France is without a doubt, one of the great footballing nations. Despite underperforming in the international scene for much of football history, they can boast a feat few nations can rival.
Two World Cup wins their first thanks to that legendary 1998 side that won on their home soil, and the second coming just 5 years ago in Russia.
But, just 2 years before their triumph in Russia, France were in a state of transition.
After a truly disappointing World Cup in 2010, rife with mutiny and poor performances on the pitch, France was in the midst of a disappointing recent history in International tournaments, their best performance in the last 3 a Quarterfinal loss to Germany.
But with a new look side, and much of the old guard rotated, the nation of France had reason to be optimistic for victory on their home soil.
The 2016 edition of the European Championships was a new-look tournament as well. In an attempt to boost the competition’s popularity and prestige further, the tournament was expanded to include 24 teams, which meant two more groups and a round of 16 were added.
The six groups (A to F) still contained four teams each, with the top two from each group still going through to the knockout phase. In the new format, however, the four best third-ranked sides also progressed in order to make the extra knockout round work.
Struggling Portugal and Icelandic Dreamland
Luckily, the stories of the tournament would prove the format change very worthwhile for the spectacle that was Euro 2016
By far the biggest story of the group stage was Iceland making their international tournament debut.
With a golden generation of players coming through, and the extra qualifying places, Iceland had rightfully earned a place in their tournament, but a group consisting of Portugal, Hungary and Austria saw them favourites for last place, with all of the three sides boasting a population of millions and much better teams on paper.
But with just a population of 330,000, Iceland would prove everybody wrong after holding Portugal to a 1-1 draw.
In their next game against Hungary, it looked like they might achieve a first tournament win, but, in the 88th minute, an Iceland own goal resulted in the points being shared, to Icelandic dismay.
But despite failing to win a game, the group stage was still wide open as the final matches loomed.
Portugal had drawn both of their games, level on points with Iceland, while the only team to win a game was Hungary, now having all but secured guaranteed progression to the next round, save for an unlikely change of fortune.
Iceland were facing last-placed Austria, a side featuring an 11 that featured many players plying their trade in Europe’s top leagues. Though Austria had failed to build any real cohesion so far in the tournament.
It took a 94th-minute winner to make it there, but Iceland ran out 2-1 winners.
In the other game, Hungary shared the points with Portugal in a 3-3 thriller, condemning them to 3rd place.
However, they would still qualify as one of the best-performing sides.
Over in Group B, another intriguing story was unfolding.
The Red Dragon Roars
Wales had played beyond what was expected of them, having beaten a decent Slovakian side, and given England a great game that needed a 92nd-minute winner to Daniel Sturridge to separate the two.
Their final game was against Russia, and a win was needed to secure a spot in the next round.
If Russia beat them, and Slovakia earned a point against England, Wales were out.
The Welsh, however, were well up for a fight and duly smashed the Russians 3-0.
Over in the other game, Slovakia held England to a 0-0 draw, making Wales top of the group. What an achievement for Bale and his men.
Buoyed by their passionate fans, known as the “Red Wall,” the side felt they could push on further still.
As the first knockout was drawn, everyone’s attention was on the aforementioned, England vs Iceland game. A battle of the Island nations, England were of course favourites, but this Roy Hodgson England team was massively inconsistent.
The Best Goal Yet
But, the first game of the round was perhaps the most memorable, thanks to a moment of sheer beauty from Xherdan Shaqiri.
With time running out, and the Swiss needing a goal, things were getting desperate.
8 minutes left on the clock, Lichtsteiner placed a poor ball into the Polish box, which was half cleared after flicking up off a striker.
It flies toward Shaqiri, his back to goal, the ball hanging in the air as the whole crowd shared a moment of unity, all-knowing from the glint in Xherdan’s eye what was coming next.
Using every sinew in his body, Shaqiri lets loose an incredible Bicycle Kick from the edge of the box. It was too much for Fabianski in goal. Sweetly nestling in the bottom corner, the Swiss were level.
They would sadly go out to Poland on penalties, but the moment was comfortably, the goal of the tournament. So far…
England Vs Iceland: Whose Land Is It Anyway?
But in the all-important game, England were confident.
Iceland could play, but England were experienced, comfortable and had a team entirely made of Premier League stalwarts. Rooney, Sturridge, Kyle Walker and plenty of young stars coming through such as Sterling, Dele Alli and Harry Kane up top.
It only took 3 minutes…
A long ball put Sturridge in on goal, with no one but the keeper to race to the ball.
It was a meek effort by Halldorsson in goal, who brought Sturridge down.
Rooney was never going to miss from the spot, and just 3 minutes in, Iceland were a goal down.
At this point, when I was watching as a naive teenager, I must admit I was guilty of what every England fan and player was thinking. “We can hammer these lot”.
But twists are ubiquitous in football, and Iceland soon provided punishment for the hubris and complacency of England.
Two minutes later, Iceland had a throw-in…
Gunnarsson, as expected, was taking it.
We know what happens next. The ball hurtled towards Arnason at the near post, who was free to flick the ball onto Ragnar Sigurðsson, who just like in the Austria game had an easy finish from 7 metres out, sliding the ball home from the flick on.
England was shell-shocked.
This was evident as England struggled to regroup. Mentally they looked bereft of confidence all of a sudden, and sensing a moment to capitalise, Iceland soon had another.
The first goal was achieved out of brute force, but the second was worthy of any side in the tournament.
A quick passing exchange seemed to mesmerise the English defenders, as they struggled to retain a solid structure.
Stepping off, they allowed the ball to find its way to Sigthórsson, who struck low and hard.
Joe Hart would see it late, and despite getting a hand to it, the shot squirmed past his glove.
Hart should have done better in truth. But England’s failure to score for the next 70 minutes was a far bigger issue.
Iceland did the impossible, holding on to a slender lead to beat footballing royalty and progress to the next round, all the while English pundits were left seething at the lack of desire from the players. Its considered the ‘worst result in English history’.
The story of the next round was undoubtedly, Wales vs Belgium.
The Underdogs Run Out Of Steam
Belgium had thrashed Hungary 4-0 in the prior fixture, while Wales squeaked through against Northern Ireland thanks to a Mcauley own goal. Belgium were pretty clear favourites.
Despite an early thunderbolt from Nainggolan that gave Belgium the lead, Wales soon picked Belgium apart. Robson-Kanu would score the most memorable goal in Welsh football history, beating 3 players at once with a Cruyff turn to put Wales in a 2-1 lead. This was from a man who was without a club.
Wales went on to win 3-1, Sam Vokes confirming the win on 86 minutes.
Sadly while Wales were busy giving Belgians nightmares, Iceland’s story came to an end.
Facing France, a brave Iceland shipped 5, finding themselves 4-0 down in the first half. Two consolation goals made the scoreline slightly better, but Iceland had finally reached their limit.
Despite this, they’d captured the hearts of many, and done their nation more than proud.
Up next for Wales though, Ronaldo’s Portugal.
Portugal had quietly been progressing each round. After a disappointing group stage with 3 draws, they’d narrowly beaten Poland and Croatia. Just Wales stood in the way of a final.
Sadly, like Iceland, Wales reached their limit.
They fought well and were always in the game to some degree, but a trademark Cristiano Ronaldo header, and a Nani goal off the back of a scuffed Ronaldo effort only 3 minutes after the first, saw Portugal progress.
The Final
The host nation faced Germany. A tough game, but so far, France had been one of the tournament’s better sides.
Thanks to that big win the previous round they were flowing with more confidence than ever, while Germany were coming off the back of an exhausting 1-1 penalty win over Italy.
France had more momentum and energy going into the semi-final, and it showed.
Both sides had good chances, but France proved more clinical, also winning 2-0 to set up a final between France and Portugal.
Griezeman and Ronaldo both put on great performances. Griezmann was the top scorer with 6, while Ronaldo had been playing to the standard we all expect of him.
The final had all the hallmarks of a classic. Two great teams, with great players.
The tournament had been full of excitement and everyone was expecting a final that followed the same footsteps.
Sadly, it was a game bereft of chances.
0-0 at full time, there were only 9 shots to Frances 18 across 120 minutes.
But in extra-time, there was one moment of brilliance, that was enough to separate the two.
As Eder came on in the 79th minute, he was nervous, there was a lack of confidence and a feeling of self-doubt consuming his thoughts.
Sensing this, Ronaldo, who had come off injured early on, told him he would be the one to score the winning goal.
30 minutes later, Eder had the ball at his feet, with nobody around him bar the French defenders.
About 30 metres from goal, he holds off Laurent Koscielny, getting the ball out from under his feet and striking from distance low and hard.
The Portugal fans erupted with a palpable ecstasy as they saw Lloris beaten. A daisycutter from range giving Portugal their first-ever major tournament win.
