Previews
TUE 05.07.2016
LaLiga is guaranteed to have a say in the EURO 2016 final, given that players plying their trade in Spain feature in all four of the semi-finalists' squads. The first last-four clash will take place on Wednesday, when Wales take on Portugal for a place in the final in Lyon.
A Wales side spearheaded by Gareth Bale continue to make history by reaching the semi-finals at the first time of asking, a feat that no other debutant had managed since Sweden in 1992. With Aaron Ramsey ruled out through suspension, all hopes of reaching a historic final will be pinned on the Real Madrid star who has racked up two goals in the tournament so far.
#LaLiga scorers in #EURO2016.@AntoGriezmann @GarethBale11 @Cristiano pic.twitter.com/evPEubhbW2
— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) July 4, 2016
The 26-year-old will come up against Real Madrid teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe, as well as Valencia CF's Andre Gomes, who will be hoping to guide Portugal to the final for the first time since the disappointing 2004 edition on home turf. Fernando Santos's side have gone from strength to strength in the tournament and can also draw confidence from winning two of their previous three meetings with Wales, although none of them were competitive fixtures. Cristiano Ronaldo will become the first ever player to grace the semi-finals of the Euros on three occasions if he takes to the pitch on Wednesday. Pepe, meanwhile, is a doubt for the match due to a muscle problem.
The other semi-final bout takes place on Thursday between France and Germany, and LaLiga will be well represented once again. The hosts boast Antoine Griezmann and Adil Rami in their ranks, while Toni Kroos, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Shkodran Mustafi will be hoping to fire the 1996 winners to the final.
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