Portugal has won through to its second ever Euro Final, after defeating a gallant Wales 2-nil in the first semi on Wednesday evening at the Stade de Lyon in France.

Although Portugal was undefeated in five games in this tournament leading into the semi, it had yet to win a game inside 90 minutes. Two goals in quick succession just after the break to Portuguese forwards Ronaldo and Nani gave Portugal its first outright win in the tournament.

In a match many had predicted would produce few chances, Wales’ 3-5-2 system was rarely tested in the first half by a Portuguese team reluctant to push forward in numbers. Instead, a number of crosses into the box were dealt with easily by the three Welsh central defenders. At the other end, Portuguese coach Santos said his team’s game plan was to prevent the Welsh playing the ball quickly in behind the defence. He brought in the experienced defender Bruno Alves for the suspended Pepe, while Wales also were missing suspended midfielder Aaron Ramsey and defender Davies.

Real Madrid teammates Gareth Bale and Christiano Ronaldo produced their teams’ best chances of the opening half, with Bale having a couple of attempts, one from a cleverly worked corner and the other from distance which flew into Portuguese keeper Patricio’s arms.

Ronaldo produced an ominous header just before the break when he narrowly missed heading home a Silva cross.

Soon after the break, when Portugal won a corner, Ronaldo escaped his marker and rose majestically to meet the cross powering his effort past Welsh keeper Hennessy into the back of the net. Welsh hopes nosedived when minutes later, Ronaldo collected a hurried Welsh clearance from another cross from the left. Scuffing his shot slightly, his low shot-come-cross found team mate Nani who guided the ball past Hennessy to double Portugal’s lead and give it control of the match. Welsh coach Coleman changed to a 4-4-2 system, bringing on two fresh forwards and attacking midfielder Williams. Bales continued to work his socks off for Wales, but the Portuguese were able to see Wales off comfortably to book a place in Monday morning’s (AEST) final against France.

After the match, Portuguese coach Fernando Santos said he felt, “joy, immense joy for the players, my family, all the Portuguese people, everyone without any exception, for many Greek people who have been supporting me in this period”.

“I need to thank them for all the support they have given me in this period, especially in the knockout stage. We have achieved the goal we set together two years ago here during my first match, in Saint-Denis.

“At that time, we made a commitment that we would do our utmost to be back there, in Saint-Denis, this 10 July. Fortunately, things have gone well because of them. The team has become better, more solid, compact and united. And when that’s the case anything is possible.”

Welsh coach Chris Coleman paid tribute to both teams in the semi. He commented after the match:
“I have to congratulate Portugal. There’s more than one way to win a game of football and they had a plan. We tried our best to create a chance and we couldn’t do that. And that’s credit to Portugal. Germany and France are fantastic teams but it’s not always the best players that win, you have to be a team. Portugal have a good chance.
“I’m proud of the (Welsh) players, the staff, the whole nation. The supporters have been brilliant every time. We’ve seen the scenes back home, it’s been incredible.
“It still hurts, the fact that we’ve lost the semi-final, the players are gutted but that will subside. When they look back they need to understand they have done their country proud.
“Once you give what you’ve got, it’s always enough, even if you don’t get the result.”