5) Where did France go wrong?
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Not in too many aspects. France tried absolutely everything, but were denied by a spirited Portuguese side and Patricio’s heroics in goal. Antoine Griezmann saw a header tipped over the crossbar and narrowly headed another chance off target.
Moussa Sissoko was intense but was unable to find the back of the net. Substitute Andre-Pierre Gignac came inches away from winning it for France in injury time of regulation time, seeing his shot ricochet off the post.
The full-backs Bacary Sagna and Patrice Evra delivered quality balls into the penalty area, while another substitute Kingsley Coman occasionally made his quick feet do the talking. Having had a day’s less recuperation time, one could understand France wearing away in extra-time and ceding dominance to Portugal.
Their only major error was Samuel Umtiti’s inexperience to stand off Eder and turn his back to him which enabled the latter to deliver the decisive hammer-blow. In the end, their inability to convert their chances cost them the chance to lift the title in front of their home fans. It was a bitter pill for Didier Deschamps and his troops to swallow.
