Pepe, Ronaldo and Andre Gomes's Portugal claim European crown

Pepe, Cristiano Ronaldo and Andre Gomes's Portugal made history this Sunday in Paris by lifting their first ever European Championship title. Not even Antoine Griezmann's impressive form, France's initial dominance or an early injury to Ronaldo could stop a Portugal side that improved over the course of the competition from lifting their first major international trophy following an exciting and intense final.

France were the better side in a first half overshadowed by an injury to Ronaldo, who took a knock to the knee and eventually limped off after several moments of uncertainty regarding his ability to continue. The clearest chance of those first 45 minutes fell to France when Antoine Griezmann's spectacular header brought a world-class save from Portugal keeper Rui Patricio.

Get well soon, Cristiano! #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/CfRPjy3H2h

— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) July 10, 2016

Ronaldo's departure slowed the game down which, in turn, saw France's attacks falter. The second half was more evenly matched. France went in search of a goal but the Portuguese defence, led by an inspired Pepe, held fast without too many problems.  Despite that, Griezmann found space amongst a packed opposition defence to head the ball over the crossbar with only Patricio to beat.

Having reached a stage of the game at which the slightest mistake could prove decisive, it was only natural that nerves began to jangle and come into play. So it was that gaps started to appear at both ends. Patricio pulled off a great stop from Olivier Giroud, before Les Bleus keeper Hugo Lloris was forced to be at his best to deny Nani and Ricardo Quaresma in close succession. Then, in stoppage time after the 90-minute mark, the hosts came within inches of snatching victory through Andre-Pierre Gignac, who wriggled into a shooting position only to see his strike clatter the post.

Portugal took the shackles off in extra time, pushing higher up the pitch – aided by coach Fernando Santos's bold decision to introduce Eder – and pinning back a France side who looked jittery. The crossbar came to the home side's rescue from Raphael Guerreiro's exquisite free-kick, but there was to be no reprieve a couple of minutes later when Eder let fly with a powerful drive from the edge of the box, clinching the trophy for the underdogs.

After several years of hurt, not least following the country's agonising defeat in the final in 2004, Pepe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Andre Gomes and the rest of Portugal can finally savour European Championship glory.

Portugal beat France (1-0) as they are the new European Champions.

Congratulations! #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/iq9vkWbwMv

— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) July 10, 2016