Euro 2016 Final: Cristiano Ronaldo told me I'd score the winner, says Portugal's Eder

Paris: Cristiano Ronaldo predicted Portugal`s Euro 2016 hero Eder would score the winning goal in their 1-0 extra-time triumph over France and gave him the encouragement to settle Sunday`s final.

Eder came on in the 79th minute and, having played only 13 minutes at the tournament before his introduction, struck the winner with a venomous long-range strike in the 109th minute.

Portugal were outsiders to win the final and were dealt a significant blow early on when their talismanic captain Ronaldo had to be replaced through injury in the 25th minute.

Eder, who plays for French side Lille, said his captain`s words had inspired him to make the decisive contribution.

"(Ronaldo) told me I would score the winning goal for the team," the striker told O Jogo. "He gave me this strength, this energy and it was vital.

"It was a goal I`ve been working for from the first minute of the Euros.

"For all the work we did, for all of the Portuguese, it`s fantastic," he added. "It`s well deserved and we should all be congratulated."

France had better chances in regular time but were unable to capitalise on their superiority despite Ronaldo`s exit.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos brought on Eder for Renato Sanches and he broke the deadlock in the extra period after muscling his way past defender Laurent Koscielny before firing a low right-foot shot into the corner of Hugo Lloris`s goal.

"The disappointment is immense," his club Lille wrote on their official Twitter account, "but there is considerable pride to be able to count such an attacker in our ranks."

Eder`s winner gave Portugal their first major title and ended a run of 10 straight defeats by France since 1975.