Sport360's prediction - France vs Portugal - Our writers' picks to win the Euro 2016 final

Sport360 staff 11:53 10/07/2016
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  • Who will win the Euro 2016 final?

    Our Sport360 team picks the winners of the Euro 2016 final as the host nation France prepare to face dark horses Portugal in Paris, on Sunday.

    Who do you see winning the final?

    Share with us your thoughts by taking part in our poll below, using #360fans on Twitter and getting in touch via Facebook.

    STEVE MCKENLAY – EDITOR

    PORTUGAL 1-3 FRANCE

    I tipped France to win this tournament before it started and I have no reason to change that now. Playing on home soil at the Stade de France tonight will inspire Didier Deschamps’ players and even without that advantage they have too much quality in depth for the Portuguese.

    Yes, Ronaldo is always a threat because he has the natural ability to change a game with his sublime talent. His superb headed goal against Wales was a clear illlustration but he will have to be at his outrageous best to get anything here.

    Renato Sanches and Nani are also dangerous but the rest of the side, particularly the defence, looks vulnerable against the flair of Paul Pogba, the finishing of Antoine Griezmann, my man of the tournament, the aerial threat of Olivier Giroud and the creativity of Dimitri Payet.

    JAMES PIERCY – DEPUTY EDITOR
    PORTUGAL 0-2 FRANCE

    I can’t help feeling Portugal are being hugely overrated and when it comes down to it, against a genuinely confident attacking side, their shortcomings will be exposed.

    Fernando Santos has hit upon a system, but it’s one that remains a little one-dimensional and predictable, added to that Croatia, Wales and Poland simply don’t possess the same kind of offensive variation as the French.

    Pepe’s return is a bonus but that defence still lacks pace and France have shown they’re not strictly a counter-attacking side, winning games in different ways and scoring a wide range of goals – long range, set-piece, headers and in transition. Unless Cristiano Ronaldo, Renato Sanches and Nani can produce some individual magic, Les Bleus have too many weapons.

    MARK LOMAS – ONLINE EDITOR
    PORTUGAL 0-2 FRANCE

    The Stade de France will still be a sea of Bleu and when La Marseillaise rings out, it’s difficult not to be inspired and I expect the national team to unite France tonight, just as they did in 1984 and 1998 on home soil.

    Antoine Griezmann is in red-hot form and though Portugal have their own prolific forward in Cristiano Ronaldo, the Frenchman can call on more quality around him. The dynamism of the Matuidi-Pogba-Sissoko (or Kante) triumvirate is far superior to Portugal’s midfield options and France should dominate possession.

    Really it will come down to whether Les Bleus have what it takes to break through Fernando Santos’ watertight defence. With the flair and finishing ability of those in the French team, I firmly believe the answer to be yes.

    ALEX REA – REPORTER
    PORTUGAL 1-1 FRANCE (PORTUGAL TO WIN ON PENALTIES)

    Portugal is a great country, with great people. Dull football team though. Not that the Portugal delegation will complain if this dour side wins it. The hosts will be expected to attack and it will open up gaps for Cristiano Ronaldo an Co to exploit on the counter-attack.

    Don’t let the tedious nature of their tournament run fool you either. Fernando Santos has instilled a steely determination in his side. They are functional and physical with the ability to really frustrate the hosts who will be under a significant amount of pressure.

    Les Bleus have looked clinical in attack so it’s difficult not to see them grabbing at least one. But Portugal aren’t here to win fans, they’re here for the trophy and they’ll get it after a long night in Paris.

    MATT MONAGHAN – REPORTER
    PORTUGAL 0-1 FRANCE

    Expect everything to come together for Les Bleus as they secure a third-successive tournament victory on home soil. The axis in defence between Laurent Koscielny and Samuel Umtiti will nullify Cristiano Ronaldo, while the stage is set for Paul Pogba to deliver the kind of world-class performance football fans are waiting for.

    France boss Didier Deschamps simply has to unleash the tactical shackles on the midfielder, with a re-introduction of N’Golo Kante at the base finally allowing him to stretch his legs. Both sides have flattered to deceive at stages throughout this competition.

    But home advantage and six-goal forward Antoine Griezmann’s pace up against Portugal’s ageing centre-backs should make the difference.

    MATHEW JONES – REPORTER
    PORTUGAL 2-3 FRANCE

    There should be goals in this because neither side’s defences are particularly iron-clad and there are weaknesses for both team’s potent attackers to exploit.

    The top five goalscorers in the competition are either French or Portuguese and both teams are also in the top five too. Cristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann are the respective star men for their countries and have both shown up in this tournament, but don’t underestimate the threats posed by Olivier Giroud, Dimitri Payet and Nani who could all have a defining impact.

    After a difficult opening to the tournament, France are finally on a roll and, with a vociferous home support cheering them on in Paris, I’m expecting them to eventually have too much class for Cristiano and Co.

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