The Portuguese football manager Fernando Santos has thanked God for his team's victory in the European Championships.

Santos, nicknamed "The Engineer", also paid tribute to Jesus and Mary while talking to journalists after Portugal's 1-0 victory over the tournament's hosts France last night.

Ronaldo, the team's world-famous captain who was taken off in the first half of the match with a knee injury, also cited how he had asked God for a second chance after Portugal lost to Greece in the 2004 final.

Santos, who is a practising Catholic, told a press conference: "First of all, I would like to thank God, the Father, for this moment and for everything in my life. We have an amazing group. They've always believed what I told them: that we could win this."

After thanking his family, Santos went on: "Lastly, but most importantly, I want to speak to my best friend, and His mother, to dedicate this victory to Him and thank Him for having chosen me...For having given me the gifts of wisdom, humility and perseverance to guide this team, and for having guided me and lit my way. That all I do, hope and wish for may be for the greater glory of His name."

Santos later added: "First of all I'd like to thank God for being with us, my wife, my mother, my grandson. My father wherever he is, he's probably having a few beers."

Captain Ronaldo told uefa.com: "I'm so happy – very happy. This was something I've wanted for a long time now, ever since 2004. I asked God to give me another chance...Unfortunately, things didn't go well for me. I injured myself in the first few minutes. But I've always believed in these players. They have quality and ability, along with our coach's strategy to win...I've always said I wanted to win a trophy with the national team and make history. And I did it. Thank God, things went well for us."