PARIS – At the end, Cristiano Ronaldo was in tears, just as he had been after the Euro 2004 final. But these ones were tears of joy. He had fulfilled the vow he had made after defeat to Greece in Lisbon 12 years ago and helped Portugal to its first international trophy. That he wasn’t actually on the pitch for the final 95 minutes of the 1-0 extra-time triumph over France didn’t seem to lessen his delight or detract from his impact at all. After the final whistle had gone, he was stalking around the pitch, bare-chested, hugging those who had done the job.
Cristiano Ronaldo revels in Portugal's effort to win Euro 2016 without him
