Ronaldo leads Portugal past Wales, into Euro 2016 final

Doubt Cristiano Ronaldo at your own peril.

Led by its star attacker, Portugal is off to the European Championship final for the first time since 2004 after Fernando Santos' lot topped Wales 2-0 in Lyon on Wednesday.

It was the first time Portugal won a match at Euro 2016 in regulation after advancing to the last four by virtue of three draws, an extra-time winner, and penalties against Poland.

A Selecao were woeful in the final third during the opening half, skying crosses into the ionosphere as the bronzed caps record-holder Ronaldo looked on with a trademark expression of exasperation.

All it took was one decent cross for Ronaldo to convert.

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The Real Madrid star skied above a leaping James Chester to meet a deft cross from Raphael Guerreiro after he and Joao Mario played a corner short five minutes into the second half.

Wales' disappointment soon turned to agony, as Valencia new boy Nani sprawled to get on the end of a speculative effort from Ronaldo courtesy of a half-hearted clearance from Chester.

Related - Nani taps in Ronaldo's shot to double Portugal's lead​

Nani's goal doubled Portugal's advantage, and it sucked the wind from the Welsh sails.

Dragons gaffer Chris Coleman tinkered with his squad in an effort to inspire his lot, subbing on attackers Sam Vokes, Simon Church, and Jonathan Williams, but it was all for naught.

If the second half was rife with attacking opportunities, the opening stanza was a clinic in the tedious and mundane.

Best opportunity of the half fell to Gareth Bale, whose marauding pace on the right flank afforded him an open shot on Rui Patricio's net from 25 yards out.

Full credit to Wales, but without Aaron Ramsey - who missed out with two yellow cards - the midfield was limp and lacking in initiative. A midfield trio of Joe Allen, Andy King, and Joe Ledley was stagnant and offered little in the way of creativity.

Even in defeat, Wales' Euro 2016 performance was a heroic effort deserving of all the plaudits, and while Coleman's lot heads home, Ronaldo and Co. will await the winner of Thursday's semi-final between continental powers Germany and France to determine its opponents.