How they got here: Portugal

Portugal have seemingly done the impossible and scraped through to the Euros final despite 3 dismal group stage draws. It is no surprise that Ronaldo has hit a patch of good form and aided Portugal on their route to the final with 3 goals and 2 assists. Portugal go into the final as underdogs since they face a free scoring French team high on confidence and with a nation behind them. So how have Portugal ended up in the final ahead of the impressive likes of Italy and Germany ?

Match 1: Portugal 1 Iceland 1 

MOTM: Gomes

Portugal started their campaign off poorly after failing to overthrow a stubborn Iceland defence. 26 shots, 10 of which taken by Ronaldo epitomised a desperate and ultimately frustrating performance.

Match 2: Portugal 0 Austria 0 

MOTM: Pepe

Once again a misfiring Portugal failed to take advantage of poor opposition. Deemed Ronaldo's worst game of the tournament as he missed a penalty and saw Almer save 6 of his shots.

Match 3: Portugal 3 Hungary 3 

Jose Fonte has improved Portugal defensively

MOTM: Ronaldo 

In a game dubbed the mosty entertaining match in the Euros it was the Portugese threat under criticism after sloppily conceding 3 times over. Ronaldo scored a spectacular flick as well as a perfectly executed header to open his tally for the tournament. With 3 points Portugal came third in their group and got through as a third placed team.


Match 4: Portugal 1 Croatia 0 AET

MOTM: Soares

Portugal improved significantly defensively against the Spanish killers thanks to the introduction of Fonte ahead of Carvalho and forced the match into extra time. Portugal were fortunate to see a Perisic header strike the base of the [post and a minute later countered rapidly to strike a late and unexpected winner from Quaresma.

Match 5 : Portugal 1 Poland 1 (Portugal win 5-3 on penalties AET)

MOTM : Renato Sanches 

Fernando Santos, Portuguese coach

Portugal coped well with the likes of Lewandowski and Milik up front excluding an edgy opening in which the Bayern Munich man made his mark. Renato Sanches put in an explosive shift including a fierce strike to level the scores. The match was from then on rather uneventful until penalties in which Portugal comfortably dispatched each and every one.




Match 6 : Portugal 2 Wales 0 

Ronaldo was 7ft10 high at the time

MOTM: Joao Mario 

Arguably Portugal's most comfortable game came in the semi finals against the underwhelming Welsh. A phenomenal Ronaldo header, 7ft10 in the air, left the Welsh stunned followed swiftly after by a Nani sliding finish to leave a despondent Wales squad on their way home.