Wales and Portugal face off, as two strikingly symmetrical teams, in the Euro 2016 semi-final.
Here are three key talking points in a fixture that sees two Real Madrid superstars duke it out for bragging rights.
Wales’ absences more damaging than Portugal’s
Both teams have key players missing, either via suspension or injury. For Portugal, Pepe is a minor injury doubt, and William Carvalho is ruled out through suspension; their starting centre back and a key midfield cog. These players form part of the bottom half of Portugal’s spine, and although the presence of a half-fit, disgruntled Pepe might hold a murky future for the ankles of any and all of the Welsh attackers, but Wales have more severe problems of their own.
Aaron Ramsey, Wales’ best player so far, and Ben Davies – who repelled a Belgian goal off the line in the last match – will both miss the semi-final thanks to suspension. Ramsey’s yellow card in particular was acutely regrettable; a needless handball in the very centre of the pitch. Ramsey’s energy has been utterly vital to Wales’ midfield lasting as long into this tournament as they have. He has tackled with vigour, pressed manically, and surged silkily in every match. Bale has provided most of Wales’ decisive moments, but Ramsey has been their best player.
The ‘Bale vs Ronaldo’ narrative is obvious for a reason
“It’s not about two players, it is about two nations in a semi-final, 11 men against 11 men,” said Gareth Bale this week. He’s right, of course, there are ten other men on his team, just like their are on Cristiano’s team. But it is his team, and it is Cristiano’s team, isn’t it? And they are both on the same club team, tussling at the very top of the Real Madrid pecking order. Ronaldo has been the premier goalscorer in world football for the last handful of seasons, but his powers are visibly waning. Bale hasn’t really been given the opportunity to take over Real’s attack, to become the focal point of it.
So here, in the semi-final of the European Championships, we have staged for us a battle that will reverberate on a number of planes. The winner will make the final of the competition, which is tasty enough, but if one of either Bale or Ronaldo can take over this tie, well, the consequences might just echo all the way to the Santiago Bernabéu as well.
A Cinderella Story meets its ugly sister
This is an odd tie, for many reasons. Pre-tournament, none of these teams would have been favoured to make the final, and yet here we stand, with one certain to. In this way, both have smashed through expectations, but Portugal have done so with gritted teeth, only barely appearing to coagulate into a functioning football team. Everything has been done the hard way, with no wins in 90 minutes as of yet in the competition. Ronaldo has had tantrums, missed penalties, and slagged off darling Iceland.
Wales have done much the same thing, when it comes to expectations. But the manner in which they’ve sauntered to the semi-finals has been i n stark contrast to Portugal’s. Joy, togetherness, heart, triumph; these have been the bywords of the Welsh campaign. Gareth Bale has been an image of selflessness, praising his teammates, remaining dignified in defeat – even to Wales’ bitter neighbourhood rivals, England.
We will see, in this clash of the bizarro, which force will emerge the victor; light or dark. The bloody-minded terseness of Portugal must be respected; they remember 2004, and will not let an opportunity to make the final while playing this badly slip easily. Wales have to rally once again, short-handed this time.
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