Portuguese didn't play harder... they were just as crappy and with less offensive power after losing CR7. France kept missing their chances and allowed Portugal to have that 1 off goal to win the tournament. Shots just didn't go in, too many opportunities missed and that 1 goal made the difference. The best team did not come away with a win, but they are still the winners. I loved that Portugal won. But that game gets played 10 times... France wins 6 ties 2 and loses 2.... Portugal just got lucky.
I didn't say it here, but before the tournament, I called Portugal the dark horses on their board. Sure, they got a favorable draw but they also played with a less than ideal tactical system IMO. The defense was organized and that was it. Midfield play struggled and attacks in the final third were painful to watch. Too much isolation in the final third and reliance on any individual play.
I thought Portugal were a dark horse as well but they never seemed to up the ante duing the tournament. They truly Greeced it. Won't lie though, it did make me feel good to see France lose at home like we did( excluding the scoreline). The 2 teams I thought would be dominant, Germany and France, were pretty average though which was surprising to me.
I don't think Germany was average; we just had an off-day against France; the injuries and absences really piled up at that point.
I'm not sure we crushed through the competition at the World Cup either. But thanks. I think we'll be better once Reus and Ilklay finally stay healthy for a major tournament.
well to be fair, France did dominate Portugal.. they just couldn't find the back of the net Your quote works for the final too!!
Yes. It's definitely weird that a team that finished 3rd in their group won the Euros. Not only that, but the group had Iceland, Hungary, Austria. However that's not the weirdest episode in the Euros. I think Denmark winning in 92 takes the cake. They did not qualify for the tournament and only took part in it because Yugoslavia had to pull out due to civil war. They also finished 2nd in their group.
Funny how football is isn't it ? Everybody saying Portugal needed Ronaldo to give a legendary performance to beat France, and they beat them without him with Eder, the player who subbed in for him, providing the winner. Honestly anybody who said that was oblivious to how Portugal was playing. There was no way Ronaldo was going to take over a game in the position he had been playing. Expected France to win because they have more quality but in one game anything can happen. They wasted some good scoring chances and paid for it. Great accomplishment for Portugal even though they really benefited from a wacky draw. It wasn't pretty, but for a country like Portugal that had never won anything, they don't really have to give a damn.
Eder came in the second half in place for R. Sanches, the 18 yr old kid. CR7 got out in the first half, it was another guy who came in for him: Quaresma.
It's weird and ironic that 2 World Cup winning captains in '94 and '98 in Dunga and Deschamps as coaches this year suffered disappointment in the Stadiums that they lifted the World Cup!!
Yep. I got that confused. He probably wouldn't have played had Ronaldo not gotten injured though. Quaresma would have been the sub. Funny how things work out sometimes.
And all the criticism Portugal is getting for "negative" football is unfair. It's surely nothing new and when Italy does it they are called the masters of it. At least they weren't playing cynical from a fouling perspective. Thought they played fairly clean.
Even if that isn't leadership, his calling out of Moutinho to take the penalty demonstrated leadership qualities IMO. And there was some praise over his halftime speech. Even if that doesn't impress as leadership, the guy led on the field. Constantly active, willing to do defensive work (not a strength of his most of the time), and scoring crucial goals throughout the tournament.
Half time speech is commendable, but the sideline thing was actually awkward. I mean, he was trying to take over the coach's job.
I absolutely agree with you.. I'm not even a CR7 fan, but I think this year he has won everyone's respect.. He proved this year to be a better leader than Messi. while Ronaldo was very Vocal to his teammates, Messi was extremely Quiet and never said a word to his teammates.. Even after Argentina lost, the first thing Messi did was cry and sit on the bench, instead of consoling his fellow teammates.. I personally believe Mascherano should be Argentina's Captain instead of Messi..