Euro 2016 – Semi-Final
Result: Portugal 2-0 Wales
Venue: Parc Olympique Lyonnais
Date: 06 July 2016
Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani helped Portugal defeat Wales 2-0 and secured their spot in the European Championship final.
Wales carved out the first real opening of the game in the 19th minute, as Joe Ledley deceived the Portugal defence with a low corner to Gareth Bale, who fired over from close range.
Bale looked to be liveliest player on the pitch in the opening 25 minutes, but Portugal grew stronger as the half went on and enjoyed more of the possession.
Selecao fashioned their first chance just before the halftime break, as Adrien Silva picked out Ronaldo, who headed wide at the far post.
However, Portugal took the lead five minutes into the second half, as Raphael Guerreiro's cross found Ronaldo, who towered home a superb header past Wayne Hennessey.
The Portuguese managed to double their lead two minutes later. Ronaldo fired in a low shot, which looked destined to go wide, but Nani popped up to divert the ball home from six-yards out.
Chris Coleman opted to change his approach after the hour-mark, introducing Sam Vokes and Simon Church as they looked for a way back into the game.
Rui Patricio then came to Portugal's rescue in the 80th minute, as he produced a fine save to keep out Bale's dipping effort from 25-yards out.
Ronaldo could have grabbed his second and Portugal's third in the 85th minute, but his first touch sent him wide of the goal and he could only fire into the side-netting.
Nonetheless, the score remained 2-0 at the full-time whistle, as Selecao secured their spot in the final and will now face the winner of the second semi-final between France and Germany.
