Portugal 2-0 Wales, Uefa Euro 2016 semi-final: Coleman's men defeated by Ronaldo and Nani

What a brave effort, then, from Wales, who exceeded all expectations to make it to the semi-final stage. Ultimately, though, they fell fractionally short - and it is Ronaldo's Portugal side who win the day.

That's all we have for you from this semi-final, but be sure to join us tomorrow for coverage of the mouthwatering game between Germany, the world champions, and France, the hosts of Euro 2016.

Full-time: Portugal 2-0 Wales

All over in Lyon! Wales' dream comes to an end - and it's two familiar faces who have defeated them, Ronaldo and Nani.

They've gave it their all, but ultimately, weren't quite good enough. Portugal go to Paris.

From Portugal's latest corner, Ronaldo once again climbs above James Chester - but he cannot find the net on this occasion.

Three minutes of time to be added. And still the Welsh fans proudly cheer their national anthem.

Bale goes into the book for a high foot. Just two minutes left now.

Wales are going home; Portugal are going to Paris. It's going to be a heartbreaking night for Chris Coleman and his men.

It is, in fact, Portugal who appear most likely to score the next goal. Their latest counter-attack ends with Ronaldo rounding the goalkeeper and hitting his shot into the side-netting from a tight angle.

Nani has been taken off, by the way, and Quaresma has been introduced.

Time is running out on Wales. There are a few defeated-looking players out there now. Only five minutes left in Lyon.

Bale takes another powerful shot at goal, but again, Patricio does well to punch it clear. He's given it everything tonight - not sure it'll be enough, though.

Danilo almost makes it 3-0! He bursts through on goal and his effort almost slips under Wayne Hennessey, who does well to recover and stop the ball on the line.

Meanwhile, Portugal have introduced Moutinho, who'll look to keep the ball in the closing minutes.

Now, the first effort from Wales in ages and it's Bale with the volley from distance, which is well held by Patricio.

Wales need to show a bit more urgency in these closing stages. They might as well risk getting hammered...

Fifteen minutes left and still no sign of a goal for Wales. This is all starting to look depressingly predictable.

Renato Sanches goes on a darting run up the field, but ultimately blazes his right-footed effort over the bar.

And with that, the Bayern Munich man heads off and is replaced by Andre Gomes. Once again, though, that was a mightily impressive performance from the teenager.

Another opening for Portgual at a corner. This time Jose Fonte leaps high and gets his effort on target, but it's well held.

As it stands, Wales are on the cusp of elimination. Too many passes are being misplaced and there's a lack of inspiration in their ranks this evening. Bale has slipped out of the game, too.

Wales are within inches of being buried! Nani's shot from distance takes a deflection, which the keeper can only parry. The ball falls in the box to Joao Mario, who blasts his effort wide. Just.

Meanwhile, Coleman has replaced Collins with Jonny Williams, who started Wales' opening game.

Ronaldo lines up a freekick from distance. He has become a bit of comedy figure because of his recent shot-to-goal ratio, but his latest effort is decent-ish. It flashes just over the top.

Meanwhile, Wales have replaced Robson Kanu with Church.

Wales have 30 minutes to save themselves. In truth, they've barely created anything all night, but they won't give up.

Chris Coleman is going to make a change - and it's needed. Sam Vokes is preparing to come on for Wales. They need something and they need it quick. Joe Ledley makes way for him.

There was huge element of fortune about Portugal's second goal. But they won't care, as they're within touching distance of the Euro 2016 final.

GOAL: Portugal 2-0 Wales (Nani)

It's all going wrong for Wales in Lyon! Nani has doubled Portugal's lead, poking Ronaldo's mishit shot home from close range.

There was a suspicion of offside about it, but the linesman was correct. The goal stands and Wales are facing elimination now.

GOAL: Portugal 1-0 Wales (Ronaldo)

Portugal lead - and as you might've suspected, it's Cristiano Ronaldo with the goal! The corner comes in from the left side and Ronaldo leaps in the air and powers his header into the net.

Wales face an uphill task now.

It's all a bit scrappy in the opening stages of the second half. Too many misplaced passes and silly fouls.

Right, neither side has made a change at the break. We have 45 minutes and possibly extra-time and penalties to settle this.

Time for a hero to step forward...

Half-time: Portugal 0-0 Wales

Tactical. Nervous. But still enthralling.

The first 45 minutes have come and gone in the blink of an eye and we're still no closer to knowing who will play in the Euro 2016 final on Sunday.

A little glimmer of an opening for Ronaldo, who climbs above James Chester at the back post, but his effort drifts high and wide. He hung like an NBA player there, though.

Ronaldo takes a left-footed shot from distance that is well blocked by Collins, who is growing into this game.

The resulting corner comes to nothing, and half-time is almost upon us.

The game has drifted into a bit of a lull for the time being. There haven't been any clear-cut chances to speak of so far and the longer it remains goalless, they're likely to become increasingly cautious, you'd think.

One notably bright spark for Portugal so far has been Renato Sanches, who is incredibly strong for such a young man.

He wasn't a certain pick for their squad before the tournament but already appears to be among their better players. And he's only 18.

After a nervous opening, Wales have settled into their work now. And having just passed the half-hour mark, this game is really very even.

Portugal are starting to take some desperate-looking shots from distance.

From a Portugal viewpoint, it really is amazing to see the amount of space they're affording Gareth Bale. He is being allowed to drift across the field, pick up the ball and run at their defence.

Surely they should designate a player to get closer to him?!

Now it's Robson Kanu's turn to make a good run. He picks his head up and finds King, whose headed effort is deflected behind.

This is so much better from Wales in the last ten minutes.

Bale, again. This time he breaks from his own half, goes past a couple of defenders and takes a shot from distance that requires another good save.

Wales' star player is starting to fly now, however. They just need to feed him as much as possible, because his pace is frightening.

Wales are edging their way into this game now, and Bale is at the heart of their best work.

On this occasion, the Real Madrid man makes a darting run up the right wing, but his low effort is well held by Patricio in the Portuguese net. That is much better for Wales, though.

Ah, the first sight of goal for Gareth Bale - and he screws his shot wide!

Wales had a corner on the left side and instead of drifting it over, they deployed a play straight from the training ground. The ball is sent in low, Bale peels round the back, but blasts his effort wide.

Wales are struggling to put any kind of passing game together. Without wishing to state the obvious, they're really miss Aaron Ramsey's quality in the middle of the park at this stage.

Portugal's latest attack ends with Joao Mario dragging his right-footed shot across the face of goal. It's another warning sign for Chris Coleman's men, though.

It's a little bit disjointed from a Welsh viewpoint at the moment. Perhaps it's the change of formation, or perhaps it's the enormity of the occasion?

Thus far, Ronaldo has seen much, much more of the ball than Bale, too.

Oh, wow... Wales are lucky to survive a penalty appeal, here. The ball is crossed from the right flank and James Collins has his hands all over Ronaldo. The former World Player of the Year appeals, but to no avail.

Portugal have largely dominated so far, without creating anything of note. Wales need a spark to get themselves going.

Joe Allen brings down Nani in the centre of the park and that's the first booking of the evening. The Liverpool man will need to watch his step now.

Portugal launch a counter-attack and unsurprisingly, it is Ronaldo who leads the way.

But just as he looks to launch a shot at goal, Ashley Williams appears from nowhere to pinch the ball and Wales survive.

Great noise around the stadium in the opening minutes as the teams feel each other out. It's a pretty slow tempo to begin with - there must be a few nerves hanging around.

Right, the anthems have come and gone - now it's time for the real business. Wales are kitted out in their grey/black strip, while the Portuguese are wearing a green number.

Here we go, Welsh fans!

The excitement is really building now. This is a huge evening and a huge opportunity for Wales, as they're facing a talented, but beatable, side.

The loss of Pepe could make a big difference to the Portuguese, who have generally been decent defensively sound so far in the tournament.

Anyway, the players are in the tunnel and there are a few nervous-looking faces.

The players are going through their last-minute preparations now. Some have, of course, been in this situation before, but for the Welsh lads this is a totally new experience.

They dealt with the quarter-final situation brilliantly and will be hoping for something similar this evening.

Right, we're around half an hour to go until kick-off in what will be the biggest game in the history of Welsh football. The eleven players selected by Chris Coleman have the chance to write themselves into Welsh folklore tonight. But can they do it?

Ahead of the game, the Duke of Cambridge has released a statement in support of the Welsh team.

He said: "Congratulations on reaching the semi-finals of the Euro 2016 – and for progressing much further than England did!"

The Duke added: "Harry and I will be watching the game from home tonight cheering you on."

Throughout the tournament, we've been running fan blogs from supporters of the home nations. One man who has enjoyed a summer to remember is our Welsh fan blogger Steve Ellul.

As we wait for the action to get underway in Lyon, you can read his latest blog here.

Wales are living a "dream" at Euro 2016, according to their star player. Gareth Bale has scored three goals in the tournament and will be hoping for another tonight as Wales look to secure their place in Sunday's final.

"It's a dream to win the tournament, but our aim is to make sure we win the next game against Portugal," he said. "There are no stars in our team, we all get along like brothers.

"We just take each game as it comes and it's going well so far. We have come here to do business and we want to win the tournament. We can't think past this semi-final and we want to get the job done and get through the final."

Bale versus Ronaldo? Not according to the Welshman...

He insists the Euro 2016 semi-final between Wales and Portugal is about more than a personal battle between himself and his Real Madrid clubmate.

The duo are billed as being key to their respective team's fortunes in their much-anticipated clash in Lyon. But Bale insisted the game is much bigger than the supposed rivalry between himself and Ronaldo.

"It's not just about two players, it's about two nations in a semi-final. We're just going to enjoy the occasion and carry on in the same way," the Madrid star said during a pre-match press conference, according to the BBC.

"Ronaldo is a fantastic player, but we talk about what we can do and don't worry about the opposition. It's about how we perform as a team. I can't comment on how he's feeling.

"We get on very well at Madrid, and enjoy playing together. It's not for me to decide, or important [who is the better player] as long as the team win."

Gareth Bale is relishing his country's success at Euro 2016 after receiving years of abuse from his club teammates. The 26-year-old star has been one of Wales' outstanding performers at the tournament and ahead of their eagerly-awaited semi-final against Portugal, Bale has revealed his pride at their achievement.

Euro 2016 is the first time Wales have qualified for a major tournament in more than 50 years. But ahead of the event, Bale was being teased about Wales' participation by his Real Madrid teammate Toni Kroos. For that reason, Bale would love to beat Portugal and set up a semi-final against Kroos' German team.

"I remember Toni Kroos saying we'd only have three games here," the Madrid star said, according to Sky Sports. "So it would be nice to meet him in the final. It was a good laugh and a joke - a bit of banter - but I've had a lot of abuse over the years."

Breaking team news

Huge news for Portugal is that they're without Pepe, who is suffering with a thigh injury. Ronaldo leads the line and Jose Fonte of Southampton is also selected.

For Wales, it looks like Chris Coleman has opted to go three at the back.

Portugal: Patricio, Cedric, Alves, Fonte, Guerreiro, Mario, Danilo, Sanches, Silva, Nani, Ronaldo

Wales: Hennessey; Gunter, Chester, Collins, Williams, Taylor; King, Ledley, Allen; Bale, Robson-Kanu

Ahead of the game, Wales boss Chris Coleman has said he is confident his side can stand toe-to-toe with Portugal in their historic Euro 2016 semi-final, despite the absences of Aaron Ramsey and Ben Davies.

"It's about the squad and not the team. Aaron Ramsey's performances have been among the best at the tournament and that's not being biased," Coleman told a press conference, BBC Sport report.

"Ben Davies has been slightly out of position playing for us but he's grown in stature and been excellent for us. The boys who come in I have no worries about them. They know their jobs and as long as they have the same mentality as the other lads I have every confidence in them. We just need to go and enjoy the occasion."

Pre-team news, team news

As we wait for official confirmation to come through...

Remember, Wales will be without the services of Aaron Ramsey and Ben Davies as the duo are suspended for the clash. William Carvalho is suspended for Portugal, while Pepe's fitness has raised concern over his participation in Lyon.

The clash will also see Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale lead their respective sides. It will be for the first time the two forwards will face each other in a major tournament.

Preview

Wales had no trouble in making their way to the semi-final. In the quarter-final clash, Chris Coleman's side saw themselves 1-0 down in the 13th minute, thanks to AS Roma star midfielder Radja Nainggolan's powerful striker.

Swansea City defender Ashley Williams' 30th minute header saw Wales equalise before two goals in the second half saw them seal a 3-1 victory over Belgium. Wales are two victories away from winning the Euros.

Preview

Portugal overcame Poland to make it to the last four of the Euro 2016. Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski gave his side an early lead before his new club teammate Renato Sanches scored Portugal's equaliser.

The match ended in a 1-1 draw even after the end of the extra time and the outcome was decided on penalties. Jakub Blaszczykowski was the only player who failed to convert, which resulted in Poland losing 5-3 to Portugal on penalties.

Good evening and welcome to IBTimes UK's live coverage of the first Euro 2016 semi-final in Lyon. This is an historic night for Wales, who are looking to secure their place in the final of a major competition for the first time.

Standing in their way is the small matter of Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal. We'll bring you all of the pre-match build-up, as well as the all-important team news as soon as it drops...