Portugal meet Wales in the semi-finals of the European championship in France on July 6th in Lyon. Two club teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale will go head to head in hope to reach the finals of the tournament in Saint Denis on July 10th.
Portugal haven’t beaten any team in the normal time so far in the competition. Fernando Santos’s men have made it to the semi-final against all odds. The Euro 2004 runners-up are heavily dependent on Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo, who is possibly playing his last Euros, will want to win the tournament from where he kicked off his international career in 2004.
Wales, on the other hand, are the only debutants left in the competition. The Welsh national team defeated the number 1 ranked team in FIFA rankings in the quarter-finals. The Belgian Red Devils were one of the favourites to reach the finals at Euro 2016. Wales also aced the group which had England, Russia and Slovakia. Therefore, their success in the tournament so far is no fluke by any means.
Wales have met Portugal three times in the past, out of which Portugal have won two and lost one. The last time these two teams faced each other was in an international friendly in June 2000, where Luis Figo led Portugal won 3 – 0.
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey will miss the clash after getting suspension in the match against Belgium. Chris Coleman’s team have a big disadvantage with this loss and there will be more pressure on the shoulders of Gareth Bale. Both Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo are in the running for the Golden Boot with their tally of three and two goals respectively. It will not be a massive surprise if either of these two 2016 Champions League winners win the Ballon d’Or award at the end of the year.
This is a tough match to call, but I do think too much emphasis has been placed on Portugal winning. A draw or Wales win for me.
Recommended Tip: Wales Double Chance, Best Odds 1.73 @ Coral
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