Portugal overcame the early loss of captain
Cristiano Ronaldo to beat hosts France in the Euro 2016 final and win their
first major tournament thanks to substitute Eder's superb extra-time strike.
Real Madrid forward Ronaldo was carried off
in tears in the 25th minute at Paris' Stade de France, eighteen minutes after
injuring his knee in a clash with France's DimitriPayet.
France,
the firm favourites, were unable to capitalise on Ronaldo's absence, although
they almost won it at the end of normal time when substitute Andre-Pierre
Gignac turned and hit the inside of the post.
Raphael
Guerreiro hit the bar with a free-kick for Portugal after 108 minutes, but
seconds later they were ahead when Eder fired a low, 25-yard drive past keeper
Hugo Lloris.
Ronaldo,
who had given his Portugal team-mates animated encouragement in the break
before extra time, was offering as much tactical advice as coach Fernando
Santos in chaotic closing moments - and he was reduced to tears once more at
the final whistle before lifting the trophy that has eluded his country for so
long.
Ronaldo
has claimed the game's major prizes - such as the Champions League with Manchester
United and Real Madrid - but a landmark victory with his country has always
eluded him.
The
greatest disappointment was when, as hosts of Euro 2004, Portugal were beaten
1-0 by rank outsiders Greece in the final at Lisbon's famous Stadium of Light.
Portugal
also lost in the World Cup semi-finals in 2006, the quarter-finals at Euro 2008
and the semi-finals at Euro 2012 - and it looked like the curse would strike
again when Ronaldo lay on the turf distraught after two attempts to play on
through the pain.
What
a contrasting image it was in the closing seconds of extra time as he virtually
took charge of team affairs and light-heartedly bumped into coach Santos,
before breaking down in tears when British referee Mark Clattenburgsignalled
full-time.
Ronaldo,
with his knee heavily strapped, then hobbled up the steps to lift the Euro 2016
trophy and fill a gap in his glittering list of honours.
He
was then centre stage in the subsequent celebrations, lying on the floor in
front of his joyous team-mates.
The
31-year-old's night started and ended in tears, but this was a journey from
agony to ecstasy - and his status as a Portuguese national hero was cemented
even further.
Durable Portugal get the job done
Portugal
may have been unspectacular winners of an unspectacular Euro 2016 - they won
only one game in 90 minutes.
But
this tough, resilient, organised team under coach Santos were justified in the
wild celebrations that took place in front of their fans at Stade de France
after the trophy presentation.
They
finished third in their group, edged out of second place by Iceland's
last-minute winner against Austria, a result that led to England's downfall in
the last 16.
Portugal
saw off the talented Croatia in extra time in the last 16, beat Poland on penalties
in the quarter-finals and then ended the great Wales adventure with a 2-0 win
in the semi-finals.
Every
quality that kept them in contention - but never earned the plaudits - was on
show here as they inflicted on France what Greece had inflicted on them at Euro
2004.
With
goalkeeper Rui Patricio heroic and defenders Pepe and Jose Fonte outstanding,
they frustrated France, growing in threat and strength as a largely tedious
final ran on.
This
was the greatest moment in Portugal's football history and the celebrations
were worthy of the occasion.
Heartbreak for hosts France
France
went into this Euro 2016 final backed by a tide of emotion and expectation
after victory against World Cup holders Germany in Thursday's semi-final in
Marseille.
Goalkeeper
Lloris, one of France's senior figures, spoke of how Euro 2016 had helped the
population "escape" the suffering of the Paris attacks in November,
in which 130 people died and hundreds more were injured.
France's
players have been dignified and carried that burden confidently to reach the
final against Portugal, but there was to be no happy conclusion to this
campaign as they failed to reproduce the form that beat Germany.
Perhaps
that weight was finally too much for them here with the nation behind them.
They were unable to take advantage of what should have been a huge lift to
their hopes when Ronaldo went off - indeed his departure seemed to affect the
hosts more than Portugal.
Gignac almost provided a dramatic winning
goal in the final seconds of normal time, but in the final reckoning Didier
Deschamps' side were unable to rise to the occasion and suffered the bitter
disappointment of defeat in a major final in their own capital city.
The
Stade de France was invaded by moths in the hours before kick-off, making life
uncomfortable for fans, players and officials.
Floodlights were left on at the stadium the
night before the game, attracting moths who were still there when the teams and
supporters arrived.
France
coach Deschamps, referee Clattenburg and his team, plus players in the warm-up
were under siege, swatting them away while staff in the stadium used brushes to
attempt to get rid of the insects.
And
in an image that was seen around the world, a moth landed on Ronaldo's face as
he sat in tears on the turf after succumbing to a knee injury only 25 minutes
into the Euro 2016 final.
What they said
France
boss Didier Deschamps: "The disappointment is there and it's immense.
There are no words to describe this feeling.
"Clearly
we had our chances but we weren't cool-headed enough. My players gave
everything tonight but unfortunately we lacked what is essential. We have to
try and digest this.
"There
is no way of reducing their disappointment, but we must not forget the
enthusiasm of millions of people which our run generated. It is hard to look at
the positives now but there are many.
"We
did not play with the brakes on but Portugal are good at stopping you from
playing. They play as a unit. Without Cristiano Ronaldo they had one fewer
attacking option.
"We
didn't play a bad game. We went for it."
Portugal boss Fernando Santos: "First
of all I'd like to thank God for being with us, my wife, my mother, my
grandson. My father wherever he is, he's probably having a few beers.
"Cristiano
Ronaldo is an amazing example. Today he tried to remain on the pitch. He was
very strong in the locker room, he helped all of the boys, that's the
definition of teamwork.
"We have a bright future but right now
we need to celebrate."
Former
England captain Alan Shearer, speaking on Match of the Day:"Portugal set
their system up and said, 'this is how we'll play, come and try to break us
down'. It was a brilliant goal to win it, he was big and strong. The finish was
sublime."
Former
England midfielder Danny Murphy, speaking on Match of the Day:"It's an
amazing story for a team who weren't fancied before or during the tournament.
"Portugal
have shown they possess character and quality. Tonight they didn't need
Cristiano Ronaldo. People won't remember he didn't play much tonight, they'll
remember he captained them to their first major trophy.
France
1998 World Cup winner Thierry Henry, speaking on Match of the Day: "It's a
sad day. We have a lot of Portuguese in France. We'll hear about this for a
looong time.
"You
can only win a tournament as a team - perfect example, Ronaldo comes out and
Portugal win it. It was like, 'let's do it for him'."
The final in numbers
35:
Portugal have won their first European Championship after 35 games at the
tournament.
10:
They are the 10th different nation to be European champions.
6:
Eder is the sixth substitute to score in a European Championship final, along
with Oliver Bierhoff, Sylvain Wiltord, David Trezeguet, Juan Mata and Fernando
Torres.
3:
Portugal become the first team in European Championship history to go to extra
time three times in the same tournament.
80:
They took until the 80th minute to register a shot on target, the longest wait
for a team in a European Championship final.
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