Spain and England will culminate a month of festive football at the 2024 Euros, where both current and past icons have stumbled, while emerging new stars have shone brightly.
The European Championships debuted in 1960, witnessing the former Soviet Union clinching a 2-1 victory over Yugoslavia in Paris after extra time. The most recent final saw England facing defeat on home turf, providing a fitting starting point as we reflect on some of the memorable Euro finals of the past.
In 1996, as England reached the Euro semifinals, the echoes of “football’s coming home” reverberated across the hills and valleys of the country. Fast forward to Euro 2020 at Wembley Stadium in London, UK, where Italy clinched the title in a heart-wrenching defeat for the English after a grueling 120 minutes.
Gareth Southgate’s team, led by young lions Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, and Jadon Sancho, emerged as heroes and symbols of hope for a new generation of English football. However, the shootout saw the cruel twist of fate as Rashford, Saka, and Sancho missed their penalties. Luke Shaw, who aims to start against Spain, had opened the scoring early, but Italy’s Leonardo Bonucci equalized in the second half.
Nineteen-year-old Saka, visibly distraught, faced not only on-field disappointment but also a barrage of despicable racist abuse on social media in the aftermath, overshadowing the team’s deflation. Italy’s victory extended their unbeaten streak to 34 matches, securing their second Euro title amidst the controversy.
In the 2016 final, Cristiano Ronaldo seemed poised to translate his storied club success into international glory for Portugal. The Real Madrid star, hailed as a “Galactico,” scored a hat-trick en route to the final against France. However, his hopes were dashed when he was forced off the field just 25 minutes into the match due to injury.
Ronaldo’s departure appeared to dim Portugal’s chances against a strong French team, who would later become World Cup champions. Despite dominating various statistical categories, including possession, Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann, and Olivier Giroud couldn’t find the breakthrough. Instead, it was Eder’s dramatic strike in the 109th minute that sealed Portugal’s victory.
This triumph marked Portugal’s first Euro title, a moment of redemption after their heartbreaking loss to Greece in the 2004 final.
In 2012, Spain secured their most renowned victory by comfortably dispatching a formidable Italian side.
While Real Madrid and Barcelona had dominated European club football for over a decade, Serie A’s influence was declining. However, Italy’s national team still boasted stalwarts like Gianluigi Buffon in goal, supported by defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci. In midfield, Andrea Pirlo orchestrated play with his customary mastery.
Meanwhile, the epicenter of European football was shifting southwest, where Spain’s “tiki-taka” maestros were setting a new standard. With Xavi and Andrés Iniesta from Barcelona, and Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso dictating play, the Spanish team overwhelmed Italy in every facet of the game.
In 1992, one of the most memorable upsets in European final history occurred when the reigning world champions Germany were defeated by a golden generation of Danish footballers. Anchored by Manchester United’s Peter Schmeichel in goal and bolstered by the legendary Laudrup brothers, Brian and Michael, Denmark had a formidable lineup to challenge the might of Germany.
The match unfolded dramatically as John Jensen opened the scoring in the 18th minute, signaling the possibility of an unexpected outcome. Kim Vilfort sealed the victory with a goal eight minutes before the final whistle, securing Denmark’s triumph over Germany in a historic upset.
When Lamine Yamal unleashed a powerful shot from outside the penalty area to defeat Germany and propel Spain into the upcoming final, a new star emerged and another stunning goal was etched into the annals of great European and global strikes.
Arguably the most celebrated goal in European Championship history occurred in the 1988 final, where Marco van Basten’s thunderous volley from the edge of the box doubled the Dutch lead against the USSR in Germany. Ruud Gullit’s iconic headed opener, characterized by his distinctive dreadlocks, had already set the stage for the Netherlands. However, it was van Basten’s strike, following his hat-trick against England in the group stage, that would forever be remembered as one of the defining moments in European football history, particularly in a championship final.
