Greatest Euro matches: Most memorable clashes from the EUROs

The EUROs began in 1960 and have produced classics in almost every tournament since. There have been some underdog stories like Greece going all the way in 2004, but the upsets which saw the big guns losing have sent more shockwaves around the globe.

Today, we take a look at the greatest clashes that left the fans revisiting the matches years later. Without further ado, here are the 10 greatest EURO matches at from the competition:

#10 – West Germany 1-2 Netherlands – Semifinals, EURO 1988

A repeat of the 1974 FIFA World Cup final once again on German soil. The Netherlands were out for revenge and got it finely.

A goalless first half was followed by 45 minutes of brilliant football fans will never forget. Lothar Matthäus put the Germans ahead from the spot just 10 minutes after the restart and they looked in control of the match.

Ronald Koeman, once again from the spot, equalized with 15 minutes to go to make it an interesting finish. The match looked set to go to extra time, but Marco van Basten stunned the home fans with an 88th-minute winner to seal a 2-1 win.

#9 – Denmark 3-2 Belgium – Group Stage, EURO 1984

One of the greatest comebacks in EURO history. In the final game of the group stages, Belgium took a 2-0 lead in the first half, taking a giant leap towards the knockout stage.

However, things took a dramatic turn just a minute after the second goal was scored. A penalty gifted Denmark a goal in the 41st minute – leaving them needing just one goal in the second half to make it through and knock Belgium out.

Kenneth Brylle Larsen got the crucial goal to make it 2-2 around the hour mark and that saw Belgium go all out in attack. Preben Elkjær took advantage of it on a counter and scored a stunning solo goal to seal a 3-2 win and put Denmark through.

Also Read: Top Midfielders in UEFA Euro 2024

#8 – Wales 3-1 Belgium – Quarterfinals, EURO 2016

Belgium went into the quarterfinals at the EURO 2016 as the favorites to make it through to the semifinals, but Wales had other plans. Radja Nainggolan gave Belgium the lead in the first half with a thunderous strike from outside the box.

However, they could only hang on to the lead for 17 minutes, as Ashley Williams equalized for the EURO debutants in the 30th minute. Robson-Kanu pulled out a stunning Cruyff turn inside the Belgium box in the second half and scored a beauty to stun fans around the world.

Sam Vokes sealed the win with 5 minutes of normal time left – sending the Belgian Golden Generation back home in what is described as one of the greatest EURO matches of all time.

#7 – Germany 3-2 Turkey – Semifinals, EURO 2008

A modern-day classic came at the EURO 2008 when Germany took on Turkey. Turkey took a shock lead just 22 minutes into the game with Uğur Boral finding the back of the net.

Bastian Schweinsteiger ensured that Germany were not behind for long and pulled them level just four minutes later. The German had to keep fighting for their next goal but it finally came through Miroslav Klose in the 79th minute.

Things looked set for the Germans to go through, but Semih Şentürk popped up inside the box and notched in a goal from an impossible angle in the 86th minute. But the celebrations were shortlived as Phillipp Lahm scored the winner in the 90th minute and sent his side through to the final.

#6 – France 3-3 Switzerland (AP 4-5) – Round of 16, EURO 2020

World Champions France were easily the favorites to win the EURO 2020. Didier Deschamps’s side were on a stunning run but it came to a crashing end in the Round of 16.

Seferovic gave Switzerland a shock lead in the first half and his side held on to it until the break. However, things took a sudden turn, and Karim Benzema scored a brace within the first 15 minutes of the restart.

Paul Pogba made it 3-1 with 15 minutes to go, and France looked set for the quarterfinals. However, Seferovic scored another goal in the 81st minute before Gavranović made it 3-3 in the dying minutes of the game.

The match stayed level after extra time, and the first nine penalties were scored by players from both sides. Up stepped Kylian Mbappé to take the final penalty, and Yann Sommer saved it to seal a dramatic and historic win for Switzerland.

#5 – Portugal 2-2 England (AP 6-5) – Quarterfinals, EURO 2004

Portugal went on a dream run in the EURO 2004 and one of their victims were England. The Three Lions took the lead inside three minutes and made the Portuguese struggle for their goal.

Hélder Postiga managed to finally break the England defense and scored the equalizer with 7 minutes left of normal time. On to extra time and Rui Costa made it 2-1 to complete the turnaround for Portugal in the 110th minute.

Frank Lampard quickly made it 2-2 in the 115th minute, but the drama was far from over. The penalty shootout was needed to decide who will make it to the semifinals and it started with David Beckham missing from the spot.

Rui Costa missed his spot kick to extend the shootout before Darius Vassell had his effort saved by Ricardo, who stepped up to score the winning penalty.

Also Read: Top 10 Goalkeepers in UEFA Euro 2024

#4 – Yugoslavia 3-4 Spain – Group Stage, EURO 2000

Who does not love a high-scoring class? Yugoslavia vs Spain in the Group Stage of EURO 2000 – one of the greatest EURO matches of all time – was exactly that.

Yugoslavia took the early lead but were pulled back level with 7 minutes to do in the first half. The scoreline was 1-1 at halftime, but the second half proved to be one of the best.

Govedarica scored in the 50th minute to give Yugoslavia the lead once again, but Munitis managed to make it 2-2 within seconds of the restart. Jokanović was sent off in the 63rd minute, but the 10 men took the lead once again in the 75th minute via Komljenović.

Spain were chasing the game again and needed to score a penalty in the 90th minute to equalize. Mendieta made no mistake from the spot but Alfonso Pérez stole the headlines with a winner deep into added time.

#3 – Czechoslovakia 2-2 West Germany (AP 5-3) – Final, EURO 1976

Czechoslovakia took on West Germany in the final of EURO 1976 and it is still known as the most memorable final of all time among the European countries.

Švehlík gave Czechoslovakia the lead in the 8th minute of the match before Dobiaš made it 2-0 in the 25th minute. West Germany were not ready to give up and managed to pull one back in the 28th minute via Dieter Müller.

They kept chasing the game and managed to find the equalizer with a minute left on the clock. A penalty shootout was needed to decide the winner, and Czechoslovakia managed to win 5-3 by converting all their penalties while Uli Hoeneß missed his for West Germany.

#2 – France 3-2 Portugal (AET) – Semifinals, EURO 1984

France were under pressure to make it to the final in 1984 as they were playing at home and were up against Portugal. They took the lead in the 24th minute via Domergue but were pulled back by Rui Jordão in the 74th minute to force extra time.

Jordão scored once again in the 98th minute to make it 2-1 to the away side and France needed a dramatic comeback to make it to the final. Domergue managed to get another one in the 114th minute to make it 2-2 before Platini scored with a minute left to seal a 3-2 win in one of the greatest EURO matches of all time.

#1 – France 4-5 Yugoslavia – Semifinals, EURO 1960

Easily one of the greatest matches of all time, not just in EURO history. France went into the game as the favorites as they were playing at home but were stunned by Yugoslavia.

Galić gave the away side a shock lead in the 11th minute but Vincent managed to calm the nerves with an equalizer just a minute later. Heutte made things better for the home side with a goal later in the first half to make it 2-1 at halftime.

Wisniewski scored France’s 3rd goal in the 53rd minute, but Yugoslavia pulled one back via Žanetić in the 55th minute. Heutte scored once again to restore the 2-goal lead for the home side. but things took a dramatic turn quickly.

Knez made it 3-4 in the 75th minute before Jerković scored a quick-fire brace to make it 5-4 to Yugoslavia before the 80th minute. France could not find another goal and ended up losing at the Parc des Princes.

Also Read: Top 10 Best Strikers in UEFA Euro 2024