Monday 11 July 2016 07:43, UK
Portugal are celebrating their first-ever major title after shocking Euro 2016 hosts France, leaving coach Fernando Santos proud of the strength and unity shown in triumphing without talisman Cristiano Ronaldo.
The tournament came to a fitting end at the Stade de France, where the main talking point of the opening 90 minutes was the injury that brought the Portugal captain's night to a premature end.
However, Portugal proved they are more than a one-man team, securing a 1-0 win against favourites France through Eder's stunning extra-time strike.
Wild celebrations met the final whistle as Portugal clinched a first-ever major tournament, 12 years after being overturned by unfancied Greece at the end of the European Championship they hosted.
"I've always said we're a team," manager Santos said, having been applauded into the press conference. "I never hide my thoughts - I always tell my players what's on my mind.
"I've always told them we've got great talent but we need to fight more than our opponents, run more than them and be more concentrated than them.
"We have an amazing group. They've always believed what I told them: that we could win this."
It is a feat made all the more impressive given they played a the majority of the match without Ronaldo, who was injured in a challenge by Dimitri Payet during the early exchanges.
Portugal's captain and talisman may not have been on the field, but still acted as an inspiration to his team-mates on a historic night and earned praise from his coach.
"Our skipper put in an immense effort," Santos added. "He has amazing team spirit.
"Twice he tried to get back on the pitch but him being there in the dressing room and on the bench was very important for us. He believed - just like myself - that tonight was our night."
Few would have believed that substitute Eder would be the match winner, though, with his strike leaving Swansea fans rubbing their eyes in disbelief given his underwhelming time in Wales.
"When he came on he told me he would score," Santos added. "The ugly duckling went and scored. Now he's a beautiful swan."
