The year was 2016, and the stage was set in France for the 15th edition of the European Championship. For decades, Portugal, a nation brimming with footballing talent, had been knocking on the door of international glory. They had come agonizingly close before, most notably as hosts of Euro 2004, where they suffered a heartbreaking final defeat. But Euro 2016 was different. This was the year Portugal finally ascended to the summit of European football. Spearheaded by the iconic Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal’s journey to victory was far from straightforward, marked by resilience, tactical shifts, and an unexpected hero. Let’s delve into the story of Who Won Euro 2016 and how Portugal etched their name into European Championship history.
The Pragmatic Approach of Fernando Santos
At the helm of Portugal was Fernando Santos, a coach known for his pragmatic and results-oriented approach. Santos had built a solid coaching career in Portugal and Greece, even guiding Greece to the knockout stages of Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup. Taking over the Portuguese national team after a shaky start to their qualifying campaign, Santos instilled a sense of solidity and discipline. This Portugal team was arguably less flamboyant than previous generations, but they were undeniably more resilient and difficult to beat. Gone was the free-flowing attacking football often associated with Portugal; in its place was a structured, defensively sound unit capable of grinding out results. Santos transformed Portugal into a team that prioritized tactical organization and efficiency, a stark contrast to their previous more expansive styles.
Fernando Santos pragmatic approach with Portugal national team
An Unconventional Path Through the Group Stage
Portugal’s Euro 2016 campaign began inauspiciously. In fact, they navigated the entire group stage without a single victory. Their tournament opener against Iceland ended in a frustrating 1-1 draw, a match remembered as much for Cristiano Ronaldo’s dismissive comments about Iceland’s celebrations as for the result itself. Ronaldo infamously criticized Iceland’s “small mentality,” a statement that ironically contrasted with Iceland’s subsequent success in the tournament. A goalless draw against Austria followed, a game where Ronaldo even missed a penalty. The group stage culminated in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Hungary, a rollercoaster match where Portugal trailed three times.
These three draws were enough to see Portugal scrape through to the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed teams. The expanded 24-team format of Euro 2016 proved to be a lifeline for Portugal. In previous Euros, their group stage performance would have meant elimination. However, their passage as a third-place team placed them on the less daunting side of the knockout bracket. While football powerhouses like Spain, Italy, France, Germany, and England were clustered on the other side, Portugal, alongside Croatia and Belgium, became the perceived frontrunners in their half of the draw.
Iceland Euro 2016 celebrations after drawing with Portugal
Tactical Flexibility: Adapting to Win
Historically, Portugal had been renowned for producing gifted wingers but often lacked a world-class center-forward. While players like Nuno Gomes and Pauleta were effective, the spotlight in 2016 was firmly on Cristiano Ronaldo. Although primarily playing from the left for Real Madrid, the absence of a traditional number nine prompted Santos to adjust Portugal’s formation. He shifted towards a 4-4-2, or sometimes a 4-1-3-2, providing Ronaldo the freedom to operate in his preferred inside-left channel. Nani mirrored this role on the right flank, albeit with slightly deeper positioning, while the midfield was typically comprised of four central players, sometimes resembling a diamond, other times a flat four.
This tactical tweak essentially involved sacrificing a conventional striker for an additional central midfielder, requiring adjustments from the entire team. It was a pragmatic shift, prioritizing control and defensive stability over outright attacking flair. While Portugal’s goalscoring output wasn’t prolific – nine goals in effectively eight matches considering extra time – their tactical discipline allowed them to control games both in possession and defensively. Dynamic movement and intelligent space utilization were key, with Raphael Guerreiro providing width on the left and either Nani or the right-sided midfielder fulfilling that role on the opposite side.
Portugal Euro 2016 Tactical Formation
Key Players: Ronaldo and Pepe’s Leadership
Cristiano Ronaldo was undoubtedly the talisman of the team, and later that year, he would claim the Ballon d’Or. He scored three crucial goals in the tournament and led the line admirably. However, his influence extended beyond his on-field contributions. Even after being injured in the final, Ronaldo remained a vocal and inspirational leader from the sidelines.
Yet, arguably the standout performer for Portugal throughout Euro 2016 was the veteran center-back Pepe. At 33 years old, Pepe showcased maturity and composure that belied his earlier reputation as a fiery, sometimes reckless defender. He was a colossus in the air and a rock at the heart of Portugal’s defense. Despite a thigh injury that forced him to miss the semi-final and train separately before the final, Pepe delivered a man-of-the-match performance against France, effectively nullifying the host nation’s attack. His transformation into a calm and reliable defensive leader was instrumental to Portugal’s success.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe celebrating Euro 2016 victory
The Final in Paris: Overcoming Adversity
The Euro 2016 final at the Stade de France pitted Portugal against the host nation, France. Echoes of Euro 2004, where Portugal lost the final at home, loomed large. Adding an unusual element to the final was an infestation of moths, attracted by the stadium lights left on overnight, creating a surreal backdrop to the pre-match ceremonies.
The game itself took a dramatic turn early on when Cristiano Ronaldo sustained a knee injury within the first 10 minutes, eventually being substituted in the 25th minute. His replacement was Ricardo Quaresma, a talented but inconsistent winger. Portugal reorganized into a 4-5-1 formation, with Nani as the lone striker, and their attacking threat diminished considerably. They didn’t register a shot on target until the 80th minute.
France, despite having the tournament’s top scorer and best player in Antoine Griezmann, also struggled to break down Portugal’s resilient defense. Moussa Sissoko proved to be France’s most dangerous attacker, a box-to-box midfielder operating from the right wing, highlighting France’s own attacking frustrations. Both teams hit the woodwork – Andre-Pierre Gignac for France in normal time and Raphael Guerreiro for Portugal in extra time – underlining the tense and tight nature of the final.
Moths at Stade de France during Euro 2016 final
Eder: The Unlikely Hero of Euro 2016
The decisive moment arrived in extra time, courtesy of an unexpected source. Eder, a striker born in Guinea-Bissau who had moved to Portugal as a child, became an instant national hero. Having had a largely unremarkable club career and limited playing time in the tournament, Eder was introduced as a substitute late in the game.
With just eight minutes of extra time remaining, Eder collected the ball, shrugged off Laurent Koscielny, and unleashed a powerful low shot from 25 yards that beat Hugo Lloris in the French goal. It was a stunning goal, a moment of individual brilliance that secured Portugal’s first-ever major international trophy. Eder, the unlikely hero, became synonymous with Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph. His goal also served as a poignant reminder of Portugal’s diverse national team, with roots stretching across continents, echoing the contributions of other Portuguese internationals of African origin like Eusebio, Mario Coluna, and William Carvalho.
Eder celebrating his goal in Euro 2016 final
Were Portugal Truly the Best Team of Euro 2016?
Statistically, Portugal’s path to victory was unconventional, to say the least. No wins in the group stage, a late winner against Croatia, a penalty shootout victory over Poland, and another extra-time winner in the final against France. Portugal led for a mere 11% of the tournament. Arguably, teams like France, Germany, or even Italy might have been considered to have played better overall.
However, football is not always about being the best team; it’s about winning. Portugal demonstrated incredible resilience, tactical adaptability, and a never-say-die attitude. Euro 2016 was perhaps not a tournament where Portugal dominated, but it was a testament to their growth as a footballing nation. After decades of near misses and unfulfilled potential, Portugal’s Euro 2016 victory was a deserved reward for their consistent development and a historic moment for Portuguese football. They may not have been the most dominant team, but when the final whistle blew in Paris, it was Portugal who stood as the champions of Europe, answering definitively who won Euro 2016.
(Top photo: Pressefoto Ulmer via Getty Images)
