Crazy stat shows Portugal barely ever led a match in Euro 2016

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Right, wrong or indifferent, Portugal are the champions of Europe after topping France in the Euro 2016 Final. But the stats show that Portugal had a very difficult time getting the lead at any point in their seven matches during the tournament.

OptaJohan revealed that Portugal held the lead in Euro 2016 for just 73 minutes out of the 720 they played.

Portugal failed to win any of their three group stage matches, leading for just under 20 minutes total in the group stage after Nani opened against Iceland. But after Iceland equalized, Portugal would not regain the lead in a Euro game until the final three minutes of extra time in a knockout stage win over Croatia.

After equalizing and winning on penalties against Poland in the quarter-finals, Ronaldo scored in the 50th minute against Wales and never gave up the lead en route to a 2-0 win.

Finally, with 11 minutes left in extra time against France, Eder scored the winner against France to seal Portugal’s first major tournament win.

As OptaJohan so accurately pointed out, ‘Clutch’ indeed.

Follow @jtmlovessports on Twitter

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