Euro 2016: Portugal crowned champions after Cristiano Ronaldo goes off injured

Eder, who couldn’t get a game or a goal at Swansea, won the Euro 2016 final for Portugal tonight, his late strike in the 2nd half of extra-time taking the Portuguese to glory over hosts France.

The Lille striker hardlt featured throughout the tournament, and probably wouldn’t have gotten onto the pitch tonight if it weren’t for the early injury to Cristiano Ronaldo.

That meant that Fernando Santos had to use his third substitute in extra-time, and Eder repaid the faith with a sensational goal, which proved the winner.

Injured Ronaldo’s ecstatic celebration

And no one enjoyed Eder’s goal more than Ronaldo, who had been forced off injured in the 25th minute.

Most neutrals expected France to go on and comfortably win once Ronaldo went off, but the Real Madrid man rallied the troops from the sideline, and became the de facto manager by the time extra-time came around.

The pictures of Ronaldo rallying and encouraging his teammates when the chips were down showed what a great leader and captain he is.

Ronaldo suffered for the final 10 minutes, and was even seen reminding the ref of the time left, and when the final whistle finally blew, he let his emotions come flying out.

The moment Eder knew he had found the net ⚽#EURO2016 #PORFRA pic.twitter.com/EQb6tvDy2i
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 10, 2016

This finally proves that Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest player-manager of all time. #Euro2016Final
— Brooks Peck (@BrooksDT) July 10, 2016

Cristiano Ronaldo is soon to be the first ever person to win the Ballon d'or and manager of the year surely… pic.twitter.com/ds1VZC1oLg
— Club Clobber (@ClubClobber) July 10, 2016

https://twitter.com/GoonerGordo/status/752254725131759616

Eder failed to score in 90 mins against York City last August.
— Dave Flett (@daveflettpress) July 10, 2016

Cristiano Ronaldo in tears at Eder's goal for #POR
Happy tears! pic.twitter.com/MSxHDWw1P5
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) July 10, 2016

He couldn't get in the Swansea team but Eder has scored a belter and #POR are on the brink of winning #Euro2016 pic.twitter.com/PYh2huaIJ3
— Ladbrokes (@Ladbrokes) July 10, 2016