With Euro 2024 already producing some classic matches, we thought we would take a nostalgic trip down memory lane and look back at some of the best matches this prestigious European competition has produced over the years.
Check out some of the greatest UEFA Euro matches:
Euro 2000, group stage: Yugoslavia 3-4 Spain
This match produced a veritable goal-fest, with 7 goals in total scored. High drama also defined the game, as Jose Antonio Camacho's men managed to equalise on two separate occasions when they trailed. Despite having superior numbers after Yugoslavia’s Slavisa Jokanovic was sent off in the 63rd minute, Slobodan Komljenovic, with 15 minutes remaining to give Yugoslavia a 3-2 lead.
After going behind again, Spain seemed to be heading f
or elimination. However, Gaizka Mendieta equalised with a 90th-minute penalty before 1st-half-scorer Alfonso Perez torpedoed a left-foot shot into the back of Ivica Kralj's net in the 97th minute, thereby clinching top spot for the Iberians in their group.
Euro 2004, group stage: France 2-1 England
After falling behind 1-0 due to a Frank Lampard goal, France was so nearly out of the match entirely in the 73rd minute, when former Manchester United star Fabien Barthez saved a David Beckham penalty. In the 90th minute, it seemed as if England would at least avoid a loss, but France had other ideas. In the 91st minute, Zinedine Zidane beat keeper David James with a right-footed free-kick, and then a minute later, Thierry Henry was brought down by Kames in the penalty area. Zidane stepped up to the plate to score the penalty goal and clinch France's first victory over England in a major tournament.
Euro 1960, semi-final: France 4-5 Yugoslavia
Heading into this match at the Parc Des Princes, the French had enjoyed a terrific qualifying phase (8-2 against Greece, 9-4 against Austria), 2 years after the semi-final defeat to Brazil at the 1958 World Cup. Despite missing 2 of its stars, Just Fontaine and Raymond Kopa, the tournament hosts dominated their Yugoslav opponents and led 4-2 with less than half an hour remaining,
Yugoslavia fought back though, as Tomislav Knez whipped in a cross from the right in the 75th minute. Only seconds later, Drazan Jerkovic scored from close range. Back on level terms, Yugoslavia sealed an unbelievable comeback win a minute later when Jerkovic latched onto a poorly cleared ball and fired it into the back of the net.
Euro 2000, final: France 2-1 Italy
Two years on from winning the 1998 World Cup (its first title) France was aiming to become the first team to add a European crown. Standing in their way was an Italian team that the same French side had eliminated in the 1998 quarterfinals. It seemed scripted for a triumphant night for the French, but Dino Zoff's men took the lead thanks to a Marco Delvecchio strike, which they held onto until the 90th minute. Sylvain Wiltord flipped the script
by heading David Trezeguet's deflected effort past Francesco Toldo. I, Trezeguet then scored himself in extra time, volleying a left-footed effort into the Italian net in the 103rd minute, sealing a French triumph in the miracle of Rotterdam.
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