After four long weeks of spectacular soccer from the top 24 teams in Europe, only two teams remain in Euro 2016. Two of Europe’s most well known teams square off for the honour of being crowned champions of Europe as the hosts France face Portugal. History will be written on Sunday and here is how the championship match at Euro 2016 will go down.
France vs Portugal
France enter the match looking to continue their hot streak as a host nation. France has hosted the 1984 Euro and the 1998 World Cup and won both tournaments. France is one of three countries to win the Euro as a host nation, the other teams were Spain in 1964 and Italy in 1968.
In the semi-finals France had arguably their toughest challenge of the tournament going up against Germany. Aside from facing the reigning World Cup champions, France had not beaten Germany in a major tournament since 1958. The first half of the match between the two soccer giants was filled with tension as France endured an early German onslaught. On top of that four yellow cards were given out in the first half with three of them happening within the last three minutes of the half. The France caught a break as they were awarded a penalty kick after a Bastian Schweinsteiger hand ball in the penalty box. Antoine Griezmann would not waste the opportunity by putting Les Bleus up 1-0 with his fifth goal of the tournament. In the second half Griezmann would strike again with his sixth goal of the tournament in the 72nd minute to put France up 2-0. The two goal lead would prove to be plenty for France to come away with the victory to send their country in a patriotic frenzy.
Portugal road to the finals had through one of the tournaments underdogs in Wales. The two countries proved to be evenly matched in the first half as Real Madrid teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale clashing against each other for their countries. In the second half, the Portuguese would strike quickly with two goals to completely catch Wales off guard. First Ronaldo scored a towering header in the 50th minute, then three minutes later Nani would score the dagger to give the Portuguese the 2-0 lead.
The victory puts Portugal in the Euro finals for the first time since 2004 when they hosted the tournament and were upset by the eventual champions Greece. They finally were able to capitalize and get over the hump after making it to the semi-finals for the fourth time in the past five tournaments.
There have been many examples of host country’s not living up to expectations at major tournaments. But France has shown time and time again in this tournament that it hasn’t gotten them. Which is remarkable considering the horrific attack in Paris that happened before the tournament began. Griezmann has been the shining star on a stacked squad for France as he leads the tournament with six goals. His teammates Olivier Giroud and Dimitri Payet are among the six players tied for second place with three goals. After some disappointing finished in recent tournaments France is showing that they are once again a threat in European and world soccer.
Portugal’s success has come by the team realizing that they can’t rely on Ronaldo to do everything for them if they are to win championships. Yes Ronaldo is tied for second in tournament scoring with three goals but he is joined by teammate Nani with three of his own goals along with the emergence of young star Renato Sanches. While their wins haven’t been as flashy as Frances, Portugal has shown that they grind out wins over their opponents as they look to win their country’s first ever major championship.
There’s no doubt that both teams have earned the right to be in the finals and it will be an incredible atmosphere on Sunday in Paris. The French will be riding a high from their fans that I think will give them the edge against the Portuguese. Along with their depth and scoring power they should be able to win their third European championship and second on home soil. Unfortunately for Portugal they will have to wait another two to four years to try and win that elusive first championship.
WINNER: FRANCE