Wednesday, 6 July 2016

Portugal 2 Wales 0 Player Ratings and Analysis

Wales slumped to what will be a forgettable performance in what could have been an unforgettable night for British football as the opportunity to be the first British team to reach a final in 50 years slipped through their fingertips. However, a Ronaldo header and Nani close range finish signaled the end of a marvelous Welsh run despite all efforts to beat a resilient Portuguese defence well commanded by Fonte. Whilst Bale heads home his Real Madrid teammate Ronaldo will have his eyes on Sunday's final against either France or Germany, however who rated better between the two superstars ?

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Portugal 

Rui Patricio : 6
Was rarely tested by a feeble Welsh attack excluding speculative Bale long shots. Did well to claim a couple of Welsh free kicks pumped into the box.
Cedric : 6
Had very little to do since Taylor, the Welsh full back, was all too often glued to his own half and failed to bombard forwards.
Bruno Alves : 7 
Handled Vokes well, especially when he appeared to get in behind only for Alves to make an exceptional covering tackle. One heart in the mouth moment when he passed straight to a Welshman in the dying minutes when under no pressure but otherwise a professional performance.
Fonte : 7
Was not threatened in the slightest by Kanu who never got close to turning the Southampton skipper. Guaranteed a place at centre back in the final.
Guerreiro 6 
Wales will feel that they should have done more to challenge the fairly inexperienced 22 year old. Bale did skip round the left back on a couple of occasions in the first half but little else left the Dortmund player in a sweat.
Danilo Pereira 7
Provided a solid shield which limited Wales to optimistic long shots. Should have done better when presented with a glorious opportunity to seal the win however could only strike at Hennessey.
Joao Mario 8
Contender for MOTM with his physicality in midfield. Often won the ball back and overpowered the likes of Allen and Ledley in the centre of the pitch.
Renato Sanches 7
Another impressive performance from the 18 year old who was confident enough to drive at the Welsh central defenders, his strength too made him an effective outlet. The Bayern Munich man's final product was lacking but another promising display all the same.
Adrien Silva 7
A fantastic whipped ball for Ronaldo's towering header in a tidy display from the Sporting Lisbon captain. Expect the midfielder to start ahead of fellow countryman Moutinho in the final on the back of an honourable performance.
Nani 7
Nani's touch was of a high calibre in addition to his ability to find teammates with ease. Nani was fortunate to be in the right place to slide home from a Ronaldo scuffed shot.
Ronaldo 7
Ronaldo certainly improved on his dismal display against Poland. A giant leap from a player with a giant ego was ultimately the decisive goal. The 31 year old seemed to grow in confidence as a result, adding flicks and tricks every time the ball fell to him. Ronaldo held the play up well and had the composure to keep the ball towards the final stages. An assist and goal sees the Real Madrid star rising up the charts alongside Griezmann, Payet and Giroud.


Substitutions :

Andre Gomes (Renato Sanches) : 6
A solid display from the Chelsea and Real Madrid target who kept it simple as intended.
Moutinho (Adrien Silva) : 5
Was given little time and only had instructions to keep possession ahead of grabbing a decisive third.
Nani (Quaresma) : N/A
No chance to impress for the ageing winger.



Wales 

Hennessey : 5
Could not be faulted for either goal however was spared his blushes after parrying a mediocre Nani shot straight to Joao Mario who blazed wide. Did well to deny Danilo when through on goal.
Gunter : 6
Didn't get on the ball as much as Wales would have liked and was much deeper than usual after he was restricted to tracking the wide men of Ronaldo and Nani.
Chester : 5
Will feel disappointed to have been beaten in the air by Ronaldo off the back of a simple move.
Collins : 6
Handled Ronaldo well and can't have done much more defensively and was later sacrificed.
Ashley Williams : 5
The captain did the best he could to motivate a sloppy and despondent Wales team after going two down but to little effect. A communication issue with Collins resulted in Nani sneaking in behind just onside to score the Portugeuse second.
Taylor : 5
A poor display from the Swansea man who was beaten by Sanches on a handful of occasions. Failed to help develop Welsh attacks on the offensive.
Allen : 4
His worst day in a Welsh shirt in which he conceded the ball again and again. For a player so focused on ball retention he gave it away too often. Allen seemed off the pace and was fortunate to stay on the pitch after some late, sloppy challenges.
Ledley : 5
Did not get on the ball enough in an underwhelming performance.
King : 6
In for the suspended Ramsey King provided a buzz and energy in a forward position behind the strikers and was unlucky not to connect with crosses into the box. Clearly doesn't possess the quality of Ramsey in terms of travelling with the ball but a commendable effort.
Bale : 6 
Bale had an up and down night which is peculiar for a player who has only been on the rise since the beginning of his Southampton days. Whilst Bale was confident on the ball out wide, beating players and earning corners, he was shocking in terms of passing, frequently passes were too heavy and rolling out of play accompanied with the sigh of a Welsh nation. Had a number of long shots which swerved and curled but didn't significantly trouble Patricio.
Robson Kanu : 5
Could not get on the ball and was well marshaled by Fonte. His hold up play was admirable but he could only offer so much up front.


A poor performance from Joe Allen does not reflect an impressive campaign

Substitutions : 

Sam Vokes (Ledley) : 5
No opportunities fell to the big man up top.
Simon Church (Robson Kanu) : 4
Anonymous
Jonny Williams (Collins) : 5
Tried to travel with the ball which has been a success in the past  yet was crowded out and ineffective.

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