Just as the final looked destined for a penalty shootout, Eder (Éderzito António Macedo Lopes) cut through the French defense and struck a low shot from 25 meters (yards) past goalkeeper Hugo Lloris in the 109th minute at the Stade de France.
Twelve years after losing to Greece on home soil in their last final appearance, it was Portugal’s turn to spoil the host nation’s party. And they achieved it by winning only one of their seven games at Euro 2016 inside 90 minutes
It was dull and stodgy at times but the record books will only show that Portugal went from third-place in its group to champion, with little help from Ronaldo in its last match.
European
football’s biggest match lost its biggest name midway through the
first half of a cagey final on the outskirts of the French capital
Ronaldo
went down under Dimitri Payet’s ninth-minute challenge and was
twice forced off to receive treatment on the touchline.
However
determined Ronaldo was to lead Portugal to glory, his left knee could
cope no more and he was carried off on a stretcher midway through the
first half.
Ronaldo
was in tears but he returned just before extra time to address his
weary teammates. They seemed to be inspired by Ronaldo’s
re-emergence and the Real Madrid forward was soon leaping off the
bench in celebrations.
Then
he was lying on the turf again at the final whistle, this time in
disbelief rather than pain.
0 comments:
Post a Comment