Can Wales beat Belgium and make history at Euro 2016?

Wales: Euro 2016 semi-finalists.

It sounded absurd when they were pitted against Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Israel in qualifying. Now, in the midst of a stirring journey in France, it is one game from fruition.

A run that has seen them conquer Slovakia, Russia and Northern Ireland – and finish ahead of England in Group B (although recent events make that less notable) – takes its next step when Chris Coleman’s side renew rivalries with the Belgians in Lille.

Coleman is already calling it the nation’s biggest match since the 1958 World Cup quarter-finals against Brazil, where Wales lost 1-0 to Pele’s second-half strike.

"We had a good week training in Portugal before we came out here and one of the players from the '58 team came out and had a chat with some of the boys," said Coleman.

"In those days, when players arrived back off the train they were asked whether they'd been on holiday because nobody knew they'd been at the World Cup.

"We're sure it meant the same to them as to us now, but we have to say we don't need to ham this game up. We know what's at stake, we know we've earned it, and it's a great place to be.

Not necessarily.

Hungary’s 4-0 mauling at Belgium’s ruthless hands in the last 16 was somewhat self-inflicted, with their reckless – but commendable – tactics being exploited by a far superior outfit.

Wales will not make the same mistakes. Belgium were stifled in their opening match against Italy, who soaked up pressure and put chief threat Romelu Lukaku under permanent surveillance, causing the Everton man’s touch to disintegrate around the penalty area. Ashley Williams – fit for the clash despite sustaining a shoulder injury in the last 16 – will be tasked with leading a repeat performance with the Welsh backline and the omens suggest they can do it.

Wales took four points off Marc Wilmot’s men in qualifying, with both performances built on stoic defensive performances as they kept back-to-back clean sheets. Their 3-5-2 system may sound risky on paper, but in reality Neil Taylor and Chris Gunter will drop deeper when required to turn a defensive trio into a quintet.

Belgium are without Jan Vertonghen (injured) and Thomas Vermaelen (suspended), meaning Gareth Bale could have the freedom of attacking Jordan Lukaku, the largely unknown brother of Romelu. Chuck all these factors together and Wales have a chance.

Next up: Portugal in the semi-finals. Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. finished third in a group containing Hungary, Iceland and Austria and are yet to win a match inside 90 minutes.