Here’s what happened on Wednesday on Matchday 21 of UEFA Euro 2016 in France, in case you missed it…
THE RESULT
• Match report: Portugal 2, Wales 0 in Lyon || Match stats
THE MAIN STORY
Portugal’s fight for respect: “Yeah, but they haven’t won a game in regulation time.” This has been a common refrain among Portuguese haters who didn’t feel Cristiano Ronaldo and his cohorts deserved their place in the Euro 2016 semifinals—Portugal tied all three of its group stage games, and won its previous two knockout matches in extra time and in a penalty shootout.
Never mind that Portugal survived a tough group, and came back from a goal down on three separate occasions against a talented Hungary team to book its place in the knockout stage. Never mind that they beat a Croatia side touted as one of the favourites in the Round of 16, and then bested Poland (who hadn’t trailed in the entire tournament) in the quarterfinals. It still wasn’t enough because Portugal somehow backed into the final four.
Even with Portugal now through to the final, chances are it still won’t be good enough for the haters, who will point to the fact that the Portuguese were on the easier side of the draw, and that they beat a Wales team missing Aaron Ramsey and Ben Davies in Wednesday’s semifinal clash. With each passing day, it becomes clearer that nothing short of vanquishing France or Germany in Sunday’s final will see Portugal earn its rightful due; that respect will only be earned unless it lifts the Henri Delaunay Trophy. That’s not only unfair, but it’s also completely out of line. You don’t qualify for a major tournament final by sheer luck alone. You have to earn your place. Portugal has earned it.
Say what you want about Portugal at this competition—that they haven’t been entertaining to watch, that they’ve been far off their best form, and that manager Fernando Santos’ tactics are ultra-conservative. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter. They’ve done what they had to do, and they’ve done it their way, mastering the art of tournament management long ago perfected by the Germans and Italians.
Portugal’s tactical approach has kept them in every game, and this was again the case on Wednesday. Wales looked far more of a threat going forward through the opening half, but for all of its possession and passing game, it couldn’t get in behind a defensively-organized Portugal. Then the Welsh switched off during a corner kick, and Ronaldo majestically glided in the air to beat his marker and score a gorgeous header. Minutes later, Nani doubled the lead on a fortuitous setup by Ronaldo. That’s all Portugal needed. They shut it down after that, further lulling their opponents to sleep with their defensive and cautious tactics.
Portugal’s battle for respect continues with a date against either France or Germany. On paper, regardless of the opponent, the Portuguese will be considered the under-dogs. That won’t matter to them, though. They’ve proved the doubters wrong in three straight games. What’s one more?
MORE ON EURO 2016: Sportsnet has you covered with in-depth coverage of Euro 2016 in France, which runs from June 10 to July 10.
• Match schedule || Group standings || Live scoreboard || Latest news
• Profiles: All 24 teams || History of Euro || Top 10 moments in Euro history
• Feature stories || Soccer Central podcast || Team roster lists ||
GOAL OF THE DAY
In the 50th minute, Raphael Guerreiro delivered a cross into the box after Portugal worked a short corner. Ronaldo out-jumped Wales defender James Chester to the ball and thumped it home with a bullet header.
SAVE OF THE DAY
In the 80th minute, Gareth Bale unleashed a dangerous, dipping shot from 45 yards out that Portugal’s Rui Patricio read and batted away.
BEST MOMENT OF THE DAY
This UEFA volunteer took pitch invading to an entirely new level:
THE GAME WITHIN THE GAME
TWEET OF THE DAY
SIX PACK OF STATS
• Ronaldo is now the joint-top scorer in European Championship history with nine goals, level with Michel Platini.
• Cristiano Ronaldo is the first player to play in three semifinal matches at the European Championship.
• Ten of Ronaldo’s 12 goals at major tournaments have come after halftime.
• Ronaldo is the first player with three or more goals in two different European Championship tournaments (2012 and 2016).
• Portugal has scored the most headed goals (15) at the European Championship since 1980.
• Portugal has qualified for only its second major tournament final, following its semifinal win at Euro 2004.
Stats courtesy of Opta
BURNING QUESTION
3 STARS
1) Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal: Scored the goal that gave Portugal the lead, swinging the momentum of game in his country’s favour.
2) Nani, Portugal: Scored just minutes after Ronaldo broke the deadlock, effectively killing off the game.
3) Raphael Guerreiro, Portugal: Another solid game from the Portuguese left back, who bombed forward and set up Ronaldo on his winning goal.
TOURNAMENT SO FAR
•Matchday 1 recap: Magnificent Payet rescues France || Typical Giroud performance
•Matchday 2 recap: England gets what it deserves || Bale already proving his worth for Wales
•Matchday 3 recap: Modric pure magic for Croatia || Germany’s Goetze not a false 9
•Matchday 4 recap: Spain’s resolve sees them through || Italy’s experience the difference
•Matchday 5 recap: Portugal blows it || The hoopla over Kiraly’s pants
•Matchday 6 recap: It can be a cruel game at times || What was Deschamps thinking?
•Matchday 7 recap: English relief after beating Wales || You gotta love Northern Ireland
•Matchday 8 recap: Spain sends a message
•Matchday 9 recap: Ronaldo cuts a distraught figure
•Matchday 10 recap: Albania has held its own || In defence of Ronaldo
•Matchday 11 recap: Slim margins could doom England || What is England? Does Hodgson know?
•Matchday 12 recap: Croatia turns tournament on its head ||
•Matchday 13 recap: Ronaldo is just trolling us || England should fear Iceland
•Matchday 14 recap: A day to completely forget in France || Shaqiri’s strike can’t save the day
•Matchday 15 recap: Irish adversity best thing for France
•Matchday 16 recap: Buffon’s ‘Zoff moment’ for Italy || So, what’s next for Italy?
•Matchday 17 recap: Not pretty, but Portugal grinds it out
•Matchday 18 recap: Wales much more than just Gareth Bale
•Matchday 19 recap: Italy leaves with heads held high
•Matchday 20 recap: Shades of 1998 World Cup for France || France simply too much for Iceland
Sportsnet’s Soccer Central podcast (featuring Thomas Dobby, Brendan Dunlop, John Molinaro and James Sharman) takes an in-depth look at the beautiful game and offers timely and thoughtful analysis on the sport’s biggest issues.