Wales manager Chris Coleman has admitted that his side were left with an uphill battle after conceding the first goal in their Euro 2016 semi-final against Portugal this evening.
Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock five minutes into the second half before Nani doubled the lead just three minutes later as Portugal ran out 2-0 winners to end Wales's remarkable run in the competition.
Despite their exit, Coleman insists that his side should be proud of themselves and is hoping to see them grow further in the future having surpassed all expectations at their first major tournament for 58 years.
"I'm proud of the players, the staff, the whole nation. The supporters have been brilliant every time. I know it's cost them a lot money and I hope we've repaid that with some happy memories. We've seen the scenes back home, it's been incredible. It still hurts, the fact that we've lost the semi-final, players are gutted but that will subside. When they look back they need to understand they have done their country proud," he is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.
"Once you give what you have got, it's always enough, even if you don't get the result. The first goal was going to be crucial. The first half, it was a tight match, not much in it. We never really got into our rhythm with the ball, but we have to give credit to Portugal. But we lost our concentration for five minutes and when you're up against quality in a semi-final, you're going to get punished.
"We've done plenty of winning, it was our turn tonight to lose. It's not a nice feeling, but congratulations to them. I hope they go and win it. This is Portugal's seventh semi-final, they've been here before, this is our first tournament, we pushed them all the way. There's loads of positives to take back and we have to make sure this is not the end of a journey, our players have got more, more success in them, we just have to make sure we go and get it.
"It was important for us to get over the psychological barrier and qualify for the first tournament. There's nothing like this. It's such a healthy positive vibe, we absolutely loved every minute. We need some more of that. So now, what are we going to do? The only one thing that can stop us will be ourselves, because we're good enough."
Portugal will go on to face either Germany or France in Sunday's final in Paris.
