Portugal overcomes Ronaldo injury to defeat France in Euro 2016 final

The Portuguese earn their first title in a thrilling match against the hosts of the tournament that had to be decided in extra time

By Roger Gonzalez

Jul 10, 2016 at 5:36 pm ET • 1 min read

No Ronaldo? No problem.

Without Cristiano Ronaldo for the majority of the game due to injury, Portugal saw a goal in extra time from Eder earn them a shocking 1-0 win over France in Sunday's Euro 2016 final. The win gave Portugal its first major international trophy in history. Not even Eusebio's teams of the '60s captured a title. Quite impressive for this unlikely bunch.

Ronaldo was taken off in the first half with a knee injury, and Portugal weathered the storm in regulation and extra time, occasionally getting a look on goal.

Eder, who was substituted on, beat France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris from way out on 109 minutes to give his nation the 1-0 lead. And the team held on the rest of the way.

Eder celebrates the eventual game-winner for Portugal in the Euro final against hosts France. Getty Images

France looked to have won it late in regulation when Andre-Pierre Gignac beat Rui Patricio from close, but his shot hit off the post and went out.

The hosts had more of the chances but just couldn't finish, while Portugal just needed that one struck of genius to conquer the continent.

The win erases the horrors of 2004 for Portugal when they lost the Euro final at home against Greece. 12 years later, France now knows how that feels.