Portugal dominated for large portions of the match but were unable to beat Patrik Carlgren in the Swedish goal, the keeper saving two Portuguese penalties in the shoot-out to give his side an historic victory.
Portugal were full of confidence after their exhilarating 5-0 win over Germany in the semi-final and they continued in similar vein for the first half hour of the final. Ricardo Pereira signalling Portugal’s intentions with an effort into the side netting in the opening exchanges. Raphael Guerreiro was heavily involved in the early attacks as William Carvalho won a free-kick within shooting distance.
Captain Sérgio Oliveira stepped up and rattled the crossbar with Carlgren beaten. Sweden rarely got out of their own half but looked dangerous against a suspect Portugal defence.
Sweden’s Thelin should have done better when he headed straight at José Sá whilst at the other end João Mário shot high and wide. Ricardo Esgaio became involved on the right flank as Portugal dominated possession with Sweden looking to hit on the counter attack.
Ivan Cavaleiro was the main target for Portugal’s attacks but the Benfica forward was repeatedly caught offside. Guerreiro won a free kick on the edge of the box with Sérgio Oliveira’s shot easily saved by Carlgren before Portugal fashioned their best chance of the half. João Mário released Esgaio into the box with the right-back cutting the ball back for the midfielder but his scuffed shot was way off target.
Portugal finished the first half with 63 percent possession, outpassing Sweden 254-104.
At the interval Sweden replaced Filip Helander with Joseph Baffo.
A swift counter attack saw Bernardo Silva roll the ball across the box and Ricardo should have at least hit the target. Sweden then produced their best chance of the game, Hiljemark’s ball into the box was headed back by Thelin into the path of Guidetti who volleyed over the bar.
The impressive Sérgio Oliveira’s shot from distance went wide but he exited soon afterwards due to injury to be replaced by Tozé who quickly whipped in a shot that was fumbled by Carlgren. Sweden were resilient in defence and gradually began to push forward. In the final minutes of normal time Guidetti twice forced Sá, the Marítimo keeper, to make vital saves.
In extra-time Khalili curled an effort just past the far post with Sá beaten before Paciência shot straight at Carlgren.
Both sides appeared to be fatigued which was understandable after playing five games in fourteen days. Khalili had another effort go wide as extra time reached the halfway stage. Baffo fouled Medeiros on the edge of the area but Paciência was just unable to get his head onto Tozé’s free kick.
The FC Porto striker then had a shot blocked before meeting Medeiros’s cross with a header which was deflected away from goal. The penalty shoot-out lottery began well for Guidetti, Paciência and Thelin and Toze’s effort bounced just over the line after he smashed the ball off the underside of the bar. Augustinsson scored but Esgaio’s penalty was well saved by Carlgren to give Sweden a 3-2 advantage.
Khalili stepped up but his weak effort was saved by Sá as João Mário restored parity for Portugal. Victor Nilsson-Lindelöf scored to put all the pressure on William Carvalho who saw his weak penalty saved by Carlgren as Sweden celebrated and Portuguese tears flowed.