Published: Jul 10, 2016, 11:30 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 30, 2016, 07:10 PM (IST)
Hello and Welcome to CricketCountry’s live coverage of France vs Portugal, Euro 2016 final at Stade de France. Portugal beat Wales in the semi-final, while France went past the World Champions Germany in the knockout round. France have two Euro titles. They won in 1984 and 2000. In 1984 France were the hosts like they are this year. They have an excellent chance to become the side to win an Euro title twice at home. Meanwhile, Portugal are yet to have their hands on the Euro trophy. This is their only second-ever final after they had made it to the final in 2004.
120 mins + 1: ALL OVER at Stade de France! It’s Portugal who will lift their first-ever Euro trophy. They beat the hosts 1-0, breaking so many hearts in the stadium. Eiffel Tower will light Portugal’s colours and not it’s own country’s!
109 mins: GOALLLLLLL! Eder is Portugal’s hero today! He picks up the ball, beats Laurent koscielny and shoots from 25 yards that goes into the right corner of the post! It’s his first competitive goal for Portugal! What a time to get it!!!!!
90+2 mins: No goal yet. This goes into EXTRA TIME. This is the sixth Euros final to go to extra time but the first to end goalless after 90 minutes.
52 mins: Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio continues to stop France. yet another good save from him.
Use your team’s # and light the Eiffel Tower!#POR #FRA #OrangeSponsorsYou#PORFRA pic.twitter.com/5B2oErp5ei
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) July 10, 2016
45 mins + 2 mins: The first half was all about Ronaldo’s injury. Not much of good football was seen in the first 45 minutes.
42 mins: France continue to attack, Portugal are already struggling and now with Ronaldo out, their morale is seen going down. Portugal are yet to have an effort on target, France have had three.
STATS: Cristiano Ronaldo has 61 international goals. Portugal’s eleven players on the pitch have a total of 34.
38 mins: Nani taking the complete charge. He manages to take the ball in the box to Adrien Silva, who tries to shoot from the edge of the box before the French defenders take the ball away.
30 mins: Another chance for France! Newcastle Midfielder Moussa Sissoko for the third time makes it to the box, shoots but the cross is deflected away. It touches the goalkeeper and hence France gets another corner.
This is the first time Cristiano Ronaldo has been subbed off in a major tournament game since the 2006 World Cup. pic.twitter.com/ImxMLawhqb
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 10, 2016
24 mins: Oh no! Stretcher is brought in, Ronaldo still in tears gives the arm band to Nani. Devastating for Portugal! Fans go quiet, some of them are seen in tears, like their skipper.
21 mins: Ronaldo back again. Comes in with a strap on his left knee. Goes for a header and that shows he is going to carry on. Some relief for Portugal!
17 mins: Ronaldo goes down again. Oh boy, the Real Madrid star is in real pain and tears. Has his final already finished here and with this Portugal’s dreams of first-ever Euro trophy? He is on his feet but is walking out for treatment. Portugal down to 10 men.
9 mins: Ronaldo is back on field. Pepe creates an excellent chance for Portugal here! Excellent save from the French goalie. A header from the Real Madrid defender that is tipped off by Rui Patricio.
7 mins: Dimitri Paye has begun his rough game. He takes Renato Sanches down and repeats the same with the Portugal captain. Ronaldo is walking off the field. Needs treatment. Referee seems fine, play goes on.
4 mins: CLOSEEEE! France have been ahead so far but this time it were the visotors who almost had one goal to them. Nani receives a long pass, French defenders surround him. He collects it on his chest and shoots from 18 yards. Goes wide the post.
KICK OFF!
Teams:
Portugal: Patrício; Cédric, Pepe, Fonte, Guerreiro; Carvalho; Mário, Adrien Silva, Renato Sanches; Ronaldo, Nani.
France: Lloris, Sagna, Umtiti, Koscielny, Evra, Pogba, Matuidi, Sissoko, Griezmann, Payet, Giroud.
France have won two major titles as hosts — Euro 1984 and FIFA World Cup 1998. Portugal’s Pepe who missed the semi-final with a thigh injury is set to return for the all important final. He was seen training on Saturday and “didn’t express any complaints. However William Carvalho is expected to replace Danilo in central midfield.
According to UEFA.com, Portugal coach Fernando Santos said, “I’ve said before that our objective was to play in the final and win it. We have great belief because we want to make the Portuguese people happy. We want to give them something to celebrate.”
On the other hand, French coach Didier Deschamps said, “We have this opportunity to become European champions. Whether you’re 18, 20 or much older, there’s a chance to win a title and we need to seize it without thinking about what might happen in the future. The players know they’re privileged to be playing the UEFA EURO 2016 final at home in Paris.”
