Euro 2016: Portugal's Eder and his amazing life story

Eder Lopes after scoring the only goal of the match  (Image: Getty)

The winning goal of the Euro 2016 final was scored by a substitute in extra time - the culmination of an extraordinary life story.

Eder Lopes, 28, scored for Portugal against France but was born in the West African country of Guinea-Bissau and grew up in a care home.

Many were surprised at his winning contribution - not least Portugal's coach Fernando Santos.

After the match he gave this back-handed compliment: "The ugly duckling went and scored. Now he's a beautiful swan."

Eder was not even meant to be playing in the game.

Had Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo not suffered a knee injury and been carried off on a stretcher in tears, Eder would probably have remained on the bench.

But in the 109th minute of the final, with a penalty shoot-out looming, he took the ball about 30 yards from goal, went past French defender Laurent Koscielny and hit a ferocious shot past goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

It was the only goal of the match.

This was not the first time his life had taken a surprising turn.

Moving to Portugal

BBC Sport's Steve Crossman says Eder's story is "incredible", while sports site ESPN describes Eder's life as "rather unique and intriguing".

Eder was born in the former Portuguese colony of Guinea-Bissau but moved to Portugal as a toddler.

In an interview for his old club Swansea City he describes the journey.

"I moved to Portugal when I was two years old, so I don't remember living in Guinea-Bissau.

"My family moved to Lisbon so that we could live in better conditions and have a better way of life.

"My father was already living in Portugal, so I moved over with my mother."

But then, ESPN says his parents were unable to take care of him.

"I didn't really grow up with my family," he said.

Talent recognised

At the age of eight, he moved away from his family to the Sunflower Care Home in Coimbra.

Eder was often in trouble there because of his love for football, says ESPN.

"I always played football in the streets with the other kids from my college," he recalls.

"Every day and everywhere, if we had a ball, we would just play football."

"Finally his talent was recognised," says ESPN, and he was allowed to attend a local academy.

He was brought into the Coimbra-based ADC Ademia academy, where his talent was nurtured before he made his senior debut for Portuguese fourth tier club FC Oliveira do Hospital, says Swansea city's site.

At 18, Eder signed his first contract at the Portuguese second division club Tourizense for a monthly salary of 400 euros ($440; £340).

This salary, ESPN adds, "he duly sent to his mother".

His worth rose until at one point, while playing for Portuguese premier league club Braga, he was given a contract with a release clause of 30m euros.

ESPN said he had a lifelong dream of playing in England but, says in February 2013 "disaster struck".

'Don't underestimate me'

He was being eyed up by English premier league clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, but he tore his cruciate ligaments.

Braga, in the end let him go for "a much lower fee" to Swansea.

He failed to score at Swansea last season and in May he left for France, as ESPN put it "disappointed and heartbroken".

So scoring the winning goal in Euro 2016 may well have changed Eder's fate.

But, if Eder's prophetic Facebook post from 14 June, the day of Portugal's first match in the Euros, is anything to go by, then he is not surprised himself.

"Go ahead, underestimate me," it said.

Portugal 1-0 France 2016 Euro Match Highlights (Eder extra-time strike wins 2016 Euro title for Portugal)

France took on Portugal in the final of 2016 UEFA Euro in what was a very highly anticipated game. Portugal dealt an early blow when Cristiano Ronaldo was forced to withdraw from the game after suffering a calf injury. He left the game in tears in first half. France as expected dominated to proceedings but Portugal as so often in the tournament hanged in there and looked dangerous on counter attacks. Game was still 0-0 at the break but France were growing as the game wore on. Late in the extra time, Portugal found themselves unlikely hero in Eder whos low hard strike in the bottom corner put Portugal on the verge of European title.

Portugal 1-0 France Match Video Highlights

Absolute marathon of a game and on both teams pretty much canceled each other out for most part and it was a game where one goal would be enough to win the title. That was the case as Eder’s wonderful strike from outside the box put Portugal in lead with minutes to play for.

France had their chances probably the best chances in the game but they failed to score from the two three good chances they had. It took a moment of magic from Eder who has never scored a competitive international goal before to win the game and the cup. Portugal became first team in history to win the major title with only winning 1 game in normal time.

 Eder scores in extra time to stun France as Portugal break trophy

All in all it was a underwhelming final and France will have regrets having hit the cross bar not once but twice. But credit to Portugal they like defending and they put in massive effort even without their star man Ronaldo.

France 0-1 Portugal (Eder 109) 2016 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP - FINAL

Portugal were European Championship runners-up in 2004

Portugal claimed a first major international trophy as they overcame the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo to beat hosts France in the Euro 2016 final.

France carved out the best chances, with Antoine Griezmann twice denied by saves from Rui Patricio, while Andre-Pierre Gignac hit the post.

Portugal, who lost captain Ronaldo to a knee injury, hit the bar through Raphael Guerreiro in extra-time.

The game was heading for penalties when Eder beat Hugo Lloris from 25 yards.

The full-time whistle sparked joyous scenes among Portugal's players and fans.

The 2004 European Championship runners-up reached the knockout stages despite failing to win a group game.

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was carried off on a stretcher in tears with a suspected knee injury early in the Euro 2016 final against France.

The Real Madrid forward suffered the injury in the 17th minute and went off for treatment before coming back on.

Ronaldo, 31, tried to play on with a bandaged knee after a tackle by France forward Dimitri Payet.

But he threw his captain's armband to the ground in the 25th minute, unable to continue.

Click Here To Watch All The Semi Final Match Highlights

Ronaldo in tears as Euro 2016 ended by injury

UEFA Euro 2016 Semi-Final All Match Highlights. Thursday, July 7

  France 2-0 Germany Highlights (Griezmann scores in both halfs to seal final berth for France.)

Hosts France took on World Champions Germany in the second semifinal of 2016 UEFA European championship and it turned out to be another cracking game between the two. Germany dominated the best part of first 45 minutes but failed to score and that came back to haunt them as France took the lead just before the break when Bastian Schweinsteiger handled the ball inside the box and Antoine Griezmann scored from resulting penalty to put homeside in the lead. France started better in second half and the eventually killed the tie when Griezmann scored his 2nd of the night and 6th overall in the tournament.

France 2-0 Germany Video Highlights 

Portugal 2-0 Wales Highlights (Ronaldo and Nani second half goals put Portugal in Final)

Wales took on Portugal in the first semifinal of 2016 UEFA European Championship and there was a lot of expectations from this Wales side specially considering they were playing against a team who has yet to win a game in normal time. But when you have Cristiano Ronaldo in your ranks you are always within a shout for a goal and that's exactly what happened. After another 0-0 in first half, Portugal scored not once but twice inside 10 minutes after the break. Ronaldo’s thumping header followed by a his scuffed shot poked home from close range by Nani as Portugal went 2-0 up. Portugal hold on to their lead and qualify for the 2016 Euro final against either Germany or France.

Portugal 2-0 Wales Video Highlights

Roy Hodgson resigns after England lose to Iceland (Euro 2016)

Roy Hodgson has resigned as England manager after his side's 2-1 defeat by Iceland saw them knocked out of Euro 2016.

The 68-year-old had been in charge for four years after replacing Italian Fabio Capello but has won just three of 11 games in major tournament finals.

Iceland - with a population of just 330,000 - were among the lowest-ranked teams in France at 34 in the world.

"I'm sorry it will have to end this way but these things happen," Hodgson said.

Roy Hodgson resigned as England manager after their defeat by Iceland in the last 16

"I hope you will still be able to see an England team in a final of a major tournament soon," he added.

And defending his players' performance against Iceland, when they managed just four shots on target to Iceland's five, he said: "When I arrived I was told the players would not turn up, but I have not seen that."

Hodgson, who won 33 of his 56 games in charge, would have been out of contract at the end of the tournament and was set to have talks over having it renewed.

FA chairman Greg Dyke had stated he would only stay on if England "do well" in France, indicating that meant at least reaching the quarter-finals.

England qualified for Euro 2016 with a 100% record in their group. They started the finals with a 1-1 draw against Russia before beating Wales 2-1 and drawing 0-0 with Slovakia in their final Group B game - results that left them in second place and in a tougher half of the draw.

Under Hodgson's guidance, England had reached the quarter-finals of the last European Championship, losing to Italy on penalties, before a dismal showing at the 2014 World Cup where they went out at the group stages without winning a game.

Speaking to reporters following Monday's last-16 defeat in Nice, Hodgson confirmed his assistants Ray Lewington and Gary Neville would also be leaving their posts.

Euro 2016: Gareth Bale says Wales win over Russia was their 'best performance'

Highlights: Russia 0-3 Wales

Gareth Bale says beating Russia 3-0 at Euro 2016 was the best performance he has been involved in for Wales.

Victory in Toulouse sent Wales into the last 16 as Group B winners, while England finished as runners-up with a 0-0 draw against Slovakia.

Wales will play the third-placed team from Group A, C or D at the Parc des Princes in Paris on Saturday.

"It's incredible. It's a dream for all of us. What an amazing way to do it," said forward Bale.

"We knew everything was on this game. It was in our own hands and we said to go out there, enjoy ourselves.

"The performance was probably the best I've ever been involved in since I've been here. And what support."

Wales' players celebrate at the final whistle

Aaron Ramsey and Neil Taylor scored before Bale capped a dominant Wales display by poking past Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev in the second half, his third goal in as many games.

He is the leading scorer at Euro 2016 and the top scorer for Wales in a major international tournament, surpassing Ivor Allchurch's two goals at the 1958 World Cup.

"We started very well; we didn't feel too nervous at the start. We were very confident and to top the group, what more can you ask?" added Bale.

"We said we didn't want to come here and just make up the numbers and to win the group, we can't do any more than that.

"Now we look forward to who we've got next."

Bouncing back after England defeat

Wales play with no fear - Coleman

Wales boss Chris Coleman, whose side began the game second in the group after their 2-1 defeat by England on Thursday, praised their "brave" display against Russia.

"The three points are massive for us but the performance was even sweeter than the points," said Coleman.

"The players were brave. I don't mean brave in terms of without the ball; I mean possession. They did everything that they are capable of doing in possession.

Wales finished top of the Group B table

"We didn't do that against England. They were brilliant without with ball but with the ball we never played like we can play, as we showed tonight."

Group winners and beyond

Wales' opponents in the first knockout phase will be confirmed on Tuesday, when the final round of Group C and D games are played. Albania finished third in Group A.

"It's not the end of the tournament," said Coleman. "This group of players are on the way to something else; they're on the way to some more success.

"This is the part of the journey they're on and me and my staff are just glad we're on it with them."

How far can Wales go?

Playing in their first major tournament for 58 years, Wales have scored more goals than any other team in the competition.

Despite a potential meeting with world champions Germany in the quarter-finals, Coleman said his side "have nothing to fear".

He added: "We respect everybody and, when we play like that, why should we have any fear?"

Euro 2016: France expels far-right Russia fan chief Shprygin

EPA

The far-right leader of the Russian footballer supporters' association is being thrown out of France following violence at the England-Russia Euro 2016 match in Marseille.

Alexander Shprygin is among 20 Russian fans being deported.

They were detained on Tuesday while travelling from Marseille to Lille to watch Russia face Slovakia.

The arrests angered Moscow, which summoned the French ambassador to protest.

A Russian foreign ministry statement warned against "further stoking of anti-Russian sentiments".

Mr Shprygin's All-Russia Supporters Union is backed by the Kremlin. He is reported to hold far-right views and has been photographed giving a Nazi salute.

A statement from the union said he and the other 19 fans had been transferred to a deportation centre from which they will be expelled in the next five days.

It said the French authorities were taking the measures for "security reasons".

Russia and England fans clashed before and after the two teams played on Saturday.

French police blamed 150 "well-trained" Russian hooligans for the violence.

Afterwards, Russia was hit with a fine and a suspended disqualification, meaning the team will be thrown out of the Euro tournament if their fans cause more trouble inside stadiums.

Five England fans were jailed for throwing bottles at police and a sixth jailed in connection with the violence.

On Wednesday at least 36 people were arrested in the city of Lille and 16 taken to hospital following disorder involving England supporters.

In total, French police have made more than 300 arrests since the start of the European championships.

"Of these arrests, 196 were taken into custody, eight convicted to jail terms and three given suspended sentences," an interior ministry statement said.

Euro 2016: Police arrest 36 over Lille disorder

Fans have clashed with police in Lille   (Image: Getty)

At least 36 people have been arrested in Lille in a day of recurring clashes between French police and football fans at the Euro 2016 tournament.

French police said the arrests had been made throughout the day and added that 16 people had been hospitalised.

On Wednesday evening, riot police charged at hundreds of England football fans as flares and bangers were lit.

The BBC's James Reevell said tear gas was used by riot police and it was mostly England fans that were involved.

Earlier, some English and Russian fans were detained after scuffles.

England and Wales supporters are in the city ahead of the teams' match in nearby Lens on Thursday.

Russian and Slovakian fans are also in Lille, after their match at the city's Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Wednesday.

Police charged at England supporters in Lille on Wednesday evening
(Image: AP)

Our correspondent James Reevell, who is in Lille, said England fans had been singing songs taunting the police.

"It makes a dramatic escalation in tension in the city," he said late on Wednesday.

"The streets are calmer now but large of numbers of fans are still on the street."

Earlier on Wednesday, hundreds of England fans were surrounded by riot police in the city's main square.

The fans were then pushed back into the corner of the square by police in riot gear, before the square was cleared.

England fan Oliver Larkworthy, from Norwich, is in Lille and was caught up when police fired tear gas at fans at the city's railway station.

"I saw a massive crowd running down the street - English fans, Slovakian fans and locals mainly, a real mix," he said.

As night fell, flares and bangers were lit by England fans  (Image: Reuters)

"There is a massive mob of Russian fans standing outside the station just waiting to cause trouble. The whole thing is a disaster waiting to happen. It's like a massive tinder box waiting to go off any minute."

The Russian football team have already been given a suspended disqualification from the tournament following attacks by their supporters on England fans at their opening fixture in Marseille on Saturday.

And the Russian foreign ministry has summoned the French ambassador to Moscow after it sharply criticised policing at the Euro 2016 tournament.

"Further stoking of anti-Russian sentiments... could significantly aggravate the atmosphere in Russian-French relations," the ministry said.

Six England fans were jailed following Russia and England's draw in Marseille on Saturday.

Michel Lalande, prefect of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais Picardy region, said a drinking ban was in place in some parts of central Lille and the stadium.

Shops selling alcohol in the city closed from 18:00 local time (17:00 BST) on Tuesday and will reopen at 06:00 (05:00 BST) on Friday, he said.

However, the BBC's Geraint Owen, in Lille, said small supermarkets were still selling alcohol on Wednesday afternoon, and drinking was taking place openly on the streets.

Vince Alm, of the Football Supporters' Federation Cymru, said the ban was not enforceable. "There are so many outlets around it's impossible," he said.

Fans are being discouraged from travelling if they are without a ticket to the England-Wales game, and the authorities had also asked those with a ticket to delay travel until the day of the game.

Those without match tickets can watch the match in the city's fan zone, where lower-strength beer will be sold.

Mr Lalande also said anyone carrying out violence would be removed from the country.

British Transport Police officers have been travelling with fans on Eurostar trains on Wednesday.

Eurostar is running some alcohol-free services, with no alcohol allowed through check-in or purchased at departure lounges or on board.

Euro 2016: Uefa charge Russia over fan violence

A number of Russia fans rushed towards England fans at the end of the match
(Image: PA)

Uefa has begun disciplinary proceedings against Russia's Football Union after "totally unacceptable" scenes at Saturday's England-Russia game.

Footage appeared to show Russia fans rush at England supporters after the Euro 2016 1-1 draw in Marseille.

Some wearing scarves over their faces, while others wore mouth guards and fighting gloves, one witness said  (Image: AP)

Charges against Russia were for crowd disturbances, racist behaviour, and setting off fireworks, Uefa confirmed.

There were issues with segregation of fans, the body admitted, promising security would be "strengthened".

Witnesses said trouble began in the stadium after flares were let off by Russian fans near the end of the game. Some then climbed across barriers designed to keep rival fans apart.

A number of Russia supporters appeared to kick and punch fleeing England fans, who were forced to clamber over fencing to escape.

Earlier in the day, England, Russia and local fans were embroiled in ugly clashes with riot police, with a number of bloodied fans being taken to hospital.

'Utter disgust'

Responding to Uefa's announcement, Russia's Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko it had "done the right thing" to start a disciplinary case, R-Sport news agency reported.

"It's the right thing, there were flares, there was a flare gun, there had been clashes in the stands, it's necessary to sort all of this out," he reportedly said.

Police used tear gas for a third day, as well as water canon, in an attempt to disperse fans  (Image: Reuters)

"The fans were rooting greatly, but there are people who do not come for the football."

He was earlier quoted as saying there were "many nuances" to what happened, and Russian officials would investigate.

In a statement, European football's governing body expressed "utter disgust" over the clashes in the city centre, and "serious concern" at the incidents inside the Stade Velodrome.

"Corrective measures" to strengthen the deployment of security personnel would be implemented, it said.

Meanwhile, the world football governing body Fifa strongly condemned the "shameful scenes" between "idiotic troublemakers" at the European Championship.

'Slack' security

England spectators who were at the match have described a "desperate scramble" to escape charging Russia fans, some of who were wearing gum shields and MMA (mixed martial arts) gloves, one witness claimed.

Cory McLeod, who was in the stadium, told the BBC: "A wall of Russian fans charged at our section, which had kids, women, and even some Russian fans in.

"I couldn't see if any of them had weapons or anything but people were running fast, it was manic, just a desperate scramble towards a large fence in the corner."

Others spoke of "slack" security. Sam Blackwell, from Kingston upon Thames, south-west London, said the only entry search was "a quick pat down".

"This would go a long way to explaining how the Russian fans got flares, fireworks and whatever the big bang was into the ground."

Sanctions against Russia will be decided at a disciplinary meeting on Tuesday, Uefa said.

BBC sports editor Dan Roan said as hosts of the 2018 World Cup, Russia was under intense scrutiny.

Uefa's decision would also come under scrutiny, he said, with Russia's next match against Slovakia taking place in Lille on Wednesday - the day before England's match against Wales just 24 miles away in Lens.

Euro 2016 Spain squad: Diego Costa and Juan Mata left out of Vicente del Bosque's preliminary squad for Euro 2016

Vicente del Bosque has named his preliminary squad for Euro 2016             (Getty)

Del Bosque has announced his 25-man preliminary squad for Spain's European Championship defence with som enotable absentees.

Costa endured a difficult start to the season with Chelsea, scoring just three league goals before Jose Mourinho was sacked in December, though he showed a marked improvement under Guus Hiddink which led to fans criticising him for not playing hard enough under Mourinho.

Diego Costa has been left out of Spain's preliminary 25-man squad for Euro 2016 (Getty)

The 27-year-old missed the last two matches of the season due to a recurrence of a hamstring injury that has hindered him this season, and Del Bosque has elected to leave him out of his squad for the international friendlies against Bosnia-Herzegovina, South Korea and Georgia, with two players set to be culled to decide Del Bosque’s final squad.

In place of Costa is 35-year-old Athletic Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz, who has made just three international appearances since making his debut in 2010. The former Valencia striker has netted 20 goals in La Liga this season and also scored on his return to the Spain squad in the 1-1 draw with Italy in March, and his inclusion means there is also no space for former Chelsea forward Fernando Torres despite his recent up-turn in form to help Atletico Madrid reach the Champions League final.

Another casualty is Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata, with the likes of David Silva, Cesc Fabregas and Isco preferred. With three goalkeepers and just seven defenders named in the squad, the two players to miss out on the final squad could well both come from the pool of 10 midfielders.

Juan Mata was left out of the Spain squad for the Euros                  (Getty)

Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla is another to miss out following his lengthy absence with a knee injury, while Bayern Munich’s Javi Martinez has been overlooked with Mikel San Jose preferred to provide cover for the defence as well as the holding midfield role.

Cazorla and Costa’s absence means that the squad has five representatives from the Premier League, with Silva and Fabregas joined by Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea and Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta and Pedro.

Spain’s preliminary 25-man Euro 2016 squad:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Porto), David De Gea (Manchester United), Sergio Rico (Sevilla)

Defenders: Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique, Marc Bartra (all Barcelona), Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal (both Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid)

Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta (both Barcelona), David Silva (Manchester City), Mikel San Jose (Athletic Bilbao), Koke, Saul Niguez (both Atletico Madrid), Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Isco (Real Madrid), Bruno Soriano (Villarreal)

Forwards: Pedro Rodriguez (Chelsea), Alvaro Morata (Juventus), Aritz Aduriz (Athletic Bilbao), Nolito (Celta Vigo), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid)