The top five Goals at the Euro 2012

It may have been a week since Fernando Torres set up Juan Mata to complete Spain’s demolition of Italy and win the Euro 2012, but the highlights from the tournament, the best in recent times, linger fresh in memory. The Euro 2012 was definitely one of the most interesting major football tournament in recent times – be it Spain’s domination, Italy’s resurgence, Cristiano Ronaldo’s highlights or Netherlands early exit, Poland and Ukraine witnessed some high quality football over three weeks and some breathtaking goals as well.

Here is a countdown to the top five goals of the tournament.

5) Mario Balotelli (Italy 2 – 0 Ireland):

The hot headed, mohawk sporting Italian was definitely one of the best performers in Poland and Ukraine. Although his brace against Germany followed by his topless celebrations hit the headlines, it was his goal against the Republic of Ireland that makes the cut for our top five goals.

Having drawn a lot of flak for his performances in the opening two games, Mario shut all his critics with a wonder strike. Having been dropped to the bench, Mario came on in the dying moments to score an exquisite volley from a corner kick to seal the game and book a slot in the Quarterfinals.

4) Danny Welbeck (England 3 – 2 Sweden)

Welbeck, who made it to the starting XI only due to a suspension to Wayne Rooney, settled a highly tense match against the Swedes by scoring an astonishing backheel. With the scores locked at 2-2, Welbeck received Walcott’s cross with his back faced to the goal. Welbeck met the ball with his right leg and flicked it behind him past an astonished goalkeeper. The goal sealed the game for England and sent the Swedes knocking out of the tournament.

3) Samir Khedira (Quarterfinals: Germany 4 -2 Greece)

Khedira might be amongst the lesser known mortals in the German squad but he made his mark on the Euro Championships with a fantastic goal against the Greeks in the Quarterfinals. With the second quarterfinal evenly poised at 1-1, Khedira met Boateng’s cross from the right with a thunderous volley past Sifakis into the back of the net. The Germans would go on to score two more goals, but Khedira’s volley was one for memory’s sake.

2) Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden 2 – 0 France)

Sweden were already knocked out of the tournament but their talismanic skipper made sure that they would exit the tournament with their heads held high with a picturesque goal against France. With a kick that Bruce Lee would have been proud off, Ibrahimovic threw himself sideways to volley Sebastian Larsson’s cross past Hugo Lloris and into the back of the net.

1) Andrea Pirlo (Italy 1 – 1 Croatia)

If there were any criticism of Andrea Pirlo, it would have all died a silent death after the Euro Championships. The master from Italy once again showed why he is the best in the business with a stunning free kick against the Croats. The former AC Milan and current Juventus midfielder floated in his ball effortlessly over the wall as it swerved in the air past the goalkeeper to fly into the back of the net. Pure masterclass!

Tags: Andrea Pirlo, Danny Welbeck, EURO 2012, Euro Championships, Football, Goals, Mario Balotelli, Samir Khedira, Soccer, Top, Zlatan Ibrahimovic