Portugal ended Wales’ fairytale run at Euro 2016 with a clinical 2-0 win in Lyon.
Both sides started the match in cautious fashion, resulting in just a lone Gareth Bale shot finding the target in the first half.
The second half started with much more action as Portugal took the lead after five minutes through Cristiano Ronaldo’s towering header.
The opening goal was just Portugal’s first shot on target, but moments later they had a second goal. Ronaldo sent another shot goalwards but, this time, Nani got his foot to the ball in order to direct the shot past Wayne Hennessey and into the net.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Wales attempted to force their way back into the match, bringing on strikers Sam Vokes and Simon Church off the bench, but Portugal showed their experience at this level with a measured performance to see out the match. Fernando Santos’ side return to the final for the first time since 2004, where they lost to Greece on home soil.
Portugal
Rui Patricio – 6.5: An underwhelming occasion for the 28-year-old. Hardly tested by the Welsh attack.
Cedric – 6: Struggled to get forward due to the ever-present threat of the opposition full-backs.
Bruno Alves – 6: Remained composed alongside Jose Fonte to deny the Welsh attack any clear chances on goal.
Jose Fonte – 7: The Southampton man is in career-best form and will give his side hope of an upset in the final.
Raphael Guerreiro – 7: Provided a delicious assist for Ronaldo’s opening goal. Kept Chris Gunter quiet with a solid defensive display.
Danilo – 6: Found himself out of position at times in the first half but far more assured in the second half, often dropping into defence to nullify the Welsh strikers.
Adrien Silva – 6: Did enough to deprive the Welsh midfield of dangerous possession.
Renato Sanches – 6.5: Did not enjoy quite the same level of impact he had in the quarter-final despite an industrious performance.
Joao Mario – 6.5: Missed a golden chance to score his side’s third after Hennessey spilled Nani’s drive, but played an effective game.
Nani – 7: A third goal in six matches was secured in predatory fashion, diverting Ronaldo’s low shot past the lunging Hennessey. Impressive display.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 7.5: Portugal’s superstar was quiet in the first half, however an emphatic header put his side in front and saw draw level in the Euros all-time goalscorers list.
Substitutes
Andre Gomes – 5.5: Brought on for Renato Sanches to provide a more-experienced presence to close out the match.
Joao Moutinho – N/A: Had a limited impact with limited time on the pitch.
Ricardo Quaresma – N/A: Had a limited impact with limited time on the pitch.
Wales
Wayne Hennessey – 6: Not at fault for either goal, however he did show some slight problems in handling long-range shots.
James Chester – 5: Failed to track Cristiano Ronaldo for the first goal and looked unsettled in the second half.
Ashley Williams – 6: Did his best to inspire his teammates after they fell behind in a relatively solid display.
James Collins – 5: Kept Nani onside for Portugal’s second goal and looked a little out of his depth.
Chris Gunter – 5: Struggled to get into dangerous forward positions to create chances.
Joe Allen – 4: Two early turnovers and a yellow card after eight minutes foreshadowed a poor night for the Liverpool man, who found himself powerless to control proceedings.
Andy King – 5: Forced to fill the shoes of Aaron Ramsey and unsurprisingly struggled to match the Arsenal man’s level of impact.
Joe Ledley – 6: Did his job in crowding the space in front of the defence, but had to be sacrificed for an extra striker after his team went two goals down.
Neil Taylor – 5.5: Struggled to make an impact from his wingback position.
Gareth Bale – 6.5: Without playmaker Ramsey on the pitch to share the burden, Bale quickly lost effectiveness under the attention of the Portuguese defence.
Hal Robson-Kanu – 5: Faded out of the match and was pulled for the more physical Simon Church as Wales looked for a way back into the match.
Substitutes
Sam Vokes – 5: Given half an hour to pull his side back into the game, but could not make an impact.
Simon Church – 5: Similar effort to Vokes after coming on for Robson-Kanu.
Jonathan Williams – 4.5: Thrown on to create chances, but did not find the space to do so.
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