2021 UEFA Euro Championship (Euro 2020)
Quick Answer
Italy won Euro 2020, defeating England on penalties in the final at Wembley Stadium. The tournament was postponed from 2020 to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but retained its original name.
- Winner: Italy (beat England 3-2 on penalties after 1-1 draw)
- Host Format: 11 cities across 11 European countries
- Tournament Dates: 11 June – 11 July 2021
- Teams: 24 nations in 6 groups
UEFA's 60th Anniversary Championship
A historic pan-European tournament celebrating six decades of continental football excellence
Tournament Overview
The Euro 2020 Championship was postponed until 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, though UEFA retained the original "Euro 2020" branding for marketing and historical reasons. This was the 16th time the UEFA European Championship had been held, representing Europe's premier international football tournament.
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the European Championship, the competition took an unprecedented format—held across the entire continent in 11 host cities spanning 11 different European countries. The tournament ran from 11 June to 11 July 2021, with the semi-finals and final staged at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London.
Euro 2020 opening ceremony at Wembley Stadium, London
Portugal entered the tournament as defending champions, having won the 2016 event hosted by France. However, they were eliminated in the Round of 16 by Belgium, ending their title defense earlier than expected.
The Final - Italy vs England
Italy emerged as the champions after defeating England in a tense and dramatic final that was decided by a penalty shootout. The match, held at Wembley Stadium on 11 July 2021, saw scores tied at 1-1 after 90 minutes and extra time.
π₯ CHAMPIONS
Italy
2nd European Championship title
Final Result: 1-1 (3-2 penalties)
π₯ RUNNERS-UP
England
First major final since 1966
Heartbreak at home
Final Match Summary
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London | Attendance: 67,173 | Date: 11 July 2021
Scorers: Luke Shaw (England, 2') – Leonardo Bonucci (Italy, 67') | Penalties: Italy won 3-2
England took an early lead through Luke Shaw's goal in just the 2nd minute—the fastest goal in a European Championship final. However, Italy equalized through Leonardo Bonucci in the 67th minute, and the match went to extra time before being decided by penalties. Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saved two penalties to secure the victory.
"The pan-European format created unique challenges for teams, but Italy's tactical discipline and squad depth proved decisive throughout the tournament."
Qualifying Teams and Groups
A total of 24 teams competed in the tournament, divided into six groups of four teams each. The top two from each group, plus the four best third-placed teams, advanced to the knockout rounds.
β indicates teams that qualified for the knockout rounds
Host Countries and Cities
The 11 host countries represented a revolutionary approach to tournament hosting, spreading matches across the continent rather than concentrating them in one or two nations. This format was designed to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the European Championship.
Tournament Trivia and Records
π Historic Hosting Format
This was the first time there were more than two host countries. While previous tournaments had been shared between two host nations, Euro 2020's 11-country format was unprecedented in football history.
πΊ VAR Technology Debut
In 2021, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system was used at the European Championship for the first time, adding a new technological dimension to officiating at the tournament.
ποΈ Wembley Returns
The final was held at Wembley Stadium. The final was also held there for the 1996 tournament, making Wembley the only venue to host multiple European Championship finals.
β‘ Fastest Final Goal
Luke Shaw's goal after just 117 seconds was the fastest ever scored in a European Championship final, giving England the dream start at Wembley.
π©π° Denmark's Inspiration
Denmark's run to the semi-finals was remarkable, especially after Christian Eriksen's cardiac arrest in their opening match. The team rallied to reach the last four.
π Italy's Unbeaten Run
Italy went unbeaten throughout the tournament, extending their overall unbeaten streak to 34 matches—a new national record at the time.
Pro Tip: When researching Euro 2020, remember the tournament was officially still called "Euro 2020" despite being held in 2021. This can affect search results and historical records.
Top Scorers and Awards
π Player of the Tournament
Gianluigi Donnarumma
Italy - Goalkeeper
π₯ Golden Glove
Gianluigi Donnarumma
Italy - 3 Clean Sheets
β Young Player
Pedri
Spain - Midfielder
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Euro 2020?
Italy won Euro 2020, defeating England 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the final at Wembley Stadium on 11 July 2021. This was Italy's second European Championship title, their first since 1968.
Why was Euro 2020 played in 2021?
Euro 2020 was postponed by one year due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. UEFA decided to keep the "Euro 2020" branding for marketing and merchandising purposes, even though the tournament was held from 11 June to 11 July 2021.
How many countries hosted Euro 2020?
Euro 2020 was hosted across 11 different European countries with 11 host cities. This was unprecedented in football history—the first European Championship to be held in more than two countries—and was designed to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the competition.
Where was the Euro 2020 final held?
The Euro 2020 final was held at Wembley Stadium in London, England. Both semi-finals were also played at Wembley, which hosted a total of 8 matches during the tournament—more than any other venue.
How many teams competed in Euro 2020?
24 teams competed in Euro 2020, divided into 6 groups of 4 teams each during the group stage. The top two teams from each group, plus the four best third-placed teams, advanced to the knockout rounds.
Who was the top scorer at Euro 2020?
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) and Patrik Schick (Czech Republic) were joint top scorers with 5 goals each. Ronaldo won the Golden Boot on tiebreaker criteria due to having more assists.
Who was named Player of the Tournament?
Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was named Player of the Tournament. He also won the Golden Glove award and was instrumental in Italy's penalty shootout victory in the final, saving two spot-kicks against England.
References
- UEFA. (2021). "UEFA EURO 2020 – Official Tournament Guide." UEFA.com.
- UEFA. (2021). "EURO 2020 Technical Report." UEFA Technical Observer Panel.
- FIFA. (2021). "VAR Implementation at Major Tournaments." FIFA Technical Development.
- BBC Sport. (2021). "Euro 2020 Final: Italy beat England on penalties." BBC.
- The Guardian. (2021). "Euro 2020: The story of a unique tournament." The Guardian Sport.
- Opta Sports. (2021). "Euro 2020 Statistical Analysis." Opta by Stats Perform.
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