Portugal is European Champions after defeating France 1-0 in the Euro 2016 final at the Stade de France.
10 July 2016
CHAMPIONS!
Amazing scenes – almost everyone had France down as nailed-on winners, few gave Portugal a chance, but they have pulled out a dogged performance of grit and determination – and now they can call themselves European Champions.
Ronaldo is still hobbling, but he now has the title of European Champion to go with his long list of club-level and individual accolades.
Ronaldo lifts the trophy for Portugal – fireworks and ticker tape fill the Stade de France.
The French players have collected their runners-up medals, but understandably look despondent.
Game over – Portugal is European Champions!
(120 mins)
Two minutes of added time...
Ronaldo is desperately urging his side on from the touchline.
(120 mins)
France look dead on their feet – they have got nothing left – we are seconds away from the end.
(118 mins)
Portugal fans ecstatic as the clock ticks down. France coach Didier Deschamps is frantic on the touchline.
(114 mins)
France are attacking for all they are worth, but they have to be careful of the counter as Portugal break and Pogba brings down Mario.
He goes in the referee’s book for that.
Just over 5 minutes left…
Just before the goal Portugal had hit the bar with a stunning free-kick from Raphael Guerreiro.
France had looked so comfortable, but all it took was one super strike and they are really up against it.
Few people saw that coming – a Ronaldo-less Portugal are 8 minutes from victory!
That goal from Eder in the 109 minute has stunned France – they have been so comfortable in possession, but their failure to capitalize could come back to haunt them.
Goal for Portugal!
Despite France dominating possession, most people would have expected more from the hosts – but credit must be given to Portugal and the way they have defended.
We are underway in the second half of extra-time
(104 mins)
Portugal go up the other end and win a corner - there’s a brief pause for some wrestling in the box as Umtiti goes down after being shoved by Pepe - play continues and its danger as the ball drops in the box, but Lloris gets his hands on it.
The first half of extra-time comes to an end.
(101 mins)
Fancy footwork from Pogba wins a corner for France - Griezmann swings it in, but it is too long and is over the heads over everyone in the box.
(98 mins)
Another yellow card – Coman breaks through the middle for France and Carvalho brings him down.
A deserved yellow card for that.
(97 mins)
France have the ball back after that brief interlude of Portugal possession – they look to break through the middle but Matuidi gets a yellow after clattering into Eder.
(94 mins)
Big chance – free-kick is played in and Portugal come close with a header – but the flag is up for offside.
Shortly after, Guerreiro goes in the book for a clumsy challenge on the half-way line.
(93 mins)
Portugal enjoying a nice spell of possession so far this half.
Are France a bit burnt out after their semi-final exertions against Germany?
A reminder that we will see the full 30 minutes of extra-time – UEFA and FIFA did away with the silver/golden-goal rules about 10 years back after they proved unpopular.
Ronaldo is on the pitch during the break, urging his teammates on – he still looks teary-eyed but will do his best to support from the sidelines.
(90+3)
Gignac has his head in his hands as the referee blows for full-time – there is nothing to separate the sides and we are into extra-time at the Sade de France.
That was surely the chance for France to clinch this in normal time – it was a lovely turn by Gignac to spin the defender, but he pulled his shot against the left upright.
(90 mins)
Back to the action – referee Mark Clattenburg has added 3 minutes of injury time.
(90+2)
Hits the post!
Gignac wriggles free in the box for France and fires – but hits the post!
(90 mins)
The moth invasion has taken over some of the cameras – the last shot of a Portugal break had a giant flying insect on the screen!
(87 mins)
Into the last five minutes – we look like we are headed for extra-time at the Stade de France.
(84 mins)
Rasping drive from Sissoko from about 25 yards out, but Patricio is equal to it – again.
The France man looks to have injured himself by taking a knock to the head right afterwards.
(81 mins)
Portugal are growing into this as Nani shoots over from 25 yards.
Can they snatch a late winner?
(79 mins)
Hits the crossbar!
Out of nowhere, Nani puts a cross in that swerves and almost deceived Lloris in the France goal.
He tips it onto the bar and is forced to save a follow-up shot.
The closest Portugal have come.
(79 mins)
Change for France upfront - Giroud is replaced by Gignac. The Arsenal man won’t be adding to his three tournament goals.
For Portugal, teenager Santos is replaced by Eder in the midfield.
(77 mins)
Guerreiro does well for Portugal on the left and puts in a decent cross, but France clear the danger.
(75 mins)
Chance for France!
Lovely work down the right and Giroud is played in, but that man Patricio is there again to pull off a cracking save.
(72 mins)
A venture into the French half from Portugal ends with Quaresma passing the ball out for a goal-kick.
The game desperately needs a goal to shake it into life.
(70 mins)
Griezmann swings a free-kick into the box, but it’s cleared. Portugal still holding firm in the face of French pressure.
(68 mins)
Kingsley Coman has had a positive impact for France since coming on for Payet.
It was his cross on 65 minutes that Griezmann got on the end of – you would have banked on the Golden Boot leader putting that one away.
(66 mins)
Change for Portugal: Joao Moutinho is on for Adrien Silva.
(65 mins)
Big chance for France! Griezmann gets on the end of a cross but heads over from 6 yards out!
(65 mins)
La Marseillaise again rings out – France fans are trying to lift their tam in what has been a rather dull half so far.
(63 mins)
Yellow card for Portugal’s Joao Mario as he scythes down Olivier Giroud.
Left the referee little choice there.
(62 mins)
Rui Patricio is winning the plaudits for his display in the Portugal goal so far.
He is rarely mentioned in the same bracket as Germany’s Manuel Neuer, Spain’s David de Gea, or even France’s Hugo Lloris – but the Portugal keeper is playing well tonight.
(59 mins)
Griezmann breaks and fires in from the left, but his shot is scooped up by Patricio.
We’ve not seen too much from the tournament’s top-scorer so far.
(57 mins)
Portugal seem to have coped well with the loss of their captain, and are keeping a solid shape.
First change for France as Dimitri Payet is replaced by 20-year-old Bayern Munich star Kingsley Coman.
(56 mins)
Rare moment of danger for France as the cross comes in from Portugal and Umtiti is forced to head out for a corner at the front post.
(55 mins)
Pogba decides to have a pop from way out, but swings wildly over - not troubling anyone there except the fans in Row Z.
(53 mins)
Corner comes in for France from Griezmann, Patricio comes to claim it and fumbles, but manages to scramble it back.
The Portugal ‘keeper looked uncertain there but has had a decent game so far.
(52 mins)
Things have already reverted to the pattern of the first half – ie France keep the ball, Portugal win it back, then promptly lose it again.
(51 mins)
France looking dangerous again as Payet twists and turns on the edge of the box, but a Portugal defender puts in a solid challenge to clear the danger.
We are underway for the second half at the Stade de France.
Another stat – one that seems to bode well for the hosts as they go in search of a breakthrough goal.
A stat that shows how little Ronaldo managed to contribute before he was forced off….
An enthralling first half, but France will need to do much more if they want to break down a stubborn Portuguese defense.
So far this looks like a reverse of France’s semi-final against Germany, when the Germans dominated possession but were unable to break France down.
This time it’s France with most of the ball, but they can’t find that final pass to finish things off.
Half time
Naturally, most of the reaction seems to be focusing on that Ronaldo injury.
(47 mins)
Referee Mark Clattenburg blows for half-time.
It’s 0-0, but it was a tense half that saw Ronaldo stretchered off after a heavy tackle from Dimitri Payet.
France dominating possession but Portugal standing firm so far.
(45 mins)
Patrice Evra clashes heads with Quaresma as they go up for a header. Looks like a heavy knock and he needs ice on it. He seems ok to continue.
(42 mins)
Just under 5 minutes to go in the first half – France will want to make their possession pay, and will be disappointed if they don’t go in 1-0 up.
(41 mins)
Sanches races forward for Portugal, Mario does well and earns a corner. More respite for Portugal.
(40 mins)
France go straight up the other end and Giroud finds space for a header, but it’s a comfortable stop for Patricio in the Portugal goal.
(37 mins)
Portugal have a rare foray into the France half through some good work by Nani, Guerreiro shoots and it’s deflected wide for a corner.
Now Quaresma – Ronaldo’s replacement – looks in trouble for Portugal after a heavy tackle, but he seems ok to continue for now.
Portugal’s Ricardo Quaresma is sporting an interesting haircut for tonight’s game.
Quaresma joins a long line of stars that have adopted rather unusual styles for the tournament so far – as our article below shows:
(34 mins)
Chance for France.
Sissoko picks the ball up in the box and, with a lovely turn, fires the ball from all of 8 yards out, but Patricio stands firm in the Portugal goal and palms it away.
Portugal coach Fernando Santos is looking frustrated on the touchline.
(31 mins)
France are starting to turn the screws here. Every time Portugal get the ball they are harried by the French midfield and are turning the ball over far too quickly.
It’s all France at the moment.
(30 mins)
Matuidi breaks on the right, but is shepherded out for a corner, which Portugal then clear.
(29 mins)
France pressing down the left flank, the cross comes in from Matuidi – but no one is there to get on the end of it.
(28 mins)
The news about Ronaldo seems to have sent the stadium into shock – the Portuguese part, at least.
Such a sad way for the Madrid man to end his tournament.
(25 mins)
Ricardo Quaresma is the replacement for Ronaldo.
Quaresma scored the extra-time winner in the tie against Croatia in the last 16.
Ronaldo is applauded by both sets of fans as he leaves the pitch on a stretcher. A sad sight - but what will it mean for the final?
(23 mins)
Adrien tries his luck on the volley from the edge of the France box, but shanks the ball well wide.
(21 mins)
Sissoko powers forward for France and fires from 20 yards out.
It took a deflection for a corner, which Patricio claims comfortably.
Portugal break forward but their momentum is lost on the edge of the France box and Nani gives the ball away.
Ronaldo is back on the pitch but is moving gingerly.
He’s heading off the pitch for more treatment and is getting bandaged up.
He will be desperate to continue.
(17 mins)
Ronaldo is down again, he appears distraught, not sure he can continue…
(16 mins)
Good battle between Pogba for France and Carvalho for Portugal in the center of midfield. Carvalho shakes off the Frenchman before pressing forward, but the ball runs out. That duel will be key for both teams.
(15 mins)
France really dictating possession, Portugal are feeding off scraps at the moment and can’t get hold of the ball.
(14 mins)
The first rendition of La Marseillaise rings out from the fans around the Stade de France.
(12 mins)
France dominating possession at the moment – Portugal seem to be happy to let them play in their own half.
(10 mins)
Ten minutes played – tense so far with half-chances for both sides.
Ronaldo is back on the pitch after receiving treatment. A relief for Portugal.
(10 mins)
Chance for France! The cross comes into the box for Griezmann, but his header is tipped over by Patricio.
Patricio also gathers Giroud’s header from the resulting corner.
(8 mins)
Ronaldo is down and looks in a lot of pain. He took a knock from Payet in the center of the pitch.
(7 mins)
France power forward, the ball falls to Griezmann on the left-hand side of the box, but he lashes wide of Rui Patricio’s goal.
(3 mins)
France go forward through Griezmann but the attack is broken up. France looking the livelier of the two teams so far.
(4 mins)
Chance for Portugal! Nani latches onto a long ball and races through, but fires over from the edge of the box.
(2 mins)
France win the ball from the Portuguese kick-off and are straight on the front foot.
Portugal have given the ball away poorly twice so far – big match nerves?
The closing ceremony is over, the anthems are done, and we are underway in the Stade de France.
The atmosphere is loud, to say the least.
Portugal are in their traditional red jerseys with red shorts and green socks; France are in their traditional blue shirts, blue shorts and red socks.
Word-famous French DJ David Guetta is getting the crowd in the mood with a mix of dance music backed up with an orchestra. Guetta wrote the tournament's official song.
The coaches – Fernando Santos
Portugal boss Santos, 61, has had a managerial career that stretches back to the late 1980s, and has taken in spells at the big Portugal clubs Benfica and Sporting, as well as a stint in charge of the Greek national team, which he guided to the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 and the knockout stages of the World Cup in 2014.
He took over the Portugal national team after they lost their opening Euro 2016 qualifier against Albania, steadying the ship to ensure the team did not drop another point in qualifying after that.
While there have been accusations the team has abandoned its free-flowing attacking style for a more pragmatic approach – Portugal has only won one game during normal time at the tournament so far – Portugal fans will certainly not be complaining if Santos can bring the country the glory that has eluded it for so long.
The coaches – Didier Deschamps
French coach Deschamps had a trophy-laden playing career that included captaining France to the 1998 World Cup title at the venue for tonight’s final, the Stade de France, and also the European Championship in 2000 in the Netherlands.
He has been in charge of the national team since taking over from Laurent Blanc in 2012, and has earned respect for the way he has brought on young talents such as Paul Pogba.
He also dealt with a turbulent run-up to the tournament that included accusations of racism in his player selection, after Karim Benzema was left out of the squad – despite Benzema allegedly being linked to a blackmail plot involving teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
Captain Hugo Lloris has described Deschamps as “the architect” of France’s success, and has spoken of how the 47-year-old transmits “tranquillity” but also a sense of “work ethic” to the team.
The man in the middle
Englishman Mark Clattenburg will be in charge of tonight’s game.
Clattenburg, 41, refereed England’s FA Cup final in May, and also the Champions League final between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid. He was widely praised for his performance – although he was the subject of internet ridicule for his rather bizarre facial expressions during the game.
The previous game Clattenburg took charge of at Euro 2016 was the last-16 fixture between Switzerland and Poland, and prior to that refereed Belgium against Italy and Croatia versus the Czech Republic in the group stages.
He will be assisted by a team of fellow Englishmen: Simon Beck and Jake Collin as linesmen, and Anthony Taylor and Andre Marriner alongside the goals. Hungary’s Viktor Kassai will be the fourth official.
There have been plenty of jokes about Clattenburg’s choice as referee meaning that the Englishman has at least made it further than the English football team.
France’s key man – Antoine Griezmann
Griezmann has been the player of the tournament – and the stats back that up.
Six goals in six games, as well as two assists, means the attacking midfielder/striker leads the way in the race for the golden boot.
The 25-year-old Atletico Madrid man suffered disappointment as part of the team that lost to city rivals Real Madrid in the 2016 Champions League Final – in which he missed a penalty – but has since bounced back magnificently.
His man-of-the-match performance in scoring two goals to sink Germany in the semi-final, one of which was a penalty, shows that he is a man for the big occasion.
Much will be made of the ‘battle of the number sevens’ as he faces off against Portugal captain Ronaldo, but all eyes have been on Griezmann so far this tournament, and many will be backing him to get one over on the Real Madrid man in the final.
Portugal’s key man – Cristiano Ronaldo
The three-time world player of the year has had a mixed tournament so far.
Moments of genius – such as the double against Hungary in the group stage and the amazing leap to head his team in front against Wales in the semi-final – have been mixed with frustrating displays and missed chances (makes that lots of missed chances where free-kicks are concerned).
But, Ronaldo remains the key danger man for Portugal, and his athleticism, pace and power means he can appear to be on the fringes of things before exploding into life. France will be wary.
At 31, Ronaldo knows this will most likely be his last shot at glory with the national team, and he will be desperate to add an international title to the long list of honors he’s won at club level. It would also mean getting one over on Lionel Messi – who has never won a title with the Argentine national team.
Route to the final – Portugal
Portugal remarkably qualified from the group stage despite finishing third and not winning a single game.
An opening 1-1 draw with Iceland was followed by a 0-0 stalemate against Austria and a thrilling 3-3 draw with Hungary, in which the Portuguese came from behind three times to keep their chances of qualifying alive.
Their three points from three games proved enough to set up a last-16 game against Croatia, with Portugal winning 1-0 thanks to an extra-time header from Ricardo Quaresma.
It was 1-1 after extra-time with Poland in the quarter-finals, meaning a penalty shootout was needed. Ronaldo converted the winning spot-kick for Portugal to win 5-3, setting up a semi-final clash with Wales.
In that game, Ronaldo powered home a header before Nani added a second – leading the team to the final against France.
Route to the final – France
France started somewhat nervously in the opening game of Euro 2016 against Romania, leaving it until the 89th minute to clinch a 2-1 win, thanks to Dimitri Payet’s stunner.
There was also a late show in the second game, with two goals in added time being enough to beat Albania.
An uneventful 0-0 draw with Switzerland ensured France topped Group A and set up a last-16 clash with Ireland.
In that game, the hosts fell behind to an early Ireland penalty, but their pressure eventually told with Antoine Griezmann scoring a double as they won through 2-1.
The quarter-final against Iceland was a more straightforward affair, with France racing to a 4-0 half-time lead. Although Iceland managed two second-half goals, it served as nothing more than a consolation as France ran out comfortable 5-2 winners.
The semi-final against Germany in Marseille was much-anticipated, and lived up to the pre-match hype with France prevailing in an intense battle in which Germany dominated possession but the French had more incision – eventually winning thanks to another Griezmann double.
Recent head-to-head record favors France
France has beaten Portugal in all of the last 10 matches between the two teams.
In fact, the last Portuguese win against France came over 40 years ago, in March of 1975.
That run of French victories includes several in major tournaments: the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup (1-0 to France), the Euro 2000 semi-finals (2-1 to France), and in the Euro 1984 semi-finals – when France won 3-2 before going on to win the tournament.
The last meeting between the two sides came in September 2015, when Portugal lost 0-1 in a friendly game at home in Lisbon.
Didier Deschamps’ men will be hoping to continue that run tonight.
Portugal looking to break big tournament curse
For Portugal, it has often been a case of ‘so near and yet so far’ at major tournaments, having lost in its home Euro 2004 final against Greece, and also losing in the World Cup semi-final in 2006, the quarter-finals at Euro 2008, and the semi-finals at Euro 2012.
They will be looking to right that tonight and cause an upset at the Stade de France.
France seeks to add to proud history
Victory today would see France join Germany and Spain as the only countries to win the European Championship three times.
France’s other victories came in 2000 in the Netherlands (when current manager Didier Deschamps captained the team to glory), and in 1984, when they defeated Spain 2-0 at the Parc des Princes in Paris.
France has won three of its last four finals at World Cups or European Championships, and is unbeaten in its last 18 games at major tournaments on home soil.
The fans are warming up nicely…
France and Portugal fans are already gathering at the Stade de France in anticipation of what promises to be an enthralling climax to a month of top-quality football.
But who will be smiling come the end of the evening?
There’s been a bit of a problem with a moth infestation at the stadium before the game though!
The team news is in, the line-ups look like this:
Portugal’s Pepe has recovered from a thigh injury to take his place in the starting 11, while central midfielder William Carvalho comes in after sitting out the semi-final due to suspension. Jose Fonte is preferred in central defense ahead of Bruno Alves and Ricardo Carvalho.
France keeps the same team that started the semi-final win against Germany, meaning Moussa Sissoko keeps his place in midfield. Twenty-two-year-old Samuel Umtiti – who made his international debut during the tournament – keeps his place in the center of defense alongside Laurent Koscielny.
Welcome to our live updates as we bring you the build-up to the Euro 2016 final between Portugal and France.
Kick-off at the Stade de France is 9pm local time (19:00 GMT), and ahead of the game we’ll be bringing you all you need to know about the teams, the two countries’ records going into the final, the fans, and what’s happening at the venue.