After more than four weeks of drama, tension, excitement and occasional boredom, after 50 matches we are down to the last one – the Euro2016 Final and what a final it promises to be as the perennial bridesmaids Portugal take on the tournament hosts France for whom destiny is 90 minutes away.
Portugal have been much maligned in this tournament but that will mean nothing if they can find a way to mastermind victory here but France have been on a date with destiny since they kicked off the tournament in the Stade de France 30 days ago and it would be fitting if they end it lifting the title there too.
It might have taken them six attempts and plenty of people were quick to remind them of that but finally Portugal won a game of football inside 90 minutes in the semi-final when they were too good for a Wales side who allowed the occasion to get the better of them and ultimately disappointed on their big night.
That shouldn’t detract from Portugal though. They did what they’ve done throughout the tournament. They stopped their opponents from playing and created the chances they needed to get the job done and they go into their first final since 2004 looking to give their global superstar the major international tournament win that their iconic generation before him couldn’t manage.
Key Man
It is obvious but it is rightly Cristiano Ronaldo. In a match which is going to be built up as the two number 7s all eyes will be on Ronaldo to see if he can deliver on the very biggest stage once again. He has never scored against France but if his side are going to win the title you would think that is going to have to change over the course of the evening.
The French have simply got better and better in this tournament especially in the attacking third. Critics would say Germany pinned them back in the first half of their semi-final but they never created anything resembling a genuine chance but when the French chances came they were dispatched and they go into this final full of positivity.
France have won all three of their knockout matches inside 90 minutes and but for an inspired Irish keeper they would won them all by more than one goal as well such has been their dominance. They have a squad itching at the bit to restore pride and order to the country after the atrocities of November and that has been their motivation throughout the tournament.
Key Man
Big matches need big players and Dimitri Payet is very much one of those. He began this tournament on fire and while he has had to play second fiddle to Antoine Griezmann since the knockout stages began this is the chance for him to shine once again. He can light up any match and the way he can dazzle with the ball at his feet this final is set up for him to express himself.
Team News
Pepe appears to be fit having missed the semi-final with injury so he is likely to come back into the side leaving the only other selection issue being whether to being William Carvalho back from suspension or stick with Danilo as the holding midfield. Carvalho is expected to come back.
France have a fully fit squad to choose from here. Dider Deschamps surprised a lot of people in the semi-final when he chose Moussa Sissoko ahead of N’Golo Kante but with Ronaldo in the opposition you would think the Leicester man is the obvious player to protect the defence here.
Head to Head
If you are a Portugal fan or from Portugal you won’t want to know the head to head between these two although given how bad it is you’ll probably already know it. In the 24 matches they have previously played France have won 18 with one draw and five wins to Portugal. Even more recently than that France have won the last 10 battles between the two and 15 of the last 17. To say this fixture is one-sided would be an injustice to the very term and that is something Portugal have to overcome here.
Betting
We were very buoyant about the chances of France in this tournament before a ball was kicked and as such we’re on them to win this final by whichever means necessary at 16/5 but even if we weren’t on France already we would be for the game.
Portugal have stifled their opponents so far in the tournament but they are a slow side and the pace that runs through the spine of this French side is just begging to exploit them so I fully expect France to win. I’m not going to back them again but if I was I would probably take them to win by a goal given that it is a final of huge magnitude and that outcome is supported by the fact that seven of France’s last 10 wins over Portugal have been by the odd goal.
I’m not going to let a match of this size pass by without having a couple of bets to keep me going though. This has been a very good tournament for us results wise so we’ve earned the right to push the boat out in a couple of side markets and that is what I’ll do.
First of all I’ll take Antoine Griezmann to score the first goal. He is on fire at the minute and having lost to Cristiano Ronaldo in the Champions League final he’ll be eager to make sure lightning doesn’t strike twice. He’s 4/1 to score the first goal and you can get that with Betfred where if he scores another you’ll get paid at double odds just like in the semi-final so that looks decent value to us. He’s the standout scorer on the pitch in this tournament and it would only be right for him to round off the tournament with the opening goal.
I’m a big believer in the big names on the big stages and this stage is set for the sort of masterclass Dimitri Payet gave at the start of the tournament. We saw Gareth Bale scare this Portuguese defence when he ran at them on Wednesday and Payet is an excellent dribbler. He can open up a defence and score magic goals. The stage is set for him to really steal the show and at 7/1 he’s a worthy man of the match candidate. You would expect he will be involved in most that is good about France in this final.
Tips
Back A.Griezmann to score first for a 2/10 stake at 5.00 with Betfred
Back him here:
Back D.Payet Man of the Match for a 1/10 stake at 8.00 with Boylesports
Back him here:
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