The group stage of Euro 2012 has been widely hailed as one of the most entertaining in recent memory, with at least one goal being scored in every game (amounting to 60 in total over 24 games, an average of 2.5 per game) and 14 of the 16 teams going into the final round of matches with a chance to either advance to the quarterfinals or be sent packing. With the goalscoring action in particular catching the eye, it seems a fitting time to run the rule over the most impressive strikes of the tournament thus far.


10. Robin van Persie (Netherlands) vs Germany
A rare moment to savour in a disappointing tournament for the Arsenal captain, whose clever turn and precise low shot cut Germany’s lead to 2-1.  

9. Cesc Fabregas (Spain) vs Ireland
The Barca man was quickest to react to David Silva’s quick corner, skipping past Paul Green before rattling a fierce drive beyond Shay Given from an acute angle to seal a 4-0 triumph.  

8. Andrea Pirlo (Italy) vs Croatia
One of the game’s premier dead-ball specialists produced the only goal from a direct free kick thus far, curling the ball expertly over the wall and into the bottom corner from just outside the box.  

7. Silvestre Varela (Portugal) vs Denmark
From the ridiculous to the sublime for the Portuguese substitute, who whiffed on Fabio Coentrao’s cross with his left foot before volleying home a fantastic winner with his right.  

6. Danny Welbeck (England) vs Sweden
A frenetic, goal-filled encounter was settled by a fine piece of improvisation from Welbeck, who met Theo Walcott’s cutback with an audacious backheel.

5. Rafael van der Vaart (Netherlands) vs Portugal
The disappointing Dutch would eventually lose the game 2-1, but van der Vaart briefly revived their hopes of making the quarterfinals with this excellent curling effort.

4. Roman Pavlyuchenko (Russia) vs Czech Republic
The Tottenham hitman sealed a comprehensive win for the Russians with a superb solo strike, drifting in from the right and turning Roman Hudnik inside out before rifling past Petr Cech.

3. Jakub Blaszczykowski (Poland) vs Russia
Andrei Arshavin’s misplaced pass on a Russian counter-attack was punished within seconds as the Polish captain cut in from the right to blast an unstoppable equaliser beyond Vyacheslav Malafeev.

2. Mario Balotelli (Italy) vs Ireland
Despite being manhandled by John O’Shea, Balotelli produced a wonderful overhead kick to seal Italy’s passage to the knockout round.  

1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden) vs France
With Sweden already eliminated, their mercurial captain signed off in style with a magnificent scissor-kick from Sebastian Larsson’s cross.