A list of the most iconic UEFA Euro Cup records that you should know

The UEFA European (Euro) Championship has been held every four years since its inception in 1960. The event has seen some of the greatest European players and teams make history in soccer, and it is one of the most lucrative in the world. With the upcoming Euro 2024, several UEFA Euro Cup records are up for breaking.

Over the years, the renowned European tournament has been significant in settling the fierce inter-nation rivalry and debate among the giant European soccer teams. With the intense competition, several records have been set and broken, such as titles, appearances, matches played, and goals. Here is a brush-up on the most iconic UEFA Euro Cup records and statistics you should know.

UEFA Euro Cup records

Since the dawn of the competition, several records have been broken and set by players or national teams. We highlight the all-time European Championship's major teams and players' records, per Guinness World Records.

Team records

Only four nations have bagged the lucrative trophy more than once, and 10 have lifted it. Here are the teams' Euro Cup records.

Germany (1972, 1980, 1996) and Spain (1964, 2008, 2012) won the most European Championship titles with three apiece, per Marca. The Germans have the upper hand over Spain since they have been runners-up on three occasions, compared to Spain, who have been runners-up on one occasion.

Although 10 national teams have won the competition in history, only four nations (Germany, Spain, Italy, and France) have won it more than once.

Nine nations hold the record for the most team participation in the Euros: Austria, Czechia, Slovakia, Denmark, Switzerland, Poland, Turkey, Hungary, and Portugal, with 18 appearances each.

In the renowned tournament, Spain holds the European Cup record for the most matches played, with 179. Italy and Czechia follow closely with 171 and 169, respectively.

The Spanish national team holds the record for the most matches won by any nation, with 118 wins. The Netherlands and Germany closely follow, with 103 wins each.

Among the European Cup records up for grabs in the Germany Euro 2024 are the most goals scored by a nation since the beginning of the competition. Spain tops the list with 407 goals scored, followed by the Netherlands and Germany with 356 and 345, respectively.

Albania holds the record for the most red cards in the competition's history, with 14 cards, followed closely by Malta, Moldova, and Azerbaijan, with 12 each.

Spain is the only team in history to successfully defend the European title. They won it consecutively in 2008 and 2012.

Only three countries that hosted the European Championship went on to win the trophy. France did it most recently in 1984. Spain (1964) and Italy (1968) bagged their championships in their home countries.

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Football

Yugoslavia and France hold the record for the highest-scoring game in the competition's history. It was set at the inaugural match in 1960 in a 5-4 win to Yugoslavia, and since then, no Euro game has seen 9 goals scored in a single match.

As co-hosts of Euro 2000, the Netherlands wowed their home audience in Rotterdam, defeating Yugoslavia 6-1. It was the only time a team scored six or more goals in European Championship history.

Player records

Some of the greatest soccer players in history are from European nations. Thus, at some point in their careers, they represented their countries in the UEFA European Championship and broke or set records. Here are the players' UEFA Euro records.

The legendary soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the most goals scored by a player in European Championship history. He has 14 goals and will look forward to extending his stats in Germany.

Michel Platini, a former football player, holds the record for the most goals scored at a single Euros tournament, scoring nine times as France won as hosts in 1984.

With 25 appearances ahead of Euro 2024, Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the most appearances by a player in the competition's history. He made his debut in the European Championship in 2004 and advanced to the final before being beaten by Greece, the winners.

Ivica Vastic, 38 years and 257 days old, is the oldest player to score in the competition's history. He scored his goal in a 1-1 draw match against Poland at Euro 2008. Cristiano Ronaldo (39) could became the oldest if he scores in the Euro 2024.

Johan Vonlanthen is the youngest striker in European Championship history, having scored for Switzerland in a match against France in 2004 at 18 years and 141 days.

Poland's midfielder Kacper Kozlowski made history by becoming the youngest player in the European Championship history at 17 years and 246 days in 2020. Spain's Lamine Yamal (16) will break the record if he plays in the Euro 2024.

Frequently asked questions

Over the years, the competition has expanded and become more famous, with more teams joining it, from the initial four to the current 24. Here are some frequently asked questions about European Cup records and statistics.

Who holds the record for being the oldest player ever to play in the Euros?

With 40 years and 86 days on record, former Hungary goalkeeper Gábor Király is the oldest player to have participated in the competition.

Who is the top scorer in Euro Cup history?

479 football players have scored goals at the Euro competitions, with 37 scoring four or more. Cristiano Ronaldo is the top scorer in the competition's history, with 14 goals.

Who has the most UEFA Super Cup?

With five titles each since the competition was incepted, AC Milan, Barcelona, and Real Madrid have the most victories. Milan became the first team to win the UEFA Super Cup consecutively in 1989 and 1990.

Final word

Some UEFA Euro Cup records are going to be broken in the upcoming Euros 2024, while others, such as Michel Platini's nine goals in a single tournament, are only a dream, yet still possible.

Sports Brief has recently compiled a comprehensive list of all the countries that have hosted the Euros. The competition has been hosted in various countries since 1960. Some nations, such as Italy and France, have hosted the tournament multiple times. Click on the link above for more details!