6. UEFA Euro 1984 – Michel Platini becomes a French national treasure
In a revamped 8-team tournament, France defeated West Germany in their bid to host the European Championship finals. In the first game, Denmark ran them hard, but then Ballon D’Or winner & Serie A champion Michel Platini struck with 12 minutes on the clock to win the match. In the next fixture, he really turned on the style demolishing the Belgians with a “perfect hat-trick” (left foot, right foot and header). Yugoslavia were his next victims - incredibly, he struck 3 more goals to beat the group's basement boys.
The next match was no joke however; in fact, it is often remembered as one of the greatest clashes in any Euro, ever! Domergue drew first blood for the French with 24 minutes gone, but Rui Jordao equalised 50 minutes later. As the game was forced into extra-time, Jordao used the opportunity to punish the hosts again – scoring a rapid goal with 98 minutes on the clock.
However, Frenchman Domergue was also on a brace, and with only 6 minutes left, he struck the equalizer this time. With the penalty shootout lottery on hand, who else to show up and save the day? Michel Platini scored a late, late winner on the 119th minute to send the French through to the final. The Portuguese were stunned; despite their superhuman effort, they were out.
In the final, Michel Platini’s 57th minute free-kick set France on their way at the Parc Des Princes, before Bruno Bellone scored with a chip on the 90th minute to dash Spanish hearts. It was the only goal scored by a striker for France in the whole tournament – midfielder Platini had scored 9 goals and was named the best player of the tournament.
To date, nobody has matched that tally, and only Lionel Messi beat his record of 3 consecutive Ballon D’Ors; Platini won his second in 1984, maybe his finest hour – long before his corruption case as UEFA president.
