Portugal have won Euro 2016 in spectacular fashion after Eder’s wonderful strike late in extra time was enough to defeat a highly-fancied France.
The first was was dominated by France, although they struggled to create many clear-cut scoring opportunities.
A powerful effort struck too close to Rui Patricio from the best player on the pitch in the first half, Moussa Sissoko, was the most notable chance.
However, the biggest talking point belonged to the man regarded as arguably the best player in world football, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Real Madrid star copped a knock to his knee from Dimitri Payet in the early exchanges and things got worse when ex-Manchester United teammate Patrice Evra clattered him and Portugal’s talisman was stretched off on 25 minutes.
The second half begun in a similar vein to the first 45, with France on the front foot but unable to find a clear route to goal.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
On 66 minutes France had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock but Antoine Greizmann’s point-blank range header looped over from an inch-perfect Kingsley Coman cross.
Nine minutes later and Olivier Giroud forced Patricio into a strong save with a fizzing shot from an angle.
Sissoko’s fine performance was almost capped off with a late winning strike from long range, only for Portugal’s imperious shot-stopper to parry it away.
In the dying moments of norma time substitute Andre-Pierre Gignac turned Pepe inside out and his shot from a tight angle hit the post and bounced out, despite Patricio finally beaten.
Portugal sprung to life in extra time with Raphael Guerreiro’s superb free-kick smashing the woodwork, however they would not be denied.
With little over 10 minutes of time remaining an unlikely source in Eder wrote himself in Portuguese folklore after he unleashed a magnificently struck shot from outside the area that swerved away from the despairing reach of Hugo Lloris.
France failed to muster a response, as Portugal secured an unlikely Euro 2016 and sent their fans into pure ecstasy at the final whistle.
Here are some of the best reactions from Twitter:
#FRA‘s last 11 games vs. #POR:
WWWWWWWWWWL
Portugal’s first victory against them since 1973. What a time to do it! pic.twitter.com/yBZQU683yu
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) July 10, 2016
The most underwhelming performances in every single round, but they got the job done each time #POR
— Andy Castell (@AJ3) July 10, 2016
Well, they killed the French party, but winning without your best player means a lot about team strength. Well done Portugal! #PORFRA
— Thierry GUEORGIOU (@tgueorgiou) July 10, 2016
The end of this game is more proof that a video referee should be implemented into football. Some terrible calls at the end #PORFRA
— Roy (@Magische_Schelp) July 10, 2016
Ronaldo’s done alright for his worst ever season. #PORFRA #Euro2016Final
— Sam Homewood (@SamHomewood) July 10, 2016
For Pepe, this was a personal redemption mission. Born Brazilian, never really accepted in #Por. 100% will be now. #euro2016final
— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) July 10, 2016
Looking forward to seeing Ronaldo’s moth get its medal. #PORFRA #moth ??⚽
— Hazel Gaynor (@HazelGaynor) July 10, 2016
Big players didn’t play well enough today for France. #PORFRA
— David James (@jamosfoundation) July 10, 2016
Mental. Tournament football is majestic. #PORFRA
— Sam Homewood (@SamHomewood) July 10, 2016
#PORFRA – France have lost a major tournament match at home for the first time since Euro 1960.
— STATS Football (@STATS_Football) July 10, 2016
10 – #POR is the 10th different team to win the European Championship. History. #PORFRA
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) July 10, 2016
#PORFRA: To be fair #FRA arguably didn’t deserve to win #EURO2016 on the basis of #Deschamps‘ ineptness alone!
(N.b: Congrats to #POR tho)— Dani FM – #21 (@DanielFMPro) July 10, 2016
Payet injuring Ronaldo is the most relevant thing a West Ham player has done at a major tournament since England won the 1966 World Cup
— Joshua (@LordOfThelngs) July 10, 2016
Woooooooooowwww.
Gignac hits the post in the last minute.
Just imagine….#EURO2016 #PORFRA pic.twitter.com/KkKAjT4vAS— Onefootball (@Onefootball) July 10, 2016
When this isn’t the worst thing about this final, you know you’ve got a problem. https://t.co/qEmjjj3szf #PORFRA pic.twitter.com/VqjHJiePPa
— GazzettaWorld (@GazzettaWorld) July 10, 2016
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
