Gareth Bale can't help gushing over 'natural goal scorer' Ronaldo

Wales midfielder Gareth Bale has described his Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo as a `natural goal scorer` after the star striker's match-winning goal guided Portugal to the finals of the European Championship.

After the goalless first half, Ronaldo finally broke the deadlock in the 50th minute of the match to put Portugal ahead before midfielder Luis Nani doubled the lead just three minutes later to propel Fernando Santos' side to a 2-0 semi-final win over Wales in Lyon.

Ronaldo's powerful header also saw him equal Michel Platini's record of nine European Championship goals.

"Obviously he's a natural goal scorer and he scored yet again," Bale was quoted as saying by goal.com.

The Wales midfielder, however, downplayed the defeat, saying his side have no regrets and are proud of whatever they have achieved during the tournament.

"They got their first goal and were lucky on the second. We tried our hardest to get back into the game and fought until the last second. We gave everything. We have no regrets," he added.

Portugal will now face either hosts France or world champions Germany in the finals of the Euro 2016 at the Stade de Franc in Paris.

-ANI