EURO story
Participations in the finals so far: 7
Best performance: Winner (2016)
The Portuguese only qualified for the finals for the first time in 1984 – at the seventh attempt. But Portugal has always been at the start since EURO ’96 and has only missed the semi-finals once since EURO 2004. As hosts, Portugal lost the 2004 final 1-0 to outsiders Greece, but for twelve years they won the title for the first time against hosts France thanks to Éder’s extra-time goal.
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Key player
Cristiano Ronaldo (170 caps, 102 goals)
Europe’s record scorer is Portugal’s captain and leading player – and at 36 years of age, he is still very dangerous. The best goalscorer in EURO qualifying matches is next to Michel Platini with nine goals also the most successful goalscorer in the finals. He will do everything in his power to set a new record at EURO 2020.
Bruno Fernandes (25 caps, 2 goals)
After his promotion to Sporting CP, the attacking midfielder reached the next level at Manchester United. Thanks to his powerful long-range shots and his passing skills, he was directly involved in 53 goals in his first 61 games for the Red Devils. No wonder he’s also an integral part of the national team.
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Special goals at EURO finals
• After trailing 2-0 after 18 minutes in the EURO 2000 opening match against England, Portugal responded quickly: Luís Figo received the ball at the center line, refueled through the middle and chased the ball into the corner – the Start of a terrific race to catch up.
• Portugal needed a win in their last group game against Spain in 2004 to advance to the quarter-finals. After a tense first round it was Nuno Gomes who defeated Iker Casillas after just under an hour and shot Portugal into the next round at the expense of their Iberian neighbors.
• The most important goal in the history of the Portuguese national team was scored in the EURO 2016 final. Éder had only completed 13 minutes in the finals, but when he was substituted on, he decided the final with a wonderful long-range shot.
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Memorable moments
• Ricardo got rid of his gloves on penalties in the 2004 quarter-finals against England before parrying Darius Vassell’s attempt and converting the winning penalty himself.
• Coach Luiz Felipe Scolaris asked the nation to hang flags out of the windows during EURO 2004 as a sign of support for the team. The crowd went with them, and on the day of the final, there were incredible scenes with thousands lining the streets to support the team on their trip from Alcochete to Lisbon.
• Cristiano Ronaldo’s tears when he was replaced in the 2016 final with a knee injury. However, the team did not break up, but rather pulled itself together. Ronaldo took on a new job on the sidelines and successfully gave instructions alongside coach Fernando Santos.
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statistics
Most appearances in finals
21: Cristiano Ronaldo
15: Pepe, João Moutinho, Nani
14: Luís Figo, Nuno Gomes
Most goals in finals
9: Cristiano Ronaldo
6: Nuno Gomes
3: Nani, Hélder Postiga, Sérgio Conceição
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Remarkable: Cristiano Ronaldo has played in more EUROs (4) and more EURO finals (21) than any other player, and he’s the only player to have scored goals in four editions.
Did you know already?
• Portugal is the only nation to spit reigning champions into the soup when trying to defend their title in their first game – the Federal Republic of Germany, title holder in 1980, in the opening game at EURO ’84, and Denmark, winner in 1992, in the first game of EURO ’96 .
• Fernando Santos’ side triumphed at EURO 2016 despite not winning a single group match. This is unique.
• Portugal’s five goals at EURO ’96 were scored by five different players; at EURO 2008 there were even seven goals and seven different goalscorers.
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