Encomium
The glamourous Euro 2016 ended yesterday (July 10, 2016) at the historic Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris, after a thrilling final between the host nation France and Portugal in a game that Portugal won (1-0) via an extra time goal by Eder in the 109th minute, with fans pouring out to the streets worldwide to celebrate Portugal’s first European Championship.
Portugal wasn’t tipped as tournament favourite from the onset. They justified it by finishing group F third after which they managed to secure an extra time win in the 1-0 victory over Croatia to reach the quarter-final.
They started drawing attention following the defeating of Poland 6-5 on penalties after playing 1-1 in regular and extra time in the quarter-final fixtures. They consolidated their place as contenders by defeating Wales 2-0 in the semi-final to book a space in the final against host France.
Fans of both sides were tensed up as they watch their team play 0-0 at the end of the regular time and first half of the extra time match that saw both sides losing several goal scoring opportunities with Gignac hiting the woodwork for France in the 91 minute while Raphael of Portugal lovely left footed free kick smacked the crossbar in the 108 minute.
There was an eruption of jubilation among the Portuguese supporters in the stadium and around the world when Eder right footed shot from a distance found the back of the net in the 109th minute.
As the referee blew his whistle to signal the end of the game, it was wide jubilation for Portugal supporters worldwide.
According to the Daily mail report, flags were waved from cars as jubilant fans celebrated in the streets of Paris, Lisbon, Porto, Lyon, Bodeaux and even Geneva after the game with hundreds of fans, young and old waving the red and green flag celebrating the country’s first major tournament win.
However, the French fans were in total despair and disappointment has they watch injured Cristiano Ronaldo lift the trophy for Portugal in their home ground.
