Home SPORTS “Ronaldoless” Portugal defeat France to win Euro 2016

“Ronaldoless” Portugal defeat France to win Euro 2016

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A Portugal side without their talismanic attacker Cristiano Ronaldo, was able to surmount France, the host of the Euro 2016 tournament to win the competition.Cristiano Ronaldo was taken off injured but Portugal still lifted the trophyIt was former Swansea striker Eder, who replaced Renato Sanches, that picked up the ball 25 yards out from fellow sub Joao Moutinho, battling off the challenge of Koscielny before striking low into the bottom corner to beat Hugo Lloris from 25 yards out, in the 109th minute to hand Portugal their first major tournament crown.

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Tournament host, France, were the better side, but Portugal must have been inspired by the sight of their captain, Ronaldo in tears after being substituted with a knee injury just 25 minutes into the match. Ronaldo attempted to continue, but eventually came off in tearsFrance had a couple of chances, but Antoine Griezmann was wasteful, while substitute Andre-Pierre Gignac hit the post in stoppage time.

Portugal had the better chances in extra time, hitting the post through Raphael Guerreiro’s free-kick before Eder came with the stunning winner, his first competitive international goal.
There were tears for a 19-year-old Ronaldo 12 years ago as Portugal lost the Euro 2004 final against Greece in Lisbon, and he cried again in Paris after he was injured by Dimitri Payet, but he attempted to play on with a heavily-bandaged knee. However, after one acceleration midway through the first half, Ronaldo signalled to the bench that he could not continue, he was finally brought off on a stretcher.

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Portugal manager Santos replaced Ronaldo with Ricardo Quaresma. However, Ronaldo’s tears of despair turned to tears of joy as Portugal held on for the final 11 minutes.

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