Updated Jun. 28, 2024
“No one believed in us,” Cristiano Ronaldo declared, tears welling in his eyes, eight years ago. “No one believed in Portugal.” These words, filled with raw emotion, echoed the sentiment surrounding Portugal’s improbable journey to win the European Championship in 2016. This victory remains etched in history as Ronaldo’s sole major international trophy, a testament to perseverance against all odds.
As the legendary 39-year-old Ronaldo gears up for Euro 2024 and Portugal’s Round of 16 showdown with Slovenia, it’s crucial to revisit the remarkable Euro 2016 campaign. It wasn’t a straightforward path to glory; instead, it was a rollercoaster of near misses, questionable form, and moments of sheer desperation. This victory, against the backdrop of widespread doubt, makes the Final Euro Cup 2016 triumph all the more captivating.
Why were the skeptics so vocal? Unlike the current Portuguese squad, brimming with talent and depth, the 2016 team was perceived as lacking. Even with Ronaldo’s consistent goal-scoring prowess, questions lingered about their ability to compete with Europe’s elite. Their journey through Euro 2016 did little to dispel these doubts, constantly teetering on the brink of elimination.
The tournament began with Ronaldo’s frustration boiling over, as he infamously tossed a reporter’s microphone into a lake. On the field, Portugal struggled to break down Iceland’s defense in their opening group game. Ronaldo’s post-match comments, dismissing Iceland’s “small mentality” and predicting they “wouldn’t get anywhere,” soon backfired spectacularly. Iceland, a nation of just 330,000 people, defied expectations and ultimately humbled England in the knockout stages.
Cristiano Ronaldo frustrated during a Euro 2016 match, showcasing his passion and the team's struggles in the tournament.
Further stumbles followed. Ronaldo missed a penalty against Austria, adding to Portugal’s woes. Against Hungary, they found themselves trailing three times, relying on Ronaldo’s brilliance to score two equalizing goals and salvage a draw. Portugal limped through the group stage, finishing third and only advancing due to the expanded 24-team format – a format they exploited to its fullest potential.
Under the guidance of coach Fernando Santos, Portugal embarked on an improbable knockout journey. However, their path to the final Euro Cup 2016 was far from dominant. Remarkably, they won only one of their seven games in regulation time – a 2-0 victory over Wales in the semi-final.
Their third-place group finish inadvertently placed them on the less challenging side of the bracket, avoiding powerhouses like Spain, England, Germany, France, and Italy until the final. Even then, their knockout matches were nail-bitingly close. Ricardo Quaresma’s 117th-minute extra-time goal was needed to overcome Croatia in the Round of 16. Against Poland in the quarter-finals, a comeback and penalty shootout were required to progress.
The final Euro Cup 2016 against France provided the ultimate drama. Just minutes into the match, a collision with Dimitri Payet forced Ronaldo off the field with a knee injury. His dream of leading Portugal to victory seemed shattered. Yet, despite his personal heartbreak, Ronaldo transformed into an inspirational figure on the sidelines, passionately cheering and directing his teammates. Substitute Eder, an unlikely hero, etched his name into Portuguese football folklore with a stunning extra-time winner.
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrating Portugal's Euro 2016 victory, showcasing his leadership and the team's underdog triumph.
In the aftermath of the final whistle, amidst the euphoria of victory, none of the previous struggles mattered. “Very happy, very happy,” Ronaldo expressed to reporters, his voice filled with emotion. “It was something I tried for so many times since 2004, praying that I would get one more opportunity. The Portuguese people needed it and the players needed it.”
He continued, “It is one of the happiest moments of my career. I won so many things with my club, individually. I always said that I wanted to win a championship with the Portugal team, to make history, and I won.”
Looking ahead to Euro 2024, Portugal appears a more formidable force. However, a recent defeat to Georgia, even with rotated starters, has served as a reminder that complacency can be costly. Coach Roberto Martinez believes this setback, and a previous friendly loss to Slovenia, will sharpen their focus for the knockout stages.
“This is not a friendly, it’s the knockout stage and it is very important for us,” Martinez stated. “Losing (against Georgia) will prepare our team better from a mental standpoint.”
Can Portugal channel the adversity of the past, mirroring their improbable final Euro Cup 2016 run? Only time will tell, but the memory of that unexpected triumph serves as a powerful source of inspiration.
