England at the European Championship: Full tournament record, top scorers and appearances

It’s prestige and history may not match that of the World Cup, but the European Championship has grown into a competition boasting similar pedigree.

For England and their supporters, it matters little whether success arrives at the World Cup or the Euros. Any piece of major silverware will do. The country’s drought since 1966 has been a miserable journey, with faux expectations and golden generations only exacerbating the blow of tournament disappointment.

However, the feeling is that England’s time in the sun will soon come again. Under Gareth Southgate, the Three Lions have constantly impressed at major tournaments without leaping over the final hurdle. Silverware has continued to elude them, but Germany 2024 and a home tournament in 2028 provide a couple of big opportunities.

Here’s an overview of England’s history with the European Championship.

The European Championship initially consisted of the very best teams Europe had to offer, and England struggled as a result. After refusing to enter in 1960, England failed to qualify for four of the next six tournaments between 1964 and 1984.

While they secured a third-place finish in 1964, there were only four competing teams. England were beaten by Yugoslavia in the semi-finals before defeating the Soviet Union in the third-place play-off.

England’s first notable success at the Euros arrived in 1996 when they were backed by a fervent nation on home soil. It was a magical summer with the Three Lions, led by Terry Venables, memorably beating Scotland and the Netherlands on their way to the last four. However, they once again succumbed to their old foe, Germany, on penalties.

After a woeful campaign in 2000, an excellent England outfit arrived in Portugal with high expectations four years later. Buoyed by the magic of a young Wayne Rooney, they reached the quarter-finals before losing to the hosts on penalties. 2012 was a similar story as they were beaten in a shootout by Italy in the last eight. They then endured their greatest humiliation four years later when Iceland turned them over in the last 16 at Euro 2016.

The Covid pandemic delayed Euro 2020 by a year and England delivered with the vast majority of their matches taking place at Wembley. Southgate’s side were efficient, overcoming their arch-nemesis Germany in the last 16, and progressed through to their first major final since ’66 following a dramatic extra-time win over Denmark in the semi-finals.

An early Luke Shaw goal thrust the nation into delirium, but Italy came back into the contest after half-time and eventually broke English hearts with a victory on penalties.

Only nine English players have scored multiple goals at the Euros and none scored in a tournament pre-1996. Shearer’s five goals inspired England at Euro ’96 and the all-time leading Premier League goalscorer has scored the most at the Euros for the Three Lions. The striker added two to his tally in 2000.

However, Harry Kane will be coming for Shearer’s record after scoring four times at Euro 2020 following a subdued Euro 2016. Kane’s current tally is topped by Rooney (six goals), who scored at three European Championships.

Paul Scholes and Michael Owen each scored once at Euro 2000 and 2004, while Raheem Sterling delivered for Southgate alongside Kane at Euro 2020. Frank Lampard’s three goals at Euro 2004 perhaps went under the radar given Rooney’s youthful brilliance.

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