Euro 2020: Ranking the 5 best goals of the tournament

Some really incredible goals were scored at the Euros!
Some really incredible goals were scored at the Euros!

With Euro 2020 done and dusted, we can now look back upon what a tournament it was. Exciting, nervous, plenty of surprises, and of course, many incredible goals - the championship had it all.

From Italy's resounding opening day victory over Turkey to their crowning moment against England in the finals, hardly a match went by without jaws being dropped.

In total, 142 goals were scored in 51 games - the most in a single edition of the Euros, and many of them were absolutely spectacular.

However, these five in particular were the best:


Honorable mentions: Lorenzo Insigne (Italy) vs Belgium and Ivan Perisic (Croatia) vs Czech Republic).


#5 Andriy Yarmolenko (Ukraine) vs The Netherlands

Yarmolenko scored Ukraine's first goal of Euro 2020 and it was sublime!
Yarmolenko scored Ukraine's first goal of Euro 2020 and it was sublime!

The group stages of Euro 2020 offered no upsets, but Ukraine came close to pulling one off against the Netherlands, triggered by this outstanding goal from their captain Andriy Yarmolenko.

Quickfire second-half goals from Georginio Wijnaldum and Wout Weghorst had the Oranje comfortably ahead by 2-0. But then, following a neat one-two with Roman Yaremchuk, the West Ham forward found a huge gap in the Dutch backline and curled home a beauty from outside the box to half the deficit.

Even a 6ft 6in tall custodian like Maarten Stekelenburg, who's made incredible saves throughout his career, stood no chance with this one. Minutes later, Yaremchuk got on the scoresheet himself to bring the Zbirna level.

Unfortunately for Ukraine, though, Frank de Boer's side found a late winner through Denzel Dumfries, pouring cold water over Shevchenko and co.'s celebrations.


#4 Paul Pogba (France) vs Switzerland

Pogba brought the house down with a superb effort in the Euro 2020 last-16
Pogba brought the house down with a superb effort in the Euro 2020 last-16

France were arguably the biggest disappointment of Euro 2020, going out in the last-16 to Switzerland following a shock loss in the penalty shootouts, having also relinquished a healthy 3-1 lead in normal time.

But it wasn't all doom and gloom for the reigning world champions, for Paul Pogba's beautiful goal in that match will be remembered for some time.

Following a quickfire double from Karim Benzema, the Manchester United star joined the party with an absolute belter, controlling a rebound off Granit Xhaka, before firing one into the top bins from about 25 yards out.

His technique, his aim, his composure, his goal itself - everything about it was wonderful. Too bad the Euro 2020 favourites couldn't hold on to it.


#3 Thorgan Hazard (Belgium) vs Portugal

Hazard Jr knocked Portugal out with a stunner
Hazard Jr knocked Portugal out with a stunner

Portugal were in control for much of their last-16 game against Belgium, but one moment of inspiration from Thorgan Hazard, a revelation in the competition, made the difference for Roberto Martinez's side.

Receiving a pass from Thomas Meunier on the left, the Borussia Dortmund star drove forward a few steps into space left by the Portuguese defense, before rifling home a thunderous shot into the far post and beyond a despairing dive from Rui Patricio.

These are the kind of moments we're used to seeing from Eden Hazard, but on that night, it was his brother who stepped up again. And regardless of whether the Real Madrid star will ever conjure his best form again, the baton has been passed on for now.


#2 Mikkel Damsgaard (Denmark) vs England

Damsgaard scored the only free-kick of Euro and it sufficed all other failed attempts
Damsgaard scored the only free-kick of Euro and it sufficed all other failed attempts

The only direct free-kick scored at Euro 2020 and it was absolutely fantastic. Mikkel Damsgaard couldn't have chosen a better occasion for that either as their semi-final was truly lit up with this marvelous piece of action.

The Danes won a free-kick from about 30 yards out after Luke Shaw pulled down Andreas Christensen near the penalty area. Damsgaard stood over the dead ball and lifted one nicely over the English wall and into the back of the net, giving Jordan Pickford no chance.

A perfect combination of elegance, power, and precision - that was the Sampdoria man's goal for you!


#1 Patrik Schick (Czech Republic) vs Scotland

Schick scored a legendary goal versus Scotland
Schick scored a legendary goal versus Scotland

Czech Republic offered a pleasant surprise at the Euros. They surpassed all expectations by reaching the quarterfinals. The chief driving factor behind their success was Patrik Schick, who was in imperious goalscoring form, netting five times.

He set the pace very early on in the tournament with a brace against Scotland, including a long-range worldie that got fans up from their seats. In fact, it was so good that the goal might as well bag a Puskas award nomination later in the year.

The Bayer Leverkusen striker spotted Scottish goalkeeper David Marshall was off his line and unleashed a ferocious strike from near the half-way line which glided through the Edinburgh sky before crashing into the net.

It seemed like a hopeful punt at first but Schick had his angles spot on and struck the ball with tremendous power. It was a goal for the ages and Schick didn't look back thereafter.

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