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Agence France-Presse

After a night of rowdy celebrations Portugal’s European champions led by Cristiano Ronaldo returned home to a heroes’ welcome and a country overjoyed by their upset win over France.
Tens of thousands of fans took over the streets of Lisbon waving red and green national flags to mark the historic victory set up by substitute Eder’s extra-time goal that stunned the hosts on Sunday night in the Euro 2016 final at the Stade de France.
Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo, who was stretchered off injured and crying early, hugged the trophy on the special flight that took the Portuguese team home.
Two fire trucks sprayed jets of water in green and red over the plane as it taxied to the airport terminal.
“We haven’t slept much, this is our first victory, we had to be here,” said one fan, 21-year-old student Antonio Ribeiro de Magalhaes.

With man-of-the-match defender Pepe carrying the prize down the steps the 23-man squad boarded an open-top bus marked ‘Champions’ for a victory parade.
“We’ve entered into the history of Portugal, thank you for everything,” triple world footballer of the year Ronaldo shouted to fans.
Ronaldo’s tears turn to cheers as Portugal crowned Euro 2016 champions - despite only winning one game in normal time
“This triumph doesn’t solve our problems but at least it’s making us happy,” said Lucia Antunes, a 41-year-old unemployed woman, alluding to Portugal’s struggle with an economic crisis and austerity.
“This is something that only happens once in a lifetime,” he added.
The team were received by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, with Ronaldo brandishing the trophy from the balcony of the presidential palace.
“You are the best in Europe!” the head of state told the victorious team, decorating them with Commander of Order of Merit medals.
“You have given an example by winning courtesy of your courage, determination and humility,” he added.

A disconsolate France also went to meet their country’s leader. In stark contrast, President Francois Hollande could only offer commiseration at a sombre official lunch.
An open-top bus planned for a Paris victory parade was sent back to the depot as French football chiefs started a what-went-wrong inquiry.
Neither country could barely believe the result.
‘This is for all Portuguese and all immigrants,’ says Ronaldo after Euro 2016 triumph
Portugal’s dreams of lifting the Henri Delaunay Trophy looked to have taken a shattering blow when Ronaldo, their captain and talisman, fell to the ground in agony in the eighth minute following a clattering challenge from Dimitri Payet.
After twice going off for treatment and trying to come back, Ronaldo was definitively carried off, covering his face as the tears welled up.
“It was not the final I wanted but I am very happy. It is a trophy for all Portuguese, for all immigrants, all the people who believed in us, so I am very happy and very proud,” Ronaldo said.
The victory marks a healing of sorts for Portugal after their shock defeat in the Euro 2004 final when they lost 1-0 to unfancied Greece on home turf.

Portugal’s sports press hailed the team with headlines including “Epic”, “Eternal” and “Pride of Portugal”.
Portugal’s coach Fernando Santos and the other players paid tribute to Ronaldo’s role in urging the team not to give up.
Ronaldo returned from treatment, his knee heavily strapped and limping, at the end of 90 minutes to give pep talks to his team-mates -- earning ridicule on Twitter from observers who said he was trying to be the coach.
Eder, who plays for French side Lille and only went on in the 79th minute, was having none of it: “He told me I was going to score the winning goal. He gave me strength and positive energy.”


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2016 Uefa European Championship (Euro 2016)

Cristiano Ronaldo attends the celebrations. Xinhua

epaselect epa05420865 Portugal national team supporters cheer their teamat Alameda D. Afonso Henriques, Lisbon, Portugal, 11 July 2016. The Portugal national soccer team on 10 July 2016 had won the UEFA Euro 2016 final against France by 1-0 to win the title for first time. EPA/ANTONIO COTRIM

epa05420831 Portugal national team players (L-R) Danilo, Nani, Cristiano Ronaldo, Jose Fonte and Fernando Santos, Portugal head coach, cheer with the fans at Alameda D. Afonso Henriques, Lisbon, Portugal, 11 July 2016. The Portugal national soccer team on 10 July 2016 had won the UEFA Euro 2016 final against France by 1-0 to win the title for first time. EPA/ANTONIO COTRIM

epaselect epa05420516 The plane carrying the soccer European champion team is given a special salute from the airport fire brigade as it rolls in after landing on Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon, Portugal, 11 July 2016. The Portugal national soccer team on 10 July 2016 had won the UEFA Euro 2016 final against France by 1-0 to win the title for first time. EPA/MARIO CRUZ

Ronaldo’s tears turn to cheers as Portugal crowned Euro 2016 champions - despite only winning one game in normal time

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with team mates and the trophy after winning Euro 2016 REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach Livepic

Football Soccer - Portugal v France - EURO 2016 - Final - Stade de France, Saint-Denis near Paris, France - 10/7/16 France's Paul Pogba REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach Livepic

TOPSHOT - Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo is comforted by Portugal's coach Fernando Santos as he is carried on a stretcher off the pitch by medics after an injury following a clash with France's forward Dimitri Payet (not pictured) during the Euro 2016 final football match between Portugal and France at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on July 10, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / MIGUEL MEDINA

Football Soccer - Portugal v France - EURO 2016 - Final - Stade de France, Saint-Denis near Paris, France - 10/7/16 Portugal's Eder celebrates with team mates after scoring their first goal REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach Livepic

TOPSHOT - People watch on a giant screen the Euro 2016 football tournament final match between Portugal and France, while Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo is evacuated on a stretcher after being injured, on July 10, 2016 at the fan zone of the Champs de Mars near the Eiffel tower in Paris. / AFP PHOTO / GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT

Football Soccer - Portugal v France - EURO 2016 - Final - Stade de France, Saint-Denis near Paris, France - 10/7/16 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and France Head Coach Didier Deschamps REUTERS/Darren Staples Livepic

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Football

Cristiano Ronaldo and co feted as they return with the trophy
