It was the great personal confrontation of this Euro 2016 semi-final – the meeting of the two Real Madrid superstars on either side.
And, sadly for Wales, it was Ronaldo who came out on top
The great Wales adventure at Euro 2016 came to a disappointing end as they were beaten in the semi-final by Portugal in Lyon.
ABOVE: Real Madrid team-mates Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale spoke after the final whistle
Chris Coleman’s side entered the biggest game in Welsh football history at their first major tournament since 1958 carried by a wave of emotion and optimism after their 3-1 win against Belgium in the quarter-final.
The big threat was always going to be Cristiano Ronaldo – and so it proved as his magnificent header broke the deadlock after 50 minutes and his shot was redirected in by former Manchester United team-mate Nani three minutes later.
Wales were robbed of their dreams of reaching the Euro 2016 final when they conceded those two goals in three minutes at the start of the second half – and it was then that it looked like their exertions in reaching the last four finally caught up with them.
The demoralising effect of those two goals from Ronaldo and Nani had a visible impact on Coleman’s team.
Wales sorely missed the energy and authority of suspended Aaron Ramsey in midfield and with Ronaldo overshadowing his Real Madrid team-mate Bale in this semi-final’s crucial battle, a journey that has made a country proud reached its conclusion.
Bale was dangerous in the first half here, especially with one dangerous run and cross and shot clutched by Rui Patricio, but once Wales had suffered those two blows early in the second half it was beyond even his powers to be the catalyst for a comeback.
Ronaldo had a quiet first 45 minutes but, as the greats do, he changed the emphasis of game with a towering header that was a triumph of power, technique and ability that flashed past Wales keeper Wayne Hennessey.
Portugal will now face hosts France or Germany in the Stade de France final on Sunday.