Euro 2016 Final XI feat. Southampton and Newcastle stars

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UEFA Euro 2016 reached its dramatic conclusion on Sunday night as Portugal overcame the odds after the early loss of captain Cristiano Ronaldo to injury, to beat France 1-0 in Saint-Denis after extra-time thanks to a wonder strike by former Swansea loanee Éder. The game that had been built up to potentially be Ronaldo’s final ended in heartbreak on the pitch for Portugal’s talismanic captain, as he was hauled off with a knee injury after 24 minutes following a collision with Dimitri Payet.

Though, in his absence, watching from the side-lines, his tears would transform into unbridled joy as his team-mates stepped up to the plate to win Portugal their first ever trophy. However, who shone to make the best XI of the curtain drawing showpiece final? Let us know your thoughts on the line-up; which is laid out over the next few pages, in the comments section below.

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Coach: Cristiano Ron…(no, of course, it’s): Fernando Santos (Portugal)

After the Portuguese were rocked by Cristiano Ronaldo’s early departure, the way he was animated on the touchline you could be forgiven for mixing him and his manager Fernando Santos up, given the way the Real Madrid star displayed his emotions, hell-bent on getting his hands on the trophy.

In the circumstances, it would have been easy to have crumbled under the pressure of beating back a strong French outfit buoyed by a raucous crowd baying for blood and the coveted silverware in their home arena. Portugal did not, and much of that is owed to their manager who ensured they were well drilled and disciplined defensively, always looked to close France down, and were constantly a threat on the counter.

Santos has been a strong tactician throughout Euro 2016, aided by one star man, and even when he appeared lost early on, it was clear that the Portuguese had a game plan.  It was as the match wore on and ticked over into extra-time that Portugal emerged from their deep-lying position and executed their plan, boxing in their opposition, as Les Bleus ran out of ideas to break through their stubborn rear-guard. It was then that they threw on Éder to go for the win, who
subsequently pounced to steal away the silverware from the host nation.

Defensively tough, resilient and impeccably organised by their coach to keep a clean sheet on the biggest occasion, Santos deservedly earns all the plaudits from a final which yielded Portuguese football’s finest hour.

Formation: 4-1-2-3

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Goalkeeper: Rui Patricio (Portugal)

A contender for man of the match on the night, Rui Patricio came alive on the big occasion and kept his team in it when called upon with a string of fantastic saves to keep the French at bay. He pulled out two superb stops to deny Antoine Griezmann, whilst also frustrating Olivier Giroud, and had to be alert to beat away a stinging long range effort from Moussa Sissoko in the dying embers of the game.

When Portugal’s resilient defence was rarely breached, Patricio was up to the task to save his team. A clean sheet in any major final is admirable, but on the big stage to win your country a first major honour is nothing short of sensational. He deservedly takes his place between the sticks here.

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Right-Back: Cédric Soares (Portugal)

The Southampton right-back looked adventurous, getting forward early on with a great ball to give Nani an early chance, and was solid in defence throughout the game in how he marshalled Dimitri Payet. He had more trouble in the second half as Moussa Sissoko drifted over to his side of the field, but performed reasonably well against Kingsley Coman. His busy night in defence, as well as getting forward, is enough to edge out Bacary Sagna to the position.

Centre-Back: Pepe (Portugal)

Given this performance, you could easily forget Pepe’s history of hot-headed actions and lack of sportsmanship. His performance in Portugal’s biggest game was outstanding, and he relished his physical duel with Olivier Giroud. In truth, the Real Madrid veteran shackled the Arsenal man throughout the contest.

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His resolve seemed to stiffen after Ronaldo’s exit, and he provided all of the necessary leadership on the field. He was as determined as any to get Portugal over the line for his Real Madrid team-mate, and frustrated France with his superb reading of the game and key interceptions.

Centre-Back: José Fonte (Portugal)

It is remarkable to think that once upon a time, this man was playing League One football with Southampton. His performance here capped his rise through the football echelons with his club, and on the biggest stage he looked more a seasoned international than ever before, with a fantastic defensive performance alongside the excellent Pepe.

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Fonte exhibited spirit and tenacity in the heart of the defence for his country, and was quick out of the back-line to block when the French even contemplated a shooting opportunity. His grit, guile and determination in the final epitomised the hard-working team ethic of this Portugal team, and it yielded the ultimate reward.

Left-Back: Raphael Guerreiro (Portugal)

The young Borussia Dortmund full-back looked cautious with regards to bursting forward and joining the attack, but began to look increasingly adventurous and threatening as Portugal grew into the game.

He looked comfortable on the ball and made up for his lack of overlapping play with his strong defensive performance, and he almost won the game himself before Éder’s big moment, curling a left-footed free-kick against the underside of Hugo Lloris’ bar.