Portugal reach EURO final as Wales fairy tale ends
For the first 50 minutes Wales were perhaps the better team in Lyon, with Gareth Bale running the Portuguese back line ragged during one five-minute spell midway through the first half. Ronaldo had seen enough, thumping in a header – his record-equalling ninth finals goal – then cracking in a low drive that Nani diverted in.
The Wales fairy tale was over – as many had predicted it would be beforehand – but for a while Chris Coleman's men threatened to once more tear up the script. With James Collins keeping Ronaldo subdued at one end, Bale set about taking the game to Portugal at the other. The No11 flashed one shot wide, created an opening for Andy King and then got Rui Patrício involved with a strike of his own.
Bale's effort was the first and only shot on target in the first half. Portugal managed theirs five minutes after the restart, Ronaldo losing James Chester to head in Raphaël Guerreiro's cross following a short corner. The second quickly followed through Nani and the game was up.
"Don't take me Home" came the familiar refrain from the Wales fans. Too late; Ronaldo had already confirmed their departure.
Man of the match: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Credit: UEFA.com
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