The European Championship in Germany concluded on Sunday with the final match in Berlin between Spain and England. Mikel Oyarzabal’s goal secured Spain as the winner of the Euro 2024 tournament.
With 51 matches played and 117 goals scored, the tournament provided many unforgettable moments. The German outlet “Kicker” has highlighted some of these memorable events.
Euro 2024: Standout moments from the knockout stages
Lamine Yamal breaking records
Spain superstar Lamine Yamal broke several records at this European Championship – including being the youngest goalscorer at the Europeans. He chose the best way. When Spain was losing in the semi-finals to France, it increased the tempo of the game but was under pressure. This was not observed in Yamali. In the 21st minute, Yamali, who turned 17 on Saturday, started dribbling and immediately shot towards the goal, scoring with the help of the post. It was a super goal.
Bellingham’s scissors kick
England disappointed with their performance in the group stage and continued this pace against Slovakia in the round of 25. After being surprised by Ivan Schranz in the XNUMXth minute, England were at a long-term disadvantage. The English, however, believed in a comeback. As many fans left the stadium, Jude Bellingham scored with a scissors kick in the fifth minute of added time to send the game into extra time. Harry Kane paved the way to the final with the goal he scored in extra time.
Turkiye’s triumph
Three years ago, Türkiye went into Euro 2020 as the underdog of the tournament, pipped by many to be the dark horse. They went on to finish bottom of Group A with three defeats.
It seemed like misplaced faith, but this year they repaid that with one of their best showings in the history of the Euros. With two wins and one loss, they finished second in Group F to make it to the knockout stages. Their win over surprise package Austria 2-1 to make it to the quarter-final was a clear sign the Turkish team have plenty to build on going forward. Their fairytale run came to an end with a narrow defeat to the Netherlands.
Saka’s do-over
The last time England were in a penalty shootout with a major trophy on the line, Bukayo Saka was one of three players – along with Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford – to miss a spot kick. As a result, the Three Lions missed out on winning the European Championships for the very first time.
Three years later, Gareth Southgate’s men found themselves once again on the end of a stalemate, resulting in another shootout. Saka, the only player of the three in the squad, stepped up once more. Just 40 minutes prior, the Arsenal man had equalised against Switzerland, making it 1-1, but it was clear that spot-kick meant more as he sent the keeper the wrong way, a smile of relief spread across his face.
Saka had nothing to prove, and didn’t need to redeem himself after Euro 2020 – but it was evidently a special moment for him.
The most “funny” own goal in Europe
There was a completely different mood among Turkish fans a few days earlier. In the second match of the group stage of the European Championship against the favorites, Portugal, the team led by Vincenzo Montella had a day to forget.
In the 28th minute, center back Samet Akaydin tried to pass the ball to goalkeeper Altay Bayindir. It was a moment where there was a lack of communication and the positioning of the defender and the goalkeeper was not right. It resulted in an own goal, among many others in this European. But this one marked in Dortmund remains the “funniest”.
32 seconds of pain and pleasure
The captain of Croatia, Luka Modric, has experienced extraordinary emotions in his last match in European Championship. After being flagged for a penalty after touching the ball with his hand, the Real Madrid icon had the chance to make it 1-0 in the final group stage match against Italy in the 54th minute. Italy was the champion of the last European edition.
Modric didn’t shoot hard enough to beat goalkeeper Ginaluigi Donnarumma. The experienced player, however, did not give up. Only 32 seconds after missing the penalty, Modric scored the goal for 1:0 and delighted the Croatian fans.
Albania with the fastest goal in European history
Albania played in Germany for the second time in a European Championship. The Albanians showed good signs and scored early against Italy. After 23 seconds of play, the “reds” scored against Italy, the European champion three years ago. It was the fastest goal in the history of the European Championship.
The left defender, Federico Dimarco, sent the ball from the sideline into the dangerous area, while Nedim Bajrami understood the situation, got to the ball and shot powerfully behind the back of the Italian goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma. But in the end, Albania was defeated 2:1.
Romania shines in Munich – especially with Stanciu’s goal
Another outsider that shone at the beginning of the European Championship was Romania. Coach Edward Iordanescu’s Romania played wonderfully in the first match and won 3:0 against Ukraine, to advance to the round of XNUMX.
In the 29th minute, the entire stadium in Munich shook. Andriy Lunin miscued, while Romanian captain Nicolae Stanciu fired powerfully for a superb goal. It was rated as one of the most beautiful goals.
Nacho’s intervention
Just before Randal Kolo Muani put the world runner-up, France, in the lead, the Paris Saint-Germain striker had a duel with Spain’s center back, Nacho, where he was injured. After the intervention, Kolo Muani remained on the ground. Nacho was on top of him and forcefully pushed his head into the ground. But because Nacho was judged to have no control over his body, no red card was given.
Falling down? No problem for Xavi
In the next match of the semi-final of the European Championship between the Netherlands and England, the “tulips” took the lead first. And it was a goal to remember. Xavi Simons, wanted by many teams in Europe, including Bayern Munich, shot towards goal as he was falling and sent the ball into the net.
About 100 thousand Dutch fans were in Dortmund, in support of the Netherlands. Those who managed to enter the stadium went “crazy” with joy in the seventh minute. But the 1988 championship was eliminated. Conceded a goal in the 90th minute and lost 2:1. Ollie Watkins was the scorer for the “Three Lions”.
The final goal
The 86th minute of the final between Spain and England was being played on Sunday. Marc Cucurella passed into the area for substitute Mikel Oyarzabal. He hit correctly for 2:1. With this result, Spain won the final and enjoyed its fourth title. Oyarzabal played little, but appeared when needed. And his goal goes down in the history of the European Championships.
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