Euro 2016 Semifinal | Battle of Galacticos

The first seminal of Euro 2016 will be played tomorrow between Portugal and Wales; each team lead by two Galacticos of Real Madrid. Portugal additionally is being led by also the man who is one of most hated players on earth at this moment.

Our generation is fortunate enough to have seen two of the greatest footballers of all time, Messi and Ronaldo, in full glory. While there is a never ending debate going on as who is the better between the two, the two have continued to go in fame and glory. Both have achieved tremendous honors for their clubs and personally but glory for country is something still eludes them.

Ronaldo missed out Euro in 2004. Messi missed Copa in 2015, 2016 and Fifa World Cup in 2014.

Ronaldo is again having a second chance in Euro 2016.

Portugal is the team which everyone had expected the least to reach the semifinal stage. Though a favorite to qualify from their group, they fared very badly during the group stages. They did not win any match during the group stages. Their first two matches ended were drawn against Austria and Iceland. In the last match, against Hungary, somehow they scrapped again with a 3-3 draw and qualified as the 3rd team from the group.

In the Round of 16 they faced a far superior Croatia who were the group toppers ahead of defending champions Spain. The entire game was dominated by Croatia but somehow Portugal managed to hold them goal less after 90 minutes. Then in 118th minute of extra time Ronaldo got his only shot at the goal which was saved by goal keeper but Quaresma scored from the rebound. In this match Portugal used a young Renato Sanchez as the substitute and he made his difference felt with his speed and energy.

In quarter finals Portugal came face to face with Poland. I would say both teams matched each other’s abilities; there was no one outright superior. Lewandowski put Poland ahead but an extremely agile Renato Sanchez restored parity. The match went into penalties and Portugal won. Renato Sanchez played a very pivotal role in this match being present in the starting lineup and easily eclipsed their most famous star CR7.

Next Portugal faces an upbeat and giant killer Wales in the semifinal. Wales had topped their group
ahead of England. In the Round of 16 they had defeated Northern Ireland 1-0 and in the quarter final thrashed Belgium 3-1. They have a Gareth Bale who is firing all cylinders and very upbeat team by virtue of their steady performance.

For Portugal so far it has been a lucky journey. Scrapping past opponents they are also lucky to be not drawn in the same half as the other giants of European football with Germany, France, Italy and Spain. They have so far not faced a top class opponent in this campaign. It remains to be seen if they still expect to ride their luck or show up some fabulous performance.

I suppose this would be last Euro Ronaldo would be playing in full glory. And a win for him definitely elate fans like me who are from the old school of thought and feel that winning it for the country can only stamp your greatness. No matter how many dribbles you do, how many goals you score, how may La Liga, Champions League you win…..its ultimately Copa, Fifa, Euro that counts.

I also hope a success for Ronaldo would spur Messi for glory in Moscow 2018. These two stars complement each other unknowingly and the success of one pushes the other to emulate that. And ironically so far none have anything to show for their countries.