The Euro 2016 final between Portugal and France was a rollercoaster of emotions, culminating in an unexpected victory for Portugal that stunned the host nation. Despite losing their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo to injury early in the game, Portugal showcased resilience and tactical prowess to overcome a favored French side on their home turf. The aftermath of the match was filled with contrasting emotions, from the immense disappointment of France to the joyous celebrations of Portugal, marking a historic moment in football.
France’s manager Didier Deschamps expressed the deep disappointment felt by his team and the nation. “The disappointment is there and it’s immense,” Deschamps lamented, struggling to articulate the feeling of falling short on such a grand stage. He acknowledged the opportunities France had but pointed to a lack of composure in crucial moments. “Clearly we had our chances but we weren’t cool-headed enough,” he stated. Despite the defeat, Deschamps recognized the positive journey and the wave of national support, noting, “We must not forget the enthusiasm of millions of people which our run generated.” He defended his team’s approach, stating, “We did not play with the brakes on,” but conceded Portugal’s defensive strength, “Portugal are good at stopping you from playing. They play as a unit.” Deschamps also highlighted the impact of Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence on Portugal’s attack, observing that without him, “they had one fewer attacking option.” However, ultimately, he concluded, “We didn’t play a bad game. We went for it,” yet it wasn’t enough to secure the coveted trophy.
In stark contrast, Portugal’s coach Fernando Santos was overcome with emotion and gratitude. “First of all I’d like to thank God for being with us,” Santos began, reflecting the magnitude of the achievement. He extended thanks to his family and poignantly mentioned his late father, “My father wherever he is, he’s probably having a few beers.” Santos lauded Cristiano Ronaldo’s leadership and influence, even after his injury substitution. “Cristiano Ronaldo is an amazing example. Today he tried to remain on the pitch. He was very strong in the locker room, he helped all of the boys, that’s the definition of teamwork.” Looking ahead, Santos was optimistic, “We have a bright future but right now we need to celebrate,” emphasizing the significance of the present victory while acknowledging future potential.
Former England captain Alan Shearer, analyzing the game, highlighted Portugal’s tactical strategy and Eder’s decisive goal. “Portugal set their system up and said, ‘this is how we’ll play, come and try to break us down’,” Shearer explained, praising Portugal’s defensive solidity. He described Eder’s winning goal as “brilliant,” emphasizing the player’s physicality and skillful finish: “It was a brilliant goal to win it, he was big and strong. The finish was sublime.”
Danny Murphy, another former England midfielder, emphasized the unexpected nature of Portugal’s triumph and their resilience throughout the tournament. “It’s an amazing story for a team who weren’t fancied before or during the tournament,” Murphy noted, underlining Portugal’s underdog status. He praised their character and quality, stating, “Portugal have shown they possess character and quality.” Murphy further highlighted the collective effort, observing, “Tonight they didn’t need Cristiano Ronaldo. People won’t remember he didn’t play much tonight, they’ll remember he captained them to their first major trophy,” emphasizing the symbolic importance of Ronaldo’s captaincy in Portugal’s Euro 2016 victory.
Thierry Henry, a France 1998 World Cup winner, captured the somber mood in France. “It’s a sad day,” Henry somberly stated, acknowledging the disappointment felt across the nation, especially given the large Portuguese community in France. “We have a lot of Portuguese in France. We’ll hear about this for a looong time.” Henry pointed to the team aspect of Portugal’s victory, even with Ronaldo’s early exit, concluding, “You can only win a tournament as a team – perfect example, Ronaldo comes out and Portugal win it. It was like, ‘let’s do it for him’,” suggesting Ronaldo’s injury galvanized the Portuguese team to fight for victory in his honor. The Euro 2016 final remains a significant chapter in football history, remembered for Portugal’s unlikely triumph and the contrasting emotions that defined the night in Paris.
