The UEFA European Championship, commonly known as the Euro Cup, is one of the most prestigious international football tournaments. Since its inception in 1960, the tournament has witnessed some of the greatest players in football history, delivering unforgettable performances. Among them, the top scorers have etched their names in history, showcasing extraordinary goal-scoring abilities on Europe’s grandest stage. In this article, Win Betting Tips will explore the 7 Euro Cup top scorers history.
Top 7 Euro Cup top scorers of all time
Here, we run through the 7 Euro Cup top scorers and review some of their most impressive tournament statistics and goal records.
7. Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) – 6 goals
Romelu Lukaku has been a key figure in Belgium’s attacking lineup during multiple European Championships, and his contributions have not gone unnoticed. With a powerful presence in the box and exceptional finishing ability, Lukaku has been a consistent goal-scorer for his country. At Euro 2020, he scored an impressive four goals, including a brace against Russia in Belgium's opening match. His physicality and clinical nature in front of goal helped the Red Devils advance to the quarter-finals.
Lukaku’s six goals in the European Championship showcase his reliability as one of the top forwards in Europe, and his ability to step up for Belgium in high-pressure moments. Although his team fell short of winning the tournament, Lukaku’s performance remained one of the few bright spots, and he remains one of the best strikers in European football.
6. Alan Shearer (England) – 7 goals
Although England suffered a devastating semi-final defeat at Euro '96, the tournament solidified Alan Shearer’s status as one of the nation's all-time great strikers. Shearer netted five goals that summer, playing a crucial role in helping England reach the last four before their heartbreaking penalty loss to Germany at Wembley.
He scored in all three of England’s group matches, including the iconic victories over Scotland and the Netherlands, with a brace against the latter. He also added another goal in the quarter-final win over Spain.
Shearer returned for Euro 2000, where he added two more goals in three appearances, though the tournament was less memorable for England as they failed to replicate their earlier success. Additionally, Shearer made an appearance at Euro '92 in the early stages of his international career, but failed to score during that tournament, which was unexpectedly won by Denmark.
5 . Álvaro Morata (Spain) – 7 goals
Álvaro Morata may be a polarizing figure, but his goal-scoring record at the European Championship is undeniable. Morata’s first major impact came at Euro 2016, where he scored three goals, including two in a 3-0 win over Turkey. He also gave Spain the lead against Croatia in their final group match, although they eventually lost 2-1.
During Euro 2020, Morata's contributions included a solitary goal in the group stage, a 1-1 draw against Poland, and two crucial goals in the knockout rounds- one in a thrilling 5-3 victory over Croatia in the last 16, and another in the semi-final against Italy. Despite his efforts, Spain fell to Italy in a penalty shootout.
Morata’s seventh goal came in Euro 2024 during Spain’s opening match against Croatia, where he finished a through ball from Pedri. Although he didn’t score again in the tournament, Spain ultimately triumphed, lifting the trophy after a 2-1 victory over England in the final.
4. Harry Kane (England) – 7 goals
Harry Kane added to his European Championship goal tally during Euro 2024, netting three goals in the tournament. However, despite his individual success, it was yet another tournament that ended in disappointment for the England captain.
Kane, who has had a long struggle to win major trophies in his career, was unable to claim the title in Berlin on July 14, as England fell to Spain in the final. The Bayern Munich striker scored in the group stage against Denmark, and added two more goals in the knockout stages, against Slovakia and the Netherlands. Despite his efforts, England came up short once again on the biggest stage.
3. Antoine Griezmann (France) – 7 goals
Antoine Griezmann, Platini's compatriot, is tied for third in the all-time scoring list, with 7 goals to his name. Although he couldn't add to his tally in Euro 2024, Griezmann’s performance at the European Championship has been remarkable. He netted his goals across 17 matches, with a goal every 186 minutes, which is even better than Ronaldo's scoring ratio of 189 minutes per goal.
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Griezmann was particularly influential in Euro 2016, where he scored six goals and provided two assists. His two goals in the semi-final against Germany helped France reach the final, where they ultimately lost to Portugal. Despite France finishing as runners-up, Griezmann won the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer and was named Player of the Tournament by UEFA, cementing his place as one of the most talented and impactful players in European Championship history.
2. Michel Platini (France) – 9 goals
Michel Platini ranks second on the all-time Euros goal-scoring list with 9 goals, all of which he scored in a single tournament, a feat that remains unparalleled. His record for most goals in one European Championship came in 1984 when he played a pivotal role in France's victory on home soil.
Platini's tournament performance was extraordinary, including scoring the fastest hat-trick in European Championship history in just 18 minutes against Yugoslavia. He also managed a second hat-trick in a match against Belgium, making him the only player in Euros history to score multiple hat-tricks. Platini's goals came at a blistering pace, with an average of just 53 minutes per goal, and he did so with exceptional efficiency, as only one of his nine goals came from the penalty spot.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 14 goals
Cristiano Ronaldo holds numerous individual records at the European Championship, with his most notable achievement being the title of all-time top scorer. He has netted 14 goals across five different editions of the tournament, making him five goals ahead of any other player in history.
Ronaldo's remarkable tally comes from 30 appearances, showcasing his consistency on the European stage. Although he has scored many penalties for his clubs, only three of his 14 Euro goals for Portugal have been from the penalty spot. His standout performance came in Euro 2020, where he scored five goals in just four appearances, converting five out of 15 shots in a deadly display of finishing.
In addition to his impressive goal-scoring, Ronaldo helped Portugal secure victory in Euro 2016, scoring three goals in the tournament, despite an injury in the final. He played 625 minutes across seven games and took 45 shots, including a key goal in the semi-finals against Wales. Ronaldo also played a pivotal role in helping Portugal reach the final of Euro 2004, although they were defeated by Greece in the final.
In conclusion
In conclusion, the Euro Cup top scorers have always been some of the most celebrated and iconic figures in European football. From Cristiano Ronaldo’s record-breaking feats to the dazzling performances of players like Michel Platini, Antoine Griezmann, and Romelu Lukaku, these players have left a lasting impact on the tournament. Their incredible goal-scoring abilities, combined with their remarkable contributions to their respective national teams, have helped define the history of the Euros.
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