Ronaldo equaled Michel Platini’s record of nine goals in European Championship football when he timed a prodigious leap to perfection and planted home a header in the 50th.
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Ronaldo then saw his shot turned in by Nani for a second goal three minutes later, ending Wales’ remarkable run at their first major finals since 1958.
Both teams have selection issues ahead of this clash with Chris Coleman and Fernando Santos forced into making changes from their quarter-final line-ups. But then he notched a brace in the group stage finale against Hungary, single-handedly putting Portugal into the knockout stages, and now he’s scored in the semifinals as Portugal chase a spot in the final. I wonder if Cristiano Ronaldo will put in a big performance because he’s up against Gareth Bale, which we need him to do. Gareth Bale has led his side from the front, with 3 goals in 5 games, only one short of France’s Antoine Griezmann, who is top scorer with 4 goals.
The Welsh, with midfielder Aaron Ramsey suspended and replaced by Leicester City’s Premier League victor Andy King, had an early spell of possession but a tight Portugal defense kept them at bay. Watch the latest BallTalk for the best sports chat and analysis: Euro 2016 – Can Wales win Euro 2016?
Tonight’s match was the first time that Wales have appeared in the semi-finals of a UEFA or Federation Internationale de Football Association tournament at any level. Wales defender James Chester was blindsided by Ronaldo, who scored his third goal of the tournament – one less than France forward Antoine Griezmann.
Portugal injected some urgency after the break, pressing high up the field.
“They really are fantastic supporters, the best in the world”.
Chris Coleman’s side made it all the way to the semi-finals on their maiden appearance in the competition, but ultimately fell at the penultimate hurdle as goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani sent Portugal into the final.
I think we have added to the tournament. He said: “In the first few games we didn’t look too good defensively”.
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Wait a minute… we’re pretty sure he doesn’t play for Portugal. But we have always spoken about what we do, what we do ourselves as a team.
