Cristiano Ronaldo is able to join his team-mates to go and collect his winner's medal. Why on earth wouldn't he?

Blaise Matuifi is in tears as he picks up his runners' up medal. He may know that he'll never get that close to gold again.

Didier Deschamps has tasted victory as a player and he is awarded a massive silver platter emblazoned with the Uefa banner. He rolls his eyes. 

SCENES.

No va-va-voom for France tonight. Perhaps. Let's ask Thierry. 

Rio Ferdinand
Former England defender on BBC One

Sometimes it [an injury to a key man] knits teams together – like when you go down to 10 men. From the word go Portugal were happy to sit back and soak up pressure. There was no oomph or thrust from France.

Portugal couldn’t do it with the golden generation of Luis Figo and Rui Costa. They don’t have players as good now but they have a great team spirit.

Image source, Getty Images

Antoine Griezmann leads the French up the steps to fairly muted applause inside a still staggered Stade de France. 

Thierry Henry
Former France international on BBC One

Image source, EPA

It’s a sad day. We have a lot of Portuguese in France. We'll hear about this for a looong time.

But we have a team again. 

You can only win a tournament as a team – perfect example, Ronaldo comes out and Portugal win it. It was like 'let’s do it for him'.

Alan Shearer
Ex-England captain on BBC One

Before the game you say 'let's have no regrets'. France will have regrets – they didn’t play well. We didn’t see the energy or passing from Dimitri Payet, Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba. There was definitely something missing tonight,

Mark Clattenburg and crew are up to collect their medals, they get a guard of honour from Portugal en route.

FA Cup final, Champions League final, Euros final. Not a bad few months for Clatts. 

Alan Shearer
Ex-England captain on BBC One

Portugal stuck together as a group after the bitter blow of losing Ronaldo. You can’t take anything away from them. 

Eder was a threat when he came on, he held the ball up. And what a finish. Hugo Lloris had no chance. 

They’ve won one game out of seven in 90 minutes and they’re the champions.

Image source, EPA

John Murray
BBC Radio 5 live commentator

From the outset Fernando Santos has had this plan and has doggedly stuck to it.

France's reserve right-back Christophe Jallet is lost to the world, behind a curtain of tears. Antoine Griezmann is able to smile as he picks out some friends or family in the stands. He takes home the golden boot and an enhanced reputation.

Chris Waddle
Former England winger at Stade de France on BBC Radio 5 live

They weren't the best team but they've done a job.

It was quite boring but that is how the tournament has been.

Cristiano Ronaldo now has his top off and is in the mixer, celebrating with the cluster of Portuguese fans at one end of the Stade de France.

The French players don't know where to look, where to go.

Danny Murphy
Former England midfielder for BBC Match of the Day

So much credit to the Portugal players. They defended for their lives and waited for their opportunity. The fitness levels were fantastic and what a goal to win it. Superb. Credit to them.

Chris Waddle
Former England winger at Stade de France on BBC Radio 5 live

I think overall France were the better side but as this competition has proved it is about moments.

It was a good goal and Portugal didn't create a lot more but they defended well and they had a gameplan and it has worked.

They haven't been the best on the eye but they are taking the trophy home.

Hugo Lloris looks on at the celebrations at the far end of the Stade de France. Shattered dreams. 

Let's not forget that Portugal suffered this exact pain of losing a final as hosts in 2004. Cristiano Ronaldo has been through that and now, 12 years on, he is a winner. 

Image source, Reuters

Incredible! Cristiano Ronaldo is close to tears again as his side win the European Championship!

They defended well, their goalkeeper had a great game and they scored an excellent goal. The players, the staff and the fans of France are in utter disbelief. 

A hush descends on the Stade de France...

Image source, Getty Images