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UEFA Euro 2016 is in its final lap. Two survivors remain and are hurtling towards the finishing line at breakneck speed, aiming to trump each other. Of the 24 who entered the arena for battle, the last duo are set to light up the football pitch one final time, to determine who will emerge victorious and hold the coveted trophy aloft at the end of the last duel.
Portugal have been considered by many to be the luckiest team to have played in an international competition in recent times. Their semi-final win over Wales was the first time they had won a match in the stipulated 90 minutes in the entire competition. But the match also proved Portugal’s credentials as challengers.
France have never lost a tournament they have hosted on home soil. Michel Platini’s side conquered Europe in 1984 before Zinedine Zidane inspired them to the World Cup triumph in 1998.
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We take a look at 5 players who will influence tonight’s outcome:
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
Going into the semi-final, Ronaldo had been roundly criticised for his indifferent and tepid displays in the knockout stages. It seems, though, every bout of criticism jolts Ronaldo out of his stupor and he was once again the difference between Wales and Portugal. Although a return of 3 goals and 3 assists would be considered amazing for most players, Ronaldo is not one of the crowd. The global superstar is in a league of his own, and he once again showed the world his class, against an unfortunate Wales side.
Opening the scoring with an imperious and towering header, Ronaldo put his impressive physical attributes on display for the world to see. A brilliant header of the ball, Ronaldo cannot be afforded any space in the penalty box or he will punish France. A shot cum cross allowed Nani to score Portugal’s second and seal the final berth for Portugal. The whole of Portugal will be hoping their talisman comes up with something similarly special tonight, in the final.
#2 Pepe
Portugal's biggest enemy in recent times has been their defending. In many ways, a standard defence could have taken Portugal closer to the trophy on a number of occasions in the past. Without a proper defensive leader, and players who rarely make it to the first teams of elite teams in Europe, Portugal's bane has easily been their defence.
Since the likes of Fernando Couto retired, Portugal have lacked the defensive solidity of yester years. However, Euro 2016 seems to have changed all of that and it is primarily because of their defence that Portugal have progressed to the final.
The tournament has seen Portugal put up an organised defence line for the first time in recent memory. Led by Pepe who himself has transformed from a rash and impulsive tackler to a more tactical defender, capable of keeping his cool under pressure and reading the game much better than opposition attackers.
Pepe has faced the likes of Lewandowski and Mandzukic and emerged relatively unscathed and fans were on tenterhooks when news of Pepe’s absence against Wales filtered through before their semi-final clash. Having successfully negotiated this challenge, they will be hoping to see Pepe back in time for the final and control the backline against France’s deadly attack.
#3 Paul Pogba
With major news outlets reporting on Paul Pogba’s imminent world-record move from Juventus to either Real Madrid or Manchester United, the 23-year-old might have a difficult time focusing on the job at hand. He definitely looked as though he had not let the huge transfer fees he is supposedly commanding get to his head, as he produced a masterclass against the world champions’ defence in the semi-final.
A commanding performance against Iceland followed by a hardworking box-to-box display, including a key role in France’s second goal against Germany in the semi-final, will have done a world of good for the French star. He initially looked devoid of confidence and under a lot of pressure as it seemed the media frenzy surrounding him, for being the Atlas to the globe of French hopes, got to him.
After a tentative start, it seems Pogba is ready to step up his performance in the final. The Juventus midfielder will be hoping to replicate his performance against the Germans on Sunday against Portugal to ensure France’s unique record of never losing a final on home soil since 1984 remain intact. He will especially be licking his lips at the prospect of coming up against a physically weak and inexperienced Portuguese midfield for whom his pace and power might just be too much to handle.
#4 Dimitri Payet
If there was an award for the best player in the initial stages of Euro 2016, Payet would be the odds-on favourite to win it. Having almost single-handedly inspired France through the group stages, Payet quickly became the focal point of their creative impetus. In their quarter-final encounter, Payet scored one of the goals of the tournament, against Iceland, which effectively ended the match on the night. That goal among others including the fabulous strike against Romania sees Payet as a favourite to clinch the goal of the tournament.
Payet brings an all-round attacking threat to the team, with acute passes of deadly accuracy, a brilliant shot on both feet and clever movement to befuddle opposition defenders. Although Payet was a shade of his usual self against the Germans, it was expected as the Germans were of a far more superior quality in defence and midfield, than any other opposition faced by France till then.
Against Portugal, however, Payet will look to enjoy a much freer role than he had against the Germans. He most definitely will come up against a far more inferior midfield and defence, as the likes of Renato Sanches and Adrien Silva are not renowned for their tackling and tracking back abilities.
#5 Antoine Griezmann
French football’s new poster boy, Antoine Griezmann, has been wooing fans across the globe with his silky moves on and off the ball. After a difficult start to Euro 2016, during which Griezmann seemed to be a tactical outcast in France's patient passing game, Griezmann has adapted well since. Leading the scoring charts on his own, with 6 goals in 6 matches, along with 2 assists, Griezmann is France’s most potent threat in front of goal.
Having shot to world prominence over the last 2 years, it has taken Griezmann time to master the art of waiting for an opportune moment to make a run. The first goal he scored in Euro 2016, against Albania seems to have flooded him with confidence and he has not looked back since. Combining ably with Olivier Giroud, off whom he runs and plays delicious one-twos with, and Dmitri Payet, who plays him through balls which utilise his blazing pace, Griezmann has become the star of the show for France.
The man of the match in their semi-final clash against the might Germans, Griezmann was head and shoulders above the remaining 21 players on the pitch. At times he was just unplayable, with his trailblazing speed and magical close control, giving the German full backs a torrid time. Portugal will be praying for Griezmann to have an off day, because his ominous form will not bode well for them. The whole world will wait to see if they get to see more of Drake’s ‘Bling’ moves come tonight!
