UEFA EURO 2016: Wales Go Marching On

Since the 1996 Semi Final appearance for England in the Euros, they’ve appeared at all but one major tournament yet haven’t reached the final four in any of those eight appearances.

Wales haven’t even been in a major tournament since 1958, 58 years ago. They’ve reached the Semi Finals for the first time in their history. Not only that, but they did it with their backs against the wall, too.

WALES (3-1 win vs. Belgium)

Following a nervy previous match against Northern Ireland where only an own goal put them through to the quarter finals, questions were raised on how Wales would perform against Belgium, the highest ranked team in the tournament (#2). Sure enough, things didn’t go to plan initially, falling behind to a wonder strike from Nainggolan from 25 yards out in the 13th minute.

An impressive 3-1 win sets them up against Portugal in the Semi Finals.

When England fell behind Iceland, they crumbled. Wales? Never – history was on the table to be made, and they weren’t missing this opportunity.

They pushed Belgium even harder, and were duly rewarded before the end of the first half when captain Ashley Williamson headed in from a corner. 1-1 at the half.

Only 10 minutes in to the second half, and the party started to come in to effect – with one of the slickest moves of the tournament, Hal Robson-Kanu – who doesn’t even have a club at the moment – scored a phenomenal goal to put Wales ahead.

Belgium applied the pressure consistently, but a late header from Sam Vokes meant Wales were home and dry. For the first time ever, Wales have got to the semi final of a major tournament. Belief continues, dare to dream… because on this performance (even without a goal from Gareth Bale), there’s all the chance that the final, now one step away, may not be out of reach.
NEXT MATCH: vs. Portugal (Wednesday)

So what of the other semi finalists?

Renato Sanches scored Portugal’s equaliser against Poland.

PORTUGAL (1-1 win on penalties (5-3) vs. Poland)

Portugal have set a new record, becoming the first team to reach the semi finals of any major tournament without winning a single game in 90 minutes (they’ve been drawing at every second half end). While one could say Portugal have ridden their luck to get this far, quality still has to have shone through – and it’s still there.

Having gone behind virtually from the beginning of the match with Robert Lewandowski netting in just the 2nd minute, Renato Sanches would level things up just before half time with a deflected strike. They went in at the half 1-1, and that’s how it stayed until the end of Extra Time. To penalties it went, with perfection up until, at 4-3 in Portugal’s favour, Blaszczykowski’s shot was saved by Patricio. Quaresma’s decisive penalty went in despite Fabianski getting his fingers to it, and Portugal sent a very strong Poland packing.

It’s safe to say Portugal have “got the job done” so far, but there’s not been a killer winning instinct at all so far. They may still be the favourites over Wales in this upcoming match, but Wales are in the mood to spoil another party.
NEXT MATCH: vs. Wales (Wednesday)

Despite three missed penalties, Germany went through against a tough Italian side.

GERMANY (1-1 win on penalties (6-5) vs. Italy)

One of the matches of the tournament so far has to go to a surprisingly one-sided rivalry that, finally, saw a win for the other team – how often can you say that about Germany?

It could’ve been easy for Germany – having gone 1-0 up from Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil in the 65th minute, the World Champions were sure to just wrap it up by keeping Italy out, until a moment of madness from Jerome Boateng who needlessley handled in the box – one penalty later converted by Italy’s Bonucci and they were back in it until the penalty shootout.

And what a round of shootouts it was – it took NINE rounds before a winner was finally decided, with both teams being hit & miss – Germany’s three misses is the most they’ve ever had in any of their penalty shootouts – but luckily for them, Italy had four, keeping the German’s undefeated record of over 40 years in penalties in tact and, oddly enough, ending the undefeated streak Italy had over them in major tournaments. Yes, that was the first time Germany have ever beaten Italy in a major tournament.
NEXT MATCH: vs. France (Thursday)

Griezmann scored France’s fourth goal in a 5-2 win over minnows Iceland.

FRANCE (5-2 win vs. Iceland)

What could’ve been for England, eh? After this performance, France will definitely be thankful that England didn’t get the job done.

It was a thrashing against the tournament’s minnow side, but not without a clean sheet: despite going in at the half with a 4-0 lead (a record for the Euros), they ended up conceding two in the second half – something the French know they can’t allow to happen against the World Champions, who they face next.

So as we head in to the final week of the tournament, this Sunday will end up with Wales or Portugal taking on Germany or France. Who will it be? Can we get home nation pride continuing? The culmination is coming… and we can’t wait for it!

Ashley Redman
Still tediously looking for any Welsh links…