Portugal beats France 1-0 to win Euro 2016

Portugal beats host France 1-0 through the Eder’s 109 minutes extra-time goal; to win their first European Championship title on Sunday, despite the absence of injured superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

Eder’s goal came after Andre-Pierre Gignac almost gave France victory in added time at the end of 90 minutes when he hit the post with a scuffed shot.

Ronaldo was forced to leave the field after 25 minutes following a heavy challenge from Dimitri Payet, but the superstar returned to the sidelines to roar on his teammates.

Victory was sweet for Ronaldo who was reduced to tears as a 19-year-old as Portugal lost 1-0 to Greece in the 2004 final, the Portugal team made Ronaldo’s dream real and became the champions.

France had the better chances in Sunday’s Euro 2016 final with Portugal, who played on without injured star Cristiano Ronaldo, but the tie went into extra-time after a goalless 90 minutes.

Substitute Andre-Pierre Gignac hit the post in injury-time while Antoine Griezmann missed a good opportunity on 66 minutes when he headed over a brilliant cross from substitute Kingsley Coman.

The Bayern Munich winger also set up Olivier Giroud for a shot well-saved by Rui Patricio, who later did well to keep out a pile driver from Moussa Sissoko.

In the first half, tournament top-scorer Griezmann and Sissoko both forced Portugal keeper Patricio into impressive saves while after the break France stopper Hugo Lloris reacted sharply to palm away a cross from Nani.

Portugal’s hopes of a first-ever major title suffered a blow as Ronaldo went off with an apparent left knee problem midway through the first half after a jarring eighth-minute tackle from Dimitri Payet.

The match started after David Guetta and Zara Larsson again performed the tournament theme song ‘This One’s For You’ at the closing ceremony. Dignitaries attending include Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, French President Francois Hollande and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Around 300 million people have been estimated to watch the game on television worldwide.