The UEFA European Championship is one of the major competitive international football tournaments, first played in 1960 . The finals stage of the tournament takes place every four years, with a qualifying competition beforehand.[ 1] The sixteenth tournament was held across Europe in 2021 (postponed from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic ).
The England national football team first attempted to qualify for the finals of the tournament in 1964 , having declined to enter in 1960. They first qualified in 1968 , and have since participated in the finals on eleven occasions, including in 1996 , when they were the host nation and thus did not need to qualify.[ 2] [ 3] [ 4]
England's best performances at the finals were a runner-up finish at Euro 2020 , when they lost the final to Italy on penalties at Wembley ,[ 5] [ 6] and at Euro 2024 , when they lost the final 2–1 to Spain in Berlin , being the first team to lose consecutive European Championship finals.[ 7] [ 8] They had a third-place finish in Italy in 1968, when only four teams competed in the finals tournament, and reached one further semi-final in 1996, losing to Germany , also on home soil and on penalties.[ 9] The team reached the quarter-finals on two other occasions, losing to host nation Portugal on penalties in 2004 and to Italy in Ukraine in 2012 , also on penalties.[ 10] [ 11] [ 12]
England were eliminated in the round of 16 by Iceland in 2016 . On the other four occasions (1980 , 1988 , 1992 and 2000 ), they did not progress beyond the group stage.
Year
Round
Opponent
Score
England scorer(s)
1968
Semi-finals
Yugoslavia
0–1
—
Third place play-off
Soviet Union
2–0
B. Charlton , Hurst
1980
Group 2
Belgium
1–1
Wilkins
Italy
0–1
—
Spain
2–1
Brooking , Woodcock
1988
Group 2
Republic of Ireland
0–1
—
Netherlands
1–3
Robson
Soviet Union
1–3
Adams
1992
Group 1
Denmark
0–0
—
France
0–0
—
Sweden
1–2
Platt
1996
Group A
Switzerland
1–1
Shearer
Scotland
2–0
Shearer , Gascoigne
Netherlands
4–1
Shearer (2), Sheringham (2)
Quarter-finals
Spain
0–0 (a.e.t. ) (4–2 p )
—
Semi-finals
Germany
1–1 (a.e.t. ) (5–6 p )
Shearer
2000
Group A
Portugal
2–3
Scholes , McManaman
Germany
1–0
Shearer
Romania
2–3
Shearer , Owen
2004
Group B
France
1–2
Lampard
Switzerland
3–0
Rooney (2), Gerrard
Croatia
4–2
Scholes , Rooney (2), Lampard
Quarter-finals
Portugal
2–2 (a.e.t. ) (5–6 p )
Owen , Lampard
2012
Group D
France
1–1
Lescott
Sweden
3–2
Carroll , Walcott , Welbeck
Ukraine
1–0
Rooney
Quarter-finals
Italy
0–0 (a.e.t. ) (2–4 p )
—
2016
Group B
Russia
1–1
Dier
Wales
2–1
Vardy , Sturridge
Slovakia
0–0
—
Round of 16
Iceland
1–2
Rooney
2020
Group D
Croatia
1–0
Sterling
Scotland
0–0
—
Czech Republic
1–0
Sterling
Round of 16
Germany
2–0
Sterling , Kane
Quarter-finals
Ukraine
4–0
Kane (2), Maguire , J. Henderson
Semi-finals
Denmark
2–1 (a.e.t. )
Kjær (o.g. ), Kane
Final
Italy
1–1 (a.e.t. ) (2–3 p )
Shaw
2024
Group C
Serbia
1–0
Bellingham
Denmark
1–1
Kane
Slovenia
0–0
—
Round of 16
Slovakia
2–1 (a.e.t. )
Bellingham , Kane
Quarter-finals
Switzerland
1–1 (a.e.t. ) (5–3 p )
Saka
Semi-finals
Netherlands
2–1
Kane , Watkins
Final
Spain
1–2
Palmer
UEFA Euro 1968: Italy
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Group stage
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Third place play-off
UEFA Euro 1980: Italy
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Group stage
UEFA Euro 1988: West Germany
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Group stage
UEFA Euro 1992: Sweden
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Group stage
UEFA Euro 1996: England
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^ a b Tied on head-to-head result (Netherlands 0–0 Scotland) and overall goal difference (−1). Overall goals for was used as the tiebreaker.
Matches
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
UEFA Euro 2000: Belgium–Netherlands
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Group stage
^ a b Head-to-head points: England 4, Poland 1.
UEFA Euro 2004: Portugal
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Group stage
Quarter-finals
UEFA Euro 2012: Poland–Ukraine
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Group stage
^ a b Head-to-head result: Ukraine 2–1 Sweden.
Quarter-finals
UEFA Euro 2016: France
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Group stage
^ a b Tied on head-to-head results. Overall goal difference was used as the tiebreaker.
Round of 16
UEFA Euro 2020: Europe
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Group stage
^ a b Tied on head-to-head result (Croatia 1–1 Czech Republic) and overall goal difference (+1). Overall goals for was used as the tiebreaker.
Round of 16
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final
UEFA Euro 2024: Germany
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As the competition ran during the 2024 general election , the Football Association contacted players to remind them about arranging proxy votes or postal votes .[ 40] [ 41]
Group stage
^ a b Head-to-head points: Italy 4, Ukraine 1.
^ a b Tied on head-to-head result (Slovenia 1–1 Denmark), overall goal difference and overall goals scored. Disciplinary points : Denmark −6, Slovenia −7.[ 42] [ 43]
Round of 16
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final
Rank
Player
Matches
Years
1
Harry Kane
18
2016, 2020, 2024
2
Kyle Walker
16
2016, 2020, 2024
3
Jordan Pickford
14
2020, 2024
Declan Rice
2020, 2024
John Stones
2020, 2024
6
Gary Neville
11
1996, 2000, 2004
Bukayo Saka
2020, 2024
Kieran Trippier
2020, 2024
9
Jude Bellingham
10
2020, 2024
Phil Foden
2020, 2024
Wayne Rooney
2004, 2012, 2016
Raheem Sterling
2016, 2020
European Championship
Goalscorer(s)
1968
Bobby Charlton , Geoff Hurst
1980
Trevor Brooking , Ray Wilkins , Tony Woodcock
1988
Tony Adams , Bryan Robson
1992
David Platt
1996
Alan Shearer (5), Teddy Sheringham (2), Paul Gascoigne
2000
Alan Shearer (2), Steve McManaman , Michael Owen , Paul Scholes
2004
Wayne Rooney (4), Frank Lampard (3), Steven Gerrard , Michael Owen, Paul Scholes
2012
Andy Carroll , Joleon Lescott , Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott , Danny Welbeck
2016
Eric Dier , Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge , Jamie Vardy
2020
Harry Kane (4), Raheem Sterling (3), Jordan Henderson , Harry Maguire , Luke Shaw , own goal
2024
Harry Kane (3), Jude Bellingham (2), Bukayo Saka , Ollie Watkins , Cole Palmer
^ The match, originally scheduled for 21:45 local time, was delayed 15 minutes to prevent overlap with the other Group D match between Ukraine and France, which had been delayed due to rain.[ 25]
^ Pye, Steven (9 October 2020). "When England fans ruined their match against Belgium 40 years ago" – via The Guardian.
^ "When Saturday Comes - Classic matches ~ England v USSR, Euro 68 & 88" . Wsc.co.uk . 9 July 2012. Archived from the original on 1 July 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2016 .
^ "Euro 1968: Alan Mullery's moment of madness" . BBC Sport . 12 May 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2016 .
^ Surlis f, Patrick (1 June 2016). "Remembering Euro 96: Jamie Redknapp, Darren Anderton, Stuart Pearce and Steve Howey | Football News" . Sky Sports . Retrieved 18 June 2016 .
^ "Italy 1–1 England, aet (3–2 on pens): Donnarumma the hero as Azzurri win EURO 2020!" . UEFA.com . Union of European Football Associations. 11 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021 .
^ "Euro 2020 final: England beaten by Italy on penalties" . BBC Sport . British Broadcasting Corporation. 11 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021 .
^ "Spain 2-1 England: Late Oyarzabal winner earns La Roja record fourth EURO crown" . UEFA.com . Union of European Football Associations. 14 July 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024 .
^ "Heartbreak for England as Spain score late goal to win Euro 2024" . BBC Sport . British Broadcasting Corporation. 14 July 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024 .
^ Mark Ogden (6 June 2016). "Euro 2016: Don't let Euro 96 fool you, England are generally terrible at the European Championships | International | Sport" . The Independent . Retrieved 18 June 2016 .
^ "BBC SPORT | Football | Euro 2004 | Portugal break England hearts" . BBC News . 24 June 2004. Retrieved 19 June 2016 .
^ "England 0-0 Italy (2-4 on pens)" . BBC Sport . 24 June 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2016 .
^ "Euro 2012 analysis: Peerless Pirlo exposes England" . BBC Sport . 25 June 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2016 .
^ England were defeated by France in a two-legged elimination round. Ramsey took over from Winterbottom between the two legs.
^ Although England did not qualify for the finals, they reached the last eight of the competition. Only the last four teams progressed to the finals.
^ Hoddle managed the first three qualifiers, while Keegan managed the remainder of qualification and the finals campaign.
^ Capello managed the qualification campaign. He resigned before the tournament and was replaced by Hodgson.
^ The tournament was held in 2021 in 11 cities in 11 countries. England's Wembley Stadium hosted all but one of England's matches.
^ "Why does Euro 2016 have no third place playoff? Why Wales will come home before final" . Archived from the original on 14 July 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2019 .
^ "History: Denmark 0-0 England | UEFA EURO 1992" .
^ "History: France 0-0 England | UEFA EURO 1992" .
^ "History: Sweden 2-1 England | UEFA EURO 1992" .
^ Moore, Glenn (24 June 1996). "Fortune favours brave England" . The Independent . Independent Print. Retrieved 20 June 2012 .
^ Moore, Glenn (27 June 1996). "Shoot-out breaks England hearts" . The Independent . Independent Print. Retrieved 20 June 2012 .
^ "Full-time report France-England" (PDF) . Union of European Football Associations . 11 June 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012 .
^ Dawkes, Phil (15 June 2012). "Euro 2012: Sweden v England" . BBC Sport . British Broadcasting Corporation.
^ "Full-time report Sweden-England" (PDF) . Union of European Football Associations . 15 June 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2012 .
^ "Full-time report England-Ukraine" (PDF) . Union of European Football Associations . 19 June 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2012 .
^ "Full-time report England-Italy" (PDF) . Union of European Football Associations . 24 June 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2012 .
^ "Full Time Summary – England v Russia" (PDF) . UEFA.org . Union of European Football Associations. 11 June 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2016 .
^ "Full Time Summary – England v Wales" (PDF) . UEFA.org . Union of European Football Associations. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016 .
^ "Full Time Summary – Slovakia v England" (PDF) . UEFA.org . Union of European Football Associations. 20 June 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016 .
^ "Full Time Summary – England v Iceland" (PDF) . UEFA.org . Union of European Football Associations. 27 June 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2016 .
^ "Full Time Summary – England v Croatia" (PDF) . UEFA.com . Union of European Football Associations. 13 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021 .
^ "Full Time Summary – England v Scotland" (PDF) . UEFA.com . Union of European Football Associations. 18 June 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2021 .
^ "Full Time Summary – Czech Republic v England" (PDF) . UEFA.com . Union of European Football Associations. 22 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021 .
^ "Full Time Summary – England v Germany" (PDF) . UEFA.com . Union of European Football Associations. 29 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021 .
^ "Full Time Summary – Ukraine v England" (PDF) . UEFA.com . Union of European Football Associations. 3 July 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021 .
^ "Full Time Summary – England v Denmark" (PDF) . UEFA.com . Union of European Football Associations. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021 .
^ "Full Time Summary – Italy v England" (PDF) . UEFA.com . Union of European Football Associations. 11 July 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021 .
^ Ben Rumsby (23 May 2024). "England to assist squad in postal voting for general election at Euro 2024" . The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved 28 June 2024 .
^ Jacob Steinberg (27 June 2024). "England may ditch rides on 'turbo' bikes after Anthony Gordon's accident" . The Guardian . Retrieved 28 June 2024 .
^ "Who made it through from the EURO 2024 groups" . UEFA.com . Union of European Football Associations. 26 June 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024 . Denmark are through to the round of 16 as group runners-up (finishing ahead of Slovenia on disciplinary points).
^ "European Championship 2024: Booking List before Round of 16" (PDF) . UEFA.com . Union of European Football Associations. 28 June 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024 .
^ "Full Time Report – Serbia v England" (PDF) . UEFA.com . Union of European Football Associations. 16 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024 .
^ "Full Time Report – Denmark v England" (PDF) . UEFA.com . Union of European Football Associations. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024 .
^ "Full Time Report – England v Slovenia" (PDF) . UEFA.com . Union of European Football Associations. 25 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024 .
^ "Full Time Report – England v Slovakia" (PDF) . UEFA.com . Union of European Football Associations. 30 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024 .
^ "Full Time Report – England v Switzerland" (PDF) . UEFA.com . Union of European Football Associations. 6 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024 .
^ "Full Time Report – Netherlands v England" (PDF) . UEFA.com . Union of European Football Associations. 10 July 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024 .
^ "Full Time Report – Spain v England" (PDF) . UEFA.com . Union of European Football Associations. 14 July 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024 .