Portugal was the perceived underdog when they met France in the Euro 2016 final. Finishing third place in their group, they advanced solely on the new rules of the 24 team tournament. Impressing almost no one, the only match they won in the regular 90 minutes was their semifinal against Wales. Yet, despite all odds, it was Portugal that lifted the European Championship trophy, their first ever. It was not on the back of a great performance by their star and captain, Cristiano Ronaldo. It was their goalkeeper, Rui Patrício, who recorded one of the greatest performances of his career to bring his country to European glory.
Goalkeeper Rui Patricio was Portugal’s most important player in the Euro final
Cristiano Ronaldo got the pre-match hype and Pepe was named man of the match, but Rui Patricio was the real star for Portugal.
Patrício matched the active France attack early on, when Dimitri Payet and Antoine Griezmann combined 10 minutes into the match. After a beautiful ball from the West Ham midfielder, the ball found itself at Griezmann’s head, and he managed a fantastic header from the edge of the penalty area. The goalkeeper had no problem with the attempt, launching himself into the near corner of his goal, throwing his left hand at the ball to swat it away. He left Griezmann frustrated and kept the match scoreless.
Payet (monster pass)
— Onefootball (@Onefootball) July 10, 2016
Griezmann (monster header)
Rui Patricio (monster save)#EURO2016 #PORFRA pic.twitter.com/cHpiRmUqMx
Patrício held his own with that shot from close range but also had no trouble with shots from distance. Eighty-three minutes into the match, Moussa Sissoko, who was enjoying an outstanding match himself, allowed a ball to rip from distance. As brilliant as Sissoko’s shot was, Patrício matched his opponent’s excellence. Flying to his right, Patrício took two hands to the ball and shoved it aside. The match headed to extra time, thanks to the excellence of the Portuguese goalkeeper.
Rui Patrício with an excellent performance today. #EURO2016 #PORFRApic.twitter.com/jBTB8ATK86
— Onefootball (@Onefootball) July 10, 2016
The French attack managed 18 shots, seven of which were on target. Patrício was up for the challenge, making seven saves and claiming the ball three times in the air. His standout performance allowed for France not to capitalize on their multiple opportunities first in the regular 90 minutes, and then in the 30 minutes of extra time.
The match surely would have been over long before Éder's championship-winning goal without the performance of Rui Patrício, and UEFA missed quite the opportunity to name him man of the match, opting to give it to central defender Pepe instead. In a tournament where Portugal's defense outshone its superstar attack, Patrício had a performance that personified his team and walked away a star in his own right.
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