2016: Portugal’s First European Title
On this day in 2016, Portugal etched their name in football folklore by defeating hosts France 1-0 in the UEFA Euro 2016 final in Saint-Denis . With Cristiano Ronaldo sidelined by injury, substitute Éder scored the decisive goal in the 109th minute, handing Portugal their maiden major trophy. The victory capped a remarkable journey for Fernando Santos’ team, who navigated six draws en route to glory, including a dramatic group-stage comeback against Hungary. This triumph marked a poetic redemption for Ronaldo, who had shed tears of disappointment at Euro 2004 on home soil.
