A brilliant strike by Eder clinched Portugal's first major title, a 1-0 victory over host France in the 2016 European soccer championships.
Eder's goal after 109 minutes brought an unlikely first triumph for his country, after captain and talisman Cristiano Ronaldo left because of injury midway through the first half.
The moment Portugal lifted the trophy! #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/9XF5mMgb9v
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) July 10, 2016
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France's dominant start kept Portugal pegged firmly back in its end of the field. And then, Ronaldo was carried off in tears after failing to recover from a Dimitri Payet challenge that jarred his left knee.
The incident sapped life from the match. Portugal was content to exploit the counter-attack, while France appeared wary of committing too many men forward to capitalize on its momentum.
Herói! #Euro2016 #POR #PORFRA #Euro2016Final pic.twitter.com/hpR6Youd8U
— selecaoportugal (@selecaoportugal) July 10, 2016
Eder was a late-game substitute, entering in the 79th minute. He got an opening from 25 yards, moving to his right, and delivered this shot.
Pure class Eder. pic.twitter.com/v2fE4kSoys
— Utkarsh. (@iUtkarshJoshi) July 10, 2016
Three days earlier, France defeated nemesis Germany to reach the final. Its way to the championship seemed clear while playing at Stade de France. Loss was unimaginable.
And yet, Portugal won. France saw its 18-game unbeaten streak in competitive matches at home snapped.
Éderzito António Macedo Lopes, 28, plays professionally for France's Lille OSC. It was his first goal in a competitive match. It was Portugal's first win over France since 1975, a streak that stood at 10 matches.