We’re down to the last four at Euro 2016. France and Germany vie for a spot in the July 10 final at the Stade de France on Thursday. Here's the preview and prediction for Thursday's semi-final. France vs. Germany The heavyweight clash of the semifinals: The hosts against the World Champions at the incomparable Stade […]

Lyon (AFP) – Wales manager Chris Coleman heaped praise on his players for a historic run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals after they bowed out 2-0 to Portugal on Wednesday. Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring and then teed up Nani as two goals in three minutes early in the second half in Lyon condemned Wales […]

Lisbon (AFP) – Tens of thousands of fans packed into one of Lisbon's main squares exploded with joy as Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal completed their landmark win over Wales to reach the Euro 2016 final. Horns blared out and flags were hurled in the air as the final whistle ended the match with a 2-0 win […]

Cardiff (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Some 27,000 Wales fans who massed in Cardiff for the biggest football match in the country's history showed their pride in the team's historic run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals despite Wednesday's heartbreaking defeat. As Wales lost 2-0 to Portugal in the French city of Lyon, supporters gathered at the […]

Lyon (AFP) – Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo said he hoped he would cry tears of joy at Sunday's Euro 2016 final after his goal inspired his team to a 2-0 semi-final win over Wales. The Real Madrid superstar scored a brilliant 50th-minute header in Lyon on Wednesday and then teed Nani up for a quick-fire […]

Lyon (AFP) – Gareth Bale said Wales should have no regrets after their remarkable Euro 2016 run ended in a 2-0 defeat to Portugal in the semi-finals in Lyon on Wednesday. "We're obviously massively disappointed. We've got to be proud of ourselves first and foremost," Bale told ITV. "We've given everything, on the pitch, off […]

Lyon (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo beat Gareth Bale in a battle between Real Madrid's superstar duo and registered more European Championship records as Portugal progressed to the Euro 2016 final win a 2-0 win over Wales. Ronaldo's bullet header from Raphael Guerreiro's cross five minutes into the second-half blew open a cagey encounter and brought […]

Lyon (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo matched Michel Platini's record of nine goals in European Championship finals matches by scoring in Portugal's Euro 2016 semi-final win over Wales on Wednesday. Here, AFP Sports looks at Ronaldo's nine goals across four separate Euros that saw him match yet another goalscoring record. Portugal 1 Greece 2, Euro 2004 […]

Lyon (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo made European Championship history as Portugal ended Wales's extraordinary Euro 2016 journey with a 2-0 semi-final win on Wednesday that sent them into the final. In what was billed as a shootout between Ronaldo and his Real Madrid team-mate Gareth Bale, it was the Portugal captain who prevailed, opening the […]

Marseille (AFP) – Didier Deschamps' talented France side block the path of Germany's spluttering juggernaut in Thursday's second Euro 2016 semi-final with the world champions missing some of their stars. With an element of revenge in the air, hosts France can expect fanatical backing from their home fans in Marseille. Les Bleus are buoyed by […]

Lyon (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo equalled French legend Michel Platini's record of nine goals in the European Championship finals with a bullet header to give Portugal the lead over Wales in their Euro 2016 semi-final. The three-time World Player of the Year rose highest to head home Raphael Guerreiro's cross and open the scoring in […]

Lyon (AFP) – The first Euro 2016 semi-final between Portugal and Wales in Lyon remained goalless at half-time after an opening 45 minutes of few chances. Wales, in their first major tournament semi-final, tested Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio via a long-range Gareth Bale effort. That was the only attempt on target in the first half […]

Barcelona (AFP) – After a court in Spain on Wednesday sentenced Barcelona striker Lionel Messi and his father to 21 months in jail for tax fraud, the footballer vowed to appeal the sentence and clear his name. The prison sentences are likely to be suspended as is common in Spain for first offences for non-violent […]

Cardiff (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Wales fans massing in Cardiff were trying — and failing — to keep a lid on their excitement in the build-up to the biggest football match in the country's history on Wednesday. As Wales prepared to take on Portugal in their 2016 European Championship semi-final in the French city of […]

Marseille (AFP) – Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger will make his first start of Euro 2016 in Thursday's semi-final against France, coach Joachim Loew has confirmed. The Manchester United star suffered a knee strain in Saturday's quarter-final penalty shoot-out win over Italy, but has recovered in time to face France in Marseille. "In a game like […]