Wales' Euro 2016 semi-final a historic moment in the team's history

Wales are making history in Euro 2016 Credit: PA

Wales take on Portugal in a historic Euro 2016 semi-final tonight - having failed to even qualify for a major tournament since 1958.

Chris Coleman's side took down the world's second best team, Belgium, to set up the semi-final, and are only 90 minutes away from reaching the final.

Here's the Welsh team's story over the last 60 years:

  • 1957

Wales finish second in their qualifying group for the 1958 World Cup and appear to miss out on their chance of travelling to Sweden.

  • 1958

Israel's opponents at various rounds of qualification withdrew, so Fifa set up a two-legged play-off against Wales, with the Welsh winning both legs 2-0.

  • June 1958

Wales striker Clifford Jones and Hungary`s Sandor Matray in action during the World Cup 1958 in Sweden Credit: PA

Wales are drawn against hosts Sweden, Hungary and Mexico in their group. They drew all three games and faced Hungary in a play-off to decide who would qualify for the quarter-finals. Goals from Ivor Allchurch and Terry Medwin helped the side to a 2-1 win.

The first ever international goal scored by 17-year-old Pele on 66 minutes then knocks Wales out of the World Cup.

Pele knocks Wales out of the 1958 World Cup Credit: PA

  • 1960s

Wales miss out on travelling to the 1962 World Cup in Chile after drawing and losing to Spain, and later fail to make it to the 1966 tournament after coming second in a group containing the Soviet Union, Greece and Denmark.

A 4-2 aggregate loss to Hungary means Wales miss out on Euro 1964, while the results of the 1967 and 1968 Home Championships mean the side don't make it to Euro 1968 in Italy.

  • 1970s

Wales finish bottom of their qualifying groups for the Mexico World Cup in 1970, West Germany in 1974 and Argentina in 1978. In the latter campaign, Walesconcede a controversial penalty against Scotland on the way to a 2-0 defeat which ends their chances.

The side come third in their group for Euro 1972, but top their qualifying group for Euro 1976 in Yugoslavia. However, they fail to qualify for the final tournament after losing to the hosts 3-1 in a play-off.

  • 1980s

The side miss out on qualifying for the 1982 World Cup in Spain by goal difference after a 3-0 defeat to the Soviet Union in their final qualifying game.

The side missed out by goal difference again in 1986 in Mexico, needing a win to secure a play-off spot in their final match against Scotland, but drawing 1-1 after the Scots score a late penalty in Cardiff. In the European Championships, Wales finish third in their qualifying groups for 1980 and 1988 and second in 1984.

Wales play Spain in the 80s Credit: PA

  • 1990s

The FIFA world rankings are introduced with Wales deemed the 29th best side in 1993, but dropping to 102nd by 1997. They finish bottom of their qualifying groups for Italia 90, fourth for USA 1994 and France 1998.

Wales take nine points from six games in their qualification for Euro 1992, but Germany topped the group by one point and went to Sweden, while the side come last in a group containing Albania, Moldova and Georgia in qualifying for Euro 1996.

In 1993 there is even more spot-kick agony for Wales as Paul Bodin misses a crucial penalty in a match which Romania win 2-1 in Cardiff, ending their hopes of being the only home nation to qualify for the USA World Cup in 1994.

  • 2000s

Wales rise from 109th in the world to 52nd in two years and come agonisingly close to qualifying for Euro 2004, but lose 1-0 over two legs in a play-off against Russia.

The side finish fourth in their qualifying group for Euro 2000 and Euro 2008. In qualification for the 2002 World Cup, Wales finish fifth having drawn twice to bottom side Armenia. For the 2006 tournament in Germany, Wales fail to win in their first eight games and come fifth.

Wales striker John Hartson takes on an Italian defence in 2004 Credit: PA

  • Early 2010s

Wales fall to their lowest world ranking of 112nd in 2010 but rise up to 48th a year later. They fail to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa, coming fourth in their group.

In qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, Wales lose 6-1 to Serbia and finished below Scotland in the group, coming fifth. The side miss out on going to Euro 2012 after coming fourth in a group including England, Montenegro, Switzerland and Bulgaria. Tragedy strikes in late 2011 as team manager Gary Speed is found dead at the age of just 42.

  • 2014

Wales are in the fourth pot for qualifying for Euro 2016 and are ranked 34th in Europe. The side take seven points from their first three games against Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Cyprus, and then go on to hold the much fancied Belgium side to a draw in Brussels.

  • 2015

The side beat Belgium 1-0 in the return fixture and go on to secure their tickets to France in October. They are ranked 17th in the world, but fall to 26th in 2016.

Belgium's Marouane Fellaini can't stop Gareth Bale as Wales win Credit: PA

  • June 11, 2016

Gareth Bale scores Wales' first goal in a major football championships for 58 years against Slovakia - with Wales going on to top the group.

They see off Northern Ireland 1-0 and Belgium 3-1 in the knock-out stages to set up a semi-final date with Portugal.