Having reached the semi-finals in their European Championships debut, Wales were stung by a towering Cristiano Ronaldo header and then a sharp Nani finish in a double salvo straight after the break to bring their magical journey to an end.
Instead Portugal are into their second European Championship final, 12 years after their first, with Ronaldo equalling Michel Platini's all-time goal-scoring record at the tournament with his ninth goal.
And in what was billed as a battle of Ronaldo and Real Madrid teammate Gareth Bale, it was the Portuguese star who came out on top, with Wales struggling to cope with the absence of the suspended Aaron Ramsey.
The first half was a cagey affair with neither team really threatening the break the deadlock.
One counter-attack midway through the half ended with Bale firing straight at Rui Patricio after getting some space on the edge of the box.
And Wales were perhaps a little fortunate when James Collins was very physical with Ronaldo in the box from a corner but was not penalised by referee Jonas Eriksson.
While the first half was tight, Ronaldo showed his trademark athleticism to leap higher than James Chester and power a header past Wayne Hennessey from Raphael Guerreiro's cross five minutes into the second.
Within three minutes Wales found themselves two down after an opportunistic finish by Nani. Ronaldo fired at goal from just outside the box and while his effort was mishit and heading well wide, Nani stretched out a boot to divert it past a helpless Hennessey.
Soon after the Welsh keeper couldn't collect Nani’s fizzing effort but Joao Mario's follow-up went wide as he had the chance to put the result beyond doubt.
Chris Coleman had no hesitation, bringing on all three subs within the space of ten minutes around the hour-mark but it made little impact.
Instead Portugal almost had it wrapped up when Bale lost possession in his own half and Danilo pounced but Hennessey just got back in time after letting his shot squirm under his body.
Wales refused to go down without a fight, with Patricio palming away a swerving Bale effort from nearly 40 yards.
But it was not to be and Portugal held out relatively comfortably to reach the Stade de France against either hosts France or world champions Germany.
STATS
Portugal 2
Ronaldo 50, Nani 53
Wales 0
Referee: Jonas Eriksson 6/10
Match rating: 3/5
Attendance: 55,679
Star man: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Portugal: (4-4-2): Rui Patricio 7, Cedric 6, Alves 6, Fonte 7, Guerreiro 7, Danilo 7, Mario 7, Silva 6 (Moutinho 79 5), Sanches 7 (Gomes 74 7), Nani 7 (Quaresma 86 N/A), Ronaldo 8
Wales: (5-3-2): Hennessey 6, Gunter 6, Chester 5, Collins 5 (J Williams 66 7), A Williams 6, Taylor 6, Allen 5, Ledley 6 (Vokes 58 6), King 5, Robson-Kanu 5 (Church 63 6), Bale 7
Sportsbeat 2016
Source: Sportsbeat
