Portugal Wins Euro 2016 Without Ronaldo, And Proves Its Worth As A Team

Portugal Wins Euro 2016 Without Ronaldo, And Proves Its Worth As A Team

Portugal stuns the world by winning Euro 2016 against France, even though they had to play most of the match without their captain and the most dependable pillar, Cristiano Ronaldo. In the 24th min, an injured Ronaldo left the ground on a stretcher, after struggling for a long time with a thigh injury that he sustained as a result of a massive challenge by France’s Dimitri Payet and Patrice Evra.

Portugal Wins Euro 2016 Without Ronaldo, And Proves Its Worth As A Team

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While Ronaldo moved out in tears after putting Nani in charge of the team, Portugal fans feared that their Euro dream was going to be crushed. France, too, seemed to become too confident when one of their major threats got eliminated from the match. On the other hand, the tension of team Portugal was evident, as they started to reel under pressure. However, they were also determined to grab the trophy.

Portugal Wins Euro 2016 Without Ronaldo, And Proves Its Worth As A Team

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For a long time, the world of football had maintained that Portugal’s only threat is Cristiano Ronaldo, that he is the only player on the team who is actually a match-winner. The value of Portugal as a team had not been recognized until the Euro 2016 final clash. While Ronaldo’s injury and exit from the match was one of the most heartbreaking things that could happen, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as Portugal proved its worth as a team.

Cristiano Ronaldo told me I would score the winner, reveals Portugal's hero Eder

Ronaldo had to leave the match in the 24th min, and team Portugal had to take over the responsibility of lifting the cup not just for the country or to honour their injured captain, but also to prove a point – that Ronaldo is not the only Portuguese football star, and that the team was not dependent on just one player for a win. Even amid their nervousness, they continued to block France’s efforts and close chances, until Eder changed the game in the last moment.

Portugal Wins Euro 2016 Without Ronaldo, And Proves Its Worth As A Team

The team managed to take advantage of France’s overconfidence. Portugal substitute Eder emerged as the star of the match, as he scored the match-winning goal in the second half of the extra time! Portugal thus turned out to be Europe’s best for this season, and they finally changed their status as a strong and popular team without any recent major tournament trophy, and they also proved that team Portugal is not ‘only Ronaldo’.