Euro 2016: Portugal 2-0 Wales - 5 Talking Points

4) Portugal have only grown with time

THhe Portuguese have really come into their own as the tournament has progressed.

If there’s anything one can deduce from Portugal’s Euro 2016 campaign, it is that they are a team in transition. The Seleccao may have started their campaign on a low note and taken time to hit the throttle, but they have grown into a dangerous side with each passing game and now stand a serious chance at lifting the trophy in Paris.

Fernando Santos’ side may lack the quality that teams such as Germany and France possess, but have the ambition and potential to make great strides. Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani aside, the likes of Renato Sanches, Ricardo Quaresma, Pepe, Joao Mario have all impressed in the tournament proper and dragged their side through when the forwards misfired.

This is a Portugal side that runs very deep and is no longer reliant on Ronaldo. Yes, the Real Madrid ace did make important contributions en route to the final, but they have played more like a team, like a cohesive unit.