Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo holds the trophy after winning the Euro 2016 final soccer match between Portugal and France at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, Sunday, July 10, 2016.
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Although the Real Madrid star goal-poacher continued playing for some time, he had to be replaced by Ricardo Quaresma in the 25th minute.
In the later parts of the game, Portugal seemed to take it to France.
Despite Ronaldo being relegated to the sideline, Portugal wound up winning its first European title thanks to an incredible goal by Eder in the 109th minute.
Eder scored the only goal of the game in the second period of extra-time to secure the silverware for Fernando Santos’ side.
Gary Rowett said that at very end of last season, he reiterated that belief in Marbella last week and to see him presiding over session after session working on his team’s shape and defensive structure, it is hard not to conclude he is even more resolute in that belief.
France suffered a devastating defeat to Portugal in the Euro 2016 final and Blaise Matuidi wants to eradicate the match from his memory.
There was an early exchange of chances – Nani shooting over for Portugal, tournament top scorer Antoine Griezmann’s header drawing a fine finger-tip save from Rui Patricio – before Ronaldo took centre-stage. You must have more than a competent target man to build a complete game pattern because teams have gotten better with defending. And for those who say Portugal were lucky, the simple fact is you need to have the rub of the green going your way to win a major championship.
Portugal was an unlikely victor in the Euro 2016 tournament. “I’m very disappointed for my team-mates”. This was not a tournament for football gourmets, one that saw many tired players.
“It is lined up like that”, said the 47-year-old.
“It’s something unbelievable in my career”, Ronaldo said.
Santos immediately began renewing the team, fielding more than 50 players in two years and Ronaldo himself was quick to appreciate the influence of his remarkably down-to-earth coach. We tried our best and we missed, maybe, a bit of luck – the luck of the champion.
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“He gave us a lot of confidence and said ‘listen people, I am sure we will win this Euro, so stay together and fight for it.’ He was fantastic, his attitude was unbelievable”.
