The underdogs had their day in the Euro 2016 final as Portugal overcame hosts France in Paris.
Fernando
Santos' side sneaked out of their group with three draws and rode their
luck in Sunday's final before snatching a victory in dramatic fashion
in the second half of extra time.
Inside a buzzing Stade de France, their task was made all the more difficult when star man Cristiano Ronaldo was forced off in the first half, but Portugal dug deep to keep the hosts out despite huge pressure.
Raphael
Guerreiro struck the post with a gorgeous free-kick in the additional
30 minutes but Swansea reject Eder was the unlikely hero for A Seleccao, rifling home to seal a memorable win against the odds.
Here are seven things we learned:
REUTERS
Nani celebrates after a dramatic win...
Getty
...and Portugal lift the trophy
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Andre Gomes and Ricardo Carvalho get in on the act
Reuters
Ronaldo on the deck after a mixed night in Paris
1. Eder is the hero
What an unlikely hero for Portugal - and Swansea fans will be more shocked about it than the rest of us.
Eder
signed for the Swans for £5million last summer. He left in January
after 13 goalless Premier League appearances, moving on loan to Lille -
who have since signed him permanently.
But in the biggest game of his career, he wrote his name into Portuguese folklore.
AFP/Getty
Eder celebrates after scoring
AFP/Getty
Eder is mobbed by his team-mates
During the second-half of extra time, the striker cut inside from the
left before unleashing a fierce drive into the bottom corner beyond
Lloris.
It was his first competitive goal for his country!
It send the Portugal fans inside the stadium wild and in turn devastated a whole nation.
Simply incredible.
2. Heartbreak for Ronaldo but happy ending arrives
AFP/Getty
Cristiano Ronaldo is carried off on a stretcher
He was always going to leave a lasting impression on this one, but
the way Cristiano Ronaldo bowed out after just 24 minutes was quite
devastating.
Portugal's talisman was left in serious discomfort after a heavy clash with Dimitri Payet that ultimately ended his Euros dream.
His
reluctance to come off even saw him try and return to the field but,
after pulling up again, it was obvious his night was over.
REUTERS/Carl Recine
Ronaldo realises his night is up
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Ronaldo receives treatment
Ronaldo was in tears as he threw his captain's armband on the pitch before departing on a stretcher.
It's
been 12 years since his first European Championship final ended in
heartache and nobody wanted it to end this way - not even the French
support inside the Stade de France.
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Ronaldo lifts the trophy in Paris
3. Payet's night ends early
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Dimitri Payet in action with Renato Sanches
The West Ham man was the star of the group stage for France, bailing
them out at the death in the win over Romania before sealing the victory
over Albania.
At that stage he looked a shoo-in for Player of
the Tournament, but Antoine Griezmann came to the fore in the first
knockout games when France needed some spark.
Payet had his worst game of the summer in the semi-final against Germany, struggling to find space against an organised defence.
L'Equipe awarded him a measly 3/10 for that performance, which was remarkable given his importance to this side.
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Payet challenges Cedric
Back at the Stade de France, though, Payet looked to be back to his best.
Always
busy on the left, he swapped passes with his midfielders and found
pockets of space time and again, while his final ball always caused
problems: a cross to Griezmann almost led to the opener and his set
pieces were as accurate as ever.
It was odd, then, to see him subbed off before the hour mark and replaced by Kingsley Coman.
It
was a harsh end to a fine tournament for the late blooming winger...
and meant his final performance will probably be best remembered for the
challenge that injured Ronaldo.
4. Sissoko shines again
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Sissoko tries to control the ball
N'Golo Kante's suspension gave Moussa Sissoko an opportunity in
France's quarter-final win over Iceland - and he has grabbed it with
both hands.
It appeared Kante would be back in for the semi-final
with Germany. He wasn't, and the Leicester man was on the bench again
in Paris.
Newcastle midfielder Sissoko has given France a
completely different dimension on the right flank and they look a lot
more balanced with him in their side.
AFP/Getty
Sissoko tries his luck
His individual performance against Portugal was a joy to behold,
providing pace and power down the right and working tirelessly in the
opposite direction too.
Sissoko's impact showed when Deschamps opted to bring Payet off to make way for Kingsley Coman.
He very nearly won it too with a fierce long-range strike that was denied by Patricio.
Let's get one thing straight — he won't be a Championship player come August.
5. Portuguese take too many risks
REUTERS
Pepe tries his luck too much at the back
It took France less than a minute to threaten the Portuguese goal, with Fernando Santos' men architects of their own downfall.
Jose Fonte was the culprit as he tried to play a risky sideways pass that was immediately intercepted.
Fortunately
for the Southampton defender, France couldn't make it count but they
very nearly did moments later after an error from his fellow
centre-back.
This time Pepe was caught dawdling as Payet robbed
him of possession before crossing for Griezmann, whose header was tipped
over by Patricio.
A let-off... and a major warning sign for Portugal.
REUTERS
Rui Patricio claims the ball
6. Paris was bouncing
The huge Portuguese community in
France – and all those who travelled for this game – were in fine voice
in the streets of the capital ahead of kick-off and contributed to a
booming atmosphere inside the stadium.
Their anthem was
impeccable and even competed with La Marseillaise, that eternal call to
arms. After the nervousness of France's group games, there was a
festive, determined spirit here, with the home fans roaring on their
charges.
Just nine months after the tragedy of the Paris attacks,
which brought global terror to the front door of the football world, it
was good to see supporters enjoying themselves at the Stade de France.
This was a day that will live long in the memory for many, many people.
AFP/Getty
France supporters cheer on their side
AFP/Getty
A France fan gets in the party mood
UEFA via Getty
Fans gather outside the stadium
7. The apocalypse may be nigh
Before kick-off, the usual
talk of formations and star men was overshadowed by the presence of some
unwanted visitors at the Stade de France.
Competing for attention with the players were hundreds – maybe even thousands – of MOTHS infesting this grand stadium.
They certainly got on the nerves of Pierluigi Collina and Mark Clattenburg before kick-off.
PA Wire
Referee Mark Clattenberg and match officials are attacked by moths
REUTERS
Moths surround Pierluigi Collina before the match
Euro 2016 final
7 things we learned in ParisPain turns to joy for RonaldoPlayer ratings from John CrossHow Portugal stunned FranceInjured Cristiano still the starFans go wild in LisbonMourinho joins in celebrationsWatch Ronaldo's teamtalkWhat Ronaldo said to inspire Portugal... and what he said afterViolence in Paris fanzoneTwitter reaction to Ronaldo blowMoths invade Stade de France......and one goes viral
REUTERS
7 things we learned in Paris
Pain turns to joy for Ronaldo
Player ratings from John Cross
How Portugal stunned France
Injured Cristiano still the star
Fans go wild in Lisbon
Mourinho joins in celebrations
Watch Ronaldo's teamtalk
What Ronaldo said to inspire Portugal
Violence in Paris fanzone
Twitter reaction to Ronaldo blow
Moths invade Stade de France...
...and one goes viral
Portugalv.France
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