Latest ads
-
Video Content Creator
- pramukag
- Updated:
-
QA Engineer Intern
- pramukag
- Updated:
-
Sell your Land, House on idamata.lk for FREE
- sajith.xp.pk
- Updated:
-
Handmade Character Soft Toys- anil1961
- Updated:
-
Bodim.lk out now !- Manoj Suranga Bandara
- Updated:
..::Football IV::..
- Thread starter Wolverine GTR
- Start date
He he ekanam attha bro.Renato Sanchez sub karapu 1kanam awl kiyala thamai matath hithune.
btw Edge 1st competitive goal 1ka nedaniyama time 1ke habai
Patta goal ekak 
Samaharu kiyanawa dirty football play kare kiyala. ehema baladdi ki denek atletico madridta support nokara inna oneda 
Tactically they were the better side in the knockout stages. They played beautiful football in the group stages. But where did that take them? 30 shots from Ronaldo in the group stages.
only one in the match against croatia. They lowered their attacking and agrressiveness and strengthen their defence. They deserve it.
Every other team wasn't complete.
1. France had individuals but not a team. They won most of the group stage games in the finishing moments. Pogba thanikara overated. miniha agen witharai weda danne. Tikak hari france settle wela gahuwe kante mid play karaddi. naththam anith okkoma wage with luck and individuality
2. Germany didn't have a great forward. Mario Gomez is good but not like Klose. And gotze can't play as a CF. He is small and can't play with his back turned or can't make runs to the box like ozil. An their tempo wasn't that good. Germany play like Bayern Munich mostly but the thing is in Bayern their are players to change the tempo. Likes of Robben, Ribery & Costa.But not in the german side. At least they didn't show it
3. Italy didn't have star players but they had a really good team. But what they lacked was the players to step up when it was needed. Like in the penalty shootout. For me one of the best teams in the tournament.
Other than that croatia stepped up their game. But couldn't deliver against portugal because portugal was the better organised team.
Wales were good. But totally depended on Bale & Ramsey.
Samaharu kiyanawa dirty football play kare kiyala. ehema baladdi ki denek atletico madridta support nokara inna oneda Tactically they were the better side in the knockout stages. They played beautiful football in the group stages. But where did that take them? 30 shots from Ronaldo in the group stages.
only one in the match against croatia. They lowered their attacking and agrressiveness and strengthen their defence. They deserve it.
Every other team wasn't complete.
1. France had individuals but not a team. They won most of the group stage games in the finishing moments. Pogba thanikara overated. miniha agen witharai weda danne. Tikak hari france settle wela gahuwe kante mid play karaddi. naththam anith okkoma wage with luck and individuality
2. Germany didn't have a great forward. Mario Gomez is good but not like Klose. And gotze can't play as a CF. He is small and can't play with his back turned or can't make runs to the box like ozil. An their tempo wasn't that good. Germany play like Bayern Munich mostly but the thing is in Bayern their are players to change the tempo. Likes of Robben, Ribery & Costa.But not in the german side. At least they didn't show it
3. Italy didn't have star players but they had a really good team. But what they lacked was the players to step up when it was needed. Like in the penalty shootout. For me one of the best teams in the tournament.
Other than that croatia stepped up their game. But couldn't deliver against portugal because portugal was the better organised team.
Wales were good. But totally depended on Bale & Ramsey.
And as I have said so many times, in teamwise Portugal were the best in the tournament. They may not play were active & beautiful football, but they are well organised.
Their defence were the best in the knockout stages and they keep getting better.
Ricardo Carvalho wasn't connecting with pepe. Then came Fonte and the duo was beasts.
My best players of the match
1. Rui Patricio - 7 or 8 saves. Best performance of his career Will get a good deal in the upcoming season
2. Nani
3. Quaresma
4. William Carvalho - Was so active in the midfield stopping so many French attacks. His worth is going up.
From the french team only sissoko, Coman & Gignac looked threatning.
Ronaldo lifts his first international trophy
Congrats!
But he'll be out of action for some time. maybe even about 4 months
But he'll certainly win the Ballon D'or this time
Congratz Portugal!!!
Their defence were the best in the knockout stages and they keep getting better.
Ricardo Carvalho wasn't connecting with pepe. Then came Fonte and the duo was beasts.
My best players of the match
1. Rui Patricio - 7 or 8 saves. Best performance of his career
Will get a good deal in the upcoming season2. Nani
3. Quaresma
4. William Carvalho - Was so active in the midfield stopping so many French attacks. His worth is going up.
From the french team only sissoko, Coman & Gignac looked threatning.
Ronaldo lifts his first international trophy
Congrats!But he'll be out of action for some time. maybe even about 4 months
But he'll certainly win the Ballon D'or this time Congratz Portugal!!!
Portugal 1-0 France (AET): Eder stunner seals Euro 2016 for Santos' men
A brilliant strike by Eder clinched Portugal's first-ever major title, as the nation prevailed over hosts France 1-0 to take the Euro 2016 trophy.
The Lille striker's goal after 109 minutes at the Stade de France in Paris secured an unlikely first major trophy for his country, after captain and talisman Cristiano Ronaldo had been forced off with injury midway through the first half.
A dominant start from France to Sunday's final kept Portugal pegged firmly back in their half and Fernando Santos' side looked to be facing a supremely tough task when Ronaldo was carried off in tears after failing to recover from a Dimitri Payet challenge that jarred his left knee.The incident sapped some of the life from the match, however, with Portugal content to sit off and try to exploit the counter-attack, while France appeared wary of committing too many men forward to capitalise on their momentum.
Antoine Griezmann saw a first-half header brilliantly saved by Rui Patricio, but the tournament's top scorer should have done better in the second half when he nodded over from point-blank range.
Portugal's chances were scarce at best, though Nani almost caught out Hugo Lloris with a wicked cross before Ricardo Quaresma fired in a bicycle kick on the rebound with just a little over 10 minutes to play.
Patricio kept his side alive with a strong parry after a vicious strike from the brilliant Moussa Sissoko, and Andre-Pierre Gignac came within inches of a stoppage-time winner in normal time, clipping the inside of the post from close range.
Raphael Guerreiro hit the crossbar with a free-kick in extra-time, but it was Eder who finally struck the decisive blow, arrowing a low shot beyond Lloris.
France applied the early pressure on a nervy-looking Portugal back line, and it took a superb stretching save from Patricio to keep out Griezmann's looping header from Payet's pass.
Portugal were dealt a huge blow when Ronaldo, having been caught in a heavy collision with Payet, sat on the turf in tears before leaving for treatment on his left knee on the touchline. The captain came back on, but was forced to leave the pitch on a stretcher with just 24 minutes played.
Sissoko continued to wreak havoc against a side shaken by Ronaldo's injury, and his fine turn and shot from Payet's pass forced Patricio into a good low save at the near post, but the first half rather petered out as France became reluctant to force the issue in attack.
Paul Pogba, who had had a quiet game sitting deeper in midfield as Sissoko bombed on ahead, looped a half-volley over the crossbar from 25 yards just after the break, but France failed to pose a persistent threat despite controlling most of the play.
Didier Deschamps introduced Kingsley Coman to inject some pace into the attack, and one promising run gave Patrice Evra the chance to cross for Griezmann, who steered a header over from just six yards out.
Olivier Giroud, who had lived off scraps for most of the match, was thwarted by a good low stop from Patricio after turning into space in the area, but Portugal almost snatched the lead when Nani's cross was clawed away from goal by Lloris before Quaresma's overhead kick went straight into his grasp.Sissoko had Patricio at full stretch with a fierce strike from 25 yards, but substitute Gignac almost snatched glory for the hosts in second-half injury time, turning inside Pepe before hitting the inside of the post from close range.
Pepe glanced a header inches wide of the far post early in extra-time, though the offside flag had been raised, as Ronaldo joined the Portugal dugout after giving his team-mates a pep talk on the pitch.
Guerreiro rattled the woodwork with a curling free-kick, but Eder made no mistake with 11 minutes to play, shaking off Laurent Koscielny before blasting a low strike into the bottom corner from 25 yards to stun the hosts and send Portugal into raptures.
A brilliant strike by Eder clinched Portugal's first-ever major title, as the nation prevailed over hosts France 1-0 to take the Euro 2016 trophy.
The Lille striker's goal after 109 minutes at the Stade de France in Paris secured an unlikely first major trophy for his country, after captain and talisman Cristiano Ronaldo had been forced off with injury midway through the first half.
A dominant start from France to Sunday's final kept Portugal pegged firmly back in their half and Fernando Santos' side looked to be facing a supremely tough task when Ronaldo was carried off in tears after failing to recover from a Dimitri Payet challenge that jarred his left knee.The incident sapped some of the life from the match, however, with Portugal content to sit off and try to exploit the counter-attack, while France appeared wary of committing too many men forward to capitalise on their momentum.
Antoine Griezmann saw a first-half header brilliantly saved by Rui Patricio, but the tournament's top scorer should have done better in the second half when he nodded over from point-blank range.
Portugal's chances were scarce at best, though Nani almost caught out Hugo Lloris with a wicked cross before Ricardo Quaresma fired in a bicycle kick on the rebound with just a little over 10 minutes to play.
Patricio kept his side alive with a strong parry after a vicious strike from the brilliant Moussa Sissoko, and Andre-Pierre Gignac came within inches of a stoppage-time winner in normal time, clipping the inside of the post from close range.
Raphael Guerreiro hit the crossbar with a free-kick in extra-time, but it was Eder who finally struck the decisive blow, arrowing a low shot beyond Lloris.
France applied the early pressure on a nervy-looking Portugal back line, and it took a superb stretching save from Patricio to keep out Griezmann's looping header from Payet's pass.
Portugal were dealt a huge blow when Ronaldo, having been caught in a heavy collision with Payet, sat on the turf in tears before leaving for treatment on his left knee on the touchline. The captain came back on, but was forced to leave the pitch on a stretcher with just 24 minutes played.
Sissoko continued to wreak havoc against a side shaken by Ronaldo's injury, and his fine turn and shot from Payet's pass forced Patricio into a good low save at the near post, but the first half rather petered out as France became reluctant to force the issue in attack.
Paul Pogba, who had had a quiet game sitting deeper in midfield as Sissoko bombed on ahead, looped a half-volley over the crossbar from 25 yards just after the break, but France failed to pose a persistent threat despite controlling most of the play.
Didier Deschamps introduced Kingsley Coman to inject some pace into the attack, and one promising run gave Patrice Evra the chance to cross for Griezmann, who steered a header over from just six yards out.
Olivier Giroud, who had lived off scraps for most of the match, was thwarted by a good low stop from Patricio after turning into space in the area, but Portugal almost snatched the lead when Nani's cross was clawed away from goal by Lloris before Quaresma's overhead kick went straight into his grasp.Sissoko had Patricio at full stretch with a fierce strike from 25 yards, but substitute Gignac almost snatched glory for the hosts in second-half injury time, turning inside Pepe before hitting the inside of the post from close range.
Pepe glanced a header inches wide of the far post early in extra-time, though the offside flag had been raised, as Ronaldo joined the Portugal dugout after giving his team-mates a pep talk on the pitch.
Guerreiro rattled the woodwork with a curling free-kick, but Eder made no mistake with 11 minutes to play, shaking off Laurent Koscielny before blasting a low strike into the bottom corner from 25 yards to stun the hosts and send Portugal into raptures.
This one's for you, Cristiano! Eder and Portugal's heroes make history
Once upon a time Cristiano Ronaldo qualified Portugal for a World Cup with four goals in two matches and earned himself the Ballon d'Or in the process. Back then they could have been accused of being a one-man team. Fernando Santos relied on Ronaldo for Euro 2016 success but not to the extent that he couldn't orchestrate a win without him.
For a country that has traditionally failed to produce a classic No. 9, Portugal certainly picked the right moment to unleash Eder. Until the point in the final in which he was introduced at the expense of Renato Sanches, Santos had made do with Nani and Ronaldo as his central striking options.
The loss of Ronaldo on 25 minutes meant that one of those choices was taken from him and Nani had endured a fruitless night through the middle against Samuel Umtiti and Laurent Koscielny. What Eder gave Portugal was a moment of pure instinct. He rammed his right-footed drive past Hugo Lloris, giving joy to 11 million of his countrymen.
Ronaldo, one-legged, was directing his troops from the dugout, walking alongside his coach, trying to affect the play in any way he could. Before extra time and again at the switch over, Ronaldo was there with his men, talking to them and inspiring them. There was nothing he could contribute on the field following Dimitri Payet's awkward first-half challenge which brought him to tears. He was powerless. There were tears in his eyes at the end of 120 minutes though. A different kind.
So this was a victory for his Portuguese team-mates on behalf of Ronaldo. He is their record caps holder, their all-time top scorer, their captain and greatest ever player. But at the Stade de France on Sunday night, he was not one of 11. He was only one of 11 million. He was just another Portuguese who could only watch, wish, ache and fret as 11 heroes tried their best for a first-ever senior trophy.
The French were disconsolate at the end. They stood around the field wondering just how it all happened. Ronaldo knew how it felt. He felt the exact same thing 12 years previous when Greece snatched the Henry Delauney trophy from Portugal's grasp at the Stadium of Light. This has been a long time coming. And when it did come it was fully deserved.
Maybe the lack of Ronaldo liberated Portugal. He has not always played well at this tournament - he had bad individual games against Iceland, Austria and Poland, and there lingered a suspicion of how Portugal might get on if only Santos could substitute him. Not in a million years was that going to happen other than in the circumstances it transpired.
Portugal froze in the moments between Ronaldo being injured and him going off. After he left though, Nani took the armband and they got down to business. Joao Mario - surely one of the best players here in France - excelled in his midfield battle against Paul Pogba. Pepe defended heroically, so much so that he vomitted in exhaustion - or emotion - when it was finally all over.
There were moments of outright fortune. Andre-Pierre Gignac had the outcome on his right foot with practically the last kick of the 90 minutes. He hit the post. Kingsley Coman outshone his Bayern colleague Renato.
But it's been one of those tournaments for Portugal; they have relied on their defence. They have masked their deficiencies with strong collective efforts. They tried to play zero risk football to maximise their chances of winning. It wasn't always pretty, but better to play ugly and win than play prettily and already be on the beach.
But to the beach they can now go, all of them deserving the glory they have gained. In the end they used all 20 outfield players and Santos rotated his lot tactically with great precision and foresight.
Portugal are worthy champions and they did it without the man that was supposed to carry them as far as he could. Ronaldo has won enough games for Portugal on his own, it was time they paid him back.
Once upon a time Cristiano Ronaldo qualified Portugal for a World Cup with four goals in two matches and earned himself the Ballon d'Or in the process. Back then they could have been accused of being a one-man team. Fernando Santos relied on Ronaldo for Euro 2016 success but not to the extent that he couldn't orchestrate a win without him.
For a country that has traditionally failed to produce a classic No. 9, Portugal certainly picked the right moment to unleash Eder. Until the point in the final in which he was introduced at the expense of Renato Sanches, Santos had made do with Nani and Ronaldo as his central striking options.
The loss of Ronaldo on 25 minutes meant that one of those choices was taken from him and Nani had endured a fruitless night through the middle against Samuel Umtiti and Laurent Koscielny. What Eder gave Portugal was a moment of pure instinct. He rammed his right-footed drive past Hugo Lloris, giving joy to 11 million of his countrymen.
Ronaldo, one-legged, was directing his troops from the dugout, walking alongside his coach, trying to affect the play in any way he could. Before extra time and again at the switch over, Ronaldo was there with his men, talking to them and inspiring them. There was nothing he could contribute on the field following Dimitri Payet's awkward first-half challenge which brought him to tears. He was powerless. There were tears in his eyes at the end of 120 minutes though. A different kind.
So this was a victory for his Portuguese team-mates on behalf of Ronaldo. He is their record caps holder, their all-time top scorer, their captain and greatest ever player. But at the Stade de France on Sunday night, he was not one of 11. He was only one of 11 million. He was just another Portuguese who could only watch, wish, ache and fret as 11 heroes tried their best for a first-ever senior trophy.
The French were disconsolate at the end. They stood around the field wondering just how it all happened. Ronaldo knew how it felt. He felt the exact same thing 12 years previous when Greece snatched the Henry Delauney trophy from Portugal's grasp at the Stadium of Light. This has been a long time coming. And when it did come it was fully deserved.
Maybe the lack of Ronaldo liberated Portugal. He has not always played well at this tournament - he had bad individual games against Iceland, Austria and Poland, and there lingered a suspicion of how Portugal might get on if only Santos could substitute him. Not in a million years was that going to happen other than in the circumstances it transpired.
Portugal froze in the moments between Ronaldo being injured and him going off. After he left though, Nani took the armband and they got down to business. Joao Mario - surely one of the best players here in France - excelled in his midfield battle against Paul Pogba. Pepe defended heroically, so much so that he vomitted in exhaustion - or emotion - when it was finally all over.
There were moments of outright fortune. Andre-Pierre Gignac had the outcome on his right foot with practically the last kick of the 90 minutes. He hit the post. Kingsley Coman outshone his Bayern colleague Renato.
But it's been one of those tournaments for Portugal; they have relied on their defence. They have masked their deficiencies with strong collective efforts. They tried to play zero risk football to maximise their chances of winning. It wasn't always pretty, but better to play ugly and win than play prettily and already be on the beach.
But to the beach they can now go, all of them deserving the glory they have gained. In the end they used all 20 outfield players and Santos rotated his lot tactically with great precision and foresight.
Portugal are worthy champions and they did it without the man that was supposed to carry them as far as he could. Ronaldo has won enough games for Portugal on his own, it was time they paid him back.
Deschamps: No words to describe final defeat
France head coach Didier Deschamps found it tough to describe the disappointment at losing the Euro 2016 final to Portugal on Sunday.The host nation were beaten 1-0 at the Stade de France thanks to Eder's superb strike in the second half of extra time.
Portugal, who lost captain Cristiano Ronaldo to a knee injury in the first half, were on the defensive for much of the match, and Andre-Pierre Gignac almost snatched victory for France when he struck the inside of the post in second-half stoppage time.
Deschamps conceded his side were made to pay for failing to take their opportunities and said it will take some time to overcome the sadness of the result."There are no words, the disappointment is immense. It will take time to digest it," he said to M6 and beIN Sports after the match.
"Even if we were missing a little bit of energy tonight, it's not an excuse, we had opportunities, the last was Gignac. After that we continued, it was a very tight match and we had our chances even if the Portuguese had their own opportunities as well.
"They scored, unfortunately. It's very disappointing, we can't throw it all out but we missed a big chance here. Maybe not unique, but a very big chance to be champions of Europe.
"We won together, we suffered together and today we lost together. We know we've got the French excited, it would have been amazing to offer them this trophy at home, but unfortunately it's not to be."
France head coach Didier Deschamps found it tough to describe the disappointment at losing the Euro 2016 final to Portugal on Sunday.The host nation were beaten 1-0 at the Stade de France thanks to Eder's superb strike in the second half of extra time.
Portugal, who lost captain Cristiano Ronaldo to a knee injury in the first half, were on the defensive for much of the match, and Andre-Pierre Gignac almost snatched victory for France when he struck the inside of the post in second-half stoppage time.
Deschamps conceded his side were made to pay for failing to take their opportunities and said it will take some time to overcome the sadness of the result."There are no words, the disappointment is immense. It will take time to digest it," he said to M6 and beIN Sports after the match.
"Even if we were missing a little bit of energy tonight, it's not an excuse, we had opportunities, the last was Gignac. After that we continued, it was a very tight match and we had our chances even if the Portuguese had their own opportunities as well.
"They scored, unfortunately. It's very disappointing, we can't throw it all out but we missed a big chance here. Maybe not unique, but a very big chance to be champions of Europe.
"We won together, we suffered together and today we lost together. We know we've got the French excited, it would have been amazing to offer them this trophy at home, but unfortunately it's not to be."
Mourinho celebrates Portugal’s Euro 2016 victoryPortugal have won the European Championship for the first time in their history - and Jose Mourinho is over the moon.In a tight final at the Stade de France, Eder was the man who struck the winner with a superb long-range goal in extra time.
Portugal were forced to overcome an early setback after Cristiano Ronaldo had to leave the field on a stretcher in the first half.
But Fernando Santos’ side were able to hold off a late France charge to secure their first major international title.
And Mourinho posted a celebratory message on Instagram with the caption: “If you want to visit the country of the european champions visit PORTUGAL!!!!!!”
Eder: Ronaldo told me I would score the winner
Portugal's Euro 2016 final hero Eder says Cristiano Ronaldo told him he would score the winning goal at the Stade de France.The Lille striker, a 79th-minute substitute in Paris, fired home from 25 yards in extra time to give Fernando Santos' side a 1-0 victory over the host nation.
Captain Ronaldo had been forced off in tears midway through the first half after sustaining a knee injury following a challenge from Dimitri Payet, but returned to the dugout to give his team-mates a pep talk at the end of 90 minutes.
And Eder, who had only scored three goals for his country prior to Sunday's clash, says the Real Madrid star gave him the belief that his moment of glory had arrived.
"Ronaldo told me that I would score the winning goal," the 28-year-old said, as quoted by A Bola. "He gave me that confidence."But it was a goal that the whole team worked hard for. We were spectacular during the whole run.
"It's great to be congratulated. I knew that my chance would come from the moment I was called up. Fernando Santos knew of my qualities. He trusted me."
Portugal's Euro 2016 final hero Eder says Cristiano Ronaldo told him he would score the winning goal at the Stade de France.The Lille striker, a 79th-minute substitute in Paris, fired home from 25 yards in extra time to give Fernando Santos' side a 1-0 victory over the host nation.
Captain Ronaldo had been forced off in tears midway through the first half after sustaining a knee injury following a challenge from Dimitri Payet, but returned to the dugout to give his team-mates a pep talk at the end of 90 minutes.
And Eder, who had only scored three goals for his country prior to Sunday's clash, says the Real Madrid star gave him the belief that his moment of glory had arrived.
"Ronaldo told me that I would score the winning goal," the 28-year-old said, as quoted by A Bola. "He gave me that confidence."But it was a goal that the whole team worked hard for. We were spectacular during the whole run.
"It's great to be congratulated. I knew that my chance would come from the moment I was called up. Fernando Santos knew of my qualities. He trusted me."
Pepe named Euro 2016 final Man of the Match
Pepe was named Man of the Match after a stout defensive display helped Portugal beat France 1-0 after extra time to win Euro 2016.
Substitute Eder struck in the second half of extra time to secure victory, with Portugal having to play the majority of the match without injured captain Cristiano Ronaldo on Sunday.France came into the game as the tournament's top scorers and boasted the leading marksman in Antoine Griezmann.
But Pepe and defensive partner Jose Fonte kept a dangerous France front line limited for the most part, although Griezmann wasted a gilt-edged headed chance and Andre-Pierre Gignac hit the post in second-half stoppage time.
Pepe's 12 clearances were more than any team-mate, while he also led the team with three blocks. Only left-back Raphael Guerreiro (6) racked up more clearances than the Real Madrid defender's five.
Pepe was named Man of the Match after a stout defensive display helped Portugal beat France 1-0 after extra time to win Euro 2016.
Substitute Eder struck in the second half of extra time to secure victory, with Portugal having to play the majority of the match without injured captain Cristiano Ronaldo on Sunday.France came into the game as the tournament's top scorers and boasted the leading marksman in Antoine Griezmann.
But Pepe and defensive partner Jose Fonte kept a dangerous France front line limited for the most part, although Griezmann wasted a gilt-edged headed chance and Andre-Pierre Gignac hit the post in second-half stoppage time.
Pepe's 12 clearances were more than any team-mate, while he also led the team with three blocks. Only left-back Raphael Guerreiro (6) racked up more clearances than the Real Madrid defender's five.
Pepe: We won Euro 2016 for Ronaldo
Man-of-the-match Pepe told his Portugal team-mates to win Euro 2016 for injured captain Cristiano Ronaldo after his early exit.It was an historic result as Portugal claimed their first major title via a 1-0 win over hosts France after extra time in Paris on Sunday.
Eder came off the bench and scored the 109th-minute winner, but Portugal faced an uphill battle from the outset, following a knee injury to Ronaldo, who left the field in tears in the first half.
However, Portugal used Ronaldo's injury as motivation as they were finally crowned champions of Europe, having lost the Euro 2004 final on home soil against Greece.
"This was tough as we lost our main man and we had all our hopes on him because he can score a goal at any moment," said Pepe, who lifted the Champions League trophy alongside Ronaldo for Real Madrid in May."When he couldn't go on I tried to tell our team-mates that we had to win it for him.
"The coach set us up very well, the subs came on at the right time too. We poured our blood, sweat and tears into this."We've written a brilliant page in the book of Portuguese football history."
Man-of-the-match Pepe told his Portugal team-mates to win Euro 2016 for injured captain Cristiano Ronaldo after his early exit.It was an historic result as Portugal claimed their first major title via a 1-0 win over hosts France after extra time in Paris on Sunday.
Eder came off the bench and scored the 109th-minute winner, but Portugal faced an uphill battle from the outset, following a knee injury to Ronaldo, who left the field in tears in the first half.
However, Portugal used Ronaldo's injury as motivation as they were finally crowned champions of Europe, having lost the Euro 2004 final on home soil against Greece.
"This was tough as we lost our main man and we had all our hopes on him because he can score a goal at any moment," said Pepe, who lifted the Champions League trophy alongside Ronaldo for Real Madrid in May."When he couldn't go on I tried to tell our team-mates that we had to win it for him.
"The coach set us up very well, the subs came on at the right time too. We poured our blood, sweat and tears into this."We've written a brilliant page in the book of Portuguese football history."
Griezmann claims Ronaldo has ALREADY won the Ballon d'OrAntoine Griezmann admits the Ballon d’Or race is already over after Cristiano Ronaldo won Euro 2016 with Portugal.
The Atletico Madrid forward was one of the stars of France’s Euro 2016 campaign and ended up as the tournament’s top scorer with six goals.
Many have tipped Griezmann to make a push for this year’s Ballon d’Or trophy but the France international believes Ronaldo is the standout choice after following up his Champions League victory for Real Madrid with success this summer at Euro 2016.
"For the Ballon D'Or, it is all over,” said the 25-year-old.
“Ronaldo won the two big competitions this season."
And as I have said so many times, in teamwise Portugal were the best in the tournament. They may not play were active & beautiful football, but they are well organised.
Their defence were the best in the knockout stages and they keep getting better.
Ricardo Carvalho wasn't connecting with pepe. Then came Fonte and the duo was beasts.
My best players of the match
1. Rui Patricio - 7 or 8 saves. Best performance of his career
2. Nani
3. Quaresma
4. William Carvalho - Was so active in the midfield stopping so many French attacks. His worth is going up.
From the french team only sissoko, Coman & Gignac looked threatning.
Ronaldo lifts his first international trophy
But he'll be out of action for some time. maybe even about 4 months
Congratz Portugal!!!
Aniwa bro
patricio ge saves tikanam pattaEwagema thamai PEPE ge defending
& CR7 nam tikak out wela inna wei injury 1ka nisa
Get well soon Ronaldo!
Moutinho believes Euro 2016 will lead to more Portugal titles
Portugal midfielder Joao Moutinho thinks success in Euro 2016 will be the first of many major trophies for his country.Fernando Santos' men stunned hosts France in winning Sunday's final 1-0 thanks to substitute Eder's superb long-range strike in extra time.
The victory at Stade de France saw Portugal taste continental glory 12 years after they were stunned as hosts at the final hurdle, losing out in the Euro 2004 showpiece to Greece.Monaco midfielder Moutinho, 29, now believes the ingredients are in place for further Portugal silverware in future tournaments.
"We have a team with a mixture of experience and youth - really good young players," he told reporters after the match. "This is the first title, but God willing, we can go on to have more titles, more finals in future with this generation of players.
"This will stay in the memory because it is a title for Portugal, a country that never won it, so that makes it special."
Moutinho accepted that Portugal's tactics may not have been pleasing on the eye at the Euros, but insisted the end justifies the means.He continued: "We always want to win and we did what we did to try and win, to be the best team.
"We have to be realists and do what is best to achieve the victory and that is what has made us champions of Europe. We were very good tactically and we scored the goal that we needed.
"The union of the group is key. We support each other on and off the pitch. We have been able to build an enormous team spirit in the group and we have all grown in the same direction. Now we have to celebrate because this is a great moment.
"The only objective was to win and become European champions and we did that.
"We lost Cristiano Ronaldo, but we had to get over that. Another player came on and we were able to go and win, which was what we always wanted.
"Eder scored a great goal, but it's not just Eder. The whole team worked so hard for 120 minutes. Congratulations to all the players, to the staff, to everybody."
Portugal midfielder Joao Moutinho thinks success in Euro 2016 will be the first of many major trophies for his country.Fernando Santos' men stunned hosts France in winning Sunday's final 1-0 thanks to substitute Eder's superb long-range strike in extra time.
The victory at Stade de France saw Portugal taste continental glory 12 years after they were stunned as hosts at the final hurdle, losing out in the Euro 2004 showpiece to Greece.Monaco midfielder Moutinho, 29, now believes the ingredients are in place for further Portugal silverware in future tournaments.
"We have a team with a mixture of experience and youth - really good young players," he told reporters after the match. "This is the first title, but God willing, we can go on to have more titles, more finals in future with this generation of players.
"This will stay in the memory because it is a title for Portugal, a country that never won it, so that makes it special."
Moutinho accepted that Portugal's tactics may not have been pleasing on the eye at the Euros, but insisted the end justifies the means.He continued: "We always want to win and we did what we did to try and win, to be the best team.
"We have to be realists and do what is best to achieve the victory and that is what has made us champions of Europe. We were very good tactically and we scored the goal that we needed.
"The union of the group is key. We support each other on and off the pitch. We have been able to build an enormous team spirit in the group and we have all grown in the same direction. Now we have to celebrate because this is a great moment.
"The only objective was to win and become European champions and we did that.
"We lost Cristiano Ronaldo, but we had to get over that. Another player came on and we were able to go and win, which was what we always wanted.
"Eder scored a great goal, but it's not just Eder. The whole team worked so hard for 120 minutes. Congratulations to all the players, to the staff, to everybody."
Matuidi: France leave final with huge regret
Blaise Matuidi conceded that France have been left with a feeling of huge regret after going down to Portugal in the Euro 2016 final.
The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder played the full 120 minutes as Les Bleus suffered defeat at Stade de France courtesy of a dramatic extra-time goal from substitute Eder.Matuidi, 29, could not hide his disappointment after the match and felt France would have to wipe the result from the minds quickly."A lot of regrets, a lot of regret obviously," he told reporters. "When you lose in a final you can only have regrets.
"It is too soon to speak about how to recover yet. The main feeling is the disappointment. We need to forget about it first and then we will see what happens. "Obviously we will need to act fast because there are the [World Cup] qualification matches in September. We will need to be ready then.
"It is very difficult because we have done the job in order to play the final and win it. It is always very tough to lose in a final. It is also what football is about. We will have to bounce back, go on holiday and then prepare for 2018."Matuidi felt that while France were lacking in energy on Sunday, they still had enough possession and chances to beat Portugal and win the tournament.
Indeed, Les Bleus had 18 shots to the 10 from Fernando Santos' side, but they could not find a way past goalkeeper Rui Patricio and the Selecao's resolute back-line."It was very close - we got chances even if we were not very fresh, not physically at our very top," said Matuidi.
"Despite that, we had chances to score. We got the possession. They also got chances but I think less than us. Then we were also tired in a way and that is to be taken in account close to the end of the game. "The Portuguese team has the merit to trust until the end that they can do it and they have been rewarded for that."
The crushing defeat, though, has not left Matuidi without a sense of perspective over the positive effect France's performances over the last month have had on the host nation.He continued: "We can have regret but also be proud of what we achieved in the tournament. It was good, even very good.
"We were able to unite the French population and there was a lot of passion from them. We gave some happiness to people who love football and maybe some who were not a big fan of football previously are now starting to like it."
Blaise Matuidi conceded that France have been left with a feeling of huge regret after going down to Portugal in the Euro 2016 final.
The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder played the full 120 minutes as Les Bleus suffered defeat at Stade de France courtesy of a dramatic extra-time goal from substitute Eder.Matuidi, 29, could not hide his disappointment after the match and felt France would have to wipe the result from the minds quickly."A lot of regrets, a lot of regret obviously," he told reporters. "When you lose in a final you can only have regrets.
"It is too soon to speak about how to recover yet. The main feeling is the disappointment. We need to forget about it first and then we will see what happens. "Obviously we will need to act fast because there are the [World Cup] qualification matches in September. We will need to be ready then.
"It is very difficult because we have done the job in order to play the final and win it. It is always very tough to lose in a final. It is also what football is about. We will have to bounce back, go on holiday and then prepare for 2018."Matuidi felt that while France were lacking in energy on Sunday, they still had enough possession and chances to beat Portugal and win the tournament.
Indeed, Les Bleus had 18 shots to the 10 from Fernando Santos' side, but they could not find a way past goalkeeper Rui Patricio and the Selecao's resolute back-line."It was very close - we got chances even if we were not very fresh, not physically at our very top," said Matuidi.
"Despite that, we had chances to score. We got the possession. They also got chances but I think less than us. Then we were also tired in a way and that is to be taken in account close to the end of the game. "The Portuguese team has the merit to trust until the end that they can do it and they have been rewarded for that."
The crushing defeat, though, has not left Matuidi without a sense of perspective over the positive effect France's performances over the last month have had on the host nation.He continued: "We can have regret but also be proud of what we achieved in the tournament. It was good, even very good.
"We were able to unite the French population and there was a lot of passion from them. We gave some happiness to people who love football and maybe some who were not a big fan of football previously are now starting to like it."
Pelle leaves Southampton for China - for £34m in wages!
Graziano Pelle has left Southampton to join Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng, the club confirmed on Monday.
Pelle arrived at the club from Feyenoord but will now leave having impressed in Italy's Euro 2016 campaign, adding to a growing list of players leaving Europe for China.
The 30-year-old had just one year remaining on his contract at St. Mary's but leaves for a reported £13 million fee to leave the Saints with a profit. Pelle is set to earn £34m over his two-and-a-half-year contract.
Confirmation of the move comes less than 24 hours after the conclusion of Euro 2016, where Pelle impressed with goals in wins against Belgium and Spain.
Pelle's exit marks the third first-team member to leave Southampton this summer, following Victor Wanyama to Tottenham and Sadio Mane to Liverpool, while manager Ronald Koeman left for Everton.
Graziano Pelle has left Southampton to join Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng, the club confirmed on Monday.
Pelle arrived at the club from Feyenoord but will now leave having impressed in Italy's Euro 2016 campaign, adding to a growing list of players leaving Europe for China.
The 30-year-old had just one year remaining on his contract at St. Mary's but leaves for a reported £13 million fee to leave the Saints with a profit. Pelle is set to earn £34m over his two-and-a-half-year contract.
Confirmation of the move comes less than 24 hours after the conclusion of Euro 2016, where Pelle impressed with goals in wins against Belgium and Spain.
Pelle's exit marks the third first-team member to leave Southampton this summer, following Victor Wanyama to Tottenham and Sadio Mane to Liverpool, while manager Ronald Koeman left for Everton.
Pogba in 'no rush' to leave Juventus - agent
Paul Pogba may yet decide to sign a new contract with Juventus despite reported interest from Real Madrid and Manchester United, according to his agent Mino Raiola.
France star Pogba has been strongly linked with a summer move away from Turin, with Madrid and United understood to be leading the chase for his services.
United, who sold Pogba to Juventus in 2012, are reportedly keen to re-sign the midfielder for a world record fee of £100m, while Raiola stated last June that talks were under way with Madrid.
However, Raiola claims Pogba - who signed a five-year deal at Juventus in October 2014 - is happy with the Serie A giants who are keen for him to ink a new contract extension.
"There is a lot of talk about Paul's future, but maybe he will not leave Juventus," Raiola told The Times."He is in no rush to leave, and Juventus do not want him to go. They want him to renew his contract.
"Paul is not desperate to move. We are very happy at Juventus and they are a club that want to keep their star players."However, Raiola did claim "several big clubs are in pursuit of his services".
Paul Pogba may yet decide to sign a new contract with Juventus despite reported interest from Real Madrid and Manchester United, according to his agent Mino Raiola.
France star Pogba has been strongly linked with a summer move away from Turin, with Madrid and United understood to be leading the chase for his services.
United, who sold Pogba to Juventus in 2012, are reportedly keen to re-sign the midfielder for a world record fee of £100m, while Raiola stated last June that talks were under way with Madrid.
However, Raiola claims Pogba - who signed a five-year deal at Juventus in October 2014 - is happy with the Serie A giants who are keen for him to ink a new contract extension.
"There is a lot of talk about Paul's future, but maybe he will not leave Juventus," Raiola told The Times."He is in no rush to leave, and Juventus do not want him to go. They want him to renew his contract.
"Paul is not desperate to move. We are very happy at Juventus and they are a club that want to keep their star players."However, Raiola did claim "several big clubs are in pursuit of his services".
Ronaldo gives Nani his Euro 2016 Silver Boot awardWhat do you do with your Silver Boot award if you're Cristiano Ronaldo? Give it to Nani of course!The Real Madrid star finished second, behind Antoine Griezmann, in the race to be crowned the top scorer at Euro 2016 and Ronaldo clearly isn't interested in the runner-up gong.
Valencia winger Nani took to social media following Portugal's 1-0 extra-time win over France in the final of the showpiece tournament to express his delight at Ronaldo giving him the award as a "gift".
Still, Ronaldo could well need the extra space in the trophy cabinet soon, with the 31-year-old now odds-on favourite to win the 2016 Ballon d'Or.
