I hope it is our time now, says Portugal's Ronaldo
29-year-old will play his second Euro final against either host France or world champion Germany on Sunday
Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts as Portugal clinches the match 2-0 against Wales in the Euro 2016 semi-final football match between Portugal and Wales at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais stadium in D cines-Charpieu, near Lyon, on July 6, 2016. PHOTO: AFP
LYON:
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo hopes to fulfil a lifelong dream and lead his country to their first ever international tournament win by shocking hosts France or world champions Germany in Sunday's Euro 2016 final.
Ronaldo equalled Michel Platini's record of nine goals in European Championship finals matches by powering home the opener as Portugal overcame Wales 2-0 in Lyon on Wednesday to book their place in the final.
However, victory in Paris on Sunday would cap a remarkable career already boasting three times World Player of the Year awards and three times Champions League winner.
"We are yet to win anything, but it is the final and I don't think many people thought we would make it to the final," said Ronaldo, who has now scored three goals at this year's finals.
"We are there and that fills me with pride. Now we have to make this dream come true on Sunday.
"I have broken many records before and I am still breaking records for club and country, but that comes naturally and the most important thing is to reach the final.
"Me and the boys have always dreamed of being there. I have always dreamed of winning something for Portugal and now it is just one match away.
"Dreaming is free, so let's continue to dream."
The victory was Portugal's first over 90 minutes in the whole competition.
Three draws were enough to see them sneak through the group stage in third place before they saw off Croatia and Poland in extra-time and on penalties respectively.
However, Ronaldo defended their route to the final, claiming the tournament was a "marathon" not a sprint and that they had timed their return to form to perfection.
And after landing the Champions League on penalties with Madrid in May, Ronaldo believes 2016 may be his lucky year.
"Personally speaking I am very happy. After winning the Champions League I believed in my heart we would go far in the Euros.
"Maybe it didn't start as we wanted, but this is not a 100 metre dash, it is a marathon."
Ronaldo's header leaves him just one goal off tournament top scorer Antoine Griezmann of France.
But he also hailed the impact of Nani -- who also notched his third goal of the tournament -- as well as 18-year-old wonderkid Renato Sanches and Ricardo Quaresma, who made match-winning contributions in the previous two rounds.
"When you think of Nani, Renato, Quaresma...it is a team effort.
"Today I was fortunate enough to score and I am happy because I helped Portugal qualify for the final."
Ronaldo came out on top in the clash of two Real Madrid superstars with Gareth Bale, but consoled his club teammate at full-time and congratulated Bale in carrying Wales to their first ever semi-final.
"It was a normal conversation. I congratulated them on their amazing run," added Ronaldo.
"They were the revelation team (of the tournament). I wished him good luck and as for the rest (of the conversation) I'd rather not say."
Meanwhile, Nani hailed what he called a "historic" night as Portugal reached the final.
"We worked very hard and now we have a final to play.
"I feel so proud. I can't explain the emotions that have overcome me," said the 29-year-old who has just completed a move to Spanish side Valencia.
"We are going to live the moment which is historic for the country," he added.
"I scored the goal through instinct. I couldn't even prepare the way I wanted to celebrate the goal but I want to dedicate it to my family who were in the stands."
Portugal must now wait to see who wins Thursday's second semi-final between France and Germany but Nani said he had no preference for the opponent in the final.
"We have to concentrate only on ourselves and just do our best," he said.
Portugal coach Fernando Santos said the final will be the highlight of his long career and that he will study Thursday's other semi-final between France and Germany to discover the key to victory.
"The final on Sunday will be the highest point in my career," said Santos, 61.
"It is my country, my flag, my fatherland, so from a personal point of view it is very important for me.
"Two very strong teams face off tomorrow. I will watch the game very attentively to analyse our opponent.
"We are in it to win it and I will set up the team with the best possible strategy."
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo hopes to fulfil a lifelong dream and lead his country to their first ever international tournament win by shocking hosts France or world champions Germany in Sunday's Euro 2016 final.
Ronaldo equalled Michel Platini's record of nine goals in European Championship finals matches by powering home the opener as Portugal overcame Wales 2-0 in Lyon on Wednesday to book their place in the final.
Euro 2016: Ronaldo shines as Portugal beat Wales 2-0 to qualify for final
However, victory in Paris on Sunday would cap a remarkable career already boasting three times World Player of the Year awards and three times Champions League winner.
"We are yet to win anything, but it is the final and I don't think many people thought we would make it to the final," said Ronaldo, who has now scored three goals at this year's finals.
"We are there and that fills me with pride. Now we have to make this dream come true on Sunday.
"I have broken many records before and I am still breaking records for club and country, but that comes naturally and the most important thing is to reach the final.
World awaits as Bale gears up for titans clash against Ronaldo
"Me and the boys have always dreamed of being there. I have always dreamed of winning something for Portugal and now it is just one match away.
"Dreaming is free, so let's continue to dream."
The victory was Portugal's first over 90 minutes in the whole competition.
Three draws were enough to see them sneak through the group stage in third place before they saw off Croatia and Poland in extra-time and on penalties respectively.
However, Ronaldo defended their route to the final, claiming the tournament was a "marathon" not a sprint and that they had timed their return to form to perfection.
And after landing the Champions League on penalties with Madrid in May, Ronaldo believes 2016 may be his lucky year.
"Personally speaking I am very happy. After winning the Champions League I believed in my heart we would go far in the Euros.
Bale sorry but proud of Wales Euro's achievement
"Maybe it didn't start as we wanted, but this is not a 100 metre dash, it is a marathon."
Ronaldo's header leaves him just one goal off tournament top scorer Antoine Griezmann of France.
But he also hailed the impact of Nani -- who also notched his third goal of the tournament -- as well as 18-year-old wonderkid Renato Sanches and Ricardo Quaresma, who made match-winning contributions in the previous two rounds.
"When you think of Nani, Renato, Quaresma...it is a team effort.
"Today I was fortunate enough to score and I am happy because I helped Portugal qualify for the final."
Ronaldo came out on top in the clash of two Real Madrid superstars with Gareth Bale, but consoled his club teammate at full-time and congratulated Bale in carrying Wales to their first ever semi-final.
"It was a normal conversation. I congratulated them on their amazing run," added Ronaldo.
"They were the revelation team (of the tournament). I wished him good luck and as for the rest (of the conversation) I'd rather not say."
Meanwhile, Nani hailed what he called a "historic" night as Portugal reached the final.
"We worked very hard and now we have a final to play.
"I feel so proud. I can't explain the emotions that have overcome me," said the 29-year-old who has just completed a move to Spanish side Valencia.
"We are going to live the moment which is historic for the country," he added.
"I scored the goal through instinct. I couldn't even prepare the way I wanted to celebrate the goal but I want to dedicate it to my family who were in the stands."
Portugal must now wait to see who wins Thursday's second semi-final between France and Germany but Nani said he had no preference for the opponent in the final.
"We have to concentrate only on ourselves and just do our best," he said.
Portugal coach Fernando Santos said the final will be the highlight of his long career and that he will study Thursday's other semi-final between France and Germany to discover the key to victory.
"The final on Sunday will be the highest point in my career," said Santos, 61.
"It is my country, my flag, my fatherland, so from a personal point of view it is very important for me.
"Two very strong teams face off tomorrow. I will watch the game very attentively to analyse our opponent.
"We are in it to win it and I will set up the team with the best possible strategy."