BY RIZWAN REHMAT
PARIS: Portugal yesterday broke French hearts by beating the hosts 1-0 in the final to bag their first European Championship title following an extra-time battle at Stade de France.
Lille striker Eder fired a long-range goal in the second half of the extra time to seal Portugal's trophy glory after star striker Cristiano Ronaldo walked off the pitch in the 25th minute with an injured knee.
It was Portugal's first win over France in 11 meetings since 1975.
Eder, 28, outran France's Laurent Koscielny and then quickly fired a low, right-foot shot to beat the dive of France captain Hugo Lloris in the 109th minute.
France, the two-time European champions, rued a number of missed chances in a game that was watched by political elite of the country and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Portugal, coached by Fernando Santos, regained composure quickly following the unexpected substitution of Ronaldo who had the game stopped three times before finally being stretchered off.
It was a memorable night for Portugal who lost the 2004 Euro final to Greece.
In the 4th minute, striker Nani was served with a well-timed loopy ball but the former Manchester United misfired his shot as the ball flew over the French crossbar in the 4th minute.
After Nani's early attack, there was bad news for Portugal fans as Ronaldo, 31, walked off the pitch with a knee injury in the 25th minute.
Ronaldo bravely tried to carry on with a heavily bandaged knee but finally gave up to leave the final. He was stretchered off the pitch as replacement Ricardo Quaresma was called in by coach Santos.
The Real Madrid star pulled up three times, causing game stoppage on each occasion. Ronaldo suffered the injury after being harshly challenged by France's midfielder Dimitri Payet.
A little later, influential French striker Antoine Griezmann came close to scoring but his snap-header was tipped over the bar by Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio.
In the 34th minute, France midfielder Moussa Sissoko fired a bullet after dodging a Portugal defender but his shot powerful shot was blocked by Patricio.
In the second half, substitute Kingsley Coman's corner kick was headed just above the Portugal crossbar by Griezmann. In the 80th minute, Nani curled in a beautiful ball that was saved by Lloris.
In the dying seconds of the second half, Ande-Pierre Gignac beat Pepe and Jose Fonte after a low cross close to the goalmouth but his shot hit the goalpost.
Early in the second half, Portugal's Raphael Guerreiro hit the crossbar off a free-kick but a few moments later, Eder fired a long-range bullet for the first goal of the tense final.
The Peninsula
