Eder the unlikely hero as Portugal stuns France to win Euro 2016

Portugal won its first major tournament courtesy of a brilliant individual goal from an unlikely source.

The underdog topped host France 1-0 Sunday at the Stade de France thanks to a stunning 109th-minute goal from distance from substitute Eder.

Related - Watch: Eder's sensational finish puts Portugal ahead in 109th minute

As is often the case, major-tournament finals are stagnant affairs where tentative play is matched with timid tactics.

Sunday's clash was no different, as both sides appeared more interested in not conceding the opener rather than scoring first, marking the only time a European Championship final hasn't witnessed a goal in the first 60 minutes of play.

If the languid pace of play left loads to be desired, the withdrawal of the match's biggest player twenty minutes prior to the interval did little to help proceedings.

Related - Watch: The tackle that knocked Ronaldo out of Euro 2016

Sandwiched between Patrice Evra and Dimitri Payet, Ronaldo sustained a robust knock to the knee courtesy of a brazen attempt by the latter in the eighth minute. The Real Madrid legend was forced off for Ricardo Quaresma, as a player in tears left the pitch with the symbol of sadness tattooed permanently on his visage.

Heading into Sunday's final, Ronaldo had 61 international goals. The remaining 22 members of Fernando Santos' squad had 60. After the intermission, Portugal played like a side that had little confidence in its goal-scoring abilities, save for an incident ten minutes from time.

Nani's cross was palmed away by the acrobatic Hugo Lloris before Quaresma's scissor-kick effort was also parried by the 'keeper. It was Portugal's first shot on target.

Late substitute Andre-Pierre Gignac had France's best chance in the second half, duping Pepe before firing off the inside of the post to the dismay of the partisan crowd at the Stade de France.

Les Bleus lined up in the 4-2-3-1 they used to great results against Germany, with N'Golo Kante the odd man out. Blaise Matuidi and Paul Pogba were uncharacteristically bad as a midfield tandem, and the typically terrifying duo of Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet were also sub-par.

If the first 10 minutes were any indication, Sunday's final had the making of a breathtaking affair.

Griezmann had the best early chance in the 10th minute, acrobatically leaping to head the ball towards the bar before Rui Patricio pushed it above the net and out of play. Moments later, Olivier Giroud headed it directly at the 'keeper as France controlled the run of play.

Related - Watch: Gignac misses chance to win Euro 2016 by hitting post in 92nd minute

The second half was a cagier affair, as France offered little more than an inspired Moussa Sissoko could manage and Portugal's midfield provided next to nothing in the way of attacking impetus.

Surplus to requirements at Swansea City, Eder was loaned to Lille, and to his credit, finished the campaign with Les Dogues in fine form.

Once an outcast, now the hero. Such is the nature of the European Championship.