Cristiano Ronaldo upstaged Gareth Bale to propel Portugal into its second European Championship final, scoring a thumping header and then setting up Nani’s goal in a 2-0 win over Wales on Wednesday.
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The three-time world player of the year has been criticised for hogging free-kicks and penalties and for remonstrating with team-mates when their passes fail to reach him.
Three minutes later, Nani extended Portugal’s lead to 2-0 as he converted a brilliant cross from Ronaldo into another goal.
Except for Real Madrid star Gareth Bale’s solo attempts at scoring, Wales never threatened Rui Patricio’s goal, and it was Portugal who would look at the final score thinking it should have been more.
Cristiano Ronaldo made history on Wednesday evening as he equalled Michel Platini’s tally of nine goals at European Championships. Bale was the most risky Welsh player on the pitch.
Ronaldo collected a weak clearance 25 yards out, and his skewed shot was turned past Wayne Hennessey from close range by Nani just three minutes after the opener.
“We had hard moments, but it’s like I always say: it’s better to start poorly and have a positive ending”.
While the first half may have been rather uninspiring, the second was anything but as Ronaldo and Portugal took control of the contest.
Ronaldo had to wait until the 44th minute until his first sight of goal, heading over from Adrien Silva’s inswinging left-flank cross, while Joao Mario dragged a shot across goal and wide.
Bale embellished his status as one of the world’s leading players, but Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey – suspended against Portugal – was equally effective.
“Nobody thought Portugal could get to the final and but we are there, that makes me proud and happy”. We’re a proud bunch.
Their rival will be the victor of Germany-France semi-final match.
Ronaldo led from the front, as he scored a first goal for his team off a brilliant header which came in the 50th minute of the game.
Santos, who previously coached Greece at Euro 2012 and the last World Cup, emphasised that Portugal had not given an inch to their opponents once again.
“They have always kept cheering and rooting for us – they have suffered with us until now”.
“We haven’t won anything yet as I said a few days ago, but the dream is still alive”.
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Russian Federation was last in its Euro 2016 group with losses to Slovakia and Wales and a draw with England, prompting fears of a similar failure as host nation at the World Cup in 2018.
