France has won three of its four previous major finals, two of them on home soil (Euro 1984; 1998 World Cup). The only other runner-up finish was a penalty shootout loss to Italy in the 2006 World Cup, and after losing to Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia in the inaugural European Cup in 1960, France is undefeated at home in 18 consecutive major tournaments (16 wins, 2 draws). Deschamps carried on with his semi-final debut, with Moussa Sissoko continuing to start over Kante. Griezmann reached 70 official games this season.
Portugal reached its 2nd major final after Euro 2004 on home soil, and has the most matches (34, not counting this campaign) of any team that did not win the Euro, having lost all 5 previous major tournaments against the hosts. Portugal is also the first team to be ranked third in the group of the European Cup but reached the final, in the history of the World Cup, there have been 2 times, Argentina in 1990 and Italy in 1994, both lost in the final. Santos, who is undefeated in official matches (9 wins and 4 draws) in charge of Portugal, replaced 2 starters for this campaign. Pepe returns from a thigh injury. William Carvalho ended his suspension to replace Danilo.
After a 0-2 loss in the 1975 Paris warm-up, France won all 10 of its matches against Portugal, including three major semifinal encounters. 3-2 in extra time at Euro 1984; a 2-1 extra-time golden goal shutout at Euro 2000; and a 1-0 win at the 2006 World Cup. Warm-up matches have met in the last 2 years, with a 2-1 home win in October 2014; and a 1-0 away win last September.
The match was preceded by a brief closing ceremony that featured last year's champions, Spain's centerpiece Xavi, who entered with the Delaunay Cup. Dancers spelled out "MERCI (thank you)" on the field, and DJ Gerta and singer Sarah Larson joined forces again to perform this year's theme song, "For You".
After the start, France overpowered its rivals, but Portugal got its first shot on goal, Cedric's long pass from the back of the field, Nani unloaded the ball to get rid of Koscielny, and hit the ball high in the air 13 meters from the door. Fonte then headed over an opponent's cross, and Sissoko's shot flew wide from the edge of the penalty area.
France nearly broke through in the 10th minute, when Payet crossed from the left and Griezmann threw his head to the top left corner of the net from 10 meters in front of the goal, and Patricio darted his fingertips over the crossbar! Giroud's header from 9 meters in front of the goal was confiscated by Patricio after a corner kick from the left by Payet.
Portugal suffered a heavy blow, Crowe was hit by Paye's left knee injury, sitting on the turf in frustration, shaking his head in tears, walked to the sidelines to receive treatment, Quaresma began to warm up.Crowe returned to the field after his left knee was bandaged, but a time to get the ball was clearly running inconveniently, to the sidelines to raise his hand to indicate that the substitution. Sissoko broke through individually in midfield and had a left-footed shot from the edge of the box cleared off the crossbar.
Crowe took off his captain's armband in anguish and collapsed on the turf. He tearfully gave Nani the armband, and a stretcher was brought in to carry him off to a standing ovation from the fans, with Deschamps visiting and Quaresma coming on as a substitute. Sissoko threatened again, in front of the reception of the left side of Paye low pass, beautiful turn to get rid of 11 meters away from the door, Patricio blocked the near corner. Cedric kicked down Paye, England referee Clattenburg showed the first yellow card.
Sissoko was outstanding in the first half, finishing with three shots and six crosses. In the second half, Pogba hit a high shot from outside the box and a fan stormed onto the pitch and was taken off. Deschamps replaced Payet with Coman. Coman then sent a good ball to Griezmann, who had a dipping shot from the left side of the box that Patricio got to. Jo?o Mario was yellow-carded for hooking Giroud in the back.
France came close to breaking the deadlock in the 66th minute when Coman crossed from the left and Griezmann headed against the far post from seven meters in front of goal! Moutinho replaced Adrien Silva. Giroud's low left-footed shot from 10 meters in front of the goal was again blocked by Patricio. Both sides continued to make changes, with Giroud replaced by Gignac; Sanchez was replaced by Eder and Nani returned to the right.
Portugal only got their first shot on target in the 80th minute, when Nani's cross from the right dangled almost straight into the goal, where Lloris smacked it away with one hand, and Quaresma's left-handed barb was met by Lloris. Sissoko's fierce shot from 28 meters in front of the goal was blocked by Patricio, and Coman's cross from the left was again met by Sissoko's header by Patricio.
France missed the shutout in the second minute of added time! Evra's cross from the left was met by Gignac, who dinked consecutively past Pepe at the front post and hit the near post with a low shot from the corner of the penalty area!
The two sides went into extra time after 90 minutes of mutual exchanges, the sixth extra time in the history of the Europa League final, but the first time no goals were scored in extra time. Portugal had only 1 shot on target, and Crowe went in to encourage his teammates. Both players dropped significantly, Raphael Guerreiro, Matuidi, William Carvalho received yellow cards one after another. Portugal created a threat in the 104th minute when Quaresma's corner from the right was met by Eder's header from seven meters in front of the goal by Lloris on the goal line!
The match resumed. Koscielny was given a yellow card for handball, but slow-motion cameras showed it was actually Eder's handball. Rafael Guerreiro's left-footed free-kick from 24 meters in front of the goal bounces back off the underside of the crossbar!
Portugal broke the deadlock in the 109th minute! Moutinho's left side was straight to Eder, who cut inside and drilled a low shot into the bottom left corner of the net from 25 meters away from the goal to make it 1-0.
Deschamps immediately brought on Martial for Cissokho, but France was unable to come back.