Portugal won Euro
2016 after Eder’s superb extra-time strike gave them a 1-0 victory over hosts
France in Paris, despite Cristiano Ronaldo coming off injured in the first
half.
Former Swansea
striker Eder, who came on as a late second-half replacement for Renato Sanches,
struck low into the bottom corner past Hugo Lloris from 25 yards to hand
Portugal their first-ever major tournament crown in dramatic fashion on Sunday.
The sight of
Portugal’s captain Ronaldo in tears after being substituted with a knee injury
after 25 minutes was undoubtedly the key moment from a tame first half, though
the majority of half-chances fell to France.
In the second
half, unmarked Antoine Griezmann’s glancing header went just over the bar from
close range, before substitute Andre-Pierre Gignac hit the post in stoppage
time.
Portugal had the
better chances in extra-time, hitting the post through Ricardo Quaresma’s
free-kick before Eder’s stunning winner, his first competitive international
goal.
The victory also
means Fernando Santos’ side ended a 41-year winless streak against the French,
which included the infamous 1984 European Championship semi-final defeat in
Marseille.
France went
unchanged from the 2-0 semi-final win against Germany on Thursday, while Pepe
came back into the Portugal side for Bruno Alves, and William Carvalho replaced
Danilo.
After the lights
of the Stade de France were left on overnight, a swarm of moths threatened to
cause havoc in the build-up to the match, but the players looked undeterred in
the early stages.
Portugal had the
first half-chance of the game, new Valencia signing Nani striking over the bar
from the right corner of the area with a first-time half volley after Cedric
Soares’ searching ball from deep.
Tournament top
scorer Griezmann’s instinctive header inside the area looped towards the top
corner moments later, only for Rui Patricio to acrobatically tip wide, before
disaster struck for Ronaldo.
The three-time
Ballon d’Or winner, hoping to lead Portugal to their first international
success, came off worse after clashing knees with Dimitri Payet following a
hefty but fair challenge from the West Ham man.
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