Portugal overcome Ronaldo loss to triumph at Euro 2016

Portugal claimed Euro 2016 glory on Sunday night in Paris, defeating hosts and strong favourites France 1-0 after star man Cristiano Ronaldo left the pitch in tears due to a match-ending injury.

After a less than enthralling encounter, the one moment of real quality arrived in extra-time when substitute Eder, a Swansea reject, held off the attentions of the French defence and powered a low drive past Hugo Lloris.

France had their chances throughout the game, with forward Antoine Griezmann missing a guilt edge chance, and Andre-Pierre Gignac hitting the post late in the game.

However, it was the player who was not on the pitch who will still grab the headlines.

12 years after being reduced to tears following his beloved Portugal's defeat on home soil to underdogs Greece, Ronaldo was once again unable to control his emotion on two separate occasions.

The first, after a strong challenge from Dimitri Payet, left an injured Ronaldo trying his best to continue playing, but in the end it was futile and the world's biggest superstar departed on a stretcher in floods of tears.

CR7 would get his moment of glory though, as he lifted the famous trophy high into the Paris sky, with tears of joy this time and surrounded by jubilant teammates.

It was a remarkable turnaround for a team that were written off following a poor performance in the group stages where they did not win a single game. Indeed, they only actually won one game in the regulation 90 minutes playing time, against Wales in the semi-final.

Despite the star quality of the French outfit, boasting some of the most sought-after young talent in the world in Griezmann and Paul Pogba, it was Eder, the chunky striker who was shipped off to France after a disappointing stint with Swansea last year, who would make the difference.

After tidy build-up play from Nani and Ricardo Quaresma, Eder shrugged off a couple of French tackles with his bustly frame, before dispatching an excellent strike to the bottom corner.

Cue wild celebrations from the Portuguese players, substitutes and backroom team, as what was once thought impossible, had truly become reality. They defended with their lives for the last 10 minutes to claim their first ever major tournament victory, as Ronaldo sealed his place as one of the true greats of the modern game - without kicking a ball.