3 reasons Portugal will win Euro 2016

Shrugging off envious calls that it's the main beneficiary of a tournament bloated from 16 teams to 24 is Portugal, who looks to ruin France's backyard party to take the Euro 2016 title.

The Selecao limped out of Group F below Hungary and Iceland, advancing through the Round of 16 with a best third-place finish courtesy of three underwhelming draws. Then Fernando Santos' side hung on the eyelids of viewers as it bored its way to a 1-0 extra time win over Croatia; Ricardo Quaresma's 117th-minute winner was the first shot on target that evening.

The subsequent progressions beyond Poland and Wales had a bit more entertainment but, given its style and personnel, Portugal will enter Sunday's showpiece unfancied by the bookmakers and many neutrals.

But the Portuguese won't care, and through the squad's blend of youth - fronted by the firecracker Renato Sanches - and experience will believe it has a chance to upset the host.

Here are three reasons why Portugal will win its first major title:

Old wounds to heal

There's an interesting parallel to Portugal's humdrum run to the final, and its one that cuts deep to those living on the west edge of the Iberian peninsula.

Portugal hosted Euro 2004, and it was the marrying of some of the most talented players the country had produced for some time. The triumvirate of Luis Figo, Deco, and Rui Costa posed a huge threat from the midfield, and in Nuno Gomes had a considerable presence up front - a position where the national side is often found wanting.

The stage was set at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon against a Greece side that wasn't convincing in the knockout rounds, claiming fortuitous and scraped wins. But an Angelos Charisteas header left the locals shell-shocked, and 12 years later the scars still show.

Only a 19-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo and then-FC Porto defender Ricardo Carvalho were present then and today, but all the players will have experienced the heartbreak. To pass the hurt onto France is an opportunity the Selecao will be desperate to take.

Organised backline with a point to prove

Pepe isn't a popular man. His stomping and grappling has given him enemies on the continent, but it's not those aspects that make him divisive in Portugal.

The less inclusive-minded rankle at the fact that he was born and grew up in Brazil, but most are still struggling to forgive Pepe for picking up a red card in Portugal's 2014 World Cup opener when he tangled with Germany's Thomas Muller.

He can make amends, and is likely to be partnered by 32-year-old Jose Fonte in Sunday's showdown. As a late bloomer and one who's plied his trade in England for eight years, Southampton's wise and esteemed skipper is underappreciated in his homeland, but has been excellent in France.

Now it's time for this unlikely duo to etch their names in Portuguese folklore.

Cristiano Ronaldo's personal goals

Despite being among the top two players in the world for the best part of a decade, Ronaldo still has doubters over his captaincy due to what appears to be a destructive level of self-absorption. But if this is what can spur Portugal to victory, those in Ronaldo's homeland and in the rich Portuguese neighbourhoods of Paris won't mind.

The Real Madrid hero has collected more records than Lester Bangs in his trophy-laden career, and has more on his radar.

First, surpassing Michel Platini's record of nine European Championship goals is just a strike away. True, the French embezzler managed his feat in just five matches rather than Ronaldo's 20, but it would be frontman's name on the top of the list.

There is also a personal battle going on with France's breakout forward Antoine Griezmann, who is three goals ahead of him in the Golden Boot race and, according to the bookmakers, an emerging rival for the Ballon d'Or award. The Atletico Madrid man's odds to take the gong are as short as 3-1 before the final, but will be slashed significantly if he plays a starring role at the Stade de France.

And the final aim is the most important: winning the tournament itself. Portugal is one of the great underachievers on the international stage, so Ronaldo will be desperate to be pivotal in its delivery. It would also see him trump his old adversary Lionel Messi, who has been a runner-up in the Copa America three times and second place in the World Cup once for Argentina.

Sunday is Ronaldo's stage to shine.