UEFA Euro 2016 final: Portugal 1-0 France
Portugal win Euro 2016 - Simple as doves, wise as serpents
"We were as simple as doves and as wise as serpents", said smiling Portugal manager Fernando Santos after winning the 2016 UEFA European Championship in extra-time by defeating host nation France 1-0 on Sunday as Éder rifled in the 109th-minute winner at Stade de France in Paris. Former Swansea striker Eder came off the bench to fire Portugal to their first European Championship victory in history with a thunderous low 25-yard strike past superstar France captain and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
After a good start, Portugal were dealt a terrible blow midway in the first half when superstar captain Cristiano Ronaldo was hit and went down in tears, grimacing in pain. CR7 was forced off the pitch with a knee injury caused by a firm Dimitri Payet challenge. The match continued with a demoralized Portugal hanging on, but not able to score a goal without Ronaldo until Eder’s miracle left-footed 25-yard shot in the 109thminute put club and his name in the history books. Twenty-eight-year-old Lille striker Eder pulled out his trademark celebration by putting on a white glove after scoring at the same time his surprising winner brought tears to Portugal captain Ronaldo's eyes.
There were a couple close-calls that might have changed the final score. Atletico Madrid superstar striker Antoine Griezmann who was deadly in France’s semi-final win against Germany, headed the best chance of the final over the bar from six yards in the second half. Sub Andre-Pierre Gignac came close to winning the clash for France at 90 minutes in injury time but his shot hit the base of the post. Portugal’s left-back Raphael Guerreiro hit the crossbar in his second half of extra-time free-kick and the match seemed destined for a penalty shoot-out.
Then a few moments later, Eder shrugged off Laurent Koscielny 30 yards from goal, carried the ball a couple of paces and struck a low right-foot shot that goalkeeper Hugo Lloris saw but could not stop with his powerful dive as it arrowed into the bottom right-hand corner of the net. After the victory, Cristiano Ronaldo held aloft the Henri Delaunay Trophy wildly celebrating the amazing win with his side. The Portugal and Real Madrid captain and his team-mates cheered with delight after beating France 1-0 in extra-time at the Stade de France. Needless to say, Portugal footballers and supporters were delirious with the result they will remember for the rest of their lives as the Portugal squad hoisted their victorious manager Fernando Santos in the air after he masterminded their run to the final and victory at the Stade de France.
Ronaldo saw the circle of his career completed after he inspired his country forward to eventual glory for the past decade, even after he left the field on a stretcher. Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho who is the new boss at England Premier League titan club Manchester United watched his country win their first European Championship in history at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester on Sunday night. Mourinho held a Portugal scarf up as the Portugal side lifted their first international trophy. Mourinho posted a selfie of himself holding up a scarf on Instagram printed with the caption, “If you want to visit the country of the European Champions, visit Portugal”.
Portugal v France Uefa Euro 2016 Squads
Portugal (4-1-3-2):
Subs not used: Lopes, Alves, R. Carvalho, Vieirinha, Andre Gomes, Rafa, Eliseu, Eduardo, Danilo
Goal: Eder 109
Booked: Patricio, Soares, Fonte, Guerreiro, Carvalho, Joao Mario
Manager: Fernando Santos 9
France (4-2-3-1):
Lloris 7; Sagna 6.5, Koscielny 5.5, Umtiti 7, Evra 6; Pogba 5, Matuidi 7.5; Sissoko 8 (Martial 110, 6), Griezmann 5.5, Payet 7 (Coman 58,; 7.5), Giroud 5.5 (Gignac 78, 7).
Subs not used: Mandanda, Jallet, Rami, Kante, Cabaye, Schneiderlin, Mangala, Digne, Costil
Booked: Koscielny, Umtiti, Pogba, Matuidi
Manager: Didier Deschamps 6
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England) 7
Attendance: 75,868
Both Portugal and Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and France and Atletico Madrid star striker Antoine Griezmann picked up two “Man of the Match” awards each at UEFA EURO 2016. Portugal’s Pepe won the prestigious award for the final game at Stade de Paris on Sunday.
Portugal record at Euro 2016
Group stage
Portugal 1-1 Iceland
Portugal 0-0 Austria
Hungary 3-3 Portugal
Round of 16
Croatia 0-1 Portugal (AET)
Quarter-final
Poland 1-1 Portugal (Portugal won 3-5 on penalties)
Semi-final
Portugal 2-0 Wales
Final
Portugal 1-0 France (AET)
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