The Euro 2016 final saw Portugal triumph over France in a tense and emotional match. Despite losing their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo to injury early in the game, Portugal rallied to secure a 1-0 victory in extra time, leaving the host nation France heartbroken. Let’s delve into the immediate reactions from both managers and football pundits following this historic clash.
France’s manager, Didier Deschamps, expressed deep disappointment after the defeat. “The disappointment is there and it’s immense,” Deschamps admitted. “There are no words to describe this feeling.” He acknowledged France’s missed opportunities and credited Portugal’s defensive resilience. “Clearly we had our chances but we weren’t cool-headed enough,” Deschamps lamented. Despite the loss, he recognized the positive journey France had undertaken in the tournament, noting, “We must not forget the enthusiasm of millions of people which our run generated.” He also commented on Portugal’s tactical approach, stating, “Portugal are good at stopping you from playing. They play as a unit. Without Cristiano Ronaldo they had one fewer attacking option.” However, Deschamps maintained a positive outlook on his team’s performance, concluding, “We didn’t play a bad game. We went for it.”
In stark contrast, Portugal’s boss Fernando Santos was filled with gratitude and pride. “First of all I’d like to thank God for being with us,” Santos began, expressing his personal emotions before praising his captain, Cristiano Ronaldo. “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.” Santos emphasized the collective spirit of his team and looked optimistically to the future, stating, “We have a bright future but right now we need to celebrate.”
Former England captain Alan Shearer, speaking on Match of the Day, analyzed Portugal’s game plan and praised the winning goal scorer, Eder. “Portugal set their system up and said, ‘this is how we’ll play, come and try to break us down’,” Shearer observed. He lauded Eder’s decisive strike, describing it as “a brilliant goal to win it, he was big and strong. The finish was sublime.”
Danny Murphy, also on Match of the Day, highlighted the unexpected nature of Portugal’s triumph. “It’s an amazing story for a team who weren’t fancied before or during the tournament,” Murphy noted. He emphasized Portugal’s resilience and character, stating, “Portugal have shown they possess character and quality. Tonight they didn’t need Cristiano Ronaldo.” Murphy concluded by underlining Ronaldo’s symbolic importance, “People won’t remember he didn’t play much tonight, they’ll remember he captained them to their first major trophy.”
Thierry Henry, a France 1998 World Cup winner, shared the sadness felt across France. “It’s a sad day,” Henry stated, acknowledging the large Portuguese population in France and the lasting impact of the defeat. He echoed the sentiment of team unity in Portugal’s victory, “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’.”
The Euro 2016 final between Portugal and France will be remembered not only for Portugal’s historic win but also for the drama, emotion, and tactical nuances that unfolded on the pitch, as reflected in the words of those who witnessed it.
