While Portugal haven’t been as convincing as France in their run to the final, the Iberian nation still boast a number of brilliant players. Ronaldo’s goal against Wales saw him equal Platini’s record of nine goals at Euro finals, but whereas it took the Frenchman one tournament to set his mark, it has taken the Portugal captain four to equal it. Like Griezmann, Ronaldo made a slow start to the tournament.
Advertisement
However, they now have a glorious chance to follow in the footsteps of that Greek side by beating France in the final and spoling the home party.
“It was a very important game for us”.
The Angola-born striker struck again in the ninth minute of extra time with a deflected volley, only for Domergue to stab in an equaliser. What have French clubs achieved in Europe in the last decade?
Just like Greece in 2004, Portugal have not won too many admirers with their performances in France.
25-year-old France and Atletico Madrid star Antoine Greizemann may have had many admirers throughout the tournament but those numbers certainly have risen since his brace last Thursday ended Germany’s dreams of making the finals of the tournament. “I’ve played against Griezmann several times in Spain”.
“So much sadness, frustration and disappointment”.
“I judge my team by whether we play well or badly, not by whether we are pretty or ugly”, he said at one point during Euro 2016. The national fervor, slow at first, has picked up in tandem with France’s improved form.
France is playing Sunday’s final less than 72 hours after completing a semifinal win against world champion Germany.
Fast forward to 2016 when France are looking to win once again at home. “I think Portugal will win”.
“It was hard because it was the end”. But Deschamps is now keen for his squad to write their own chapter in France’s history.
Another Zidane penalty in the first half in Munich took the French through to a final they eventually lost in a shoot-out against Italy.
Ronaldo trudged off the field in tears that night. “I’m fully fit and can be chosen to play tomorrow”, he told a press conference at Stade de France. Now Portugal is in a reversed role against a more flamboyant French side.
France then beat the Germans in the semi-finals after high-profile defeats in their last three competitive encounters. He looked relaxed as he discussed the possibility of winning the Euros on home soil – what would be a career highlight even for a man of his accomplishments. Portugal won’t lie down and they will be happy to defend.
Deschamps feels “there are always crucial, decisive players in every side who make the difference” and that they don’t “necessarily depend on others”.
Clattenburg was also the referee for the FA Cup final won by Manchester United over Crystal Palace in May, after which Palace manager Alan Pardew said he was frustrated by two of his decisions.
Joao Mario and Adrien Silva do not appear to have the killer pass for Ronaldo or strike partner Nani.
Advertisement
“It’s the ideal scenario, France-Portugal was the ideal scenario for us, my colleagues and I were saying that, we wanted it to be France-Portugal because we knew that from the semis the French supporters were going to buy shirts and since the beginning the Portuguese have been buying them”.
