Portugal’s players were understandably euphoric after making history by beating France in Paris tonight to become Euro 2016 champions.

An example of the joy among the squad can be heard in the excerpt below, which was recorded when captain Cristiano Ronaldo and several of his team-mates came through the Mixed Zone doing the conga after the match.

PortuGOAL spoke at some length (by Mixed Zone standards) to João Moutinho about what it means to be crowned Euro 2016 champions and aspects of the match at the Stade de France. Listen to the interview and read the (English) transcript below.

• Fernando Santos
• Rui Patricio
• Eder
• Euro 2016

Euro 2016 final: France 0-1 Portugal (after extra time)

In an extraordinarily gritty and heroic performance, the Seleção, deprived of their captain through injury, won their first ever major championship trophy in extra time at the Stade de France in St Denis. 

Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury in the 8th minute left him in tears and the hopes of millions of Portuguese supporters in tatters. But the Seleção displayed the courage and bravery of true champions as they wrestled back control of the match from France and won in the 110th minute courtesy of a wonderful strike by Éder.

To lift the 2016 European Championship Portugal not only have to beat France. They have to beat the weight of history. 

The Seleção have lost on each of the three occasions they have met Les Bleus in competitive matches, and the last ten games against their nemesis if you include friendlies. And on the five occasions Portugal have faced the host country at World Cups or Euros, in 1966 (England), 1984 (France), 2002 (South Korea), 2006 (Germany) and 2008 (Switzerland), they lost all five matches.

These facts have been widely repeated over the last few days. What is less well known is the incredible back stories of triumphing against the odds that are common to many of Portugal's squad members. Stories that shine a light on the resolve of the human spirit to overcome hardship and which lend credence to the notion that this is a very special set of players, able to rewrite the record books. 

Santos’ selection puzzle ahead of Euro 2016 final

He’s a man that affirms precious little of his innermost thoughts. Facial expressions, hand gestures, the whole package is as non-revelatory as any you might encounter in football. And yet he’s a man who clearly knows what he wants from his squad.

Fernando Santos has transformed Portugal from an instrument of unrestrained, attacking football to an organized, compact, steel-willed machine that has yet to be defeated in competitive matches. Methods will always be subject to scrutiny in football or any other enterprise, but consistent results are hard to dispute.

Whatever emotional contrivance is brought against this squad or its manager’s tactics, the truth stands uncontested: Santos has brought this team to the doorstep of an historic event, Portugal’s first major championship trophy.