UEFA Euro 2016 is reaching its twilight as the semi-finals kick-off today with Wales taking on Portugal at Lyon followed by a clash of the favorites between France and Germany at Marseille tomorrow. The Euros has so far seen some nail-biting and dramatic football along with some upsets.The quarter-finals saw some incredible performances with Portugal and Germany edging out Poland and Italy respectively via penalties. While Wales’ fairytale run continued with a 3-1 win over Belgium, Iceland fell to a 5-2 defeat against France. The semi-final matchups are bound to be exciting as all four teams have played some dazzling football throughout the tournament. With only hours to spare before Wales and Portugal lock horns at Lyon, let’s take a look at five players to look out for in the semi-finals.#1. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
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The Portugal captain has so far had a subdued tournament as apart from his two goals and an assist against Hungary, he has been far from putting up a performance that is expected from a player of his stature. He missed a couple of gilt-edged opportunities throughout the tournament including a penalty against Austria.However, one shouldn’t write off the Real Madrid forward as he has the ability to single-handedly change the course of the game and did show a sparkle of this ability in Portugal’s group game against Hungary. With Wales up next, Ronaldo will be up against his Real Madrid teammate Gareth Bale who has been one of the tournament’s best players. With the Welsh side consisting of a disciplined backline marshalled by their skipper Ashley Williams, Portugal will require Ronaldo’s killer instinct if they are to reach their second Euro final.
#2. Gareth Bale, Wales
The world’s most expensive footballer has so far lived up to his standards and has been one of the players of the tournament with his pace, technical skill, and scoring prowess. So far, Bale has scored three goals in the tournament with all three of them in the group stages. Even though he hasn’t scored in the knockouts so far, he has linked up well with the players and has frequently baffled the opposition.In the semi-finals, Wales will be up against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and Bale will be facing his Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. With Aaron Ramsey missing the all-important match due to suspension, a lot of the team’s responsibilities will fall on Bale and he will have to be at the top of his game if Wales are to make it to their first ever final at a major tournament.
#3. Dimitri Payet, France
The West Ham midfielder has been one of the players of the tournament with his brilliant performances at the left wing. Payet has provided depth to the left flank and has created numerous scoring chances for his teammates throughout the competition.He was lethal but scoreless in the round of 16 against Ireland and put up a sensational performance in the quarter-final against Iceland. The playmaker had a brilliant outing and he kept on baffling the Iceland backline through his skillful play. He scored the third goal of the match to take his tournament tally to three. With Germany to play in the semis, France are bound to face their toughest challenge in the tournament and Payet will have to be at the top of his game if France are to prevail over the World Champions at Marseille.
#4. Manuel Neuer, Germany
The Bayern Munich shot-stopper has statistically been the best goalkeeper of the tournament so far with 4 clean sheets in five matches. The only goal Neuer has conceded in the tournament so far is a penalty kick against Italy. Neuer has been denying the opposition time and again through his agility and reflexes.Neuer was Germany’s hero in their quarter-final win over Italy. He constantly denied the Italians and made two saves in the penalty shootout to help Germany beat Italy at a major championship for the first time ever. In the semis, Germany will be up against the hosts France who were brilliant and lethal in their 5-2 win over Iceland in the quarter-finals and Neuer’s amazing shot-stopping ability will be something Germany will be heavily banking on.
#5. Antoine Griezmann, France
The Atletico Madrid striker had a poor start to his tournament and was benched in France’s second match against Albania before coming off the bench to head the opening goal for France in an eventual 2-0 win. Griezmann was France’s hero in their round of 16 game against the Republic of Ireland as he struck a brace to help France register a 2-1 win over the Irish.Griezmann continued his good form in the tournament in France’s quarter-final against Iceland as he kept on testing the Iceland defence and scored France’s fourth goal of the match alongside providing two assists in an eventual 5-2 victory for Les Bleus. So far, Griezmann leads the goals tally of the tournament with four goals and he will be required to maintain his consistency when France take on Germany in the semi-finals. Oh, and he also scored in the Champions League for Atletico against Neuer’s Bayern Munich.
