Euro 2016 comes to a close with a historic 1-0 victory for Portugal to end France’s hopes of winning the tournament on their home soil again and give A Selecao their first ever win at an international tournament. This is the team of the final match at Euro 2016.
Goalkeeper: Rui Patricio
Rui Patricio has had an excellent tournament with Portugal and had one of the best goalkeeping performances of the entire tournament against France in the final. The Sporting CP goalkeeper made 7 stunning saves to keep France out. Patricio also completed 83% of his passes, claimed 2 crosses and was the main reason why France could not score a goal on the night. Rui Patricio was Portugal’s best player in the final and was so crucial in their Euro 2016 win. Rating 10/10.
Right Back: Cedric Soares
Cedric Soares had another excellent game for Portugal, stopping wing-wizard Dimitri Payet from playing and helping Portugal keep a third clean sheet in their four knockout stage matches. Cedric had 64 touches, created 2 chances, whipped in 3 crosses and was excellent in defense, making 5 tackles and 3 clearances to stop France from creating chances. The Southampton defender had an excellent game in the final to help Portugal win and had an excellent tournament in general. Rating 8.5/10.
Centre Back: Jose Fonte
Despite never featuring at an international tournament before, Jose Fonte looked so comfortable and composed in the final against France and had another excellent game. Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud couldn’t get into the game as Fonte and Pepe bullied them around and stopped any chance they had during the match. The Southampton defender did his part on the ball and in attack, completing 93% of his passes, with 85 touches and 1 headed shot that could have found the back of the net had it been more accurate, but it was fantastic defensive display that impressed all once again. The former PFA Team of the Year defender made 2 tackles, 2 interceptions and 8 clearances to stop France from playing. Jose Fonte was excellent in the final against France and completely justified his selection for the tournament and the match. Rating 8.5/10.
Centre Back: Pepe
Sunday’s man of the match award winner, Pepe had an amazing final match of the tournament against France to help lead his nation to victory. The Real Madrid centre-half was just coming back from injury and was probably not even 100% fit to play in this game, but pushed on and played the full 120 minutes to help Portugal keep a clean sheet and win 1-0. Pepe made 12 clearances, 2 tackles, 2 interceptions and blocked 3 shots to justify why he won the man of the match award. It was an excellent performance from Pepe and one that surely justifies his reputation as one of the best defenders on the planet. Rating 9.5/10.
Left Back: Raphael Guerreiro
The 22-year old has had an incredible tournament with Portugal and had another very impressive game on Sunday night. Guerreiro was great again in both attack and defense. He had 2 shots, one of which was a glorious free kick that could have given Portugal the lead and only narrowly hit the crossbar. He also made 3 tackles, 6 interceptions and 5 clearances to stop France from building attacks. Guerreiro also completed 86% of his passes and his 102 touches on the ball was more than any other Portugal player on the night. Raphael Guerreiro had an excellent final match and tournament and could be an incredibly dangerous weapon for Borussia Dortmund next season. Rating 9.5/10.
Defensive Midfield: William Carvalho
William Carvalho was another key man that stopped Antoine Griezmann from playing during the final. Carvalho made sure to get on to Griezmann in a flash whenever the Frenchman received the ball and did his best to stop the tricky dribbler from creating chances for his nation. The Sporting Lisbon midfielder made 2 tackles, 8 clearances, had 87 touches and completed 92% of his passes after coming back from suspension to contribute massively to Portugal’s historic Euro 2016 win. Rating 8/10.
Centre Midfield: Joao Moutinho
Joao Moutinho came on as a second-half substitute to completely shut France down and get Portugal on the ball more and control the game. Then he assisted Eder’s winning goal late on to give Portugal their 1-0 victory. In his 54 minutes on the pitch, Moutinho created 2 chances and completed 85% of his passes to help inspire Portugal to victory. It wasn’t the best tournament for the AS Monaco midfielder but he certainly played his part to help give Portugal the victory. Rating 7.5/10.
Right Attacking Midfield: Moussa Sissoko
The one French player to make the Team of the Day. Moussa Sissoko had an excellent game, his best of the tournament, as he tried desperately to get something going for France and try to give them the win. Sissoko was the most likely player to score for France the entire game, taking 5 shots, 3 of which were on target. The Newcastle midfielder also had 72 touches, completed 89% of his passes, completed 7 dribbles and made 3 tackles to help out in defense too. Sissoko had an excellent game in the Euro 2016 final but it wasn’t enough to help France win. Rating 8.5/10.
Left Attacking Midfield: Joao Mario
Joao Mario was full of energy and running all night long. When everyone else was tired on Sunday night, the Sporting Lisbon midfielder still had the legs to go on and keep surging forward when necessary for Portugal. Joao Mario had an excellent tournament and an excellent game in the final for Portugal, creating 1 chance, whipping in 3 crosses, having 56 touches on the ball and covering so much ground, running probably more than any other player on the pitch. Joao Mario was one of Portugal’s supreme performers in this tournament and after working his socks off on Sunday night he fully deserves his winner’s medal. Rating 8.5/10.
Right Striker: Nani
After taking the captain’s armband over from Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani did everything he could to lead Portugal to victory. He may not have scored or assisted, but he still had a massive role to play in Portugal’s win and had another excellent match. Nani was one of my favourite players back in his Manchester United days so it makes me so pleased to see him doing so well at an international tournament like this where he can shine and show everyone why he still has the ability to be one of the best attack-minded players in the world when he wants. In the final against France, Nani had 3 crosses, 2 shots, 2 tackles and captained his nation to their first ever trophy at an international tournament. His overall play was fantastic and he ends the tournament not only as a winner but as one of the very best players at Euro 2016. Rating 7.5/10.
Left Striker: Eder
Portugal’s goal scoring hero on Sunday night will not be a name many remember for very long, but he will be a big name in the media in the short term. Eder was actually very good after coming on as a substitute and the striker that never scores looked like Portugal’s liveliest player on the pitch in his time on the field. Eder had 2 shots, both of which were on target, he won 3 duels in the air, was fouled 5 times and of course scored Portugal’s historic goal that won them the European Championship. Without his moment of magic, Portugal very well may have not won Euro 2016. Rating 8.5/10.
Formation: 4-4-2
Player of the Day: Rui Patricio
Without him, France may have scored a couple of goals and may have easily won this game. But Rui Patricio was solid in net all game and in the competition as a whole, helping Portugal keep 4 clean sheets including 1 incredibly important final match victory against France.
Best Moment: Eder‘s right-footed strike from distance to give Portugal a 1-0 lead and win them the tournament.
TheMastermindSite 