012, 2016).
  • Ronaldo has appeared in 20 European Championship games, three more than any other player (Gianluigi Buffon and Bastian Schweinsteiger on 17).
  • Ronaldo equalled Michel Platini’s record of nine Euros goals. Five of them have been headers.
  • This is only Portugal’s second semi-final victory in a major tournament (out of seven) and their first on foreign soil.
  • This was Portugal’s first win at Euro 2016 in normal time.
  • Wales failed to score for the first time in their last six games.
  • Since the start of 2015, Wales have failed to win any of their four games without Aaron Ramsey (D1 L3).

Line-ups

Portugal

  • 1Rui Patrício
  • 21Soares
  • 4Fonte
  • 2Bruno AlvesBooked at 71mins
  • 5Guerreiro
  • 13Danilo
  • 16Renato SanchesSubstituted forAndré Gomesat 74′minutes
  • 10João Mário
  • 23Adrien SilvaSubstituted forJoão Moutinhoat 79′minutes
  • 7RonaldoBooked at 72mins
  • 17NaniSubstituted forQuaresmaat 86′minutes

Substitutes

  • 6Carvalho
  • 8João Moutinho
  • 9Éder
  • 11Vieirinha
  • 12Lopes
  • 15André Gomes
  • 18Rafa Silva
  • 19Eliseu
  • 20Quaresma
  • 22Eduardo

Wales

  • 1Hennessey
  • 2Gunter
  • 19CollinsSubstituted forWilliamsat 66′minutes
  • 6Williams
  • 5ChesterBooked at 62mins
  • 3Taylor
  • 7AllenBooked at 8mins
  • 16LedleySubstituted forVokesat 58′minutes
  • 8King
  • 9Robson-KanuSubstituted forChurchat 63′minutes
  • 11BaleBooked at 88mins

Substitutes

  • 12Fon Williams
  • 13Williams
  • 14Edwards
  • 15Richards
  • 17Cotterill
  • 18Vokes
  • 20Williams
  • 21Ward
  • 22Vaughan
  • 23Church
Referee:
Jonas Eriksson
Attendance:
55,679

Match Stats

Home TeamPortugalAway TeamWales
Possession
Home44%
Away56%
Shots
Home18
Away9
Shots on Target
Home6
Away3
Corners
Home6
Away2
Fouls
Home10
Away12

Live Text

Match ends, Portugal 2, Wales 0.

Full Time

Second Half ends, Portugal 2, Wales 0.

Attempt blocked. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Foul by Joe Allen (Wales).

Ricardo Quaresma (Portugal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Attempt saved. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.

Corner, Portugal. Conceded by Neil Taylor.

Booking

Gareth Bale (Wales) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Foul by Gareth Bale (Wales).

Cédric Soares (Portugal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Substitution

Substitution, Portugal. Ricardo Quaresma replaces Nani.

Attempt missed. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by André Gomes.

Attempt blocked. Gareth Bale (Wales) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Gareth Bale (Wales) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Foul by João Mário (Portugal).

Attempt missed. Ashley Williams (Wales) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.

Attempt saved. Gareth Bale (Wales) left footed shot from more than 35 yards is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by James Chester.

Substitution

Substitution, Portugal. João Moutinho replaces Adrien Silva.

Attempt saved. Danilo Pereira (Portugal) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Cédric Soares.

Corner, Portugal. Conceded by Neil Taylor.

Attempt blocked. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Nani.

Attempt saved. Gareth Bale (Wales) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jonathan Williams.

Foul by Simon Church (Wales).

Cédric Soares (Portugal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Substitution

Substitution, Portugal. André Gomes replaces Renato Sanches.

Attempt missed. Renato Sanches (Portugal) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Bruno Alves following a fast break.

Attempt missed. James Chester (Wales) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Gareth Bale with a cross following a set piece situation.

Booking

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) is shown the yellow card.

Jonathan Williams (Wales) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Foul by Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal).

Booking

Bruno Alves (Portugal) is shown the yellow card for dangerous play.

Wayne Hennessey (Wales) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Dangerous play by Bruno Alves (Portugal).

Attempt saved. José Fonte (Portugal) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by João Mário with a cross.

Corner, Portugal. Conceded by Ashley Williams.

Foul by Chris Gunter (Wales).

Renato Sanches (Portugal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Attempt missed. Sam Vokes (Wales) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Gareth Bale.

Substitution

Substitution, Wales. Jonathan Williams replaces James Collins.

Attempt missed. João Mário (Portugal) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.

goal

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