Portugal vs Wales Euro 2016, Highlights: POR Beat WAL 2-0 to Book Final Berth
Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani scored two quickfire goals in the early stages of the second half, as Portugal defeated Wales 2-0 in the first semi-final of Euro 2016 in Lyon. Portugal will face the winner of the Germany vs France semi-final in the title clash. Catch all the highlights of POR vs WAL here
- Bhargab Sarmah
- Updated: July 07, 2016 02:53 am IST
Cristiano Ronaldo produced a match-winning performance in Portugal's Euro 2016 semi-final clash against Wales in Lyon on Wednesday, to book his country's place in the final of the tournament. Ronaldo gave his side the lead with a thumping header in the 50th minute of the second half, and assisted Nani three minutes later to seal a 2-0 win for Portugal. Get highlights of Portugal vs Wales Euro 2016 semis match here. (SCORECARD | STATISTICS | STREAMING INFO)
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02:35 IST:Â That's it from us for tonight. See you again for the second semi-final between hosts France and world champions Germany tomorrow, in what promises to be a cracker of a game in Marseille!
02:33 IST:Â For Portugal, it will be a second ever appearance in the final of the European Championship. Twelve years back, they lost in the final hurdle to Greece at home. Can they bring the title home this time?
Prayers answered. #PORWAL #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/CtMlZKKjNa
- UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) July 6, 2016
02:25 IST:Â Wales finally bow out of Euro 2016 after what has been an outstanding tournament for Chris Coleman's side. The Welsh have a lot to be proud of. World Cup qualification within the next two years does not seem too far-fetched now.
02:20 IST:Â The referee blows the final whistle. Portugal are through to Euro 2016 final.
02:16 IST:Â Three additional minutes signalled by the fourth official.
02:14 IST:Â Gareth Bale is booked for a high boot on Cedric.
02:13 IST:Â Portugal make their final substitution, with Ricardo Quaresma replacing Nani.
02:11 IST:Â Ronaldo is put through on goal, but his shot from a very tight angle hits the side-netting.
02:06 IST:Â Gareth Bale's shot from distance is parried away by Rui Patricio.
02:05 IST:Â Joao Moutinho replaces Adrien Silva for Portugal.
02:04 IST: Gareth Bale loses the ball just outside Wales' box. Danilo's subsequent shot hits Hennessey's hands and slips past him, but the Wales custodian gets back up to stop it from rolling inside the net.
02:02 IST:Â Gareth Bale shoots from long-range, but once again, his shot is straight at the goalkeeper.
01:59 IST:Â Renato Sanches is replaced by Andre Gomes for Portugal.
01:58 IST:Â Now Cristiano Ronaldo is booked for a cynical foul.
01:56 IST:Â Bruno Alves gets at the end of a corner kick, but his header is straight into the hands of goalkeeper Hennessey. He is subsequently booked for attempting to block Hennessey's clearance.
01:52 IST:Â Johnny Williams replaces James Collins as Wales complete their third and final substitution.
01:49 IST:Â Robson-Kanu is replaced by Church for Wales.
01:48 IST:Â Cristiano Ronaldo is brought down by James Chester, who is shown an yellow card. The Real Madrid star comes close from the resulting free-kick, as Wales custodian Wayne Hennessey tips the shot over the bar.
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01:45 IST:Â Sam Vokes replaces Joe Ledley for Wales.
01:42 IST:Â It's a mountain to climb now for Wales after Portugal's two quickfire goals put the latter on the driving seat.
01:37 IST: GOAL! Cristiano Ronaldo's shot from outside the box is put into the back of the net by Nani.
01:35 IST: GOAL! Cristiano Ronaldo heads in from a corner to give Portugal the lead! 1-0 to the Iberians!
01:32 IST:Â Nani kicks off proceedings for Portugal in the second half.
01:16 IST:Â And the referee blows the half-time whistle. It's goalless in Lyon as the players head to the tunnel.
01:14 IST:Â Ronaldo manages to get his head at the end of a cross from the left flank. However, it is way off target.
01:11 IST:Â Cristiano Ronaldo attempts a shot at goal from outside the box, but it is deflected out for a corner kick.
01:07 IST:Â Portugal with more of the ball in the last few minutes, but Wales look firm at the back. It continues to be goalless in Lyon.
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01:02 IST:Â Adrien Silva shoots from outside Wales' box. His shot is wayward.
00:59 IST:Â Wales have looked very stable and organised after a rather slow start. The Chris Coleman-managed side has enjoyed 54 percent possession so far.
00:55 IST:Â Portugal break from a Wales corner, but Neil Taylor is up to the task and manages to dispossess Renato Sanches.
00:52 IST:Â Gareth Bale unleashes a left-footed shot from distance, but his attempt is straight at Portuguese custodian Rui Patricio.
00:49 IST:Â Joe Ledley's corner for Wales falls to Gareth Bale, whose shot from a tight angle goes well over the bar.
00:46 IST:Â Joao Mario comes in from the right-flank and has a shot at the Welsh goal. The winger's attempt is wide off the mark.
00:43 IST:Â Portugal continue to dominate proceedings, but Wales look organised at the back. Still goalless in the first semi-final of Euro 2016.
00:40 IST:Â Both Welsh and Portuguese fans are in fine voice in Lyon tonight.
#PORWAL - what an atmosphere! ?????? #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/lq2Mz0iEQd
- UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) July 6, 2016
00:37 IST:Â Joe Allen (Wales) is booked for a rough challenge on Nani.
00:36 IST:Â Portugal have started the game as the brighter side, but no clear-cut chance yet for the Iberians.
00:33 IST:Â Cristiano Ronaldo is brought down just outside Wales' penalty box, but the referee waves away his appeal for a free-kick.
00:30 IST:Â And Wales get us underway in Lyon.
00:30 IST:Â The national anthems have been sung, and both teams prepare to kick things off in Lyon.
00:20 IST:Â Portugal and Wales have faced each other on three occasions, the last time in an international friendly in 2000. Portugal have won two of those games, while Wales have emerged victorious only once.
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23:50 IST:Â The teamsheets for the semifinal clash are out. Will Portugal be hampered by the absence of Pepe tonight, or is Aaron Ramsey's suspension a bigger blow for Wales? We will find out soon.
Here are the teams. Guerreiro and Danilo make the #POR side, Collins and King start for #WAL #PORWAL #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/snvOrw5aN0
- UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) July 6, 2016
23:40 IST: Huge blow for Portugal as influential centre-back Pepe is ruled out of the  game due to a thigh injury!
23:15 IST:Â Both Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo have played key roles in their countries' progress to the semi-finals. However, only one of them will be playing in the final.
All eyes on two special players in Lyon tonight. Which galactico will come out on top? #PORWAL #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/UZARJPCWmB
- UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) July 6, 2016
21:30 IST:Â Wales fans are creating some noise in Lyon. Kickoff only three hours away at the Stade de Lyon.
?? Don't take me home ??@FAWales fans in fine voice!#EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/5JOGgJimvl
- UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) July 6, 2016
The match is being billed as a contest between the two most expensive players in the world - Cristiano Ronaldo, who will play a record third European Championship semi-final, and his Real Madrid teammate Gareth Bale.
Things are yet to click for Portugal, and by extension for captain Ronaldo, who has at times looked exasperated by his team mates' attacking shortcomings.
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Portugal are yet to win a match at the tournament inside 90 minutes, having drawn all three group games, beaten Croatia in extra time and squeezed past Poland on penalties.
Bale has been Wales's attacking talisman, scoring three times to lift them out of their group. But Wales will miss the creative influences of midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who will be suspended after picking up a booking in the win over Belgium.
Ramsey has been arguably their most influential player, scoring one and producing four assists in the run to the last four.
Portugal's conquerors in their recent last-four clashes have included football powerhouses France, at Euro 2000 and the World Cup in 2006, and Spain at Euro 2012.
Should Portugal lose to Wales, playing their first major tournament in 58 years and their first ever semi-final, it would be a devastating blow.
Catch live score of Portugal vs Wales here.