Euro 2016 Results: Scores, Highlights, Reaction After Wednesday's Semi-Final

Portugal reached the final of UEFA Euro 2016 after beating Wales 2-0 in Wednesday's semi-final in Lyon, France, thanks to second-half goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani.

Ronaldo gave Portugal the cutting edge when it counted, but they also succeeded in keeping Wales' prolific goal-getter Gareth Bale very quiet.

Defences were on top early on, with both sides paying close attention to the opposing star men. Ronaldo earned some particularly close attention from James Collins in the box, attention that should have resulted in a penalty but didn't.

ITV Football showed how Collins wasn't shy about restricting Ronaldo's movement:

As the tournament's official Twitter showed, Ronaldo was having trouble escaping Collins' watch:

But Collins wasn't the only Welsh defender taking a robust approach to subduing Ronaldo and Co. Squawka provided this great snap of Swansea City centre-back Ashley Williams ending an attack:

Ronaldo wasn't enjoying much space, but nor was his Real Madrid team-mate Bale. In fact, neither of the marquee forwards on display found themselves heavily involved during the opening 45 minutes, as OptaPaolo detailed:

Wales were holding firm at the break, but two goals in three second-half minutes established Portugal's superiority. The first came from a terrific Ronaldo header.

Jan Hagen of Sport Witness felt it was a typical captain's contribution:

BBC Sport pundit Gary Lineker lauded the goalscorer's natural physical skill:

The goal helped Ronaldo equal a piece of history in this competition:

Ronaldo wanted the record all to himself, but he had to settle for setting up the second when his scuffed shot rolled into Nani's path.

Portugal's No. 7 was now running riot and soon crashed a free-kick off the crossbar.

Ronaldo thriving while Bale stayed quiet prompted this tweet from La Liga expert Guillem Balague on the Real pair's professional rivalry:

ESPN's Dermot Corrigan also felt Bale was staying stuck in the shadow of his illustrious team-mate:

With Bale off-key and playmaker Aaron Ramsey suspended, Wales never had enough guile in forward areas to produce a comeback.

Still, Rob Williams of the Manchester Evening News felt the team had earned plenty of plaudits for its performances in France:

"

Come home then boys. You've done us proud. No sadness, just pride. #WALPOR

— Rob Williams (@BobJWilliams) July 6, 2016"

Meanwhile, the BBC's Francis Keogh noted how Ronaldo is due some credit after helping his nation reach the final:

Portugal's formula hasn't changed, namely keeping things tight and relying on Ronaldo for a match-winning moment. Maybe it's not always pretty, but it's worked.

As for Wales, they more than seized the chance a first tournament in 58 years provided.