England’s national football team consistently evokes a blend of hope and heartbreak amongst its passionate fanbase when major international tournaments roll around. Memories of near misses and agonizing defeats often overshadow moments of genuine triumph in the Three Lions’ history. Following another valiant effort at Euro 2024, which culminated in a final defeat to Spain, the enduring question resurfaces: When Was The Last Time England Won The Euros? In truth, the answer is stark and simple: England has never won the European Championship.
Despite being a powerhouse in the global game and boasting a rich footballing heritage, the coveted Henri Delaunay Trophy has eluded England throughout the tournament’s history. Euro 2020 offered perhaps the closest opportunity in recent memory, igniting fervent national belief as Gareth Southgate’s squad progressed to the final on home soil at Wembley Stadium. The nation held its breath as they faced Italy, dreaming of ending decades of hurt. However, the familiar sting of penalty shootout defeat struck again, leaving England empty-handed and extending their wait for a major international title. This painful loss echoed the Euro 96 semi-final heartbreak, also suffered on penalties on home turf, against Germany. Euro 2024 in Germany presented another chance, and again, England reached the final after navigating a challenging path, including overcoming Switzerland in a quarterfinal penalty shootout and defeating the Netherlands in the semi-finals. Yet, despite their resilience and tactical prowess, Spain proved too strong in the final, securing a 2-1 victory and leaving England to reflect on another near miss.
Image alt text: A tweet from SPORTbible in June 2021 showing a split image of Gareth Southgate; the left side depicts a younger Southgate in 1996 with a dejected expression, and the right side shows a more recent, smiling Southgate, symbolizing redemption after an England victory.
England’s European Championship Tournament History: A Summary
Delving into England’s full European Championship history reveals a pattern of participation and progress, but ultimately, a lack of championship success. Since Euro 1968, their first appearance in the final tournament, England has qualified for the Euros on all but one occasion (Euro 2008). While they have become a consistent presence and frequently reached the knockout stages in recent tournaments, converting that consistency into silverware has remained the elusive final step.
| Year | Host | Wins | Draws* | Losses | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Italy | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 1980 | Italy | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| 1988 | West Germany | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| 1992 | Sweden | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 1996 | England | 2 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 3 |
| 2000 | Belgium/Netherlands | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 |
| 2004 | Portugal | 2 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 6 |
| 2012 | Poland/Ukraine | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
| 2016 | France | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| 2020 | Europe | 5 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 2 |
| 2024 | Germany | 3 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 6 |
*Draws include knockout-stage games decided by penalty shootouts level after 90 minutes plus 30 minutes of extra time.
Consistent Qualification, Elusive Victory
England’s qualification record for the European Championships is notably strong. Their path to Euro 2024 exemplified this, securing qualification with an unbeaten record of six wins and two draws in Group C. Impressively, two of these victories came against reigning European champions Italy, offering a measure of revenge for the Euro 2020 final. This dominant qualification campaign is typical for England, highlighting their consistent ability to reach major tournaments. However, this consistent qualification has not yet translated into European Championship glory.
England’s Overall Euro Performance: Stage by Stage
| Year | Host | Stage Reached | Eliminated By |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | France | Did not enter | — |
| 1964 | Spain | Did not qualify | — |
| 1968 | Italy | Semifinal | Yugoslavia |
| 1972 | Belgium | Did not qualify | — |
| 1976 | Yugoslavia | Did not qualify | — |
| 1980 | Italy | Group Stage | Belgium/Italy |
| 1984 | France | Did not qualify | — |
| 1988 | West Germany | Group Stage | Soviet Union/Netherlands |
| 1992 | Sweden | Group Stage | Sweden/Denmark |
| 1996 | England | Semifinal | Germany |
| 2000 | Belgium/Netherlands | Group Stage | Portugal/Romania |
| 2004 | Portugal | Quarterfinal | Portugal |
| 2008 | Austria/Switzerland | Did not qualify | — |
| 2012 | Poland/Ukraine | Quarterfinal | Italy |
| 2016 | France | Round of 16 | Iceland |
| 2020 | Europe | Runners-Up | Italy |
| 2024 | Germany | Runners-Up | Spain |
In conclusion, to definitively answer the question “when was the last time England won the Euros?”, the answer remains: England has never won the Euros. While they have reached the final twice, in 2020 and 2024, and the semi-finals twice before that, the ultimate prize has remained just out of reach. As fans look ahead, the hope persists that future tournaments will finally see England break their European Championship duck and etch their name onto the trophy.
