Portugal 2-0 Wales: Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani net twice in three minutes to crush Welsh hopes as Euro 2016 journey ends in Lyon
- Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale both had chances to find the back of the net in a goalless first half in Lyon
- But it was the Portuguese who broke the deadlock with a towering header in the 50th minute
- Nani then doubled the lead three minutes later, diverting an effort from Ronaldo past Wayne Hennessey
When
his team-mates had released him, when the private party of
congratulation by the corner flag had ended, Cristiano Ronaldo
remembered his trademark celebration. Maybe there is a little bit of
branding around it now, there is certainly no small ego — but at its
heart beats a splendid and pure excess of joy.
So
he did what he always does. He jumped in the air, spun around, flexed
every muscle in what is an obsessively toned body, and stood, fists
clenched by his sides.
Usually
in this moment he says, ‘Si’. Here he seemed to emit more of a wordless
roar. Maybe a positive exclamation was in there somewhere. Either way,
like the goal that put Portugal on their way to the final in Paris on
Sunday, it was unmistakably Ronaldo.
Cristiano Ronaldo (left) rose highest to send a header crashing into the top corner, beyond Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey
The goal in the 50th minute from the Portugal No 7 broke down what had been a stubborn Wales defence
Gareth Bale could only watch on as Ronaldo's header arrowed into the top corner to put Portugal into the lead against Wales
Bale watches on as Ronaldo wheels away in celebration at breaking the deadlock and putting Portugal into the lead
Real Madrid man Ronaldo celebrates putting Portugal into the lead early in the second half of the game against Wales
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Impossible
to begrudge, too. For all that cynics carp about his carefully crafted
image, his apparent selfishness, the way every event turns into a
festival of him, him, him, there is also something to be enjoyed in a
great player who takes such pleasure in the simple act of scoring a
goal.
There
are so many scowls now, so much posturing, cynical badge kissing,
inexplicable anger and moodiness, that to watch Ronaldo and the
happiness the moment brings, remains among football’s rays of sunshine.
He
knew what the goal meant, not just personally, but to his country.
Within three minutes, Portugal had scored again — Ronaldo’s shot setting
it up this time, Nani on target — and the match was won.
Dragons
are mythical creatures, and Wales’s run to the semi-final here has
sometimes seemed unreal, but this was one mighty effort too many. With
key players suspended, it was always going to be difficult to overcome
even an ordinary Portuguese side, and so it proved.
Wales sorely missed Aaron Ramsey’s influence in midfield and barely threatened as a result.
Their
progress has been magnificent, but within this egalitarian group there
is a core of players that manager Chris Coleman could never do without
in a match of this nature, Ramsey among them.
They were never as dangerous as against Belgium and goalkeeper Rui Patricio was scarcely troubled.
The
last time a major international tournament used a format of 24 teams
reduced to 16 for the group stage, a lucky loser — third-placed Italy —
ended up in the final, and so it is here.
Italy scraped out of their group at the 1994 World Cup and Portugal finished third behind Hungary and Iceland.
Fernando
Santos’s team had not won a single game inside 90 minutes until this
game, but here they are. So Ronaldo must have something.
This
is not a great Portugal team, but it is propelled by the desire of a
great player. He was voted man of the match, and rightly so.
It
wasn’t just his part in the goals that made him stand out — or even the
free-kick that came as close as he has ever been to scoring with a dead
ball in an international tournament — but more the way he served his
team.
Nani (right) doubled Portugal's lead only three minutes later, diverting an attempt from Ronaldo beyond goalkeeper Hennessey
Nani's touch on the ball took it in the opposite direction to where Hennessey was diving and suddenly, Portugal led by two
The Portugal squad celebrate Nani's goal in the centre of the pitch while the Wales players appear stunned at falling two behind
Ronaldo went close to adding a third with a free-kick from range, but his effort whistled over the crossbar for Portugal
Bale tried to haul Wales back into the game but was unable to do so as Portugal advanced into the Euro 2016 final
After the final whistle, Ronaldo commiserated club team-mate Bale before joining the rest of the Portugal team to celebrate
He
put in a shift, he truly did. Up and down the flank when necessary,
central for much of the game, always alert to opportunity, always the
man most likely to decide the occasion.
This
was equally billed as Ronaldo versus Gareth Bale, the battle of the
Galacticos. There was only one winner there, too. Bale was reduced by
Ramsey’s absence. He had lost his fellow creative, the man who helps
make his space.
So
this was Ronaldo’s night and what a header it was to open the scoring.
Ronaldo outjumped James Chester but no fault can be attached to the
centre half. He was simply beaten by the better man, a short corner
whipped in, the angle changed to best suit its target, Ronaldo, eyes on
the ball, leap, hang — and in like a rocket.
Just three minutes later, that lead had doubled and one sensed there would be no way back for Wales.
It
was Ronaldo’s shot this time, evaded by Renato Sanches, who may have
been marginally offside and was most certainly active, finding Nani who
poked it past Wayne Hennessey from close range.
Hennessey
spilled another shot from Nani soon after, which Joao Mario should have
scored on the rebound, but it would have been harsh for Wales to go
down too heavily.
The Wales squad made sure to thank their travelling support after the final whistle confirmed their exit from Euro 2016
The Wales supporters in Lyon stayed behind after full-time to show their appreciation to their players for the efforts
Ronaldo, meanwhile, was leading the Portugal celebrations after his side sealed a spot in Sunday's final in Paris
This
has been far from a vintage tournament, but not for Wales, who have
excelled. They can leave with heads high, beaten by a player who, even
at 32, can still lay claim to being the best in the world. It was a huge
night for British sport and the good news for those who hung on through
the fourth and fifth sets of the Andy Murray tennis match before
turning over to the football was that they didn’t miss all that much in
the first half.
It wasn’t bad, but it was hardly Wales’s quarter-final with Belgium, which crackled with tension from the start.
For
all the hyperbole around the match-up of Ronaldo and Bale, the pair
sought influence without real success in the first 45 minutes.
The
best Bale could do was force a corner or two with his crosses, the best
for Ronaldo was a 44th-minute header that at no time looked to be going
in.
He
was surprisingly well marshalled by James Collins, replacing the
suspended Ben Davies at the back, even if some of the West Ham man’s
moves were dangerously close to attracting the attention of Swedish
referee Jonas Eriksson.
Wales manager Chris Coleman made three swift substitutions after his side fell behind in a bid to cajole a reaction
Hal Robson-Kanu vies for the ball against Southampton and Portugal central defender Jose Fonte during the semi-final
Bale's delivery into the penalty area is blocked by Portugal defender Fonte in a first half that generally lacked action
Ronaldo struggled to influence the game as much as usual in the first half, with Wales crowding him out when in possession
Bale had an opening to shoot at goal from a smartly worked Wales corner but was unable to get his attempt on target
Certainly
Ronaldo was screaming for a penalty when Collins placed him in what
appeared to be a headlock in the area early on. It could easily have
been given but Eriksson and his assistants were not that brave.
Joe
Allen did go into the book, though, for two fouls inside eight minutes,
and was lucky not to see red for another clattering challenge.
The
amnesty that UEFA grants at the semi-final stage — only a player sent
off can be banned from the final — makes foul play almost the sensible
tactic if threatened, and the players take full advantage. It makes for
disjointed matches, at times, like this one.
Ronaldo,
too, was booked late on for dissent, but even with the minutes ticking
down, he remained on the pitch. Portugal rested him against Albania in a
qualifying game once, lost, and the manager got sacked. No chances were
being taken, and none were sought.
Ronaldo
would have had to be dragged off by his expensively coiffured hair and,
at the final whistle, his smile said it all. Joy, unbridled. Was this
his proudest moment for Portugal? There is no doubt. Si.
Ronaldo was sent tumbling over in the opening exchanges by Ashley Williams but no free-kick was given by the referee
But moments later, midfielder Joe
Allen recieved a yellow card in the eighth minute after two fouls in the
early moments of the match
Real Madrid team-mates Ronaldo (left) and Bale shake hands before the beginning of the Euro 2016 semi-final in Lyon
As has been the case throughout Euro 2016, the Wales supporters were out in full force for the match against Portugal
The match made tense and nervous viewing for suspended Welsh duo Ben Davies (left) and Aaron Ramsey
Portugal and Real defender Pepe missed out on the Euro 2016 semi-final encounter against Wales due to an injury
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Portugal, only the 2nd team to beat Wales this tournament. Who was the first.
HahahshshshshahshshshsshshshshshshshzhhzhHzhzhzhzhzhzhzhzh
whales!!!!!!!! You think your so great and laugh at bus English because
we lost to Iceland but Iceland bet portrigal and you couldn't even beat
them? Hahahaha keep your moth shut and well see you in the Quatar Euros
Havent stopped celebrating since the final whistle. Fantastic result.
Former United Stars rocking Euro - Ronaldo, Nani, Pogba, etc.
Ronaldo did nothing. Bale was superior.
Bale
had a poor game. Misplaced crosses, passes and shots. I don't care
about red arrows from bandwagoners, who quickly forget about their Welsh
gran or uncle who used to live in Wales, after Wales lose.
Last time Portugal were in a final was to Greece in 2004.....
Excellent
goal for most players but routine stuff for Ronaldo. He'll need to have
the game of his life for Portugal to win the trophy. Even then it's not
certain as the Portuguese defense will have to step up and Bruno Alves
just doesn't cut it.
On
hindsight...portugal don't deserve reach the final. The welsh team had
progresses well by reaching the semi...much better than english team.
Again bale is a over-rated player. Bale performance looks good bcos of
his other welsh team members playing as a team.
Bale was bang average yet again! When are people going to realise bale is overhyped?
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by Steve Kean 937