UEFA Euro 2016: Portugal - Wales 2:0
The "Selecção" reaches the final already for the second time
Thursday, 07 July 2016 | Sport
The brave team of Wales is the last team from the British Islands to quit the tournament in France but they can do it with head held high! The Welsh, participating in the UEFA Euro for the first time ever, was initially considered a rank outsider. Surprisingly the team, lead by super star Gareth Bale from Real Madrid and inspired by a fabulous team spirit and the enthusiastic fans, managed to reach the semi final eliminating the Belgians, one of the secret favourites. Against Portugal they could not compensate the absence of Aaron Ramsey; their dominating playmaker missed the match due to a yellow card suspension.
It was Portugal’s first win inside 90 minutes at the finals of the UEFA Euro 2016 in France. Who would have thought that after the disappointing 1:1 draw with Iceland! The defensive tactic of the Portuguese “Selecção” in the matches before against Croatia and Poland had been heavily criticized, and experts had started to question the fitness of Cristiano Ronaldo. Now it was CR7 once again who made the difference. In the beginning of the second half he had his great moments, scored one and provided another for Nani as Fernando Santos' team marched into Sunday's final at Stade de France in Saint-Denis. Heartbreak for Wales, but their supporters bellowed out their national anthem at the end in the knowledge it has been a tournament to be proud of for Chris Coleman's team.
With 9 goals in the past 4 European championships Cristiano Ronaldo equalised the record of French legend Michel Platini. He is now well prepared to gain the first major trophy for Portugal with his team on Sunday. Tonight we will know, if the opponent is “Les Bleus” of hosting France or “Die Mannschaft” of world champion Germany.