From a moth invasion in the stadium pre-match, to Cristiano Ronaldo’s early injury and a stunning late goal for Portugal, it was a bonkers night of football in Paris!
Ronaldo was stretchered off in tears in the first half but an extra-time goal by Eder saw Portugal beat hosts France 1-0 in Sunday’s Euro 2016 final to win their first major tournament.
The victim of a heavy challenge by Dimitri Payet, Ronaldo went off in the first half. He was inconsolable as he handed over the arm-band to Nani.
Twitter exploded as commiserations poured in for the Real Madrid superstar.
Terrible to see Cris come off like that. Hope it’s nothing too bad 🙏🏼
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) July 10, 2016
Such a sad sight: Ronaldo borne away on a stretcher. Many at Stade de France stand to applaud him. Forget the ego, Ronaldo one of the greats
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) July 10, 2016
What is it about Ronaldos in major finals in Paris. What a shame!
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 10, 2016
The only difference is…
2004: Ronaldo cries. The whole world’s watching.2016: The whole world’s crying with him.
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cr7Prince4ever) July 10, 2016
This shows what this final meant to him ! 😢 You are always a Champ @Cristiano ronaldo ! #EuroFinal #POR pic.twitter.com/caOwx7YzKY
— SRT10 (@hatimonly4u) July 10, 2016
Football is a cruel, cruel game…Both Messi and Ronaldo end their season in tears! pic.twitter.com/UyMpMxyl3p
— Football Stuff (@FootbalIStuff) July 10, 2016
This man worked his ass off for last 10 years for this game. Life’s fucking unfair. And if you’re happy about his injury: you’re disgusting.
— An (@sadiguanababy) July 10, 2016
This isn’t about Messi vs Ronaldo. It’s about empathising with someone who quite clearly wanted to lead his team through a final. It’s sad.
— Liam Canning (@OffsideLiam) July 10, 2016
The moth on Ronaldo’s face became an internet sensation as RonaldosMoth started trending!
Ronaldo injured after being attacked by a giant French moth: pic.twitter.com/dF4Ngt0dx6
— Alternative Football (@AltFootball) July 10, 2016
#RonaldoFaceMoth #RonaldoTears pic.twitter.com/Yr8e4mouUD
— Phabbs Óðinnsdóttir (@Phabbs_) July 10, 2016
The Ronaldo moth has just been subject of a £50m bid from Chinese Club Guangzhou Evergrande.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) July 10, 2016
This is why I hate internet:#Euro2016Final pic.twitter.com/QQV2yWkjS4
— Finger of India (@IndiaFinger) July 10, 2016
Such a wonderful era of mankind’s history we live in…
#Euro2016Final pic.twitter.com/m75xC60PIH
— Finger of India (@IndiaFinger) July 10, 2016
But he returned to the touchline to see Lille striker Eder settle the game with a low 25-yard strike at Stade de France.
Cristiano Ronaldo is back on the pitch giving #POR and captain Nani a pep talk. Good lad. pic.twitter.com/CarY4QGtJP
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) July 10, 2016
Cristiano and Fernando Santos… pic.twitter.com/eA7KGKkbpZ
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) July 10, 2016
BREAKING: Cristiano Ronaldo is now the Portugal manager pic.twitter.com/SQrsxKVx8t
— Football Funnys (@FootballFunnys) July 10, 2016
And twelve years after losing 1-0 to Greece as hosts of Euro 2004, Portugal inflicted the same fate on France, who were seeking a cathartic victory eight months on from the Paris attacks that left 130 people dead.
And once Eder’s stunning goal gave them a 1-0 win, the celebrations began in style!
Captain. Coach. Euro winner. Tax payer. pic.twitter.com/DuQuUK8PmC
— Wellington (@kodart_) July 10, 2016
Ronaldo. One game as Coach of Portugal. One Trophy
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) July 10, 2016
Messi never won a final from the sidelines
— Sidvee (@sidvee) July 10, 2016
Top 3 Best Players in The World
1. Cristiano Ronaldo2. Injured Cristiano Ronaldo3. Lionel Messi
— Utd⚽️ (@SimplyUtd) July 10, 2016
Pure joy from Ronaldo. pic.twitter.com/yhWVhUsTSS
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 10, 2016
And this is the tweet that says it all:
The #EURO2016 Final, as told by Ronaldo’s facial expressions. pic.twitter.com/lvtuVP7v5g
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 10, 2016
It was not necessarily a great night of football, but it’ll go down as one of the most crazy nights in Euro history!
With AFP Inputs (Featured image: AFP)