With its win over Germany in the semifinals, France improved to 16-0-2 in its last 18 major tournament games on its home soil. The home side will try to extend that unbeaten streak to 19 games and win another major tournament for France this Sunday against Portugal.
Portugal vs. France odds, Euro 2016 final: France betting favorite in championship game
Favored France will take on underdog Portugal on Sunday in the last game of its quest to win another major tournament at home.
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France is a +105 betting favorite to win Sunday’s final in regulation at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. Portugal would pay +350 on a win in regulation and +220 to force the game into extra time.
Germany controlled the tempo for most of the first half of its semifinal game against France. But a late handball gave France a penalty kick at the end of the half, and the tournament’s leading goal scorer Antoine Griezmann capitalized with a goal.
From there, it was all France; the home squad dominated the second half, Griezmann added a second goal, and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was unbeatable in the 2-0 win. France enters the final in top form with plenty of momentum off this win.
This head-to-head battle hasn’t been close historically. France holds a convincing 18-5-1 advantage in 24 all-time matches against Portugal, including a current stretch of 10-0 that started in 1978.
For the first time in the Euro 2016 tournament, Portugal wasn’t locked in a tie when the final whistle of regulation went off last Wednesday. Portugal put together a strong defensive effort to keep Wales off the score sheet, earning a 2-0 victory with two quick goals early in the second half.
Cristiano Ronaldo has had an inconsistent tournament, but he was sharp in this one and his brilliant header proved to be the game-winner.
Sunday’s total is set at two goals. France has now matched or exceeded that total in 14 of its last 15 games.
The odds and the betting trends are clearly stacked against Portugal, but there won’t be any lack of confidence in this one. Portugal was on the wrong end of a shocking loss to Greece in the Euro 2004 final as the home country, and it will try to exorcise those demons this weekend.
To do so, Portugal will have to be the first team to win in France in a major tournament since the 1960 European Nations Cup.
