After one month of intense football action, the Le Blues of France will today take on Portugal in the Euro 2016 final with the hope of winning a European Championship on home soil for the second time.
They face a Portuguese side looking to win their first major tournament, having lost 1-0 to Greece in their only other appearance in a European Championship final, in 2004.
Portugal have lost their last 10 games against France, who in Antoine Griezmann boast the competition’s top scorer with six goals, but midfielder Joao Mario believes they can spring a surprise at the Stade de France.
“France is playing at home but they haven’t shown their spectacular football,” he said at a pre-match press conference.
“We know we always lose to them but this will motivate us.
The French media are sure of the win (for France.) We have lost a final already but this time we can make it. Probability counts for nothing and all the Portuguese bet on us. There is nothing like playing in a competition like this for our country.”
Pepe has been passed fit for Portugal’s Euro 2016 final clash against France on Sunday after returning to full training.
The Real Madrid defender missed Wednesday’s semi-final win over Wales with a thigh injury and had been considered a doubt ahead of the Paris showpiece against the hosts. William Carvalho is expected to return to the starting line-up after missing the semi-final through suspension.
