Euro 2016: Twitter reacts as Ronaldo’s Portugal end Welsh fairytale

Before the game, both sides tried to play down the importance of the ‘Bale vs Ronaldo’ battle. On the day however, it was this battle that proved pivotal.

Before the game, both sides tried to play down the importance of the ‘Bale vs Ronaldo’ battle. On the day however, it was this battle that proved pivotal.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo right) celebrates scoring the opening goal next to Wales' Gareth Bale during the Euro 2016 semifinal match at the Grand Stade in Lyon, France. (AP Photo)

Early exchanges saw Bale threatening the Portuguese with his trademark runs, but soon both stars had been caged by opposing defences. If the first half was more of the same for Portugal in this tournament, the second was more of the same for their star man. A towering header, a scoffed shot turned in by a teammate and in the space of 3 minutes, Ronaldo ended the Welsh fairytale run.

Needless to say, one man formed the centre of attention for most of the Twitterati.

Even before the game started, Twitter was abuzz with excitement and, in some quarters, pure horror…

With this game being Portugal’s first win in the tournament, not everyone was impressed.

Besides being the first player to play in three European Championship semifinals, Ronaldo now has the opportunity to seal his own position in Euros history by becoming the highest goalscorer ever in the tournament.

Some feel it was bound to happen, what with his alleged knack of hogging all the goal-scoring opportunities.

On the same day, over in Spain, Messi was handed a suspended jail term for tax fraud; cue the schadenfreude Cristiano fans have been waiting for.

Not everyone agreed though.

For some, the result probably didn’t matter much.

Most of us in India were just relieved, really