Ronaldo has claimed the game's major prizes - such as the Champions League with Manchester United and Real Madrid - but a landmark victory with his country has always eluded him.The greatest disappointment was when, as hosts of Euro 2004, Portugal Portugal also lost in the World Cup semi-finals in 2006, the quarter-finals at Euro 2008 and the semi-finals at Euro 2012 - and it looked like the curse would strike again when Ronaldo lay on the turf distraught after two attempts to play on through the pain.What a contrasting image it was in the closing seconds of extra time as he virtually took charge of team affairs and light-heartedly bumped into coach Santos, before breaking down in tears when British referee Mark Clattenburg signalled full-time.Ronaldo, with his knee heavily strapped, then hobbled up the steps to lift the Euro 2016 trophy and fill a gap in his glittering list of honours.He was then centre stage in the subsequent celebrations, lying on the floor in front of his joyous team-mates.The 31-year-old's night started and ended in tears, but this was a journey from agony to ecstasy - and his status as a Portuguese national hero was cemented even further.Portugal may have been unspectacular winners of an unspectacular Euro 2016 - they won only one game in 90 minutes.But this tough, resilient, organised team under coach Santos were justified in the wild celebrations that took place in front of their fans at Stade de France after the trophy presentation.They finished third in their group, edged out of second place by Iceland's last-minute winner against Austria, a result that led to England's downfall in the last 16. Assisted by Paul Pogba with a headed pass.Eder (Portugal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Nani (Portugal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Delay in match Raphael Guerreiro (Portugal) because of an injury.Paul Pogba (France) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.João Mário (Portugal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.Paul Pogba (France) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Substitution, France. Group Stage; Final Stages; EC Qualification; WC Qualification Europe; UEFA Nations League; Baltic Cup; UEFA Champions League; UEFA Europa League; View later. It was like, 'let's do it for him'. Media playback is not supported on this device They were unable to take advantage of what should have been a huge lift to their hopes when Ronaldo went off - indeed his departure seemed to affect the hosts more than Portugal.Gignac almost provided a dramatic winning goal in the final seconds of normal time, but in the final reckoning Didier Deschamps' side were unable to rise to the occasion and suffered the bitter disappointment of defeat in a major final in their own capital city.
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Portugal vs France 2016 final