Match ends, Portugal 2, Wales 0.
The great Wales adventure at Euro 2016 came to a disappointing end as they were beaten in the semi-final by Portugal in Lyon.
Chris Coleman's side entered the biggest game in Welsh football history - at their first major tournament since 1958 - carried by a wave of emotion and optimism after their 3-1 win against Belgium in the quarter-final.
The big threat was always going to be Cristiano Ronaldo - and so it proved as his magnificent header broke the deadlock after 50 minutes.
Three minutes later, his shot was diverted past Wayne Hennessy in the Wales goal by former Manchester United team-mate Nani.
Wales sorely missed the energy and authority of suspended midfielder Aaron Ramsey - and with Ronaldo overshadowing Real Madrid team-mate Gareth Bale in this game's crucial battle, a journey that has made a country proud finally reached its conclusion.
Portugal will now face hosts France or 2014 World Cup winners Germany in Sunday's final at the Stade de France final in Paris.
- Reaction to Portugal's win over Wales
- How Wales players rated against Portugal
- Why Wales are winners despite defeat
Wales exit with pride
The Wales fans have been magnificent at Euro 2016, entering into the spirit of a patchy tournament with the same passion and positive thinking that has epitomised Coleman's squad.
And as defeat became increasingly inevitable on a steamy night in Lyon, they showed their appreciation for what they have seen in these recent weeks with rousing songs and a splash of colour.
Wales may have lost but the manner in which they approached Euro 2016 was exemplary and has provided memories that will last a lifetime, especially those second-half goals from Hal Robson-Kanu and Sam Vokes that sank Belgium.
They took the tournament head-on, perhaps only wavering when gripped by the occasion against England in their Group B contest Lens, even then only losing to Daniel Sturridge's injury-time winner.
The confidence Wales can take away from France will provide the ideal platform for their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign, which starts against Moldova in Cardiff in September.
Ronaldo edges out Bale
It was the great personal confrontation of this Euro 2016 semi-final - the meeting of the two Real Madrid superstars.
Sadly for Wales, it was Ronaldo who came out on top, although this is no reflection on Bale, who has been a shining light on and off the pitch in France. He was tireless in Lyon and ends the tournament with his reputation enhanced as an international.
Bale was dangerous in the first half here, especially with one dangerous run and cross and shot clutched by Rui Patricio. But once Wales had suffered those two blows early in the second half, it was beyond even his powers to be the catalyst for a comeback.
Ronaldo had a quiet first 45 minutes but, as the greats do, he changed the emphasis of game with a towering header that was a triumph of power, technique and ability that flashed past Hennessey.
Now he has the chance to crown his career with the honour that has always escaped him, namely leading Portugal to victory in a major tournament.
- Quotes: No regrets, says Bale
- The world are talking about Wales - Hartson
- Phil McNulty column: What a journey
A step too far for Wales
Wales were robbed of their dreams of reaching the Euro 2016 final when they conceded those two goals in three minutes at the start of the second half - and it was then that it looked like their exertions in reaching the last four had finally caught up with them.
The demoralising effect of those two goals from Ronaldo and Nani had a visible impact on Coleman's team.
Wales never looked likely to launch a comeback. Indeed, it was Portugal who threatened to add more goals, with Ronaldo firing a blistering free-kick just over as well as having other chances.
Wales looked tired and short of ideas. There is no shame in that and they can take their leave from Euro 2016 with heads held high.
Coleman can build on superb 2016
Wales boss Coleman joined his squad and staff in a corner of Stade de Lyon to take the acclaim of thousands of their supporters.
The 46-year-old has rebuilt his own reputation, scarred by bad experiences at Real Sociedad, Coventry City and Larissa in Greece after showing such promise at Fulham.
Coleman took the Welsh job in tragic circumstances in January 2012, following the death of his friend and predecessor Gary Speed, and soon answered any questions about his credentials by guiding them to Euro 2016.
Here, in contrast to the shambles played out by England, Wales looked motivated, organised and with a clear plan.
This may the end of one momentous journey but it could be the start of another.
Man of the match - Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
The game in numbers
- Cristiano Ronaldo is the first player to play in three Euro semi-finals (2004, 2012, 2016).
- Ronaldo has appeared in 20 European Championship games, three more than any other player (Gianluigi Buffon and Bastian Schweinsteiger on 17).
- Ronaldo equalled Michel Platini's record of nine Euros goals. Five of them have been headers.
- This is only Portugal's second semi-final victory in a major tournament (out of seven) and their first on foreign soil.
- This was Portugal's first win at Euro 2016 in normal time.
- Wales failed to score for the first time in their last six games.
- Since the start of 2015, Wales have failed to win any of their four games without Aaron Ramsey (D1 L3).
Line-ups
Portugal
Formation 4-1-2-1-2
- 1Rui Patrício
- 21Cédric Soares
- 4José Fonte
- 2Bruno AlvesBooked at 71mins
- 5Jose Guerreiro
- 13Danilo
- 16Renato SanchesSubstituted forAndré Gomesat 74'minutes
- 10João Mário
- 23Adrien SilvaSubstituted forJoão Moutinhoat 79'minutes
- 7Cristiano RonaldoBooked at 72mins
- 17Almeida da CunhaSubstituted forRicardo Quaresmaat 86'minutes
Substitutes
- 6Carvalho
- 8João Moutinho
- 9Macedo Lopes
- 11Vieira de Freitas
- 12Lopes
- 15André Gomes
- 18Ferreira Silva
- 19Eliseu
- 20Ricardo Quaresma
- 22Dos Reis Carvalho
Wales
Formation 5-3-2
- 1Hennessey
- 2Gunter
- 19CollinsSubstituted forWilliamsat 66'minutes
- 6Williams
- 5ChesterBooked at 62mins
- 3Taylor
- 7AllenBooked at 8mins
- 16LedleySubstituted forVokesat 58'minutes
- 8King
- 9Robson-KanuSubstituted forChurchat 63'minutes
- 11BaleBooked at 88mins
Substitutes
- 12Fon Williams
- 13Williams
- 14Edwards
- 15Richards
- 17Cotterill
- 18Vokes
- 20Williams
- 21Ward
- 22Vaughan
- 23Church
- Referee:
- Jonas Eriksson
- Attendance:
- 55,679
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home44%
- Away56%
- Shots
- Home18
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away3
- Corners
- Home6
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away12
Live Text
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Full Time
Second Half ends, Portugal 2, Wales 0.
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Attempt blocked. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Foul by Joe Allen (Wales).
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Ricardo Quaresma (Portugal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Attempt saved. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
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Corner, Portugal. Conceded by Neil Taylor.
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Booking
Gareth Bale (Wales) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Gareth Bale (Wales).
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Cédric Soares (Portugal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution
Substitution, Portugal. Ricardo Quaresma replaces Nani.
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Attempt missed. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by André Gomes.
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Attempt blocked. Gareth Bale (Wales) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Gareth Bale (Wales) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by João Mário (Portugal).
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Attempt missed. Ashley Williams (Wales) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
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Attempt saved. Gareth Bale (Wales) left footed shot from more than 35 yards is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by James Chester.
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Substitution
Substitution, Portugal. João Moutinho replaces Adrien Silva.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Danilo Pereira (Portugal) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Cédric Soares.
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Corner, Portugal. Conceded by Neil Taylor.
Comments
Join the conversation
Which is more than can be said of our English team . . . . . . . .
Shame about the chip-on-your-shoulder celebration video though.
Have a word with yourself.
For the record - hard luck Wales.
What a legacy...Well done boys!
Wales still one of the teams of the tournament and should be proud.
Really hope Portugal get a beating in the final.
Oh that's right, the small minded, insular attitude of the welsh is looked upon with embarrassment elsewhere.
Diolch hogiau/thanks lads, you lit up the tournament, showed you were worthy of being there and gave your very best always; to be seeded fourth in the group and then reach the semi finals was remarkable.
See you in September for the World Cup Qualifiers.
Wales can come home with their heads held high.
When Wales go out, the English players won't be celebrating the loss of the Welsh!
Yes, English fans generally support one of the other Home Countries if England are out. The Welsh, Scots and Irish, on the other hand, support anyone who is playing against England. Always. Hence the footage of the Welsh celebrating when England lost to Iceland. Sad, really, when fans' major involvement in the international game lies in waiting for another team to lose.
Alright son pipe down.
1: Eng beat Aussies - a one off
2: 2nd test - Eng beat Aussies - not a one off
3: 3rd test - Eng beat Aussies - definitely not a one off
England rattled that you done so well. You mean that most of us were supporting Wales bar when we play against them, most English wanted you to do well and even win last night.
But what we dont like is the arrogance that your better than us in every way and laughing at us, no respect no class and no unity, so dont be surprised that many now dont like you and rejoice in your failure.