In the end the party that all the French had been hoping and praying for never took place.
An extra-time goal by Portugal's Eder meant there were no repeat scenes on 1998 when hundreds of thousands of celebrating French fans descended on the Champs-Elysées to celebrate their team's World Cup victory on home soil.
While defeat in the Euro 2016 final in Paris on Sunday night denied the French their moment to celebrate, it was of course a reason for the country's 1.2 million strong Portuguese community to revel in – especially the 600,000 in the Paris region.
Following the match fans of Cristiano Ronaldo's team descended on the Champs-Elysées to hail Portugal's first victory in a major football tournament.
(AFP)
Joyous scenes for France's Portuguese community in Paris. (Champs Elysées) pic.twitter.com/Ltk3JtP6xz
— Oliver Gee (@olivergee23) July 10, 2016
Carnage on the Champs Elysées. Half of Portugal is here! pic.twitter.com/uXkCEabAsh
— Simon Clark (@SimonClark8) July 11, 2016

Some trouble on the Champs Elysées as people throw flares and bottles at police. Riot officers charge as people flee pic.twitter.com/48Dx58H6M1
— The Local France (@TheLocalFrance) July 10, 2016
DIRECT #Paris L'une des charges des #CRS tout à l'heure sur les #ChampsElysées. pic.twitter.com/sasbxXMytk #FRAPOR
— Actu17 (@Actu17) July 10, 2016
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The clashes took place outside the fan zone, which was closed hours before kick-off after reaching its capacity.
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