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The 2016 UEFA European Championship concluded with a historic victory for Portugal, who defeated host nation France 1–0 in the final held on July 10, 2016, at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. This marked Portugal's first major international tournament win.
Portugal's Historic Victory
Despite losing captain Cristiano Ronaldo to a knee injury in the first half, Portugal secured the win through a stunning long-range goal by substitute Éder in the 109th minute of extra time . The match statistics highlighted Portugal's resilience, with goalkeeper Rui Patricio making crucial saves and the defense holding firm against France's attacking pressure .(TIME)
🇫🇷 France's Heartbreak
France, playing on home soil, were favorites to win but fell short in the final. Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, including a missed opportunity by André-Pierre Gignac in the dying moments of regular time, they couldn't find the back of the net .(TNT Sports)
🏅 Key Moments and Stats
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Final Score: Portugal 1–0 France (after extra time)
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Winning Goal: Éder (109')
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Man of the Match: Pepe (Portugal)
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Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)
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Attendance: 75,868
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Notable Incident: Cristiano Ronaldo's early exit due to injury(YouTube, Reddit, Wikipedia)
📈 Path to the Final
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Portugal: Finished third in Group F, progressed through knockout stages with a series of draws, including a penalty shootout win over Poland in the quarter-finals.
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France: Won Group A, defeated the Republic of Ireland, Iceland, and Germany in the knockout rounds to reach the final .
🏆 Aftermath and Legacy
Portugal's victory was a testament to their tactical discipline and team spirit, overcoming the adversity of Ronaldo's injury. The win provided a significant boost to Portuguese football and was a defining moment in Cristiano Ronaldo's illustrious career.
For a visual recap of Éder's decisive goal, watch the following video:
Éder's UEFA EURO 2016 winner for Portugal
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