Why Portugal Are Seeking to Avoid Becoming Europe’s Biggest Chokers vs. Wales

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: July 5, 2016

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Contrary to popular belief, Portugal are playing Wales in Lyon on Wednesday night, and not just Cristiano Ronaldo playing Gareth Bale.

Two of the most recognisable faces in world football might be the ones staring back at you from every pre-match tweet, video or article ahead of the most unforeseen of Euro 2016 semi-finals, but what both teams have come to represent will be on show, too.



For Wales, simply being here is ridiculous.

A tournament that started off with them just happy to qualify has now opened up to the point that they are one of only four teams left, something that is quite unlike anything they’ve experienced as a nation before.

One of the most refreshing things about their success is—similar to Leicester City’s in the Premier League season just gone—that they have been willing to take on teams at their own game.

They delivered two of the best attacking performances of the tournament in putting Russia and Belgium to the sword, and they have shown they are fully prepared to punch above their weight, doing so with smiles on their faces and drawing out scowls from others.

Those kind of opponents will always make the apparent favourites somewhat weak at the knees, a feeling of dread expanding in the stomach as they ponder just what a defeat to the unheralded underdogs would feel like. Welcome to Ronaldo and Portugal’s world right now.



And to make matters worse, they’ve been here before.

There’s no doubt that Wales winning this tournament would be up there with—surely on top of—Greece’s victory in Euro 2004 as the most remarkable event in European Championship history, and even reaching the final would run it close.

Twelve years ago, it was Portugal who were the vanquished side in their own capital city, with their loss to the Greeks drawing tears from Ronaldo, his team-mates a...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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