Cristiano Ronaldo was tetchy and grouchy, then majestic.
A bullet-header, a flex of his muscles for the cameras and an assist for Portugal’s second.
Just three minutes’ work from the Portugal captain against Wales.
It’s why Ronaldo will lead Portugal into the European Championship final on Sunday. It’s why Gareth Bale is going home as Wales’s astonishing Euro 2016 journey ended.
Like so often at Real Madrid, Bale was eclipsed by Ronaldo.
Within weeks they’ll be teammates again. And after the whistle blew on Portugal’s 2-0 win, Ronaldo consoled Bale with an affectionate hug and words of comfort.
Here’s a closer look at duel that pitted the world’s two most expensive players against each other in the Lyon semifinal:
BIG MOMENT
Portugal toiled through five games in France without winning inside 90 minutes. Ronaldo ensured there wouldn’t be a sixth.
The three-time world player of the year scored twice in a 3-3 draw with Hungary in the group stage and it took a return to the southern city to find the target again.
It was a feat of Ronaldo’s athleticism. A cross came in from Raphael Guerreiro, Ronaldo soared above James Chester to meet it and then planted a header into the net in the 50th minute. Bale could only watch helplessly at the far post.
Like so often, the celebration looked as important as the goal for Ronaldo.
Ronaldo darted to the corner flag, went on his back, awaiting the acclaim of his teammates. They knew their duty. Then it was time for the solo shot, with the spinning jump celebration that’s his trademark right in front of the cameras.
All that was missing was a jersey being removed to flaunt his toned torso. He’s probably saving that for the final against Germany or France.
RECORD BREAKER
Take your pick of the records in Ronaldo’s possession.
Already the all-time leading scorer in the Champions League, Ronaldo is now level with Michel Platini with nine goals in European Championship finals.
He’ll hope a 10th in his second final sees Portugal crown a career in which he has won every major club honor with a first international title.
PROVIDER
A scuffed shot three minutes after his goal looked typical of the Ronaldo who has labored at times in this tournament. Fortunately for Ronaldo, Nani got on the end of it, diverting the ball into the net.
In this moment, it seemed there was no way back for Bale, who protested in vain to an assistant referee for offside.
ONE-MAN TEAM?
Compensating for Aaron Ramsey’s absence, Bale was forced to play deeper at times and lacked the creativity of his suspended teammate to create openings for him.
Wales couldn’t rely on Bale alone.
But Bale at speed was still a sight of wonder that unsettled the Portuguese. He just couldn’t produce a goal.
After charging with the ball from inside his own half, surging past a trio of Portuguese men in mint green, Bale could only strike the dipping ball into the arms of goalkeeper Rui Patricio. Rob Harris, AP
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