Portugal to Play Life-changing Game

Local Editor

Portugal's players are treating Sunday's Euro 2016 final as the game of their lives and a chance to go down in their country's history, midfielder Joao Mario said Friday.

The 23-year-old also shrugged off criticism that Portugal, who have won only one match inside 90 minutes at the tournament, had yet to sparkle.

Portugal, hoping to win an international title for the first time, take on hosts France in Sunday's final, 12 years after losing at home to Greece in their only other major final.

"I'm certain that the whole group will think of it as the game of their lives because Portugal have never won a title," Joao Mario told reporters.

"We can go down in Portuguese history. There is nothing like playing in a competition like this for our country."

Joao Mario said it was also a chance to make up for last year when he was in the Portugal team which lost the European under-21 championship final against Sweden.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team