Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo scores on a header. (AP Photo)
Marseille: Like fellow underdog Iceland before it, Wales learned the hard lesson that a team needs more than just an abundance of guts and heart to succeed at the pointy end of a major tournament.
An abundance of quality is needed, too. In the end, Wales simply didn't have enough of it against Portugal in the European Championship semifinal.
Gareth Bale, Wales' sole superstar and the world's most expensive player, tried as hard as he could but lost his European Championship semifinal battle against his Real Madrid teammate, Ronaldo.
Here are 5 things to know about the semifinal in Lyon:
1. TOUGH FINAL
Portugal's road to the final has been anything but convincing. Wales is the first team it beat in regular time.
Germany or France, depending on which of them wins their semifinal on Thursday, have far more quality than Wales. Having put itself two goals ahead, Portugal was able to control the second half against the Welsh. Wales manager Chris Coleman didn't have players coming off the bench who could make a difference.
France and Germany do.
Unless Ronaldo can do something special, Portugal could get found out in the final, just as Wales was in the semifinal.
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