How Ronaldo Could Well be Responsible for Portugal’s Euro 2016 Win

With just 13 minutes of match time before the final, Eder came on in the 79th minute to score the lone goal.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, left, and Eder celebrate at the end of the Euro 2016 final . (Photo: AP)

Cristiano Ronaldo predicted Portugal’s Euro 2016 hero Eder would score the winning goal in their 1-0 extra-time triumph over France, said the lucky striker Eder after the finale. He also added that his skipper’s confidence and strength helped him pull off the biggest moment in the country’s football history.

Eder came on in the 79th minute and, having played only 13 minutes at the tournament before his introduction, struck the winner with a venomous long-range strike in the 109th minute.

Portugal’s Eder, centre, celebrates after scoring the only goal of the Euro 2016 final. (Photo: AP)

Portugal were outsiders to win the final and were dealt a significant blow early on when their talismanic captain Ronaldo had to be replaced through injury in the 25th minute.

Eder, who plays for French side Lille, said his captain’s words had inspired him to make the decisive contribution.

(Ronaldo) told me I would score the winning goal for the team. He gave me this strength, this energy and it was vital. It was a goal I’ve been working for from the first minute of the Euros.

Eder to O Jogo

France’s Antoine Griezmann reacts after missing an opportunity to score during the Euro 2016 final. (Photo: AP)

France had better chances in regular time but were unable to capitalise on their superiority despite Ronaldo’s exit.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos brought on Eder for Renato Sanches and he broke the deadlock in the extra period after muscling his way past defender Laurent Koscielny before firing a low right-foot shot into the corner of Hugo Lloris’s goal.

“The disappointment is immense,” his club Lille wrote on their official Twitter account, “but there is considerable pride to be able to count such an attacker in our ranks.”

Eder’s winner gave Portugal their first major title and ended a run of 10 straight defeats by France since 1975.