Ramsey gutted to miss semi – but backs Wales to reach final

“The whole experience for us is uncharted territory – 1958 was our last time, a long long time (ago)”, said Coleman after seeing Wales become the first British nation to reach the last four at a major tournament since England on home soil at Euro 96.

“If you work hard enough and you’re not afraid to dream and you’re not afraid to fail”.

“It’s extremely pleasing and we’re enjoying every minute of it”.

Wales’ attitude and aptitude in Lille – and throughout the tournament – not only pleased Coleman but filled the manager with pride.

The After Dark panel breakdown Wales’ massive upset over Belgium and if the “golden generation” of Belgium can still succeed.

Aaron Ramsey is convinced his Wales team-mates can reach the Euro 2016 final without him after he was banned from the last-four clash with Portugal.

Wales were deserved winners against a supremely talented Belgian side and triumphed despite star man Gareth Bale not having his best game at the tournament.

Coleman took the Wales job in 2012 following the death of his close friend Gary Speed, then overcame a rough start in his position before recovering not only to qualify to play in France, but shine there as well.

A semi-final tie with Portugal is all that stands between Wales and a place in the Euro 2016 final and, speaking at his post-match press conference, Coleman was left to come to terms with the magnitude of his side’s performance. Two yellows in five games can be a bit tight.

“We played very well and when we needed to defend we defended like soldiers”.

“I am certainly very proud of both players and their contributions”, the coach said.

“Don’t be afraid to have dreams”, the Wales manager told BBC Sport.

“It feels incredible to have made the semi-final, but we said it in all our interviews, we aren’t just here to make up the numbers”. We got to the quarter finals but we wanted to go further because we are competitive.

But not only the scoreline was a major surprise, even more that Wales outplayed the fancied Belgians around Eden Hazard and kevin de Bruyne for most of the match.

“It was up there with the best performances of my career, especially on the stage that it was”, he said.

“We’re going to keep working with the aim of winning things in future”, he said.

“It is unbelievable, until when we get home we probably will not realise what we have done here”.

“Perhaps we were looking one v one and we were dropping too deep, fearing the space in behind and that’s where you need a lot of character”.