Germany tie drew largest TV audience in France since 2006

France won 2-0 to enter the final.

The three-time winners, and four-time world champions, have impressed overall in the tournament this year and were expected to win this time round.

Portugal needs to weather the storm in the first 25 minutes of this game as the French are coming off a massive semi-final win over Germany and with so much attacking power and depth the French will look to put Portugal on their heels early and force them to play catch up.

Valery Hache/AFPFrance’s goalkeeper Hugo Lloris dives for the ball during the Euro 2016 semi-final football match between Germany and France at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille on 7 July, 2016.

Germany were punished for some sloppy first half finishing and failed to convert any of their 18 shots on goal, despite 68% possession.

“They gave us a lot of respect in the game, sitting back and letting us have the ball”.

The 23-year-old also shrugged off criticism that Portugal, who have won only one match inside 90 minutes at the tournament, had yet to sparkle.

“He’s (Griezmann) a great player and he proved that against Germany, he works very hard, along with Olivier Giroud from a defensive perspective he made us a very compact unit”, Deschamps was quoted as saying by goal.com after the win. That effort gave them the victory, and advanced them to the final of the tournament. “I want to pay compliment to the lads”. However, the France rearguard held its discipline and refused to allow clear opportunities, while Didier Deschamps’ team threatened on the break themselves.

“We had our chances but didn’t score”.

Robson-Kanu said: “He shows how invaluable he is with what he does for Madrid but, for us, he brings more than what people see or realise”.

Even though Loew admitted the mistakes by his players, he claimed that his side was better than the French. “I always trusted my players and this is their reward”.

Low expects France to win their third European title when they face Portugal on Sunday.

“We have to rest up well and already start thinking about the final”, he added.

“This team has everything it needs to be loved, I’m very proud…”

“We have to keep our feet on the ground, there’s still a match to go; both before and during the game it was great with our fans – let’s hope we can relive that in the final”.

Ronaldo wept teenage tears after Portugal’s 1-0 loss to Greece in the Euro 2004 final and at 31, he knows he may not get a better chance of success with his country.

The first of those came at the 1984 European Championship in France, when the hosts triumphed 3-2 after extra time in a dramatic semi-final in Marseille.