Cristiano Ronaldo’s record-breaking goal brings an end to Wales’s fairy-tale and puts Portugal one game away from their first major trophy. The 2004 finalists have booked their place in the European championship final for the second time in the so-called ‘Ronaldo Era’ after two second half goals gave them a 2-0 win over the tournament’s surprise package Wales. Their opponents in the final will be either Germany or France.
Two goals in quick succession for Portugal meant there would be no ultimate happy ending to the Red Dragons’ fairy-tale. Ronaldo paved the way into the final for his country with a trademark header in the 50th minute, which Nani added to just three minutes later: a dagger in the heart of the Welsh. In his 20th European Championship game, this was Ronaldo’s ninth goal, pulling him level with France’s Michel Platini on the competition’s all-time top goalscorer list. Most importantly for him, however, he now has the chance to make amends for the 1-0 defeat to Greece in the 2004 final in Portugal.
Ronaldo: "It’s a dream"
"I hope you see me crying tears of joy on Sunday. It’s a dream. We are close now and hope to win it," said Ronaldo, who was named Man of the Match after the game.
Ronaldo spent the first half of the Real Madrid superstar clash somewhat in Bale’s shadow. In front of 55,679 spectators in the Stade de Lyon, the Welshman was pulling the strings for his side, while his counterpart Ronaldo waited for a teammate to offer him something. The waiting paid off for Ronaldo: in the 50th minute, he climbed highest at a corner and headed home to put Portugal in front. Gareth Bale and his teammates did not recover from the setback quickly enough, as three minutes later a mishit shot from Ronaldo was latched onto by an alert Nani who turned the ball past Hennessy, leaving Portugal with one foot firmly in the final.
Despite the phenomenal support from their fans and the belief throughout their team which has carried them so far, Wales couldn’t come up with a response. Aaron Ramsey’s suspension meant Gareth Bale was often forced to drop deep and try and fill the boots of his teammate. Subsequently, Portugal managed to cope with the absence of Pepe at the back and see the game out comfortably.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s record-breaking goal brings an end to Wales’s fairy-tale and puts Portugal one game away from their first major trophy. The 2004 finalists have booked their place in the European championship final for the second time in the so-called ‘Ronaldo Era’ after two second half goals gave them a 2-0 win over the tournament’s surprise package Wales. Their opponents in the final will be either Germany or France.
Two goals in quick succession for Portugal meant there would be no ultimate happy ending to the Red Dragons’ fairy-tale. Ronaldo paved the way into the final for his country with a trademark header in the 50th minute, which Nani added to just three minutes later: a dagger in the heart of the Welsh. In his 20th European Championship game, this was Ronaldo’s ninth goal, pulling him level with France’s Michel Platini on the competition’s all-time top goalscorer list. Most importantly for him, however, he now has the chance to make amends for the 1-0 defeat to Greece in the 2004 final in Portugal.
Ronaldo: "It’s a dream"
"I hope you see me crying tears of joy on Sunday. It’s a dream. We are close now and hope to win it," said Ronaldo, who was named Man of the Match after the game.
Ronaldo spent the first half of the Real Madrid superstar clash somewhat in Bale’s shadow. In front of 55,679 spectators in the Stade de Lyon, the Welshman was pulling the strings for his side, while his counterpart Ronaldo waited for a teammate to offer him something. The waiting paid off for Ronaldo: in the 50th minute, he climbed highest at a corner and headed home to put Portugal in front. Gareth Bale and his teammates did not recover from the setback quickly enough, as three minutes later a mishit shot from Ronaldo was latched onto by an alert Nani who turned the ball past Hennessy, leaving Portugal with one foot firmly in the final.
Despite the phenomenal support from their fans and the belief throughout their team which has carried them so far, Wales couldn’t come up with a response. Aaron Ramsey’s suspension meant Gareth Bale was often forced to drop deep and try and fill the boots of his teammate. Subsequently, Portugal managed to cope with the absence of Pepe at the back and see the game out comfortably.
