Joao Mario struggled to believe Portugal were on their way to the Euro 2016 final after a 2-0 win over Wales in Lyon, but coach Fernando Santos always had faith in their stuttering campaign.
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My debut. Now 12 years have gone by and now we are going to play another final.
Do you think Ronaldo and Portugal can win this year’s Euro? I’ve always dreamt of winning something for Portugal and now it’s just one step away.
“We are there and that fills me with pride”.
“Hopefully it is the start of us qualifying for major tournaments regularly and make a lot more teams notice what we are all about – the way we play and the passion we play with”.
He kept Ronaldo quiet for long spells, but lamented the split second when the three-time world player of the year showed his true class.
Ronaldo has also become the only player to score in four Euros tournaments (2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016) and is the first player to score three or more goals at two different Euros.
The Real Madrid star was on the losing side when Portugal lost their only previous final to Greece on home soil at Euro 2004.
“We are massively disappointed obviously but we have given everything on and off the pitch”, said Wales talisman Bale.
“It was important for us to get over the psychological barrier and qualify for the first tournament”, said Coleman.
There were 10,000 supporters inside the stadium for the Portugal match, and they were in fine voice as they stood 90 minutes from a first ever tournament final.
He wasn’t even close to finished though, getting a hug from a delighted Ronaldo before chasing after the 31-year-old to beg for a selfie.
Bale twice worked Rui Patricio with swerving efforts from range, but Portugal remained a threat, with Nani, Jose Fonte and Danilo all testing Hennessey.
Tottenham Hotspur defender Ben Davies, who was suspended for the semi-final, and Leicester City’s midfielder Andy King are also on the fringes of their clubs. Portugal won the match 2-0.
Ronaldo gave Portugal the lead on 50 minutes before Nani added a second on 53 minutes, and Collins said: “The first half went very well”. Ronaldo had seen enough, thumping in a header – his record-equalling ninth finals goal – then cracking in a low drive that Nani diverted in.
“I congratulated them on their run, thy had an wonderful run”.
“You can only say good things about this Wales side, what they’ve achieved, what they’ve done in this tournament”, Giggs told ITV.
Ronaldo is desperate to win on Sunday at the Stade de France in what could be his last big chance of winning a Euro or world title.
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Wales has arranged a huge homecoming party for its Euro 2016 team as politicians, actors and sports stars showered Chris Coleman’s squad with praise on Thursday despite their semi-final defeat by Portugal.
