QUARTER-FINAL 2: Wales Score Three Past Belgium To Reach The Semi-Finals
#WAL pull off a huge shock to beat #BEL and reach the semi-finals! #WALBEL #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/DNGz2i6M9e
— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) July 1, 2016
The second quarter final of Euro 2016 was played between Belgium and Wales, which the Welshmen won 3-1.
It was the Belgian team that opened the scoring in the 13th minute via Radja Nainggolan’s sensational goal from 25 yards out. However, Ashley Williams scored a captain’s goal at the half hour mark, meeting Ramsey’s corner kick with a header to pull Wales level.
Hal Robson-Kanu then gave his team the lead in the 55th minute with a delightful finish that followed a genius turn, and substitute Sam Vokes’s headed goal sealed the win for Wales, sending them to their first ever semi-finals of a major tournament.
Robson-Kane was named the man of the match for his outstanding performance and great goal.
Aaron Ramsey – the man behind creating two of the three Wales goals on the night – picked up his second yellow card of the tournament along with Ben Davies, and the duo will therefore miss the semi-final. A huge loss for Wales, considering the fact that Ramsey has already managed to bag four assists in Euro 2016 – the joint most by a player in a single tournament since 1980 (alongside Eden Hazard, who also has four Euro 16 assists).
Wales boss Chris Coleman had his say about his star player missing the semi-final: “I’m gutted for Aaron. He’s been one of the best players of the tournament.”
He also stated: “I said before we kicked the ball today, we are not here to enjoy it, we are here to compete. We defended like soldiers. All I can do is reiterate to the players never to forget what it took to get here. I know my team are good enough to perform against anybody.”
Belgium manager Marc Wilmots, meanwhile, talked about his future: “I said I’d make my decision after the European Championship. I won’t make one straight after the game. There’s a lot of adrenaline going. We’ll have to see.”
Real Madrid teammates Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo are set for a showdown in the semi-finals, as Wales ready themselves to play against Portugal on Wednesday, July 6.
