Portugal defeated Poland on penalties after drawing 1-1 in regular time on Thursday; on Friday Wales blew the soccer world away by reaching the highest pinnacle of Welsh soccer history, ever, defeating a very promising Belgium side by three goals to one. In the semis, Portugal versus Wales, Cristiano Ronaldo facing his Real Madrid team-mate, Gareth Bale.
We bring you in one single and unique document the entire history of UEFA EURO 2016 in France, from the group stage matches through the Last 16, with match reports, results, players and scorers.
Belgium 1 Wales 3
A.Williams (31), Robson-Kanu (55), Vokes (86)
Nainggolan (13)
A balanced game, with Wales ahead in terms of emotional intelligence and organization. Practically the same number of shots, practically the same stats in ball control. Chris Coleman can write his cheques for as long as he decides to stay with Wales.
Belgium
Courteois, Alderweireld, Nainggolan, Witsel, De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku (Batshuayi), Hazard (Captain), Carrasco (Fellaini), Denayer, Meunier, Jordan Lukaku (Mertens)
Vermaelen, Vertonghen, Fellaini, (Origi), Ciman ()
Wales
Hennessey, Gunter, Taylor, Davies, Chester, A. Williams (Captain), Allen, Hal Robson-Kanu (Vokes), Ramsey (Collins), Bale, Ledley (King)
Poland 1 Portugal 1
Lewandowski (2)
Renato Sanches (33)
Portugal. Ronaldo, Nani, Quaresma, Renato Sanches, João Moutinho. The architects of Portugal's progression through to the semi-finals and the goalscorers in the penalty shoot-out in Marseille against a brave and talented Poland. 1-1 after extra time, Portugal wins 5-3 in penalties.
Portugal had more of the first half after Lewandowski's shock opening goal for Poland on 2 minutes, having ten shots against Poland's five, 6 shots saved (against 2) while ball possession was shared (53/47 to Poland). Apart from the goals (Renato Sanches' equalizer on 33' was a brilliant effort, turning and shooting getting a deflection) and on the half-hour Cristiano Ronaldo deserved to get a penalty after being pushed over in the area by Pazdan.
After the break, Portugal continued to press with seven shots against three, two of them saved, with the same ball possession. But the 90 minutes showed the same result, a 1-1 draw. Fernando Santos had switched two players, the impressive Ricardo Quaresma entering for João Mário after João Moutinho had substituted Adrien Silva, while Adam Nawalka had sent on the 19-year-old Kapusta for Grosicki, trying to stem the Portuguese tide, maintaining attacking capacity but reinforcing a holding midfield.
Extra time. A cautious game, some half-chances for both sides but the risk of conceding and not having time to score weighs heavily on both sides.
Penalties. Cristiano Ronaldo 1-0. Lewandowski 1-1. Renato Sanches 2-1. Milik 2-2. João Moutinho 3-2. Glik 3-3. Nani 4-3. Blaszczykowski fails. Quaresma scores 5-3. Portugal is in the semi-finals
Poland
Szczesny, Pazdan, Jedrzejczyk, Maczynski (Jodlowiec), Milik, Lewandowski (Captain), Krychowiak, Grosicki (Kapusta), Glik, Blaszczykowski, Piszczek,
Portugal
Patrício, Pepe, Fonte, Ronaldo (Captain), João Mário (Quaresma), William Carvalho (Danilo), Renato Sanches, Nani, Eliseu, Cédric, Adrien Silva (João Moutinho)
Last 16
https://english.pravda.ru/news/society/134845-england_out/
Group stage
https://english.pravda.ru/news/society/134799-euro_group/