Euro 2016 Results: Scores, Highlights and Twitter Reaction After Semifinals

In a European Championship where upstart Iceland captured the hearts of the world and Wales reached previously unthinkable heights, it will be a familiar powerhouse (France) and a familiar superstar (Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo) who will battle in the final.

The more things change—and they literally changed at this year's tournament, given the new 24-team format—the more they stay the same, as the old cliche goes.

Below, we'll take a look back at the two semifinals and a look forward at what promises to be a fantastic final.

Results

Day	Winner	Score	Loser
Wednesday	Portugal	2-0	Wales
Thursday	France	2-0	Germany

Recap

Lars Baron/Getty Images

Germany conquered the soccer world two years ago. They couldn't add a European conquest to their recent run of dominance, however.

Behind the continued heroics of Antoine Griezmann—who notched a brace and took his goal total to six for the tournament—France knocked off Germany, 2-0, on Thursday.

It was another trend-bucking result, as Miguel Delaney of ESPN FC noted:

It was a meaningful triumph on a number of fronts, as Paul Hayward of the Telegraph noted:

For much of the first half, it appeared the Germans would advance. They controlled most of the opening 45 minutes and looked like the side that won the World Cup in 2014. But just before the half, an unthinkable handball by Bastian Schweinsteiger in the box gave France a penalty.

And Griezmann, cool as you like, buried it and perhaps buried memories of his infamous penalty miss at the 2016 Champions League final in the process.

And then the unthinkable happened again.

In the 72nd minute, the normally unflappable Germans failed to clear the ball in their defending third and Paul Pogba stole it away. After a bit of clever dribbling on the left side of the box, he lifted a cross that goalkeeper Manuel Neuer swatted away. But his clearance didn't go far and he was caught well out of position, and Griezmann—always seemingly exactly where he needs to be—threw out a leg and slapped the ball into an empty net.

Cue the celebrations. Cue a trip to the final. 

Griezmann was the hero again, but his heroics weren't unmatched by his teammates, as Henry Winter of the Times noted:

Stefan Bienkowski ‏of DW Sports was more than happy to sing his praises, meanwhile:

On Wednesday, meanwhile, in the battle of Real Madrid superstars, it was Ronaldo and Portugal who were simply too good for Gareth Bale and Wales, winning 2-0.

Ronaldo has been criticized at times for not being more clinical at this year's Euros, but he put that to rest in the semifinals. His soaring header in the second half gave Portugal the win, and his assist on Nani's goal three minutes later ensured that Wales wouldn't be making a comeback. 

Of Portugal's eight goals in this tournament, Ronaldo has scored three and assisted three more. It's hard to make much more of an impact than that. After, Ronaldo spoke of reaching the final, per Delaney:

"

I am very happy. I am very proud of all my teammates. Me and the boys have always dreamed of being there. Now it's almost there. I've always dreamed of winning something for Portugal and now it's just one step away. Dreaming is free so let's keep dreaming. It's what we have dreamt of since the beginning. The players deserve it, the coach deserves it. The entire medical staff as well. They have been doing an excellent job with the players' fitness. We haven't won anything yet as I said a few days ago, but the dream is still alive.

"

He also took a moment to praise his Real Madrid teammate, per Bleacher Report UK:

It's not only about Ronaldo, however. The Portuguese defense deserve some credit, too, of course. They've accumulated three clean sheets and, outside of a 3-3 thriller against Hungary, have held opponents to just two goals in their other five games in this tournament. 

On paper, of course, the French side look stronger. Nobody has been better in this tournament than Griezmann, while Pogba, Dimitri Payet, Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris—who made several breathtaking saves against Germany—have all had excellent tournaments.

Playing with the home crowd behind them will help. And the French handled the defending World Cup champions, Germany, and made them look downright sloppy at times. 

Frankly, for much of this tournament, the French have looked like the best squad. But Portugal has Ronaldo, the most dangerous player in the world outside of perhaps only Lionel Messi. 

It will be fluid, exciting football from the French against resolute defense and the hope of brilliance from Ronaldo for Portugal. Both strategies have gotten each country to this point. It will be utterly fascinating to see which one is worth a European title on Sunday.

You can follow Timothy Rapp on Twitter.