Portugal has secured a place in their second ever Euro final, sending the Welsh home after an incredible campaign that exceeded all expectations.
The first half was a bit of a grind with Wales appearing to edge ahead for the opening 45 minutes, but it was the second stanza that the action picked up.
Two goals in just three minutes pulled the rug out from underneath the Welsh, one short blitz was all it took to separate a Euro final and a plane ticket home.
Ronaldo was of course at the centre of the scoreboard, picking up a goal of his own before setting up the second with an assist to sink the Welsh.
From then on it was simply a battle of desperation for Wales, and a task of survival for Portugal.
Final score:
Portugal – 2
Wales – 0
The dream continues for Wales as they face up against a struggling Portugal in the first semi final of Euro 2016. Catch all the thrilling live highlights and action from 5am (AEST) on The Roar.
A place in the Euro 2016 final is up for grabs in one of the most unpredictable tournaments in recent memory, with underdogs and powerhouses flying all over the place, anything can happen.
Despite their place in the final four, Portugal have had one of the weakest tournaments of any team, drawing every single game they’ve played so far across 90 minutes, with just one not requiring penalties to earn victory.
Regardless of their less than spectacular road to the semi-final, the key point is that they’re here, showing their fight and determination where other big nations have fallen.
Along with Iceland, Wales have taken the tournament by storm, far exceeding admittedly low expectations to reach their first ever major semi-final.
The Gareth Bale led Welsh shocked Belgium in the quarters, taking home the spoils with a classy 3-1 victory over the No. 2 ranked side in the world.
Portugal weren’t so glamorous, limping past Poland and Croatia in their last two elimination games where they were expected to cruise through.
This will be Portugal’s fifth trip to the Euro semi-finals, however, they’ve only made it through the final once, in 2004 against Greece.
Team News
A lot of mystery surrounding Portugal and Real Madrid defender Pepe after picking up a thigh injury in training during the week, word on his game day status is thin with plenty of doubt about his fitness expected to run right up until kickoff.
Also for Portugal, Andre Gomes is expected to return from a thigh strain of his own after missing the quarter-final against Poland.
In terms of omissions, both sides have been hit with the suspension stick. Portugal will be without Angolan-born William Carvalho who misses out through a pair of yellow cards.
For Wales, star midfielder Aaron Ramsey will be forced to sit out the clash alongside Ben Davies who also copped a suspension.
Prediction
It’s nearly just as remarkable that Portugal are in the semis as well as Wales considering how they’ve played, but their poor form in the tournament shouldn’t be taken lightly and there’s a reason they’re the fourth highest ranked side in Europe.
This could well be a very, very tight game, with two sides in extremely different situations to each other.
Expect a fired up Wales to to throw everything they have at Portugal, as they have all tournament. If Portugal don’t turn up and pick up their game, they could looking at another semi-final exit in the Euros.
Tough to pick, Portugal could sneak through by maybe just one, if not, it’s headed to extra time and that’s where Wales will fly through for the win.
Wales to win 3-2 in extra time.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Portugal will be waiting now for the second semi-final, and will face either France or Germany for the trophy
Connor Bennett
Editor
Christiano Ronaldo has now equalled the record for most goals in Euro history, sitting along side French legend Michel Platini on nine goals
Connor Bennett
Editor
The first half was a bit of a grind with Wales looking to be edging ahead for the opening 45 minutes, but it's the second stanza that the action picked up. Two goals in just three minutes pulled the rug out from underneath the Welsh, one short blitz was all it took to separate a Euro final and a plain ticket home. Ronaldo was of course at the centre of the scoreboard, picking one a goal of his own before setting up the second with an assist to sink the ever fighting Welsh. From then on it was simply a battle of desperation for Wales, and a task of survival for Portugal
Connor Bennett
Editor
FULLTIME The whistle goes and that's all she wrote!! Portugal head to their second ever Euro final, and the Welsh will be on their way home after a incredible campaign that exceeded all expectations. Portugal - 2 Wales - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +3 Ronaldo straight into the wall. Not a great delivery from an ideal free kick position. Someone in the wall has a pretty sore face though Portugal - 2 Wales - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +1 Still some fight left in both sides. It's Portugal who break down field on the counter with numbers in hand... but no one wants it!! A comedy of short passes with an open goal in front of them and no one wanted to take it!! They win a penalty in the end just outside the box and Ronaldo will line up the shot at goal Portugal - 2 Wales - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +3 minutes of stoppage time Portugal - 2 Wales - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
89' Portugal still keen to press forward by the looks of it, winning a corner now. Queresma sends in a good corner, right into the pack and it's Ronaldo who leaps the highest, getting the melon to the ball, but unable to beat the keeper in his quest for a brace Portugal - 2 Wales - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
87' Gareth Bale is shown the banana yellow in the dying minutes. Rightly so for fly kicking an opponent in the face!! Accidental of course, but the slow mo always makes it look worse Portugal - 2 Wales - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
85' Portugal get the turnover in their own half and Wales have very little cover at the back... on the counter attack now are Portugal!! Nope... Ronaldo decides he doesn't want to do that and turns back towards his defensive line, just walking the ball back over halfway, making sure his side control the ball till the end Portugal - 2 Wales - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
84' Bale lines up the free kick... nails it!! Straight into the wall!!! Disappointing shot there, he went for power over accuracy and he just didn't get the lift he needed. Portugal - 2 Wales - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
83' Bale is down, in free kick territory, and he does get the call. He's been all over the ball in the second half, trying to make something happen for his team Portugal - 2 Wales - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
82' Wales are throwing everything they have at this, but Portugal have parked the bus and it's going to take a miracle to win it from here Portugal - 2 Wales - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
80' BALE WITH A HUGE SHOT!!! That was a long, long, long way out from Gareth Bale but desperate times call for desperate measures. The ball curled through the air and deviated a long way before Patricio could pick it, eventually having to dive to his right and make a fingertips save. Portugal - 2 Wales - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
79' Moutinho coming on for Portugal now and it's Adrien Silva who makes the slow stroll off the park Portugal - 2 Wales - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
77' Ronaldo casually hammers and absolute screamer into the ribs of Neil Taylor, who looks to be in a bit of pain after that one. Understandably so. Portugal - 2 Wales - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
76' Bale drills a volley off the left boot from a long way out, curling across goal but ultimately into the bread basket of Patricio. Desperation beginning to set in for the Welsh Portugal - 2 Wales - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
74' A particularly lengthy interval for the Portuguese while they make a single change off the bench. They are really killing all the time they possibly can, even though most of it will come back in stoppage time Portugal - 2 Wales - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
72' John Williams is taken down in the Portugal half by Ronaldo, who duly gets a yellow card for his efforts. Once again it's just outside shooting range for Bale, but he sends the ball in anyway. Nothing of it in the end and Patricio gets a goal kick Portugal - 2 Wales - 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
71' Finally the corner comes in after a few words from the referee. Fairly deep, but a head still manages to get a shot at goal. Not a lot of trouble for Hennessy in the end but worrying signs for the Welsh defence Portugal - 2 Wales - 0