(Getty)
It didn’t go exactly as scripted at Stade de France on Sunday, but Portugal were able to capture the ultimate prize at Euro 2016. It took more than the regulation 90 minutes, but an Eder strike in extra time proved the difference.
It took more matches than any other team in Europe (34), but Portugal have won their first-ever European crown.
The match was permanently altered in the opening minutes, when Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo collided with France midfielder Dimitri Payet. Ronaldo tried to play through the pain in his knee, but went down again minutes later and had to be carted off the field.
He remained on the sidelines throughout the extra frame, willing his team to victory and celebrating in tears with his teammates.
Portugal played the style that got them to the final, playing organized defense and breaking out with their playmakers. It didn’t go as well without Ronaldo, as Portugal failed to test Hugo Lloris for most of the match.
France had several opportunities to prevent the match from reaching extra time, including a Gignac effort in injury time that struck the post.
Extra Time Highlights
The Moment:
So an open top bus was already prepared for the victory parade for #FRA #EURO2016 Video courtesy @mikesanz19
Well this didn’t take long:
When you lose to a Ronaldo-less Portugal in front of your home crowd #Euro2016Final #EURO2016 #PORFRA #FRAPOR
110′ GOAL! It’s a complete shocker at Stade de Paris, as Eder blasts a low shot past Lloris for the game’s only goal. What an effort, what an ending.
108′ Another from Lloris, this time on a set piece. The French captain has been huge when needed, this time making sure a free kick didn’t bounce in off the crossbar.
104′ Save by Lloris! Portugal get a legitimate chance in the first half of extra time, but Eder’s header is straight at the Spurs keeper. Still knotted heading into the second half.
100′ Sloppy play in extra time through 10 minutes.
95′ This is important:
Wonder what’s being said here? Extra time next! Will this go to penalties? #EURO2016 #FRAPOR #SoccerAMvEurope
Second Half Highlights
90′ Regulation is over without a goal, and we’ll need extra time to declare a winner at Euro 2016. The closer this gets to penalties, the better the odds are for Portugal, who have been lacking serious chances in the final minutes.
90′ Gignac hits the post! a left-footed shot towards the near post sneaks past Patricio, but the ball bounces off the post back into play. So close for France, who deserve to win in 90 minutes but will likely have more work to do.
76′ Chance for Giroud, a left-footed strike forces movement from Patricio but he doesn’t get the desired result. Giroud is then subbed off for Gignac, as Eder replaces Reanto Sanches for Portugal.
75′ Still no goals. Portugal have been here before….
60′ https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/752236858856398848
57′ Payet is off for France, replaced by Kingsley Coman. The winger has had some magical moments at Euro 2016, but could end up being best remembered for taking out Ronaldo in this final.
First Half Highlights
Over to you, @UEFAEURO.
Halftime Scoreless at the break, and it certainly wasn’t the first half we expected. Ronaldo is carted off inside 30 minutes, the first time he’s left a major tournament match early since 2006. Portugal rebounded, but haven’t forced Hugo Lloris to work the way Rui Patricio has been working for Portugal. The keeper has made several saves, including an early diving tip to deny a Griezmann header in the early minutes.
40′ Portugal have settled down in the final minutes of the first half, finding space in the opposing third and doing a better job of maintaining possession. It’s an uphill battle without Ronaldo, but Portugal are far from out of this one.
31′ Blast from Sissoko, but Patricio is there again to knock it away. Portugal have done all the defending through 30 minutes.
25′ Ronaldo is out, replaced by Quaresma. It’s a devastating blow for CR7, who is without a major tournament win and is one goal short of the Euro all-time scoring record.
17′ Ronaldo is injured. With his team around him and the fans cheering, the Madrid striker looks in tears as it becomes more likely he comes off early. Devastating blow for Portugal.
ICYMI: Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury on a Payet challenge (H/T Cauldron): t.co/r7g3RnY6Xb
10′ Two France headers! First it’s Griezmann, who makes a diving attempt that is only barely tipped away by Patricio. The ensuing corner was headed by Giroud, but the Arsenal striker’s shot was easily secured by Rui Patricio. Two chances for France, who are showing no signs of jitters in the early moments.
#FRA nearly scores an early goal! An RVP-like header from Antoine Griezmann
8′ Ronaldo takes a hard foul and is examined by the trainers. It looked like he and Payet banged knees. He’s back on, but something to keep an eye on.
France Lineup Remains Unchanged For Third Straight Match
Starting lineups are out, and Didier Deschamps has made no changes to his squad. France’s semifinal against Germany was the first time in Euro history the team played identical lineups in consecutive matches, but Deschamps has no reason to differ from a lineup that beat Iceland and Germany by a combined score of 7-2.
Pepe, who missed Portugal’s semifinal meeting with Wales, is back in the starting lineup.