Sunday's European Championship final was overshadowed in part by an injury to Cristiano Ronaldo, which was overshadowed in part by the appearance of a moth.
Allegedly because of safety reasons, the floodlights were left on at the Stade de France the night before the game, which resulted in a moth infestation, which resulted in a moth landing on Ronaldo's face as he came to terms that his Euro 2016 race was run.
Sunday was the conclusion of Euro 2016, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal securing their first-ever Euro title. Not only was this the first time Portugal has won the UEFA European Championship, it was also the first time they had beaten France since 1975.
The victory also marked the first time Ronaldo has helped his country win a major tournament, one of the only accomplishments that was missing from his legendary resume. But, even though Sunday was a day to celebrate for Portugal and Ronaldo, the question can be asked: was it a good or bad day for Ronaldo's legacy?
France's Antoine Griezmann collected the Euro 2016 Golden Boot by scoring six goals, to go along with two assists, and he was also named the player of the tournament by UEFA’s technical observers.
It’s a question that has divided football fans for years now, and we’ve finally been provided a definitive, solid answer. Regardless of where your allegiances previously held court, either with the diminutive, technically gifted Argentine or the more robust, 18-yard box dwelling Portuguese, we now know once and for all who’s the better player.
It wasn’t pretty, but Portugal have defeated France in the Euro 2016 final. The hosts were more threatening throughout, but Eder struck in the 109th minute of extra time to defeat France 1-0 at the Stade de France.
Portugal were the first team to advance to the knockout rounds of a major international tournament without winning a game, but they’re the final team standing after a month of engrossing football in France.
Ronaldo out after an injury to his left knee. These are words that any fan of team Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo did not want to hear in the Euro 2016 final versus France. Least of all the Madrid man himself.
After an early challenge in which Dimitri Payet collided with Ronaldo, impacting his left knee, the Portugal captain went down clearly in pain.
France take on Portugal in the Euro 2016 final on Sunday in what promises to be a titanic battle.
Oh, who are we kidding?
Portugal are going to play the same blasé football that they have for the entire tournament, and we can only hope that France break their defense early enough to make them come out of their shell. Otherwise, get ready for a long battle of attrition, and possibly penalties.
Anyways, following that cheery outlook on proceedings, let's take a look at some of the interesting facts coming into this match.
The stage is set for the final of UEFA Euro 2016, and it’s France vs. Portugal at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. Here's how to watch on TV, online and streaming the UEFA Euro 2016 Final between France and Portugal.
Over 80,000 spectators will watch Paul Pogba, Dimitri Payet and Antoine Griezmann take on Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani and Renato Sanches. The match kicks off on Sunday, July 10 at 3 p.m. ET.
The potential is there to make the England national team job an unheralded success, just not right now.
Euro 2016 outlined emphatically how a mixture of mental fragility and poor coaching results in outlandish failure, to the point of embarrassment and humiliation on a mass scale.
Too often the discussion revolves around potential that should be realized rather than world-class performances that actually are on show at major tournaments.
Much like Spain in the 1990s, the talent at the disposal of any incoming manager should be an appealing prospect.
Six years ago, the France national team was on strike at the World Cup. Two years ago, the German national team was celebrating their World Cup triumph. Earlier today, the Germans were bossing the French around like the varsity scrimmaging the JV in practice. How things can change in a hurry.
The first half, as mentioned, was a lecture in everything this German generation has become known for. For stretches, they barely let one of the best teams in the world out of their own half. Then it became a lecture in everything they've become known for not doing.