The Czech national team player, Patrik Šik, scored one of the most beautiful goals at the European championships yesterday. In the game against Scotland, the striker received the ball in the center, out of the corner of his eye he saw that the goalkeeper David Marshall flew out and checked him from the center. The home fans at "Hampden Park" mourned, the rest of Europe enjoyed the mastery of the "dumpling" striker.
Šik's feat entered the category of the best and most beautiful goals in the history of European championships. The competition is fierce, during the 15 previous tournaments many beautiful goals were scored, and these are some of them.
Antonjin Panjenka – Czechoslovakia – West Germany 1976.
The penalty that changed football. The final between Czechoslovakia and West Germany on June 20, 1976 at the Belgrade "Marakana" was decided in a penalty shootout, and the last shot was taken by Antonjin Panjenka. And, at that moment, stunned the football world. Such amount of cunning and intelligence has not been seen before on football fields – Panjenka undermined the ball, beat Sepp Majer and brought Czechoslovakia its first and, for now, only European title.
Ray Wilkins – England - Belgium 1980
Belgium and England drew (1:1) in the first round of the 1980 European Championship, and English midfielder Ray Wilkins scored a goal in the 26th minute to give Albion the lead. He received the ball, lifted it over the opposing players, and then casually passed it over the goalkeeper Pfaf.
The goal was only enough for a point, as Belgium equalized three minutes later through Jan Koulemans.
Ronnie Whelan – Republic of Ireland – USSR 1988.
Spectacular goal, one of the most beautiful ever. Mick McCarthy threw in the ball from outside, Roni Vilan caught the volley and checked Rinat Dasajev. A goal that Irish fans still remember today. They will also remember the victory in England from that championship, but it was not enough for them to pass the group.
Marko van Basten – Netherlands - USSR 1988.
Mastery. Art. Poetry performed by the great Mark van Basten in the final against the Soviet Union. One of the most beautiful goals, not only in European championships. Arnold Muren crossed, Van Basten caught the volley from almost a "dead corner" and passed Dasaev. For all times.
Thomas Brolin – Sweden – England 1992
In 1992, the Swedes hosted the European Championship, and they played a match against the English in the third round of the group stage. England took the lead when David Platt hit the net in the 4th minute, Jan Eriksson equalized in the 51st, and Thomas Brolin brought three points to the Swedes in the 82nd minute - he first fought for one ball, combined with Klaas Ingesson, then played past Martin Dalina, who immediately assisted him, and the Swedish footballer masterfully sent the ball into the upper right corner.
Paul Gascoigne - England - Scotland 1996
Gaza's famous Euro 1996 goal against a big rival. He reached the penalty area of Scotland smoothly, received the ball, which was sent to him by Darren Anderton, transferred Colin Hendrie and "set fire" to the "Wembley" stands. A popular celebration followed, the famous "dentist's chair".
Karel Poborski – Czech Republic – Portugal 1996.
The Czech Republic had a great generation in England in 1996, reached the final, but was defeated by Germany in the trophy match. In the quarter-finals, the Czechs defeated Portugal by a minimal score, and the only goal was scored by Karel Poborski. It was a moment of magic – he received the ball, broke free from the opposing players and passed Vitor Baija. Poborski shone at that Euro and after the tournament he went to Manchester United.
Alan Shearer - England - Netherlands 1996
Shearer was the most effective scorer at Euro 1996 with five goals, and he scored the most beautiful in the group stage against the Netherlands. He capped off a team action involving Gascoigne, Teddy Sheringham and Steve McManaman. It was Shearer's second goal in that match.
Manish - Portugal - Netherlands 2004.
At the 2004 European Championship, Manish was one of the best Portuguese players, and in the semi-final against the Netherlands, he scored the decisive goal to qualify for the final. Masterful move.
Zlatan Ibrahimović – Sweden – Italy 2004.
The match was played in the group stage and ended 1:1. Italy took the lead with a goal by Antonio Cassano, only for Sweden to equalize through Ibrahimovic. The Swedes took a corner, there was a crowd in the penalty area, and Ibra acrobatically placed the ball into the net with his heel.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Sweden – France 2012.
Another one of Ibrahimovic's many spectacular goals. It was the goal against France in the group stage in 2012 – Sebastian Larsson's assist and Ibra's great volley.
Đerdan Shaqiri – Switzerland – Poland 2016.
The phenomenal scissors of Shaqiri were not enough for the Swiss to advance to the quarterfinals. They were eliminated by Poland, but Shaqiri's goal remained recorded as one of the most beautiful in the championships.
Hal Robson-Kanu – Wales – Belgium 2016.
Five years ago, Belgium was a candidate for the title, but in the quarter-finals, after a turnaround, they were sensationally defeated by Wales 3:1. The Welshman's second goal was great – Aaron Ramsey crossed, and Robson-Kanu broke free from the keeper in the style of Johan Cruyff and scored.
Bonus video:
