The best goals scored at Euro 2020
By Tom Gott
![Benzema showed his class against Switzerland Benzema showed his class against Switzerland](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/France-v-Switzerland---UEFA-Euro-2020-Round-of-16-2c658a453d89f32681f94695a39b2a62.jpg)
One of the best part of every European Championship is the highlight reel of worldie goals that get scored, and Euro 2020 was no different.
From start to finish, Euro 2020 offered up some ridiculous goals, some of which have earned a spot on the list of greatest goals in the history of the European Championships.
Let's check them out.
1. Lorenzo Insigne vs Turkey (11/06/21)
?? Not a bad start to #euro2020 for Italy!
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 11, 2021
This cracking finish from Lorenzo Insigne put the Azzurri 3-0 up.
?? Watch: https://t.co/sUfhMjmmDD#bbceuro2020 pic.twitter.com/yKKctaaZo7
In the opening game of the tournament, Lorenzo Insigne offered up this gem to seal a dominant 3-0 victory for Italy over Turkey.
An Ugurcan Cakir error led to some excellent passing from Italy, who played their way to Insigne on the left to unleash this gorgeous curling effort.
He'd sent one wide earlier in the match, but made no mistake with this one.
2. Andriy Yarmolenko vs Netherlands (13/06/21)
YARMOLENKOOOOO! ?
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 13, 2021
"The finish is absolutely phenomenal... it starts three yards out of the post and curls all the way in!" ?
Ally McCoist loved that strike - and so did the #UKR fans in Amsterdam! #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/NGuKk9gnNd
Andriy Yarmolenko cutting in from the right and scoring with his left? Who could have seen this coming? You know, apart from literally everyone.
It might have been the most predictable move ever, but credit where credit's due, there was nothing predictable about the finish. Yarmolenko unleashed a ferocious curler into the top corner and ran away imaging what it was like to hold the Goal of the Tournament trophy.
That feeling didn't even last 24 hours...
3. Patrik Schick vs Scotland (14/06/21)
WHAT. A. GOAL.
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 14, 2021
Patrik Schick scores for the Czech Republic from the halfway line.#SCO 0-2 #CZE
??? Watch live: https://t.co/XJ464KbERY#bbceuros #euro2020 pic.twitter.com/p8DjWwZeVQ
Take a bow, Patrik Schick.
A fortunate ricochet found Schick in plenty of space, and from no less than 49.7 yards out, the Czech Republic striker unleashed a first-time shot which curved its way over Scotland's David Marshall and into the record books.
Unsurprisingly, nobody in European Championship history has ever scored from further out.
4. Aaron Ramsey vs Turkey (16/06/21)
A piece of absolute brilliance from Bale and Ramsey!
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) June 16, 2021
Turkey 0-1 Wales ⚽
? @BBCRadioWales @BBCSounds
? @BBCOne @BBCiPlayer
Follow ?? https://t.co/xjcrEpzgpI#bbceuros #euro2020 #TURWAL pic.twitter.com/j8nYlHG86m
Aaron Ramsey's finish was classy, but this one is all about the ball from Gareth Bale.
Going full playmaker mode, Bale picked out Ramsey with a glorious pass (one which he'd made earlier in the game as well) that completely carved open the Turkish defence and gave the midfielder an ocean of space.
Ramsey did his past by chesting the ball down and slotting home, capping off an excellent Wales move.
5. Manuel Locatelli vs Switzerland (16/06/21)
“It’s a goal that will be remembered forever in the Eternal City.” ?#ITA have two, Locatelli has two - and that's a fine way to cap a special team move ?#ITASUI | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/qR1GsBZ7t4
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 16, 2021
2020/21 was somewhat of a breakout year for Manuel Locatelli, who capped off an excellent season with this gorgeous strike against Switzerland.
Having already finished off a nice team move earlier in the game, the Sassuolo man demanded the headlines with this arrow of a strike from the best part of 25 yards.
Yann Sommer didn't even move.
6. Aleksey Miranchuk vs Finland (16/06/21)
What a strike from Aleksei Miranchuk!
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 16, 2021
Watch and listen on the BBChttps://t.co/aTAyFU3zJn #FINRUS #Euro2020 #bbceuro2020 pic.twitter.com/YDDB2Uu9w9
After some neat passing, it looked like Aleksey Miranchuk had wasted this chance. He had a split second to get a shot off, and boy, did he take it.
Without any backlift, Miranchuk clipped the ball perfectly round Lukas Hradecky and into the Finland goal with such precision. The goalkeeper could no nothing.
The Atalanta man doesn't score a lot of goals, so he made sure this was one to remember.
7. Kevin De Bruyne vs Denmark (17/06/21)
That is some goal! ?#BEL have been brilliant since the break - and another superb move is finished ???????????? by @DeBruyneKev ?#DENBEL | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/dgHimX2zHP
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 17, 2021
Kevin De Bruyne literally has a shattered face and yet still has better vision than any of us mere mortals could ever dream of possessing.
He pulled off a sublime assist to get Belgium back into their game against Denmark, before deciding to have a go at scoring the goals soon after.
His Belgium team-mates put together a fantastic passing move and found an onrushing De Bruyne on the edge of the box, and the Manchester City man thundered home a perfect winner.
8. Ivan Perisic vs Czech Republic (18/06/21)
? Quality finish from Ivan Perisic.
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 18, 2021
Croatia are back in the game.#CRO 1-1 #CZE
??? Watch live: https://t.co/UI2lcDl9vF#bbceuro2020 #euro2020 pic.twitter.com/16HudXQTlJ
Ivan Perisic has a long history of bumping up his transfer value at big tournaments, and he's at it again.
The winger came in clutch for Croatia yet again, bagging an equaliser against the Czech Republic with this ferocious drive from the edge of the penalty area.
The goalkeeper probably should have done a little better, but it was hit with that much power that there was nothing he could do.
9. Cristiano Ronaldo vs Germany (19/06/21)
17 seconds after #GER have a corner at one end, @Cristiano taps home at the other ?
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 19, 2021
⚡️ What a counter attack from #POR! #PORGER | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/8eXOyNLbKy
It took Cristiano Ronaldo 14.2 seconds to clear a corner and score at the other end of the pitch.
As soon as he got his head on the Germany corner, Ronaldo turned on the jets, went full Usain Bolt and charged his way to the other end of the pitch, where Diogo Jota set him up for the easiest finish of his career.
His Portugal side then went on to ship four goals, but let's not talk about that.
10. Xherdan Shaqiri vs Turkey (20/06/2021)
Take a bow Xherdan Shaqiri ?⚽#SUITUR | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/bqUh2MrO7J
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 20, 2021
This was one of those matches that will be remembered for the quality of its goals - as you'll discover below.
Despite his mercurial form at club level, Shaqiri is one of those players who always comes up trumps for his country.
With Switzerland needing a win to give themselves any chance of getting out of Group A, Shaqiri produced a trademark curler into the top bins to set his country on course for a 3-1 win. Clutch.
11. Irfan Kahveci vs Switzerland (20/06/2021)
A moment of brilliance from İrfan Can Kahveci as #TUR pull one back! ?⚽
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 20, 2021
This will be some welcome news for #WAL fans...#SUITUR | #ITVFootball | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/uHJkICEy0y
Shaqiri's effort would ultimately be the winner, but Kahveci's strike to reduce the deficit in the same match gave the Swiss something to think about, and everyone else something to shout about.
Manipulating the ball with the sole of his foot and working it inside, Kahveci produced an absolute beamer that looped up, dipped down and slammed into the back of the net, making a highly satisfying noise as it did so.
Unfortunately this thumper would be in vain as the Turks crashed out of Euro 2020 - this their only goal of the tournament.
12. Xherdan Shaqiri vs Turkey (20/06/2021)
Shaqiri does it again! ⚽#SUI are now hot on #WAL heels in Group A ??#SUITUR | #ITVFootball | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/6oMHbQJXtb
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 20, 2021
We told you the goals in this game were good.
Shaqiri doubled up and sealed victory over Turkey, finishing off a sweeping counterattack.
Kudos to Steven Zuber, who got all three assists in the game, including an inch-perfect pass into the onrushing Shaqiri for number three here.
13. Mikkel Damsgaard vs Russia (21/06/21)
WHAT. A. HIT!
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 21, 2021
Watch and listen on the BBC https://t.co/XraUz1fsnJ#RUSDEN #Euro2020 #bbceuro2020 pic.twitter.com/C1KgbnkHtW
Born one day after the Euro 2000 final, Mikkel Damsgaard became the first player born in the 21st century to score at the Euros when he fired home this beauty against Russia.
With a couple of touches to set himself, Damsgaard unleashed a screamer out of nowhere to give Denmark one foot in the round of 16.
Somehow, it might not have even been the best goal of the game.
14. Andreas Christensen vs Russia (21/06/21)
WHAT IS THIS MADNESS!!!
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 21, 2021
Watch and listen on the BBC https://t.co/XraUz1fsnJ#RUSDEN #Euro2020 #bbceuro2020 pic.twitter.com/dhyeL19Lwv
Bang.
Booking Denmark's spot in the next round was Andreas Christensen, who hit this one with the emotion of a nation who has already been through so much this summer.
To celebrate with the '10' in honour of Christian Eriksen made this even sweeter.
15. Luka Modric vs Scotland (22/06/21)
WHAT. A. GOAL.
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 22, 2021
A wonderful strike from the ??????? Luka Modrić ?#ITVFootball #Euro2020 #CROSCO pic.twitter.com/OY5PLYCwAN
Luka Modric was outstanding against Scotland, and he topped off an excellent performance with this unreal strike.
The Real Madrid man put his side back in the lead with a gorgeous strike with the outside of the boot which flew into the top corner of David Marshall's goal.
Modric pulled the strings from start to finish, and this goal was the least he deserved.
16. Robert Lewandowski vs Sweden (23/06/21)
This Robert Lewandowski goal is ridiculous ?
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 24, 2021
It wasn't enough to keep Poland in #Euro2020...#bbceuro2020 #POL
Surprise surprise. The best striker in the world gets himself on this list.
Just seconds after his Poland side fell 2-0 down to Sweden, the Bayern hitman popped up with this thunderous strike which left Robin Olsen with absolutely no chance.
It just about made up for his calamitous highlight from the first half, which saw Lewandowski head against the bar twice and somehow clear the ball away on the goal-line.
17. Ferran Torres vs Slovakia (23/06/21)
⚡️ ??????? ??????! ⚡️
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 23, 2021
Ferran Torres had been on the pitch for ?? ??????? before flicking home in style! ?#SVKESP | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/GueNojkxpp
Ferran Torres needed just 44 seconds to make his impact felt against Slovakia.
Off the bench to replace Alvaro Morata, Torres popped up with a beautiful flick to convert a cross from Pablo Sarabia and put his side four goals clear in what ended up as a 5-0 mauling.
Morata was seething on the bench, having already missed a penalty earlier in the game. He can't buy a goal.
18. Federico Chiesa vs Austria (26/06/21)
It was going to take something special to break the deadlock in this game.
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 26, 2021
Step forward, Federico Chiesa!?
Watch and listen on the BBChttps://t.co/yOtHPsZOTc#ITAUT #Euro2020 #bbceuro2020 pic.twitter.com/5PqdQLhkXK
Austria managed to take Italy all the way to extra-time in their round-of-16 tie, but they could do nothing to stop the magic of Federico Chiesa.
The winger did incredibly well to bring an awkward ball down, but before he even had it under control, he unleashed a powerful volley which rocketed through the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner.
Three excellent touches from Chiesa, who follows in his father's footsteps by scoring at the Euros.
19. Thorgan Hazard vs Portugal (27/06/2021)
⚠️ ??????? ?????! ⚠️
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 27, 2021
That Thorgan Hazard strike moved more through the air than a @Jimmy9 out-swinger ?#BELPOR | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/rj14NyWm7n
Right from the off, this match felt as though it would require a moment of magic to decide which way the game would go.
Thorgan Hazard provided that moment in the 42nd minute. Looking unnervingly like his older brother Eden from a distance, Hazard set himself on the edge of the 18-yard box before unleashing a vicious shot that swerved across Rui Patricio and into the bottom corner of the net.
It was enough to send the Belgians through to the quarter-finals. Winner.
20. Karim Benzema vs Switzerland (28/06/21)
That is the best touch you will see in a very long time ?
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 28, 2021
Euro 2020: Karim Benzema has ARRIVED ?#FRASUI | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/GoCSaxkqT0
Jeeeeez.
Karim Benzema pulled off one of the greatest touches we've ever seen at the Euros in France's last-16 tie with Switzerland, stretching his legs to chop the ball back into his path with unreal ease.
The chip that finished it all off wasn't half bad either.
21. Paul Pogba vs Switzerland (28/06/21)
????É ????! ?
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 28, 2021
PAUL POGBA WHAT A GOAL!!!! ?#FRASUI | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/X2ZSJRjcop
Paul Pogba put on one of the all-time greatest individual performances in Euros history against Switzerland, and topped it all off with this absolutely unreal strike.
After sending the ball screaming into the top corner, Pogba also offered up another iconic celebration, drawing in the praise he knew his performance deserved.
...and then France went out on penalties.
22. Lorenzo Insigne vs Belgium (02/07/21)
OH MY!
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 2, 2021
Lorenzo Insigne with a special goal.
? Watch live: https://t.co/E7DKcQ7Jih#bbceuro2020 #euro2020 pic.twitter.com/gX9bajqekz
Italy were outstanding in their quarter-final victory over Belgium, and Lorenzo Insigne's worldie epitomised that.
The Napoli man has been cutting inside on his right foot all summer and finally nailed it to perfection, sending a glorious strike flying into the top corner of Thibaut Courtois' goal.
It proved to be the decisive goal as Italy stormed to a 2-1 victory.
23. Kasper Dolberg vs Czech Republic (03/07/21)
Joakim Maehle, that is outrageous! ?
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 3, 2021
Find us a better assist at Euro 2020 - we'll wait.#CZEDEN | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/pfLQ6PCLjL
It's a tidy finish from Kasper Dolberg, but this one is all about the assist from Joakim Maehle.
The Atalanta man has been one of the stars of the tournament so far and bumped his stock up a little higher with this ridiculous cross with the outside of his boot that looks like it broke every known law of physics.
It landed perfectly at the boot of Dolberg, who kept his nerve to tap home a winner.
24. Mikkel Damsgaard vs England (07/07/21)
That is a simply stunning free-kick from Mikkel Damsgaard! ?? #ENGDEN | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/0mkPNI9v5m
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 7, 2021
A second appearance on this list from Damsgaard, who produced a real moment of magic to become the first man to score past Jordan Pickford.
While his free-kick may not look perfect upon first glance - it doesn't exactly nestle into the corner - its the technique of the overall move which makes this so brilliant.
The Denmark wall slid over at the last second to blind Pickford, allowing Damsgaard to fire in a ferocious, dipping strike which was upon the England goalkeeper before he even had a chance to start diving. Tactical perfection for the only goal direct from a free-kick at Euro 2020.