Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Portugal to a win over Gareth Bale’s Wales in Lyon on Wednesday.

It was honours even in first half in the battle between the two Real Madrid superstars as both key players had little influence over play in the first 45 minutes.

Both Galacticos had one great chance in the first half but it was Ronaldo who opened the scoring in the 49th minute with a towering header. The Portugal captain then turned provider as his wayward shot on goal was hit into the path of former Manchester United teammate Nani who made no mistake in poking the ball into the back of the net.

According to SASoccermag.co.za’s Opta-powered match centre, Ronaldo created two chances with a goal and an assist to his name as well as the Man of the Match award. On the other hand, Bale’s match stats included the same amount of chances creates but no goals or assists.

Bale was forced to fire off shots from long range which inflated his ratio of three shots on target from five efforts. It was Ronaldo who was far more clinical on the night as he scored one goal from two shots target and nine in total.

All the hype in the build up to this match focused on Bale the team player and Ronaldo the selfish star; on the night Ronaldo proved himself to be just a part of Portugal’s success while Bale attempted to inspire Wales to the win but ultimately ended up costing his team by trying to do far too much alone.

Ronaldo had just 45 touches on the ball while Bale finished the 90 minutes with 75 moments in possession.

Ronaldo will now be looking to upset the odds in Sunday’s final in Paris where his side will come up against either France or Germany.