Search
The European Championship has been the stage for some of the most unforgettable moments in European football history, where legendary teams have left their mark in matches still talked about to this day. From epic comebacks to do-or-die showdowns, here are the 10 greatest matches in European Championship history:
- Germany vs Netherlands (Euro 1988): An intense battle that ended with the Netherlands winning 2–1 in the semi-final, knocking out the host nation and settling the score from the 1974 World Cup final.
- France vs Portugal (Euro 1984): Possibly the best match of Euro 1984. In the semi-finals, France emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter that finished 3–2 to the hosts.
- France vs Italy (Euro 2000): In the Euro 2000 final, France and Italy met in an epic match settled in extra time by Trezeguet's golden goal — securing France's victory and back-to-back World Cup and European Championship titles.
- Spain vs Italy (Euro 2008): In the 2008 quarter-finals, Spain and Italy served up a masterclass in total football, with Spain winning on penalties in a shootout that changed the course of Spanish football history.
- France vs Portugal (Euro 2000): In the semi-finals, France beat Portugal 2–1 in a match ultimately decided by a Zinedine Zidane golden goal, sending France through to the final.
- Germany vs Czechoslovakia (Euro 1976): In the 1976 final, Czechoslovakia were crowned champions after defeating Germany on penalties in a shootout that will live forever in football history — thanks to Antonín Panenka.
- Italy vs Netherlands (Euro 2000): Italy beat the Netherlands in the semi-final, winning 3–1 on penalties after a match in which Italy were reduced to ten men in the first half and the Dutch missed two penalties in normal time.
- Portugal vs England (Euro 2004): With both sides level and two goals in the final ten minutes of extra time, the penalty shootout sent Portugal through to the semi-finals — forever remembered for the iconic image of David Beckham's missed spot-kick.
- France vs Yugoslavia (Euro 1960): The tournament's inaugural edition produced a match impossible to forget. Yugoslavia delivered a football lesson, coming back from 2–4 down to score twice in the final 15 minutes, advancing to the final — which they would go on to win.
- Germany vs USSR (Euro 1972): The greatest Germany side in history arrived in the 1970s. They dominated world football, winning both the Euros and the World Cup. Led by Franz Beckenbauer and Müller, they hammered the Soviet Union in that year's final.
These matches have left an indelible mark on European Championship history, demonstrating the excitement and passion that this tournament stirs in supporters around the world.
Discover our National Teams collection and dress like a legend
