Portugal vs Wales in Euro 2016 UEFA Semifinals: It's Mates Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Gareth Bale - Start Time, Date, TV Info, Live Stream, Tickets
The Two Real Madrid Stars Will Battle for a Slot in the Finals Game
Portugal will face Wales in the semifinals round of the UEFA Euro 2016 on Wednesday night, and it will be a battle between Real Madrid teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
Who Will Play Better?
The two superstars, according to Sports Illustrated, will be fighting it out for a slot in the finals round of the tournament. It will also be a chance for Bale to prove that he can equal Ronaldo's gameplay on the field and show the public that he can be a worthy replacement for the latter.
Bale is already making a name in the European tournament more than Ronaldo with his great performance contributing three free-kick goals for Wales. Portugal's star player, on the other hand, has encountered some difficulties with his games against Austria and Iceland.
When asked about the upcoming semifinals clash, Bale brushed off questions about the faceoff with Ronaldo. "I've just said it's Wales versus Portugal, nothing more," Bale said after he was repeatedly asked what the public and fans can expect with the Real Madrid stars playing against each other.
Not in Good Terms?
There were earlier rumors that these two players do not really like each other. Bale was not even present for Ronaldo's 30th birthday celebration last year. Their different personalities, perhaps, also set them apart with Bale being a man who only wants to enjoy football while Ronaldo has been known as an achiever in the sport.
For Wales defender James Chester, Bale is the better player than Ronaldo in the tournament. "Maybe Ronaldo is deemed as the main man at the minute. But I think it is time for him to pass on that mantle and Gareth is ready to take that on," he said.
He added that the Welsh star player performed really well for his past games with the national team.
Focus is on Winning
However, Bale's focus will not be on Ronaldo but on his goal to lead his team to a victory in the semifinals. He expressed that the team only needs to maintain their performance in the upcoming game and not let a win slip out of their hands.
How Can I Watch the Game?
Wednesday's game will happen at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais (Stade des Lumières) in Lyon at 8 p.m. Tickets are sold for $300 to $11,000. The match can also be viewed via ITV or BBC with a live stream through this link.