Portugal always looked like they had a mountain to climb against the hosts and favourites, and the climb became steeper after star player Cristiano Ronaldo was stretchered off injured midway through the first half.

An underpar France were unable to capitalise on countless opportunities, however, and it was the underdogs who finally broke the deadlock in the second half of extra time. 

It came from the unlikeliest of sources as Éder spun clear of Laurent Koscielny before hitting a low shot past the elusive grasp of Hugo Lloris and into the bottom corner.

Portugal, who had only won one game in normal time throughout the entire tournament, duly ended a winless run stretching back to third place at the 1966 World Cup, and including the heartbreak of a home final defeat to Greece at Euro 2004.

It came at the end of a match that summed-up a tournament in which attacking intent had been largely stifled by well-organised defence.

Portugal's hopes always appeared to lie on the sturdy shoulders of Ronaldo; the continent's star player that had inspired his team through the knock-out matches.

But disaster struck in the 17th minute when the Real Madrid icon was left hobbling - and tearful - after a collision with Dimitri Payet.

Twice the 31-year-old broke down and received treatment to his knee, and twice he valiantly tried to continue; until eventually he threw his captain's armband to the ground and departed on a stretcher to sympathetic applause from both sets of supporters.

It was perhaps the biggest anti-climactic moment in a major tournament final since Brazilian namesake Ronaldo famously took to the field woefully out-of-form and battling a mystery virus during his team's defeat to France in the 1998 World Cup final in the same stadium.

The more defensive-minded Ricardo Quaresma came on, and France were always destined to dominate possession and chances.

A looping header from the tournament's top goalscorer Antoine Griezmann required a smart save from Rui Patricio while the excellent Moussa Sissoko was similarly denied by the in-form keeper.

But Portugal continued to look dangerous after the break, while France continued to struggle to break-down a well organised defence after half-time.

The introduction of wideman Kingsley Coman brought pace to the host nation's attacks, and the chance of the match when Griezmann headed over after a beautiful cross. 

Patricio made another fine save from Sissoko, while his goalstopping rival Lloris produced a nervy moment for the home crowd when he flapped at a Nani cross before Quaresma volleyed over for Portugal's best chance of the half.

Coman's fellow substitute André-Pierre Gignac hit the post in injury time in what proved the final chance before the end of the first goalless 90 minutes in European Championship final history.

A hobbling Ronaldo returned to the pitch to encourage his team-mates during the interval, but without his presence, it always seemed like penalties were Portgual's biggest hope.

But it was the men in red who proved the fittest, as first Raphaël Guerreiro thundered a free-kick into the crossbar before unheralded Éder took his moment to shine.

It brought to light a match which rather summed up a tournament capable of great individual moments, but few glorious matches. 

Portugal, however, will care little after producing the greatest moment in the nation's sporting history.