Top 10 tournament goals from Euro 2016: Ronaldo and Robson-Kanu feature
Published:
Robbie Purves | July 11, 2016
Euro 2016 was a tournament packed with great moments, fantastic individual displays and jaw-dropping goals.
Europe’s finest talent were on display in France and they did not disappoint. Some dazzling efforts were netted during the month-long festival of football, here, Coral football experts take a look at 10 of the best…
Radja Nainggolan v Wales
Belgium came into the tournament as many punters’ dark horses but failed to delivered. However, a highlight from the Red Devils was produced by Belgian bruiser Nainggolan in their quarter-final against Wales.
The ball was stroked towards his direction by Eden Hazard, Nainggolan positioned his body, cocked his leg, and pulled the trigger on a thunderous strike.
Xherdan Shaqiri v Poland
Switzerland finished second in their group behind France, and progressed into the knockout phase against Poland. The Swiss might have gone out on penalties, but the game saw Stoke’s Shaqiri produce an acrobatic finish.
Eren Derdiyok flicked the ball up into the air, the stocky Swiss winger moved to the edge of the box, and bicycle-kicked the ball past Lukasz Fabianski.
Jerome Boateng v Slovakia
Germany crashed out at the semi-finals thanks to hosts France. Die Mannschaft came into Euro 2016 as one of the favourites to lift the trophy, but struggled due to their lack of deadly marksmen.
In their round of 16 clash against Slovakia, Bayern Munich centre back Boateng volleyed a sweet strike that was part of a 3-0 romp, seeing the Germans through to the quarter-finals.
Antoine Griezmann v Iceland
France were left heartbroken after Portugal ruined their home soil Euros in the final, 12 years after the Navigators had their own party spoilt by Greece.
However, a number of players dazzled viewers with their skill. Griezmann was one of them, the Atletico Madrid man finished the competition as top-scorer with six, double the amount of second place. His delicate chip over Iceland’s keeper Hannes Thor Halldorsson has to be considered one of the goals of the tournament.
Hal Robson-Kanu v Belgium
Chris Coleman’s outfit wrote themselves into the history books with their amazing performances and one of the highlights came against the Red Devils.
Aaron Ramsey chipped a cross into the box, with three Belgian players closing in on him, Robson-Kanu produced a sublime Cruyff-turn leaving them chasing shadows – the free agent tucked it home helped his side reach the semis.
Luka Modric v Turkey
Many backed Croatia to reach the final after receiving a favourable draw, but were stopped in their tracks when faced with eventual winners Portugal in the last 16.
In the Blazers’ first Group D match against Turkey, the Real Madrid man netted a perfectly-executed volleyed effort from a lofted clearance by a Turkish defender.
Cristiano Ronaldo v Hungary
Portugal’s talisman Ronaldo completed his dream of lifting the European Championship with his nation, and kicked every ball as he patrolled the technical box after being stretchered off early in the final.
The Madridsta is a man of many goals, a lot of which are rather special – his flick against Hungary was no different.
Dimitri Payet v Romania
West Ham United’s skillful attacking midfielder excelled in the early games of Euro 2016, and kicked off the tournament with a dramatic, later winner against Romania.
Payet finished the tournament with three goals to his name and was unlucky not to score more.
Marek Hamsik v Russia
Slovakia finished third in Group B and faced Germany in first knockout round – losing 3-0.
However, their star man Hamsik did not disappoint. In their group stage clash with Russia, the Napoli midfielder wrapped his foot around the ball and guided the powerful strike into the top right-hand-corner from a tight angle.
Zoltan Gera v Portugal
The 37-year-old ex-Fulham and West Bromwich Albion man, produced a powerful, daisy-cutting, half-volley from a marvellous piece of chest skill against Portugal.
Gera has 93 caps to his name and now plies his trade with Ferencvaros in Hungary.
