The Final – Euro 2016
July 10, 2016 | Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Portugal 1-0 France (After Extra Time)
The biggest night in European football came down to this. Host nation France, roared on by 81,000 passionate supporters, faced Portugal in a final that would crown a new champion. What followed was 120 minutes of drama, heartbreak, and ultimately, history.
Pre-Match Buildup
France entered the final as slight favorites, playing at home with the tournament’s top scorer Antoine Griezmann leading their attack. The Atlético Madrid forward had scored six goals to fire Les Bleus to their third European Championship final.
Portugal arrived with questions still hanging over their style of play. They had drawn all three group games, needed extra time and penalties to reach this stage, and relied heavily on Cristiano Ronaldo’s moments of brilliance.
The Teams:
France: Lloris; Sagna, Koscielny, Umtiti, Evra; Pogba, Matuidi; Sissoko, Griezmann, Payet; Giroud
Portugal: Rui Patrício; Cédric, Pepe, Fonte, Guerreiro; William Carvalho, Danilo; Nani, João Mário, Ronaldo; Éder
First Half – Dreams and Nightmares
The opening exchanges were cagey, both teams aware that one mistake could define their legacy. France enjoyed more possession but Portugal looked dangerous on the counter-attack.
Then, disaster struck for Portugal. In the 8th minute, Dimitri Payet caught Cristiano Ronaldo with a knee-high challenge. The Portuguese captain tried to continue but was clearly in pain. After receiving treatment twice, the inevitable happened.
25th minute: Ronaldo collapsed to the turf in tears. Portugal’s talisman, the man who had carried them through qualifying and the tournament itself, was forced off injured. The sight of him crying on the Stade de France pitch became one of the tournament’s most emotional moments.
Quaresma replaced the devastated Ronaldo, and suddenly Portugal had to reimagine their entire game plan without their star player.
France pressed their advantage but couldn’t break through. Griezmann had a header saved by Rui Patrício, while Pogba fired over from close range. Portugal defended resolutely, with Pepe and Fonte marshalling their backline superbly.
Half-time: Portugal 0-0 France
Second Half – Frustration Grows
France returned from the break expecting to seize control. They had more possession, more chances, and the crowd behind them. But Portugal’s defensive organization was exceptional.
Griezmann continued to threaten, testing Rui Patrício with a fierce drive. Gignac, who had replaced Giroud, came agonizingly close when his shot hit the inside of the post with the goalkeeper beaten.
Portugal’s best moment came through Éder, whose long-range effort forced Lloris into action. But for 90 minutes, the breakthrough remained elusive.
Full-time: Portugal 0-0 France
Extra Time – When Heroes Emerge
The additional 30 minutes began with France still pushing for the opener. They had dominated possession throughout the match but couldn’t find that crucial final pass or clinical finish.
Portugal, meanwhile, grew in confidence. Without Ronaldo, they had discovered a different way to play – more collective, more determined to prove they were more than just one man.
109th minute: The moment that changed everything.
Éder, who had been largely anonymous throughout the tournament, received the ball 25 yards from goal. With no obvious options ahead of him, the Swansea striker took aim and unleashed a thunderous drive that flew past Hugo Lloris into the bottom corner.
GOAL! Portugal 1-0 France
The Stade de France fell silent. On the touchline, an injured Ronaldo leaped from his seat, transformed from devastated captain to passionate cheerleader, urging his teammates through the final moments.
France threw everything forward in the remaining minutes, but Portugal’s defense held firm. When the final whistle blew, Éder was mobbed by his teammates while Ronaldo, on crutches, was carried shoulder-high by his squad.
Final Score: Portugal 1-0 France (AET)
Post-Match – A Nation’s First Glory
Portugal had done it. After losing the 2004 final on home soil to Greece, after years of near-misses and heartbreak, they were finally European champions.
Ronaldo, despite his early exit, lifted the Henri Delaunay Trophy as captain. His tears of pain had become tears of joy in the space of two hours.
For France, the disappointment was crushing. Playing at home, with the tournament’s best player, they had everything in their favor. But football had once again proven that favorites don’t always win finals.
The Numbers
Possession: France 65% – 35% Portugal
Shots: France 18 – 9 Portugal
Shots on Target: France 8 – 5 Portugal
Corners: France 7 – 2 Portugal
Man of the Match: Pepe (Portugal)
Key Moments
- 8th min: Payet’s challenge injures Ronaldo
- 25th min: Ronaldo forced off in tears, replaced by Quaresma
- 66th min: Gignac hits the post for France
- 109th min: Éder scores the winner from 25 yards
- 120th min: Portugal are European champions
Legacy of the Final
This final will be remembered for many reasons. Ronaldo’s injury and emotional journey. Éder’s moment of magic from a player who scored just once in the entire tournament. Portugal’s triumph without winning a single group game in normal time.
Most importantly, it proved that in football, there’s more than one way to win. Portugal weren’t the most attractive team at Euro 2016, but they were the most resilient. When it mattered most, they found a way.
France would have to wait another two years before tasting major tournament success at the 2018 World Cup. For Portugal, this was their moment – their first ever major tournament triumph, achieved in the most dramatic circumstances possible.
July 10, 2016. The night Portugal became kings of Europe.
Sometimes the beautiful game is most beautiful when underdogs get their golden moment. Éder’s thunderbolt didn’t just win Portugal the European Championship – it proved that dreams really can come true.