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 […]

Barcelona (AFP) – From former German tennis champion Boris Becker to Barcelona's star striker Lionel Messi, many sports stars and bodies have fallen foul of the taxman over the past few years. Messi became the latest star on Wednesday to be nabbed for tax evasion, when a Spanish court sentenced him and his father to […]

Lyon (AFP) – Real Madrid centre-back Pepe was not selected for Portugal's Euro 2016 semi-final against Wales in Lyon on Wednesday due to a thigh injury, with Bruno Alves taking his place. Pepe was unable to train on the eve of the game and ceded his place to Alves in one of three changes made […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona, the second richest football club in the world after Real Madrid, has been tainted by a series of legal woes in recent years involving its players and management. Here is a recap of the most significant cases: – Messi – Under investigation since 2013 for tax fraud, the club's Argentine striker […]

Lyon (AFP) – Thousands of Portugal and Wales fans poured into the French city of Lyon on Wednesday to see Real Madrid teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale go head to head in the Euro 2016 semi-final between the countries. For Ronaldo, 31, the match is the latest stage of his battle to get a […]