Unlike France and Germany, the participants of the first Euro 2016 semi-final, Wales and Portugal, aren't the most likely teams you would have expected at this stage. Nevertheless, the two teams have made it there, and the routes they followed were contrasting, to say the least.
Wales have played out of their skin, with every player performing at exceedingly impressive levels, facilitating their progress over superior sides. Portugal are not among the best teams in the tournament themselves. They have struggled and edged past lesser sides, failing to win a single game within 90 minutes so far, and actually winning only one outside of the penalty shoot-out.
The build-up to this encounter and quite possibly the reaction in its aftermath will naturally revolve around the two most expensive players in football history lining up against each other, for they're accustomed to taking to the pitch side-by-side for their club.
Bale vs Ronaldo
It's no surprise that this encounter has been advertised as a head-on clash between Real Madrid superstars Gareth Bale of Wales and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal.
Those who have consistently tried to spark a feud between the two ever since Bale's arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu in September 2013 will be licking their lips at the prospect of a fiercely contested encounter between them, with a spot in the Euro final up for grabs.
There will be more than a few fantasising about a scenario where Bale tracks back, steals the ball off Ronaldo, and goes up the other end to score. Imagine the stories that could stem from that possibility.
It's been a strange tournament for the Portuguese star. While his performance in Portugal's third group game against Hungary was vital to their progress to the round of 16, he's been quite poor in the other fixtures, being uncharacteristically wasteful in front of goal. But despite his lacklustre form, Portugal have just about cleared every hurdle so far, even if they have largely laboured past them.
Bale, on the other hand, is a different kind of superstar from Ronaldo. He's more than capable of rising to the occasion and producing a telling moment in the match, but he's also comfortable operating within a unit and sacrificing an aspect of his game for the good of the team.
His displays as a lone striker for Wales speak volumes of his commitment to the cause. Within a team that is unlikely to see much possession, the target man can often be isolated and, hence, has the most taxing role in the side.
That doesn't seem to faze Bale though. However, it's no point crucifying Ronaldo for not being cut from the same cloth as the Welshman. If Ronaldo were to be self sacrificing, there's every chance that he wouldn't be as effective, and when Ronaldo is effective, the team prospers.
Nani's inconsistency and Ramsey's absence
Apart from Bale and Ronaldo, there's perhaps another duo that warrants even more discussion ahead of this tie. Aaron Ramsey has been Wales's best player in the tournament and Nani has quietly been Portugal's most consistent.
I know what you're thinking: consistency and Nani? Who would've thought, right?
After an impressive season with Fenerbahce, the former Manchester United winger has scored twice and assisted once in Portugal's five games in the competition so far.
Meanwhile, Ramsey has made the most assists of the tournament along with Eden Hazard – five. It's not just his creativity that has set him apart though; it's his tireless running and incredible desire that's embodied the spirit of this Welsh side and really driven them forward.
Ramsey's suspension following five yellow cards in the tournament comes as a massive blow to Chris Coleman's side. The Arsenal man's absence is bound to have a huge influence on this semi-final.
Midfield linchpins
Both sides boast of unlikely midfield maestros as well. Renato Sanches burst onto the Euro 2016 stage with his man-of-the-match display against Poland, while Joe Allen has marshalled Wales's midfield with aplomb. The two midfield talents could not be more different from each other.
With a pass accuracy of 87%, the Liverpool midfielder has been absolutely crucial to the team. However, despite completing six out of six take-ons in the tournament so far, Allen keeps the extravagance to a minimum and focuses on distribution and winning back possession.
Sanches, on the other hand, is a raw 18-year-old who is all-action. He can be a liability at times, but then there is no substitute for the energy and dynamism he brings to the middle of the park. His strike against Poland, although aided by a slight deflection, is testament to his contribution going forward.
Still, recent form and ability will go out the window when Wales and Portugal face off. Win the match and you have a shot at European glory. At the end of the day, it may simply come down to which group of players wants it more. And we do know just how much Christiano Ronaldo wants it.
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