A keen contest is expected tonight in Paris as France and Portugal battle for the top prize in the final game of the Euro 2016 Championships.
Indeed, plenty is at stake for the two teams tonight – victory for France this evening will see them win a European Championship on home soil for the second time.
Didier Deschamps’ squad have the chance to match the triumph of Euro 1984, when Michel Platini scored a tournament record of nine goals on route to lifting the trophy.
Inspired by their talismanic captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal are looking to win their first major tournament, having lost 1-0 to Greece in their only other appearance in a European Championship final in 2004.
Team News
Portugal starting XI: Patricio, Pepe, Fonte, Guerreiro, Cedric, A Silva, Sanches, W Carvalho, Mario, Ronaldo, Nani
France Starting XI: Lloris, Evra, Sagna, Koscielny, Umtiti, Sissoko, Pogba, Matuidi, Payet, Giroud, Griezmann
Follow our live updates of the match below.
Portugal are in all red while France are in blue. Our match referee is Englishman, Mark Clattenburg.
Did you Know – Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 61 goals for Portugal while Les Bleus’ starting XI have 56 goals
1’ – A misplaced pass from Pepe is almost capitalized on by Antoine Griezmann
3’ – It is already looking like it would be a midfield battle
4′ – Nani catches Koscielny unawares and goes against Lloris but his shot is wayward – sign of nerves
5” – Sissoko with a great chance in front of the box but he blazes wide
6’ – Griezmann shoots wide though the angle to goal was tough and wide
8′ – Payet catches Ronaldo on the knee and the Portuguese superstar lies prone and requires treatment. Payet offers his apologies
Ronaldo has been largely anonymous in the opening quarter of an hour or so, with the exception of being on the end of that challenge from Payet.
France are the better side so far with more chances than Portugal
France start the second half on a high tempo again
47′ Pogba fires a shot but it is a long way from goal. He goes for a half-volley, but it flies a long way over.
48′ It is very much a tense game between the two teams, who will break the deadlock… France or Portugal who are sorely missing Ronaldo at the moment.
49′ France make their first change West Ham’s Dimitri Payet is out and Kingsley Coman comes in as replacement.
64′ Coman makes instant impact as he slips a pass into Griezmann, and his low effort forces Patricio into a low stop at his near post.
65′ We have gone past the hour-mark and it is still goalless.
67′ Mark Clattenburg’ hands Joao Mario becomes the second yellow card tonight after a cynical trip on Giroud.
71′ France miss a glorious CHANCE! Griezmann is unmarked inside the box but heads Coman cross over the bar
At 71 minute Portugal yet to get a shot on target.
72′ Portugal makes their own substitution as Joao Moutinho comes on for Adrien Silva.
80′ France make another change as Giroud is taken out
85′ Nani standing up for Portugal in Ronaldo’s absence but his latest. Effort goes over the bar
90′ We could be going into extra time as game remains barren at the moment.
Three Minutes extra time given by the center referee
END OF 90 MINUTES: Portugal 0-0 France
Extra time begins at the Stade de France. We have two half (s) of 15 minute each
AET 4′ Close!!! Portugal quite close to getting the lead…Pepe rises high but his header was just wide from Quaresma’s free kick. The effort counts for less as linesman’s flag is raised anyway, though
AET 5′ Matuidi and William Carvalho get yellow cards in quick succession.
HALF TIME IN EXTRA TIME: Portugal 0-0 France
AET 15′ Teams resume for the second half of extra time!… Can we get a winner here or this will be decided by penalties
AET 16′ Yellow card for Koscielny as Portugal get free kick in dangerous position
AET 17′ Goal!!!! Elder breaks the deadlock
Amazing for Portugal Eder a former Swansea forward now a national hero
AET 25′ Anthony Martial on for Sissoko… Can the Manchester United star rescue France from defeat??
France are piling all the pressure on the Portugal defence … can they hold on through but meanwhile Pogba is the latest player o be yellow carded for a trip on Joao Mario.
2 mins added time. Portugal holding on at Stade de France
Final whistle !!!!!!! Portugal wins it
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