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Aaron Ramsey to miss Portugal clash: Six other heartbreaking suspensions

Paul Gascoigne: It is 25 years since Gazza's tears at England's World Cup semi-final defeat to Germany at Italia '90
Image: Paul Gascoigne was infamously booked during the 1990 World Cup semi-final.

Aaron Ramsey was cruelly ruled out of Wales' Euro 2016 semi-final with Portugal after picking up his second booking of the tournament against Belgium.

The Arsenal midfielder - who has been one of The Dragons' star men in France - played a pivotal role in Friday's 3-1 victory over Marc Wilmots' side, providing assists for Ashley Williams' equaliser and Hal Robson-Kanu's stunning strike.

But his caution for handling the ball in the 74th minute was a bitter blow, with Ramsey admitting he was "gutted" to be missing the biggest game in his country's history at the Stade de Lyon on Wednesday night.

Wales' Aaron Ramsey looks dejected after being shown a yellow card during the UEFA Euro 2016, quarter final match at the Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille.
Image: Aaron Ramsey will miss the Euro 2016 semi-final against Portugal

Ramsey will be joined on the sidelines by Wales team-mate Ben Davies, who also received his second booking of the tournament for a foul on Kevin de Bruyne.

With the two Welshman ruled out along with Portugal's William Carvalho, we look back at previous players who have picked up suspensions in big games at major tournaments…

Laurent Blanc - red card in the 1998 World Cup semi-finals

France's Laurent Blanc was robbed of the chance to feature in the 1998 World Cup final on home soil when he was controversially sent off in his side's semi-final against Croatia.

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As players gathered for a corner, Slaven Bilic bundled into Blanc, who consequently brushed him off with what appeared to be minimal contact. Bilic reacted dramatically, however, with the referee showing the former defender a straight red.

It was the only sending off of his professional career but it didn't hinder France as they went on to lift the World Cup after beating Brazil 3-0 in the final.

Paul Gascoigne - second booking in the 1990 World Cup semi-finals

When Paul Gascoigne flew in on Thomas Berthold during England's semi-final against West Germany at Italia '90, the yellow card which followed provoked floods of tears as the midfielder's dream of representing his country in a World Cup final was shattered.

Paul Gascoigne waves off England fans after their Italia '90 exit to West Germany
Image: Paul Gascoigne waves off England fans after their Italia '90 exit to West Germany

Gascoigne's emotional reaction prompted team-mate Gary Lineker to famously gesture to the bench and urge Bobby Robson to keep an eye on him. Gascoigne had been one of the stars of the tournament, but he lost his focus after the yellow card and England were eventually beaten on penalties.

'Gazza' had been earmarked as one of their takers but declined as he wasn't in the right frame of mind. Twenty-six years on, Italia '90 remains the closest England have come to repeating their 1966 World Cup triumph.

Luis Suarez - red card in the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals

When Uruguay's 2010 World Cup quarter-final against Ghana was sent to extra-time, Suarez prevented Dominic Adiyiah from scoring a last-minute winner by pushing away his goalbound header with his hands.

Uruguay went on to win the match 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out, setting up a semi-final meeting with Holland. Without the suspended Suarez, they lost 3-2 and missed out on a place in the final.

NATAL, BRAZIL - JUNE 24:  Luis Suarez of Uruguay and Giorgio Chiellini of Italy react after a clash during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match bet
Image: Luis Suarez was suspended after biting Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup

Never one to shy away from controversy, the Barcelona striker faced another heavy punishment in 2014 after biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay's decisive group game.

Suarez was given a worldwide football ban totaling four months, consequently missing nine international matches, including the remainder of the World Cup.

Michael Ballack - second booking in the 2002 World Cup semi-finals

Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Ballack missed out on featuring in Germany's World Cup final meeting with Brazil in 202 when he picked up a second booking in the semi-final against South Korea.

Image: Michael Ballack was suspended for the 202 World Cup final

Ballack, who led Germany on an unlikely run through the campaign, was shown the costly yellow card midway through the second half, but five minutes later he scored the goal that sent his side through to the final. 

Without their suspended talisman, Die Mannschaft were beaten 2-0 by Brazil in the final, with Ronaldo scoring both goals.

Andreas Moeller - second booking in the Euro 1996 semi-finals

Powerful German midfielder Andreas Moeller was ruled out of the Euro 1996 final after he was booked against England in the last four.

Despite the heartbreak, Moeller stepped up to slam home the winning penalty in the shoot-out to set up the final against Czech Republic, which Germany went on to win 2-1.

Claudio Caniggia - second booking in the 1990 World Cup semi-finals

After his goal in the semi-final helped Argentina to a penalty shoot-out victory over hosts Italy, Claudio Caniggia was ruled out of the 1990 World Cup final when he was booked for handball. It was his second yellow card of the tournament after he was cautioned in Argentina's opening fixture against the Soviet Union.

'Wales can win without me'
'Wales can win without me'

Aaron Ramsey insist Wales are capable of beating Portugal without him.

The striker, nicknamed the 'Son of the Wind' for his incredible speed, had to watch from the stands as Argentina fell to a 1-0 final defeat to West Germany.

Caniggia went on to appear at two further World Cups for Argentina, and he became the first player in World Cup history to be sent off from the bench after cursing at the referee during the 2002 finals in Japan and South Korea.

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