Portugal players celebrate winning the European Championship with a 1-0 victory over France
So the one-man team become European champions, defeating the host nation without the one man they apparently could not win without.
Portugal, for the first time, claimed a major title by defeating France in Paris, silencing the Stade de France with Eder’s extra-time goal in a game that had been memorable only for Cristiano Ronaldo’s tears after being stretchered off midway through the first-half.
Ronaldo ended the game, left knee heavily strapped, prowling the technical area as though he were the Portugal coach, this victory meaning so much to the former Manchester United forward.
And twelve years after suffering defeat as a host nation to Greece at Euro 2004, Portugal and Ronaldo claimed redemption as France froze on the biggest stage in front of their own supporters.
So the Henri Delaunay Trophy remains in Iberia, with Portugal succeeding back-to-back winners Spain toclaim their crown.
Having spent so much effort in the searing heat of Marseille to overcome Germany in the semi-final on Thursday evening, France needed the backing of a raucous crowd inside the Stade de France to inject energy in Deschamps’ players.
France coach had justifiably complained about his team’s schedule ahead of this game, insisting that just two full days of recovery was insufficient for game of this magnitude, but if the victory against the Germans sapped French physical strength, it certainly energised the nation.
But could the feelgood factor carry Les Bleus over the line against a resilient Portugal team that, for all its inability to put opponents away, had reached this final without losing a game?
As well as physical and mental fatigue, France also had to shrug off the pressure of emulating the teams of 1984 and 1998, which won the European Championships and World Cup respectively on home soil in Paris.
So who would achieve their destiny? Would France claim a unique hat-trick of home victories or would Ronaldo inspire Portugal to their first major title?
Well the game was only eight minutes old before it became clear that Ronaldo would not be single-handedly carrying Portugal to victory.
Having received the ball on the halfway line, Ronaldo was flattened by a clumsy, and reckless, challenge by Payet which went unpunished by referee Mark Clattenburg.
Portugal captain was clearly in discomfort, rolling on the turf while clutching his left knee, which had taken the full force of the impact.
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