Euro 2016: France & Portugal, the Teams of the Final

Euro 2016: France & Portugal, the Teams of the Final

Portugal, France, Euro 2016 Final

After two days of Euro 2016 semifinals, we have the identity of the two finalists: Portugal and France.

France beat Germany 2-0 in the Marseille semifinal, as Antoine Griezmann scored twice (one from the penalty spot), putting him at 6 goals in the tournament, quite close to winning the golden boot. Portugal beat Wales 2-0 in the semifinal held a day earlier in Lyon, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani giving their side a ex-Manchester United scoring touch.

For France it’ll be their third appearance in the Euro final, winning on the two previous occasions: In 1984, also hosting the tournament, and in 2000, when it was held in Belgium and the Netherlands. For Portugal it’s the second Euro final, the previous one coming in 2004, as the hosts of the tournament. They lost that match to Greece. France are also two-time finalists in the World Cup: Winning in 1998 when hosting the tournament, and 8 years later when it was held in Germany, losing in the final to Italy.

France finished first in the group stage with wins over Albania and Romania, drawing with Switzerland. In the knockout stage they’ve beaten Ireland, Iceland and now Germany. Portugal qualified from the third place in their group, drawing with Iceland, Austria and Hungary. They beat Croatia in the round of 16, Poland in the quarterfinals, and Wales in the semifinals.

Both Nani and Ronaldo have 3 goals each in the tournament. Olivier Giroud and Dimitri Payet also have 3 goals each for France. One of them needs a big night at the Stade de Frances to beat out Griezmann for the tournament’s top scorer.


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