Euros reached its peak in the 2024 edition. From Germany’s stunning 5-1 opener against Scotland to the thrilling final match between Spain and England, fans have witnessed many wholesome moments. This one-month-long football festival is a testament to why international championships are at a level above club football.
Last-minute winners, heavyweight encounters, and record-breaking actions have made Euro 2024 a thriller. The German pitches were ready to witness the rise of young new stars like Lamine Yamal and Arda Guler. Also, it was the final international duty for legends like Toni Kroos, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Luka Modrić.
Here, WSG filters the top unforgettable moments of Euro 2024. 
5. Georgia’s incredible run
Euro 2024 was a clash of titans, but hard work paid off for Georgia’s first-ever championship. Georgia entered the tournament as underdogs in the same group as Turkey, the Czech Republic, and Portugal.
Georgia didn’t have a perfect start to the tournament, losing against Turkiye. No one expected the team to go further to the qualifiers. Napoli star Kvaratskhelia’s side drew with the Czech Republic 1-1 in the second match and headed to the group stage to face Ronaldo’s Portugal.
Surprisingly, they beat Roberto Martinez’s men 2-0 to progress to the tournament’s knockout stages. Kavara and Mikautadze scored in either half of the match to qualify for the round of 16. The game against Spain was a tactical one, and Georgia took the lead, but their dream start came to an end with a tragic 4-1 loss. As a cherry on top, Mikautadze became the joint top scorer of the tournament, among four others, lighting celebrations on Georgian soil.
4. Diogo Costa Saves Three Penalties
Diogo Costa has been the hero for Portugal in Euro 2024. The top moment the custodian made was three penalty shootout saves in the round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia at Frankfurt Arena. This was one of the top highlighting moments in Euro 2024 and one of the best performances by a keeper.
Portugal’s star Ronaldo failed to win the game, missing a penalty in extra time and handing the game to Diogo Costa in penalties. Slovenia went first through Josip Illic at the tie-breaker, and the Portuguese keeper made a stunning save. Slovenia’s second try from Jure Belcovic was also efficiently saved by Costa.
The third consecutive save sealed the victory by stopping Benjamin Verbich from the penalty spot. Portugal’s Euro run came to an end in the quarter-final against France, but this heroic moment from Diogo Costa will be the best ever by a Portuguese player in the tournament.
3. The fastest goal in Euros history by Albania
Albania registered the fastest goal in Euro history, and it remains one of the top moments of the tournament. Nedim Bajrami scored a goal just 23 seconds into the game against Italy, cleverly taking advantage of a throw-in mess-up by Federico Demarco.
The previous record at the European championship was one minute and seven seconds when Dmitri Kirichenko put Russia ahead against Greece in Euro 2004. Albania was handed a loss after the defending champions came back for a 2-1 victory despite a 20-year record-breaking goal.
2. The Youngest Euros Player: Lamine Yamal
Another record-breaking and top moment in the Euros was Lamine Yamal’s debut against Croatia. The Spanish prodigy has been in the headlines for being the youngest starter at the European championship at the age of 16 years 338 days. Delivering to the expectations, he set up Dani Carvajal’s goal in Spain’s opening game to become the Euros’ youngest assist provider.
The previous young debutant was Poland’s Kacper Kozlowski from 2021 Euros when he represented his country at the age of 17 years and 246 days. A technical fact is that Yamal is too young, and German law not allowing him to play after 11 PM made some hilarious headlines in the media.
Yamal’s first goal in the tournament and the record of the youngest player to score in Euros (16 years 362 days) came against France in the Euro 2024 Semi-finals. The wait was worth it to equalize against Mbappe’s France and prove doubters wrong. He also became the Best Young Player of Euro 2024 after Spain lifted the trophy.
1. Bellingham’s Extra-Time Bicycle Kick
Sloppy football and never-ending stardom define the English side in Euro 2024. Individual performances have saved England from the brink of elimination several times throughout the knockout stages. The first of them was a thrilling 95th-minute extra-time bicycle kick goal by Jude Bellingham, which helped them beat Slovakia in the round-16 match.
The goal was in the race for the tournament goal, and he missed out on Yamal’s curler against France. Jude’s overhead kick is considered the top moment in the Euros and helped England reach the final against Spain. Later, the game was secured by Kane’s header goal.
The treble-winning Real Madrid star’s first goal came against Serbia in a 1-0 win. He scored two goals and provided an assist in the tournament, helping the English side qualify for Euro 2024.
