Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo. (Photo : Getty Images)
The 2016 UEFA European Championship is finally down to its Final between powerhouse teams Portugal and France in a match set at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Sunday, July 10.
Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal squad defeated Gareth Bales and the Wales national team, 2-0, in their semifinal meeting on Wednesday at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon to advance in the final, BBC Sport reported.
No less than Ronaldo himself was the man of the match by scoring the game's opening goal and then assisting on the second one to lead A Seleção past the Dragons in the high-profile encounter between the teams of two Real Madrid superstars.
After a goalless first half, the three-time Ballon d'Or winner broke the deadlock five minutes into the restart with a brilliant header off an assist by Borussia Dortmund defender Raphaël Guerreiro.
Then, after only three minutes, Ronaldo struck the ball on goal once again, but his shot was deflected by teammate Nani past the outstretched arms of keeper Wayne Hennessey to double the lead and keep it until full time.
Meanwhile, France pulled off a stunning 2-0 upset over title-favorites and reigning World Cup champions Germany at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille on Thursday, as per The Guardian.
Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann unleashed a brace at the first half stoppage time and in the 72nd minute to propel the tournament hosts to the Final against Portugal.
Although the visitors are slightly favored to win this final match over Les Bleus, the Frenchmen will get a lot of support from its hometown crowd and that should not be taken for granted by head coach Fernando Santos's men.
On the offensive end, it is expected that both Ronaldo and Griezmann, the stars of this season's UEFA Champions League final as well, will once again feature for the two sides and both defenses will have to be wary of the two players.
Head coach Didier Deschamps' squad has the deeper rotation, and arguably plays better defense, but Portugal has Ronaldo and it has always counted for something so far in the tournament.
The predicted result is a tough 2-1 victory for Portugal.
Portugal starting lineup (4-1-3-2 formation): Rui; Soares, Fonte, Alves, Guerreiro; Pereira; Sanches, Silva, Mario; Nani, Ronaldo
France starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Lloris; Sagna, Koscielny, Umtiti, Evra; Pogba, Matuidi; Sissoko, Griezmann, Payet; Giroud
