From despair to delight: Ronaldo's rollercoaster Euro 2016 final
Portugal overcame the early loss
of captain Cristiano Ronaldo to beat hosts France in the Euro 2016 final
and win their first major tournament thanks to substitute Eder's superb
extra-time strike.
Real Madrid forward Ronaldo was carried off in
tears in the 25th minute at Paris' Stade de France, eight minutes after
injuring his knee in a clash with France's Dimitri Payet. France, the firm favourites, were unable to capitalise on Ronaldo's absence, although they almost won it at the end of normal time when substitute Andre-Pierre Gignac turned and hit the inside of the post.
Raphael Guerreiro hit the bar with a free-kick for Portugal after 108 minutes, but seconds later they were ahead when Eder fired a low, 25-yard drive past keeper Hugo Lloris.
Ronaldo, who had given his Portugal team-mates animated encouragement in the break before extra time, was offering as much tactical advice as coach Fernando Santos in chaotic closing moments - and he was reduced to tears once more at the final whistle before lifting the trophy that has eluded his country for so long.
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