The EURO final is the ultimate showdown in European football, a culmination of national pride, intense competition, and unforgettable moments. For fans worldwide, knowing the Euro Final Score of each tournament is essential to understanding the rich history of this prestigious competition. From the inaugural tournament in 1960 to the thrilling clashes of recent years, each final tells a story of triumph and heartbreak. Let’s delve into a comprehensive recap of every EURO final score, highlighting the key moments and defining narratives of each championship.
1960: Soviet Union 2-1 Yugoslavia (a.e.t.)
Parc des Princes, Paris
The first-ever EURO final saw the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia battle it out in Paris. Yugoslavia took the lead through Milan Galić, but Slava Metreveli equalized for the Soviets. The game went to extra time, where Viktor Ponedelnik secured a historic victory for the Soviet Union, making the euro final score 2-1 and crowning them the first European champions. Legendary goalkeeper Lev Yashin was instrumental in the Soviet triumph, showcasing his world-class skills.
1964: Spain 2-1 Soviet Union
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid
In 1964, Spain, playing on home turf in Madrid, faced the defending champions, the Soviet Union. Jesús María Pereda gave Spain an early lead, only for Galimzyan Khusainov to quickly level. The tension mounted as the game progressed, but Marcelino Martínez’s late header sealed a 2-1 victory for Spain. The euro final score reflected Spain’s home advantage and passionate team performance, earning them their first European title.
1968: Italy 1-1 Yugoslavia
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
The 1968 final in Rome saw hosts Italy pitted against a resilient Yugoslavia side. Dragan Džajić put Yugoslavia ahead with a skillful goal, but Angelo Domenghini’s free-kick ten minutes from time salvaged a 1-1 draw for Italy. This euro final score meant a replay was needed to decide the winner, adding extra drama to the tournament.
1968 Replay: Italy 2-0 Yugoslavia
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Just two days after the initial draw, Italy and Yugoslavia faced off again in Rome. This time, Italy asserted their dominance. Goals from Luigi Riva and Pietro Anastasi in the first half secured a comfortable 2-0 victory. The euro final score in the replay ensured Italy lifted their first European Championship trophy, capitalizing on their home advantage and second chance.
1972: West Germany 3-0 Soviet Union
Roi Baudouin Stadium, Brussels
West Germany showcased their formidable attacking prowess in the 1972 final against the Soviet Union in Brussels. Gerd Müller was the star of the show, scoring two of West Germany’s goals, with Herbert Wimmer adding another. The dominant 3-0 euro final score underlined West Germany’s superiority and marked the beginning of their golden era in international football.
1976: Czechoslovakia 2-2 West Germany (5-3 on penalties)
Stadion FK Crvena zvezda, Belgrade
The 1976 final in Belgrade was a classic encounter between Czechoslovakia and West Germany. Czechoslovakia raced to a 2-0 lead with goals from Ján Švehlík and Karol Dobiaš. West Germany fought back, with Dieter Müller and Bernd Hölzenbein scoring to level the match at 2-2. After extra time couldn’t separate the teams, the final went to a penalty shootout. Antonín Panenka’s iconic penalty sealed a 5-3 shootout victory for Czechoslovakia, making the final euro final score 2-2 (5-3 on penalties) and etching his name into football folklore.
1980: West Germany 2-1 Belgium
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Returning to Rome for the 1980 final, West Germany faced Belgium. Horst Hrubesch scored early for West Germany, but René Vandereycken equalized from the penalty spot for Belgium. Hrubesch, however, proved to be the match-winner, scoring again in the 88th minute to secure a 2-1 victory for West Germany. This euro final score delivered West Germany their second European title, showcasing their consistent strength in the competition.
1984: France 2-0 Spain
Parc des Princes, Paris
France, hosting the 1984 EURO, reached the final in Paris against Spain. Michel Platini, the tournament’s standout player, scored a free-kick to put France ahead. Bruno Bellone added a late second goal to seal a 2-0 victory for France. The euro final score reflected France’s dominance throughout the tournament and marked their first major international trophy, inspired by the legendary Platini.
1988: Netherlands 2-0 Soviet Union
Olympiastadion, Munich
The 1988 final in Munich witnessed a classic Netherlands team take on the Soviet Union. Ruud Gullit headed in the opener, but the highlight of the match was Marco van Basten’s incredible volley, considered one of the greatest goals in EURO history. The 2-0 euro final score secured the Netherlands’ first and only major international title to date, a triumph for the “Oranje” generation.
1992: Denmark 2-0 Germany
Ullevi, Gothenburg
In a major upset, Denmark, who only qualified for EURO 1992 as a late replacement for Yugoslavia, reached the final against reigning world champions Germany in Gothenburg. John Jensen’s stunning strike and Kim Vilfort’s goal secured a 2-0 victory for Denmark. The unexpected euro final score of 2-0 is one of the biggest shocks in EURO history, cementing Denmark’s fairytale triumph.
1996: Germany 2-1 Czech Republic (golden goal)
Wembley Stadium, London
EURO ’96, held in England, saw Germany face the Czech Republic in the final at Wembley. Patrik Berger’s penalty put the Czech Republic ahead, but Oliver Bierhoff equalized for Germany. Bierhoff then scored the first-ever golden goal in a EURO final in extra time, securing a 2-1 victory for Germany. The euro final score of 2-1 (golden goal) gave Germany their third European title in dramatic fashion.
2000: France 2-1 Italy (golden goal)
Feijenoord Stadium, Rotterdam
EURO 2000, co-hosted by Netherlands and Belgium, culminated in a thrilling final between France and Italy in Rotterdam. Marco Delvecchio put Italy ahead, and they seemed destined for victory until Sylvain Wiltord equalized for France in the very last minute of normal time. David Trezeguet then scored the golden goal in extra time, giving France a dramatic 2-1 victory. The euro final score of 2-1 (golden goal) sealed France’s second European Championship and completed their golden era, adding to their 1998 World Cup win.
2004: Greece 1-0 Portugal
Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, Lisbon
EURO 2004 in Portugal produced one of the biggest shocks in football history. Hosts Portugal, with a team of stars, were expected to win against rank outsiders Greece in the final in Lisbon. However, Angelos Charisteas’s header in the second half gave Greece a 1-0 lead, which they resolutely defended. The improbable 1-0 euro final score secured Greece’s sensational and unprecedented European Championship title.
2008: Spain 1-0 Germany
Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna
The 2008 final in Vienna saw Spain face Germany. Fernando Torres scored the decisive goal in the first half, and Spain controlled the game to secure a 1-0 victory. The euro final score of 1-0 marked the beginning of Spain’s era of dominance in international football, setting the stage for their subsequent World Cup and EURO triumphs.
2012: Spain 4-0 Italy
NSK Olimpiyskyi, Kyiv
Spain continued their reign in EURO 2012, facing Italy in the final in Kyiv. In a dominant performance, Spain overwhelmed Italy, with goals from David Silva, Jordi Alba, Fernando Torres, and Juan Mata. The emphatic 4-0 euro final score was the largest winning margin in a EURO final, securing Spain’s second consecutive European title and their third overall.
2016: Portugal 1-0 France (a.e.t.)
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
EURO 2016, hosted by France, saw the home nation reach the final against Portugal in Saint-Denis. Despite losing Cristiano Ronaldo to injury early in the game, Portugal held firm and Éder’s powerful long-range strike in extra time proved to be the winner. The 1-0 euro final score (after extra time) gave Portugal their first major international trophy, overcoming the odds and silencing the home crowd.
2020: Italy 1-1 England (3-2 on penalties)
Wembley Stadium, London
The EURO 2020 final, played in 2021 due to the pandemic, saw Italy face England at Wembley. Luke Shaw gave England an early lead, but Leonardo Bonucci equalized for Italy. After extra time, the score remained 1-1, leading to a penalty shootout. Italy prevailed 3-2 in the shootout, with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma the hero. The euro final score was 1-1 (3-2 on penalties), delivering Italy their second European Championship title and heartbreak for England on home soil.
2024: Spain 2-1 England
Olympiastadion, Berlin
The most recent EURO final in 2024 saw Spain and England clash in Berlin. Nico Williams put Spain ahead, and although Cole Palmer equalized for England, Mikel Oyarzabal’s late goal secured a 2-1 victory for Spain. The euro final score of 2-1 gave Spain their record fourth European Championship title, solidifying their place as one of the most successful nations in the tournament’s history.
This historical overview of euro final scores showcases the evolution of European football and the enduring drama of the European Championship. Each final is a chapter in the ongoing story of this prestigious tournament, filled with unforgettable moments and legendary players.
