In this article, SansBall will explore the question: how many UEFA Euros does Portugal have — and by that we mean UEFA European Championship titles won by the Portugal men’s national team. The answer is simple yet steeped in drama: Portugal has won the UEFA European Championship once, in 2016.
But there’s more behind that solitary trophy — near misses, heartbreaks, iconic moments, and Portugal’s rise to becoming one of Europe’s heavyweights. Below, SansBall will guide you through Portugal’s Euro journey: their history in the competition, memorable finals, key players, stats & what makes that 2016 win so special.
Portugal’s history in the UEFA European Championship
Early years and first appearances
Portugal made their debut in the Euros in 1984, where they reached the semi-finals. After that, there was a long pause: Portugal failed to qualify in several editions (1988, 1992, even 1980 etc.), before returning in strength in 1996. Since 1996, they have qualified for every Euro tournament.
Near misses before glory
Leading up to 2016, Portugal came close several times:
- 2004: As hosts, Portugal made it all the way to the final but were shocked by Greece, losing 1-0.
- 2000 & 2012: Both times Portugal reached the semi-finals.
- 1996 & 2008: Quarter-final exits.
These near successes shaped the identity of a team used to being contenders but searching for that ultimate breakthrough.
The big win — Euro 2016
Portugal’s only UEFA Euro title came in 2016, in dramatic fashion.
Key moments:
- The final took place in Paris, against the hosts France. Portugal won 1–0 after extra time, with Éder scoring the decisive goal.
- Cristiano Ronaldo was injured in the final and couldn’t finish the game, yet his leadership and clutch play in earlier rounds were vital.
- Earlier in the tournament, Portugal had several tough games: group stage challenges, knockout rounds, etc., showing resilience under pressure.
That 2016 victory was historic — it marked Portugal’s first major international trophy, elevating their status among Europe’s elite.
Statistics & records
Here are some notable stats about Portugal in the Euros:
- Number of Euro tournaments participated in: 9.
- Best results: Winners in 2016, Runners-up in 2004, several semi-final appearances.
- Most appearances by Portugal in Euros (post-1996) without failing to qualify.
Why only one & what’s next
Considering Portugal’s talent pool over the last few decades, many expected them to win more Euros. Factors that made their path difficult include:
- Strong opposition: Spain, Germany, France, Italy each have multiple Euro titles. Portugal’s only win came against this calibre.
- Pressure, expectation & injuries in finals.
- Tactical changes and evolution: Portugal under different managers had varying styles, only in 2016 did everything click together — the defense, midfield grit, and forward punch.
Looking forward, Portugal remains a contender. Young players are rising, and with experience from tournaments like Euro 2020 & Euro 2024, plus results in other competitions (Nations League, World Cup), the foundation is there. They’ll be chasing a second European Championship in coming editions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, how many UEFA Euros does Portugal have? Just one — their historic win in 2016 is the only time Portugal have lifted the European Championship trophy. SansBall believes that win was a defining moment, born of years of nearly-there efforts, courage, and national pride.
If you’re curious to dive deeper: explore Portugal’s performances in each Euro, top goalscorers, memorable matches, or what makes their 2016 squad special. Follow SansBall for more player histories, match breakdowns, and what to expect in upcoming tournaments!
