Portugal beat France 1-0 in extra time to claim Euro 2016 title

0
Lifting the trophy: Portugal have won Euro 2016 after beating France 1-0 in extra-time despite losing their captain and talisman Cristiano Ronaldo less than half an hour into the match

By:SAM TONKIN FOR MAILONLINE

The three times world player of the year was stretchered off in tears after suffering a knee injury but that did not stop his resilient team-mates from going on to record an unlikely victory against the odds.

It was striker Éder who proved to be the hero as he broke the deadlock with a fine solo effort just over 10 minutes from the end of the game.

France had been favourites going into the final but despite having numerous chances they could not find the goal that would have sent their home fans into raptures. As it was, the nation was left to reflect on a bitter end to the tournament as Portugal won the European Championships for the first time.

Meanwhile a jubilant Ronaldo was seen in tears of joy as his agony turned to ecstasy at the final whistle, the Real Madrid star having helped his team navigate their way through to the final after winning just one game in normal time.

The champions drew all three of their group games to scrape through to the knockout stages before beating Croatia in extra-time, Poland on penalties and finally Wales 2-0 in the semi-finals.

Scroll down for video 

Lifting the trophy: Portugal have won Euro 2016 after beating France 1-0 in extra-time despite losing their captain and talisman Cristiano Ronaldo less than half an hour into the match

Lifting the trophy: Portugal have won Euro 2016 after beating France 1-0 in extra-time despite losing their captain and talisman Cristiano Ronaldo less than half an hour into the match

Éder celebrates

Éder lifts the trophy

Wild celebrations: Underdogs Portugal have been crowned the winners of Euro 2016 after beating hosts France 1-0 in extra-time in Paris

From agony to ecstasy: Cristiano Ronaldo was forced off with a knee injury but his tears of pain turned to joy at the end of his side's win 

In tears: France and Portugal are battling it out to be crowned champions of Euro 2016 with the two teams being cheered on by 80,000 fans in Paris. But there has been a huge setback for Portugal after captain Ronaldo was forced off the pitch through injury 25 minutes in

Portugal's Nani (centre) celebrates alongside his team-mates after the country were crowned the unlikely victors of Euro 2016 in France

Unbelievable! Ricardo Quaresma (pictured), who came on for Ronaldo in the first-half, falls to his knees in celebration

Defender Pepe and goalkeeper Rui Patricio embrace at the final whistle

It was a massive blow for Portugal, who were already underdogs before the loss of the three times world player of the year.

The game kicked off at 8pm amid tight security both inside and outside the stadium and is currently goalless in extra-time. French striker Antoine Griezmann – who is on course to win the Golden Boot having scored six goals so far in the tournament – has had several chances to add to his tally.

 

But overall the game has been somewhat of an anti-climax, with neither team showing enough creative flair to break the deadlock in normal time in what has been a cagey affair.

France originally looked the more likely, ramping up the pressure with 20 minutes to go, but Portugal were always dangerous on the counter and hit the bar with Nani as the game ticked into the final stages of normal time.

Prior to kick-off there were a few ugly scenes as French riot police fired tear gas to disperse supporters trying to enter the fan zone in Paris. Clashes broke out at the foot of the Eiffel Tower as officers took a heavy-handed approach to prevent overcrowding.

After 50 matches and 107 goals watched by more than 2.3million spectators in 10 host cities, it all comes down to tonight’s game as both countries go head-to-head to lift the trophy.

Portugal's players celebrate by lifting up their coach Fernando Santos and carrying him along beside the pitch at the Stade de France

Portuguese supporters are seen creating a carnival atmosphere at the Terreiro do Paco in Lisbon during their team's match against France

Thousands of supporters turned out to watch the game between Portugal and France on a big screen at the Terreiro do Paco in Lisbon

A Portuguese fan looks nervous as he watches the game from the Terreiro do Paco square

Another young supporter looks on in Lisbon

Supporters of Portugal during the public viewing of the Euro 2016 final match between Portugal and France at Terreiro do Paco in Lisbon

The country's 31-year-old talisman tried to continue after suffering an injury to his left knee, but despite heavy strapping was unable to carry on. He broke down in tears and was stretchered off to be replaced by Ricardo Quaresma 

Stretchered off: It's a massive blow for Portugal, who were already underdogs before the loss of their talisman and leader Ronaldo

A France fan wearing a red beret holds up a scarf as she poses for a photo in the Stade de France as Portugal take on the host nation

French fans enjoy the atmosphere prior to the start of the European Championship final match between Portugal and France this evening

Portugal and France both recorded 2-0 victories to reach the final two, against Wales and Germany respectively, and it is sure to be a mammoth clash in the French capital.

Earlier today supporters from both sides began mingling peacefully outside the stadium amid tight security in a city still on high terror alert. The match comes eight months after Islamic extremists killed 130 people and injured hundreds more in a series of coordinated attacks across Paris last November.

The night of bloodshed began when three suicide bombers blew themselves up outside the Stade de France, which is hosting tonight’s final, and with just hours to go before tonight’s kick-off the heightened security was clearly visible.

A long line of police vans was parked alongside the main road near a metro station and officers in body armour stood outside a high fence ringing the stadium.

Meanwhile, earlier today a bomb squad blew up a ‘suspicious bag’ found some 10 yards from the French team bus.

The bomb disposal unit were called to the hotel where the French football team were staying amid fears of a security threat.

Witnesses say a ‘suspicious bag’ was spotted outside the hotel, before the area was evacuated. Roads around the hotel were also cordoned off. 

French riot police reacted with tear gas after clashes broke out near the Eiffel Tower at the Paris fan zone during the Euro 2016 final

One fan appears to launch a flare as tear gas is seen in the air

There have been clashes between riot police and supporters

Tear gas floats in the air near the Eiffel Tower close to the Paris fans zone before the start of the game between Portugal and France

French police fired tear gas to disperse dozens of people trying to enter the fan zone at the foot of the Eiffel Tower to watch the Euro 2016 final to prevent overcrowding

Youths taunt French riot police during clashes near the Eiffel Tower at the Paris fan zone where tens of thousands of people have gathered

People watch on a giant screen at the fan zone of the Champs de Mars near the Eiffel tower in Paris as Ronaldo is taken off on a stretcher

French defender Patrice Evra's wife Sandra and daughter are seen in the crowd before the game at the Stade de France stadium in Paris

In full voice: French supporters before the Euro 2016 final match between Portugal and France at Stade de France in Saint-Denis

In full voice: French supporters before the Euro 2016 final match between Portugal and France at Stade de France in Saint-Denis

France's midfielder Moussa Sissoko (left) has a strike at goal while being tracked by Portugal's William Carvalho and Nani (right)

France’s midfielder Moussa Sissoko (left) has a strike at goal while being tracked by Portugal’s William Carvalho and Nani (right)

French striker Antoine Griezmann reacts after missing a good chance

Midfielder Paul Pogba runs with the ball

French striker Antoine Griezmann reacts after missing a good chance (pictured left) while midfielder Paul Pogba runs with the ball (right)

The tournament's top scorer, French striker Antoine Griezmann, misses a chance to head his side in front and bring his tally to seven goals

The tournament’s top scorer, French striker Antoine Griezmann, misses a chance to head his side in front and bring his tally to seven goals

Hurt: Patrice Evra brings the ball away alongside his team-mate Dimitri Payet after Ronaldo suffers an injury to his knee 25 minutes in

Hurt: Patrice Evra brings the ball away alongside his team-mate Dimitri Payet after Ronaldo suffers an injury to his knee 25 minutes in

Ronaldo was visibly upset (pictured) after he had to leave the pitch on a stretcher

He had his injured knee strapped

Ronaldo was visibly upset (pictured left) after he had to leave the pitch on a stretcher despite having had his injured knee strapped (right)

Portugal midfielder Renato Sanches, an 18-year-old sensation, dribbles the ball during the Euro 2016 final between Portugal and France

Portugal midfielder Renato Sanches, an 18-year-old sensation, dribbles the ball during the Euro 2016 final between Portugal and France

TEAM LINE-UPS: THE STARTING 11s FOR BOTH FRANCE AND PORTUGAL IN TONIGHT’S EURO 2016 FINAL IN PARIS

Goal scorer: Antoine Griezmann

Goal scorer: Antoine Griezmann

FRANCE:

1. Hugo Lloris

19. Bacary Sagna

22. Samuel Umtiti

21. Laurent Koscielny

3. Patrice Evra

15. Paul Pogba

14. Blaise Matuidi

18. Moussa Sissoko

7. Antoine Griezmann

8. Dimitri Payet

9. Olivier Giroud

Star player: Cristiano Ronaldo

Star player: Cristiano Ronaldo

PORTUGAL:

1. Rui Patricio

21. Cedric Soares

4. Jose Fonte

3. Pepe

5. Raphael Guerreiro

14. William Carvalho

10. Joao Mario

16. Renato Sanches

23. Adrien Silva

17. Nani

7. Cristiano Ronaldo

The floral-print backpack was seen on the pavement just yards from the French football team’s coach.

According to reports, there was a ‘loud bang’ outside the hotel at 5.38pm local time, which is likely to have been a controlled explosion.

Witnesses say a bomb squad officer walked up to the bag before laying a cable back to his van and blowing up the bag. Around an hour later, the road around the area was reopened.

Elsewhere, Mathias Vicherat, the Paris mayor’s chief of staff, said some 1,900 police and other security officers would patrol the 92,000-capacity fan zone in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.

The city’s police chief, Michel Cadot, said 3,400 officers would patrol the Champs-Elysees, where fans are expected to mass after the match.

Supporters from both sides have descended on Paris for tonight’s crunch tie.

Jean-Paul Ausu left the palm-fringed beaches of New Caledonia, a French territory in the South Pacific, and flew 13,670 miles to be in France for the tournament. He still wasn’t sure he’d make it into the game.

A steward tries to stop a pitch invader during the Euro 2016 final football match between Portugal and France at the Stade de France

A steward tries to stop a pitch invader during the Euro 2016 final football match between Portugal and France at the Stade de France

The pitch invader is escorted away by stewards (pictured) after being tackled to the ground when he ran onto the Stade de France field

A pitch invader is tackled to the ground

The pitch invader is escorted away by stewards (left) after being tackled to the ground when he ran onto the Stade de France (right) field

Chance: Portugal's goalkeeper Rui Patricio makes a save from France's midfielder Moussa Sissoko in the first half of the Euro 2016 final

Chance: Portugal’s goalkeeper Rui Patricio makes a save from France’s midfielder Moussa Sissoko in the first half of the Euro 2016 final

Portugal's Adrien Silva battles it out with French midfielder Paul Pogba in the first half of the Euro 2016 final between the two countries

Portugal’s Adrien Silva battles it out with French midfielder Paul Pogba in the first half of the Euro 2016 final between the two countries

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal feels the pain from this challenge by Dimitri Payet of France during the UEFA Euro 2016 Final in Paris

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal feels the pain from this challenge by Dimitri Payet of France during the UEFA Euro 2016 Final in Paris

Excitement: Tens of thousands of football fans have gathered in Paris this evening with just hours to go until kick-off in the European Championship final between hosts France and Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal. A French fan is pictured

A Portuguese fan in the Stade de France

Excitement: Tens of thousands of football fans have gathered in Paris this evening with just hours to go until kick-off in the European Championship final between hosts France and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. A French fan is pictured left and Portuguese (right)

The scene ahead of tonight's European Championship final at the Stade de France in Paris as Portugal and hosts France go head-to-head

The scene ahead of tonight’s European Championship final at the Stade de France in Paris as Portugal and hosts France go head-to-head

Focused: Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (front) and France's goalkeeper Hugo Lloris stand next to the Euro 2016 trophy before the match

Focused: Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (front) and France’s goalkeeper Hugo Lloris stand next to the Euro 2016 trophy before the match

‘We tried to find tickets but haven’t been able to find any,’ Mr Ausu said. ‘We’re trying now to see what we can do at the (French Football) Federation’s sales point, but we’re still waiting.’

Portugal fans Mickael and Anna Polo-Carvalho, had a much shorter trip to get to the match – driving a few hundred miles from their home in Switzerland – and were planning to motor back again after the match.

‘We found tickets at the very last minute. We thought, let’s drop off the kids at their grandparents and we hit the road. It all went fine,’ Ms Polo-Carvalho said.

‘When we got here, we visited the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Elysees and we started preparing ourselves psychologically for this match. We’ll see who wins but we hope it’s Portugal. Tonight, it’s straight to the car and back at work tomorrow morning at nine.’

Long before the final, Laura Bounineau knew she would be a winner come the final whistle.

‘My dad is French, my mother Portuguese, so I’m supporting both nations and proud of it,’ she said. ‘There’s no problem: I will be happy tonight no matter what.’

The closing ceremony takes place ahead of the Euro 2016 final between Portugal and France at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris

The closing ceremony takes place ahead of the Euro 2016 final between Portugal and France at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris

France's forward Kingsley Coman's wife Sephora Coman poses for a selfie, flanked by the wife of defender Lucas Digne Tiziri Digne (left)

France’s forward Kingsley Coman’s wife Sephora Coman poses for a selfie, flanked by the wife of defender Lucas Digne Tiziri Digne (left)

Tens of thousands of supporters from both sides have filled the Stade de France stadium with French fans making their country's flag

Tens of thousands of supporters from both sides have filled the Stade de France stadium with French fans making their country’s flag

Ahead of kick-off: France's starting 11, including star striker Antoine Griezmann (front row, far right), pose for a photo before the match

Ahead of kick-off: France’s starting 11, including star striker Antoine Griezmann (front row, far right), pose for a photo before the match

Team spirit: Portugal are led by three times world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo (back row, far right) as they huddle for a team photo

Team spirit: Portugal are led by three times world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo (back row, far right) as they huddle for a team photo

Countdown: After 50 matches and 107 goals watched by more than 2.3million spectators in 10 host cities, it all comes down to tonight's game as both countries battle it out to lift the trophy. Portugal fans are pictured ahead of tonight's game at the Stade de France in Paris

Countdown: After 50 matches and 107 goals watched by more than 2.3million spectators in 10 host cities, it all comes down to tonight’s game as both countries battle it out to lift the trophy. Portugal fans are pictured ahead of tonight’s game at the Stade de France in Paris

France supporters pose with French flags prior to the Euro 2016 final football match at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris

France supporters pose with French flags prior to the Euro 2016 final football match at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris

Claire Beaudouin, wife of French defender Laurent Koscielny, waves prior to the start of the match

A Portugal fan

Claire Beaudouin, wife of French defender Laurent Koscielny, waves prior to the start of the match (pictured left) and, right, a Portugal fan

Celebratory mood: Portuguese supporters came dressed to impress as they posed for pictures ahead of tonight's Euro 2016 final in Paris

Celebratory mood: Portuguese supporters came dressed to impress as they posed for pictures ahead of tonight’s Euro 2016 final in Paris

In Lisbon, churchgoers have been praying for a Portugal win.

The county has not beaten France since 1975 and are seen as outsiders for the game, despite the presence of three-times world player of the year Ronaldo in attack.

‘We don’t need a miracle, let’s just trust our national team, we are very well represented, we have the best player in the world, for me he’s the best one, Cristiano Ronaldo,’ said Pedro Barroso, one of the faithful.

‘And I believe deeply, strongly that we’ll be champions, we’ll bring the cup to Portugal.’

Some 79 percent of Portuguese people say they are Catholic.

‘The victory has to be ours,’ said Miguel Santos, remembering how Portugal lost the final to Greece when they were hosts and favourites 12 years ago.

‘Twelve years later, after we let it go that time… This year is ours.’

Thousands of people were expected to watch the game at the fan zone in the Praca do Comercio although there was little sign of the excitement to come as a group of young boys kicked a ball around the empty square.

Getting ready: Fans with French flags painted onto their faces gather outside the stadium ahead of the game between Portugal and France

Getting ready: Fans with French flags painted onto their faces gather outside the stadium ahead of the game between Portugal and France

Earlier today supporters from both sides began mingling peacefully outside the stadium amid tight security in a city still on high terror alert

Earlier today supporters from both sides began mingling peacefully outside the stadium amid tight security in a city still on high terror alert

Party atmosphere: Portugal supporters wave smoke flares as they arrive at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis prior to the Euro 2016 final

Party atmosphere: Portugal supporters wave smoke flares as they arrive at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis prior to the Euro 2016 final

Snazzy sunglasses: Portugal and France both recorded 2-0 victories to reach the final two, against Wales and Germany respectively, and it is sure to be a mammoth clash in the French capital. A French fan is pictured

A Portuguese supporter

Snazzy sunglasses: Portugal and France both recorded 2-0 victories to reach the final two, against Wales and Germany respectively, and it is sure to be a mammoth clash in the French capital. A French fan is pictured left and a Portuguese supporter right

Countdown is on: In the way of the favourites France stands Ronaldo and his team-mates, who will be hoping to silence the Stade de France (pictured) and indeed the entire French nation by becoming Euro 2016 champions

Countdown is on: In the way of the favourites France stands Ronaldo and his team-mates, who will be hoping to silence the Stade de France (pictured) and indeed the entire French nation by becoming Euro 2016 champions

Portugal have not beaten France since 1975 and are seen as outsiders for the game, despite the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo in attack

Portugal have not beaten France since 1975 and are seen as outsiders for the game, despite the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo in attack

Having fun: A France supporter cheers as he arrives at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis

A Portuguese fan is pictured

Having fun: A France supporter cheers as he arrives at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis (left), while a Portuguese fan is pictured right

Two French fans share a kiss as they gear up for tonight's game between the host nation and Portugal at the Stade de France in Paris

Two French fans share a kiss as they gear up for tonight’s game between the host nation and Portugal at the Stade de France in Paris

SOURCE:Read more Dailymail: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3683443/France-Portugal-Euro-2016-final-Paris.html#ixzz4E5PF01yh

Leave a Reply