Despite the loss, Welsh fans will return home with smiles on their faces after an outstanding run that exceeded all expectations.
Wales' dream of reaching the European Championship final is over after a 2-0 defeat by Portugal brought their remarkable campaign to a close.
A goal and an assist from Cristiano Ronaldo in the space of three second-half minutes sent Portugal into Sunday's final and left Wales and their fans to reflect on an historic campaign.
To reach the semi-final in their first tournament in two generations was a mighty achievement that sets new standards for Welsh football and raises the bar for the British game.
Portugal were the bookmakers' favourites and boasted by far the greater international pedigree.
It was their seventh major tournament semi-final and their fourth in the last five European Championships, a run that included reaching the 2004 final where they lost to Greece.
Wales by contrast were playing in their first-ever semi-final in their first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup.
It was also the first appearance by a British team at this stage of a finals since England at Euro 96, and victory would have made them the first home nation to reach a final since the 1966 World Cup.
It was distinctively Welsh, rather than British history manager Chris Coleman and his players were chasing, however, backed by more than 10,000 supporters inside the Parc du Olympique Lyonnaise.
They had overcome travel disruption including a French air-traffic control strike to make it to the heart of the Rhone-Alps, and filled the stadium with red shirts and the air with songs in enthusiastic tenor voices.
Suspensions forced Coleman into two changes from the side that beat Belgium 3-1 in the quarter-final.
Andy King, a Premier League winner with Leicester City, replaced Aaron Ramsey, a contender for player of the tournament, while James Collins came into the back three in place of Ben Davies.
Portugal were also without a key player, the hugely influential centre-half Pepe who was ruled out with a thigh injury that meant others would have to contain his Real Madrid teammate, Gareth Bale.
Bale said afterwards the players were "massively disappointed" with the result but had no reason to feel ashamed.
"We've got to be proud of ourselves first and foremost," he told ITV.
"We've given everything on and off the pitch and tried to enjoy the experience of the tournament."
He added: "We want to thank all the fans because the support we've had has been absolutely incredible."
Former Wales midfielder and TV pundit Robbie Savage tweeted: "Well done Portugal the better team , what a header by Ronaldo , but the boys have made us all so proud of our country #cymruambyth."
Hosts France will play world champions Germany in the other semi-final on Thursday night, with the winners facing Portugal in the final on Sunday.
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