A first major tournament triumph, long overdue, finally came Holland’s way in Euro 1988. The finalists had already met in the group stages with the USSR winning a tight game 1-0. The final was similarly tense (and not a great spectacle, truth be told), but the difference between the two matches was that Holland’s sensational striker Marco Van Basten was left out of the first match but will never be forgotten for his role in the final. His impressive header set up captain Ruud Gullit, who put his side in front after thirty minutes. But it was the goal Van Basten scored in the second half that made this game legendary, and has arguably never been matched in a final. Eight meters from goal and close to the touchline, Van Basten appeared out of options until he lashed a quite incredible volley over the helpless head of Rinat Dasayev, who was generally regarded as the best goalkeeper in Europe.
The Top 10 European Championship Football Games
Counting down the greatest games in the history of the tournament.
5. USSR 0-2 Holland, Euro 1988
Full List
Euro Visions
- 10. England 4-1 Holland, Euro 1996
- 9. Germany 3-2 Turkey, Euro 2008
- 8. England 1-1 Germany (Germany Won 6-5 on Penalties), Euro 1996
- 7. France 2-1 Italy, Euro 2000
- 6. Czechoslavakia 2-2 Germany (Czechoslavakia Won 5-3 on Penalties), Euro 1976
- 5. USSR 0-2 Holland, Euro 1988
- 4. Holland 2-3 Czech Republic, Euro 2004
- 3. Yugoslavia 5-4 France, Euro 1960
- 2. Spain 4-3 Yugoslavia, Euro 2000
- 1. France 3-2 Portugal, Euro 1984
