Portugal broke French hearts in extra time to be crowned champions of Europe for the first time in their history.
France headed into the encounter on the back of a 10 game unbeaten run which stretched back to 1975 as they went in search of a third title when hosting the European Championships.
The home side got off to a strong start with the likes of Moussa Sissoko, Dimitri Payet and Euro 2016’s Golden Boot winner Antoine Griezmann all enjoying their fair share of the ball.
It was Griezmann who had the best chance in the opening 10 mistakes but his header was saved by Rui Patricio, who did enough to prevent the Atletico Madrid forward from increasing his tally. The corner that followed saw Olivier Giroud’s tamely struck header saved easily.
Portugal talisman Cristiano Ronaldo gave the visiting fans a huge scare after a receiving a knock on to his left knee following a clash with Payet. The Real Madrid star appeared in some pain but he refused to leave the field with his side under the cosh.
Six minutes later Ronaldo was left in a heap on the floor unable to run off his injury. The Portuguese captain was forced to the side of the field for further treatment. In the 20th minute, Ronaldo returned to the field as he looked to continue the fight.
France, the last team to win the trophy on home soil back in 1984, were unable to open the scoring in the 21st minute as Sissoko shrugged off Nani before firing at goal.
Adrien Silva attempted a sublime effort but hit his volley well wide as Portugal looked to take advantage of a rare attack.
In the 23rd minute Portugal’s biggest fears were realised when Ronaldo was stretchered off; unable to shake off the knock to his knee. The 31-year-old visibly distraught at being unable to play his part in the final as he was replaced by Ricardo Quaresma.
25 minutes in, the stats portrayed the on-field action as France had 60% and having completed three times as many passes but crucially being unable to break the deadlock.
Sissoko continued to dominate proceedings, playing a role in almost every single attack for the home side but was denied by Rui Patricio in the 33rd minute. The Newcastle midfielder unable to beat the Portugal goalkeeper after turning and firing off a fierce effort on goal, his third of the match.
The Ronaldo injury put a real dampener on proceedings as the half petered out with neither side able to find the back of the net despite 12 shots combined between the finalists.
After a poor first half, Paul Pogba attempted to kick start his night in the 53rd minute when he attempted to write his name in the headlines with a well hit volley but Patricio was not troubled by the Juventus midfielder’s effort.
The star of the group stage, Payet was subbed off in the 57th minute as Didier Deschamps made a bold call withdrawing the West Ham winger for Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman. A minute later Griezmann fired straight at Patricio as the fans inside the Saint Denis stadium continued to roar on their side.
Joao Mario was booked for a cynical challenge on Giroud as the Arsenal forward attempt to launch another French attack. In the 65th minute France had their best opportunity but Griezmann fluffed his lines from six yards out as he failed to direct his header from Coman’s perfectly weighted cross.
Ten minutes later Giroud was denied as he lashed his shot on target only for Patricio deny the French striker the glory of opening the scoring. Quaresma almost grabbed an unlikely winner after his cross turned out to be a shot but Lloris scrambled back to keep the hosts on level terms.
With just under 10 minutes remaining Sissoko tested Patricio from range but again the Portugal number one was up to the task.
Substitute Andre-Pierre Gignac squandered the best chance of the match in stoppage time after turning Pepe before beating Patricio but not the post. The match headed for extra time as France failed to beat Patricio after 17 efforts on his goal.
Pepe had the best chance of time added on but was correctly ruled offside after his powerful header from Nani’s free kick had Lloris scrambling to his right to deal with the danger. The Real Madrid defender’s effort would not have counted because he had strayed marginally offside.
Quaresma almost took advantage of Mark Clattenburg’s howler as the English referee incorrectly awarded Portugal a free kick after Laurent Koscielny was adjudged to handle the ball just outside the box. Quaresma rattled the cross bar but the score remained goalless as France scrambled clear just before the end of the first half of extra time.
Eder then rewrote the script.
The former Swansea City forward beating Lloris from just outside the box to send Portugal into mass celebrations with just over 11 minutes to play.
The goal saw Anthony Martial introduced for Sissoko but he failed to inspire any late drama as Portugal went one better than that famous defeat to Greece in 2004.
