Semifinal, Euro 2016
Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon
Portugal 2-0 Wales
Ronaldo Goal 50′
Nani Goal 53′
Portugal is the first team to the finals of the 2016 European Championship.
After a goalless first half, things were expected to get better. Five minutes after the restart, Cristiano Ronaldo head in the first goal of the match. It was a goal that tied him with Michel Platini as the top record goal scorer in the competition’s history.
Just three minutes later, Nani redirected a shot from Cristiano to double the lead. That was enough to seal the deal for the Portuguese.
Wales would have gladly taken a semifinal finish before the start of the 2016 European Championship. They’ve set the bar high for their next competition. The team would be proud of their accomplishment. To be the last team amongst the debutants to leave the tournament, and to leave the tournament as one of the final four teams is more than enough.
? Bravo @selecaoportugal: #EURO2016 finalists! ?#POR #PORWAL pic.twitter.com/kizafyy7EI
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) July 6, 2016
High rise. ? #PORWAL #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/zaNfS3BkEj
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) July 6, 2016
A Ramsey-less Wales had only Gareth Bale to depend on. This wasn’t enough for a Portugal side that had Cristiano Ronaldo, and a lot of help from Nani and their emerging star, Renato Sanches.
Two of the three teams Portugal had to face in the knockout stage of the 2016 European Championships were new to the knockout stage. Portugal has been fortunate to be on the side of the bracket that most fans would admit to be an easier route to the final.
But in football, you are still required to win. Portugal did just that and are the first team to get to the 2016 European Championship.
Portugal waits for the winner of the other semifinal match between France and Germany.
