There have been some outstanding goals scored at the Euros in Germany, but only one can win the Goal of the Tournament (GOTT) award. As such, we have made our own Euro 2024 goal of the tournament prediction ahead of the Spain vs. England final on Sunday night.
We have narrowed down the contenders to the top five in terms of overall quality, as well as picking out our favourite to win the GOTT award.
5. Nicolae Stanciu (ROMANIA vs. Ukraine | Group stage)
Romania take the lead! ⚽
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 17, 2024
What a BELTER from Nicolae Stanciu 🚀👏#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #ROUUKR pic.twitter.com/TR8fjvOyB2
Coming fifth on our list is Stanciu, who scored a spectacular goal in the group stage. After a poor clearance from the Ukrainian goalkeeper, the ball fell to the Romanian on the edge of the box, and he swept home a lovely curling effort first time into the top corner.
That goal gave Romania the lead in the first half, and was a catalyst for them to eventually go on and win the game 3-0 in one of the tournament's most impressive performances. Stanciu's strike will undoubtedly be remembered by Romanians and football fans alike.
4. Mert Muldur (TURKEY vs. Georgia | Group stage)
Mert Muldur will not hit a better volley in his entire career! 🤩
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 18, 2024
A goal of the tournament contender?!#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #TURGEO pic.twitter.com/5bTegbuaXC
Fourth in our list is Muldur's wonderful volley from the edge of the box to give his Turkey the lead in the first half of their group game against Georgia.
The technique was even more impressive considering that he is a right-back by trade, and it was only his second senior goal for his country. Nonetheless, Muldur has certainly put himself in contention.
3. Arda Guler (TURKEY vs. Georgia | Group stage)
WOW! WOW! WOW!
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 18, 2024
What a goal for the "Turkish Messi" 🇹🇷#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #TURGEO pic.twitter.com/0QbOMynXNr
It is not often that two goals of such high quality come in the same game, but that is exactly what happened when Turkey met Georgia in the group stage.
Guler's wonderful strike had very similar qualities to our number one in this list, with the Turkish starlet opening up his body outside of the box before arrowing a powerful left-footed strike into the top corner, giving the Georgian goalkeeper no chance of saving it.
It was an important goal for the Turks as it put them back in front midway through the second half, before they eventually went on to win the game 3-1. Nonetheless, 19-year-old Guler's strike will be remembered for many tournaments to come.
2. Jude Bellingham (ENGLAND vs. Slovakia | Round of 16)
UNBELIEVABLE 🤩
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 30, 2024
Jude Bellingham pulls out an overhead kick to save England in the dying moments 🏴#EURO2024 | #ENGSVK pic.twitter.com/px4qLzJQoq
Our runner-up pick is Bellingham for his exceptional bicycle kick for England against Slovakia in the round of 16. The Three Lions were throwing hopeful crosses into the box in the latter stages, before the midfielder showed off his athleticism to strike the ball into the corner.
England were just a mere 90 seconds away from exiting the tournament, before Bellingham produced a moment of pure magic to force extra time, where Gareth Southgate's men eventually triumphed. They would not be in the final but for the Real Madrid star, who exclaimed "Who else?" after saving England in spectacular style.
1. Lamine Yamal (SPAIN vs. France | Semi-final)
LAMINE YAMAL 😮💨😮💨😮💨
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 9, 2024
An absolute screamer from the 16-year-old!#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #ESPFRA pic.twitter.com/z4AaZwwWJp
Our favourite to win the GOTT award is Yamal's strike for Spain in their 2-1 win over France in the semi-final. The teenage starlet quickly shifted the ball onto his left foot before unleashing an unstoppable effort from outside of the box that curled in off the post.
It was Yamal's first goal of Euro 2024, breaking Pele's record to become the youngest scorer at a major international tournament in the process, and he could barely have picked a better occasion to claim it.
The 16-year-old has shown a maturity and technical ability well beyond his years for the finalists, and he could cap off an excellent breakthrough tournament by winning the goal of the tournament award.
