EURO 2016 Preview: Portugal v Wales

Jul. 06, 2016

Date: Wednesday 6 July, 2016
Time: 20:00 GMT
Location: Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon
Coverage: ITV - 19:15 GMT

With Euro 2016 now well underway, we have been left with just four sides who are set to battle for a place on the biggest stage in European football.

A European Championship final is the prize for both Portugal and Wales, as they go head-to-head in Lyon, with the build-up dominated by coverage of Real Madrid superstars and rivals for the match, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.

Portugal have reached five of the previous six semi-finals without managing to surpass the final hurdle. Head coach Fernando Santos has come under severe criticism for the side’s performances to date, yet they are now just two wins away lifting a first ever major trophy.

As for Wales, there is no doubt that this is the biggest match in the nation’s history. Chris Coleman brought his side to France full of optimism after a strong qualification campaign, however a place in the semi-final would never have been expected, yet there is no doubt that it is fully deserved.

Team news
Portugal:

Portugal’s other Real Madrid man – centre back Pepe – is a doubt for the match in Lyon. The defender is suffering with a thigh problem that has kept him away from the rest of the squad throughout the week, and he trained alone as recently as Tuesday.

Pepe is a doubt for the semi-final tie as he looks to recover from a thigh problem.

After a careless sending off in Portugal’s pre-tournament friendly against England at Wembley, Bruno Alves seems to have escaped his coaches’ plans, and veteran defender Ricardo Carvalho looks the more likely to replace Pepe at the heart of the defence.

Santos will certainly be without key midfielder William Carvalho due to a suspension that he picked up in the quarter-final tie with Poland. Expect Danilo to be selected in place of the Sporting Lisbon man.

Wales:

The Dragons will be without Aaron Ramsay for the biggest match of their history. The Arsenal midfielder has been Wales’ star man so far, but a second yellow card of the tournament means that manager Coleman will need to look elsewhere for the Portugal tie.

Andy King and Dave Edwards would offer stability alongside Joe Allen in the Welsh midfield, whereas Jonny Williams would be the like-for-like replacement for Wales’ number ten.

Ben Davies will also be side lined for the semi-final after he too picked up a second caution of the competition against Belgium last time out.

James Collins would be the obvious replacement for the Tottenham man, and, with almost 50 international appearances to his name, the 32 year-old would bring more experience to the side than Coleman’s other option in Jazz Richards.

Key men
Portugal:

It goes without saying who the key player for either side is expected to be, yet Ronaldo has not come close to his best at the tournament so far, as the likes of Ricardo Quaresma and Nani have taken the limelight.

Should he feature in Lyon, Pepe will continue to play a crucial role in the Portuguese backline alongside José Fonte. R. Carvalho was replaced after his partnership with Pepe was exposed by Hungary on match day three, and Santos will only make changes if needed ahead of the semi-final.

Further forward, 18 year-old Renato Sanches has offered a new dimension to Portugal’s attacking play, while Quaresma has not only brought directness to his side from the bench, but he also scored the winning goal and penalty in two knockout fixtures against Croatia and Poland respectively.

That said, do not write-off the three-time World Player of the Year/ Balon d’Or winner, as he often saves his best for the times when his side need him most.

Wales:

Just like their opponents, Wales’ one superstar also plays for Real Madrid, and has also failed to reach his best form in the tournament to date.

Nevertheless, it is clear that Bale’s presence has redirected the focus of many a defender that Wales have faced in the Championships so far, providing the likes of Ramsay and Hal Robson-Kanu with more space and with the opportunity to shine.

Perhaps the greatest over performers at Euro 2016, Coleman’s side have been led admirably by Captain Ashley Williams, and – alongside James Chester – the importance of his role of keeping Nani and Ronaldo quiet throughout the semi-final cannot be overestimated.

Finally, wing-backs Chris Gunter and Neil Taylor have been influential in both an offensive and defensive role, and they too could be key against their immediate and likeminded opponents Cédric and Raphaël Guerreiro/ Eliseu,

Head-to-Head

- Incredibly, these two teams have only met one another on three occasions.
- Wales have triumphed on one occasion, whereas Portugal have won twice.
- Luis Figo was on the score sheet the last time the two sides met – a 3-0 Portuguese win back in June 2000.
- Portugal are yet to be beaten under the reigns of coach Santos (won 8, drawn 4).
- Ronaldo has taken the most shots at the competition, with 14 attempts off target and 14 shots blocked – eight more than Austria’s David Alaba in second.
- Bale has recorded the most shots on target at the Championships (13).

Prediction
Portugal 1 - 1 Wales
Portugal to win on penalties (4-2)