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In Euro 2016 final, Santos back where Portugal mission began

PARIS (AP) The Portugal reign of Fernando Santos will come full circle in the Stade de France on Sunday.

In October 2014, Santos began his mission to revive Portugal's fortunes after a poor World Cup with a friendly defeat by France at the stadium outside Paris.

Portugal will be back there in Sunday's European Championship final, against either France or Germany, which meet in the second semifinal on Thursday night.

''My first game at the helm of the team was two years ago, and our goal was to reach here (the final),'' Santos said. ''Thankfully everything worked out for us.