Euro 2024 final: Greatest Euros finals of all time ahead of Spain vs. England

No side has ever lost back-to-back Euro finals, so Gareth Southgate must be confident especially with his side seemingly peaking at the right time.

Spain have been the standout side this summer in Germany, so the Three Lions may not be hoping for a particularly expansive and open game; instead, England will be praying for a tight encounter, as many of the past finals have been.

Only one of the last seven Euros finals has been decided by more than one goal, while only one of the last 10 has seen more than two goals scored inside 90 minutes, highlighting how cagey these encounters usually are.

Nonetheless, anticipation for Sunday's showpiece is almost at fever pitch, and to whet the appetite even further, here we take a look back at the top five European Championship finals of all time.

5. Denmark 2-0 Germany (1992)

Having originally failed to even qualify for Euro '92, Denmark became one of the most unlikely winners of the trophy 32 years ago.

Yugoslavia were initially due to part part in the competition after earning their place through qualifying, but the unrest during the breakup of the country saw them disqualified by FIFA, allowing Denmark to take their place.

The Danes took full advantage of this lifeline by reaching the final and taking on the mighty Germany. They were not fazed by the occasion and took an early lead through John Jensen after just 18 minutes.

Despite the Germans' best efforts, the score remained the same - largely thanks to an inspired Peter Schmeichel - until 12 minutes from time when reality sank in.

As Germany pushed for a much-needed equaliser, Denmark capitalised on a sloppy clearance which eventually found its way to Kim Vilfort. The central midfielder created space for himself inside the box before leathering home the winning goal.

This was Denmark's first and, to this day, only Euros or World Cup honour, with the team of '92 going down in history.

4. Portugal 0-1 Greece (2004)

From one of the biggest shocks in Euros history to another, Greece stunned host nation Portugal not once, but twice on their way to lifting the trophy in Lisbon against all the odds 20 years ago.

Greece and Portugal faced off in the opening match of Euro 2004 with the former coming out on top 2-1, having originally taken a two-goal lead.

Otto Rehhagel's side knew they were up against it with a home crowd booing their every action and Portugal boasting a squad littered with stars, but they knew their strengths and played to them.

Three headed goals in three consecutive knockout games then saw them prevail against France, Czech Republic and, eventually, Portugal once again.

Angelos Charisteas's winning header just before the hour mark was enough to claim the trophy, although they also relied on the heroics of goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis.

The Greek shot-stopper thwarted Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Figo during the match as his attacking teammates mustered up just a single shot on target - the all-important winning goal.

3. France 2-1 Italy (2000)

This was more than just a dramatic and closely-fought European Championship final, but one that would alter the way games are decided.

The final of 2000 was the last time a Golden Goal would decide a major international tournament, and it was David Trezeguet who netted that historic winner.

France looked down and out heading into the final seconds against Italy, only for Sylvain Wiltord to cancel out Marco Delvecchio's opener in the 94th minute.

It was then Italy's turn to look out on their feet as that equaliser tasted almost like a losing goal, while buoying Les Bleus heading into extra time.

Then, as the ball fell to Trezeguet - one of the most lethal finishers in Europe - inside the box, time appeared to slow down as he fired home his finish and sent a nation wild.

It was to be France's night in Rotterdam and their first Euros final victory since 1984, although it was more heartache for an Italian side previously seconds away from glory.

2. Czechoslovakia 2-2 West Germany - 5-3 on penalties (1976)

This was to be Czechoslovakia's first and only major international honour before the country was disbanded, but it was a great way to go down in history.

It was a frantic start to the final which saw Czechoslovakia take a two-goal lead through Jan Svehlik and Karol Dobias before Dieter Muller halved the deficit, all inside the opening half an hour.

Things did calm down after that thrilling opening as West Germany probed for a way through, which eventually arrived in the 89th minute as Bernd Holzenbein dramatically sent the match into extra time.

A quiet additional 30 minutes was perhaps what the game needed after such a crazy end to the 90 minutes, but what was to follow in a penalty shootout had been hitherto unheard of.

The Panenka penalty is now well known and used around the world, and it was this match, under the highest pressure, that Antonin Panenka pioneered the technique.

Having just seen Ulrich Hoeness miss a crucial spot kick for West Germany, Panenka knew if he scored, then his country would be champions.

Instead of being confronted by fear, Panenka welcomed it and - to the amazement of all in attendance - dinked his penalty down the middle of the goal to secure victory and change how penalties were taken forever.

1. Spain 4-0 Italy (2012)

By far the most dominant display by a team in a final at the Euros - and something England will be praying does not happen again on Sunday - came 12 years ago as Spain wiped the floor with Italy in Kyiv.

Spain were going in search of back-to-back European Championship titles having won 1-0 against Germany in the final four years earlier, and while the final outcome was ultimately the same, the manner of the victory was very different.

The two sides met in Group C earlier that tournament but could not be separated in a 1-1 draw, so most predictions for the final were for another tense and closely-fought encounter.

However, first-half goals from David Silva and Jordi Alba shocked a usually watertight Italian side, who then pushed to find a route back into the match after half time but found no answers.

Instead, Spain capitalised on how open their opponents had become in the dying minutes to score two late on via Fernando Torres and Juan Mata.

This was to be the final act of Spain's utter dominance on the international stage between 2008 and 2012, with La Roja having failed to lift a European Championship or World Cup trophy since that famous night in Ukraine.