A goal and an assist from Cristiano Ronaldo in the space of three second-half minutes sent Portugal into Sunday’s final and left Wales and their fans to reflect on an historic campaign.
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Ronaldo, unsurprisingly, was the catalyst and struck the first blow in the 50th minute, with his exceptional powered header seeing him join Michel Platini as the joint-highest scorer in European Championship history.
Unfortunately for the Welsh, his dragged shot fell into the path of Nani, who steered the ball into the net to give Portugal a 2-0 lead.
Ronaldo – the first to feature in three Euro semi-finals – has also become the only player with three or more goals in two Euro tournaments.
Portugal last competed in a final at Euro 2004, when the team lost on home soil to Greece.
Portugal hadn’t previously won a match in regulation 90 minutes in France, but there would be no late drama here thanks to Ronaldo.
Bale, five years Ronaldo’s junior, had been the more vibrant of the two in carrying Wales to the first ever semi-final in a major tournament.
Ronaldo skimmed the crossbar with a free kick, then Wayne Hennessy parried a Nani effort into the path of Joao Mario only for the follow-up to go wide.
Aside from the post-match hug, Bale and Ronaldo only came close to each other on the field once in the first half.
Well here’s a sentence I never thought I’d be writing: tonight Wales take on Portugal for a place in the final of the European Championships.
Ronaldo even resorted to tracking Bale himself on his next forray down the right.
Portugal were neat and tidy in possession without offering a huge goal threat, though Ronaldo gave Wales clear note of his intentions close to half-time when heading wide under pressure from Chester.
All changed in a second period dominated by Portugal in which Ronaldo showed his power and why he is now favourite to add a fourth Ballon d’Or to his collection.
Fernando Santos’s men now go on to a Sunday showdown at the Stade de France with Germany or hosts France.
“We had hard moments”, Ronaldo said, “but it’s like I always say, it’s better to start poorly and have a positive ending, The dream is still alive”.
Former Wales midfielder and TV pundit Robbie Savage tweeted: “Well done Portugal the better team, what a header by Ronaldo, but the boys have made us all so proud of our country #cymruambyth”.
Portugal have in many respects come in under the radar, with many writing them off before the tournament.
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Bale insisted Wales should be proud at having defied expectations by reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2016.
