Top 10 youngest goalscorers in European Championship (EURO) history
The 17th edition of the European Championship (EURO 2024) has been nothing short of exciting, as it has seen numerous records broken, from the fastest goal ever scored in the history of the competition to the oldest ever player to play in the competition.
The European Championship has seen two promising prospects write their names in the illustrious history of the competition by scoring at a very early age. In light of this, this article explores the top 10 youngest goalscorers in European Championship history.
Top 10 youngest goalscorers in European Championship (EURO) history
10. Patrick Kluivert – 19 years, 353 days
Patrick Kluivert etched his name into the annals of the European Championship as one of the youngest players to score in the history of the competition at just under 20 years old.
While his goal came as a consolation as his Netherlands were put to the sword (4-1) in their final group game against England in EURO 1996, it also ensured the Dutch XI advanced to the knockout stage on ''Goals For'' after they were tied with Scotland on goal difference (-1).
9. Cristian Chivu – 19 years, 238 days
In a must-win match for both Romania and England to secure qualification spots in the knockout stages of EURO 2000, Cristian Chivu drew first blood for Romania in the 22nd minute in a match that later ended 2-3 in favor of the Tricolorii.
In what was his first goal in the EUROs, the Romanian defender scored in fortuitous fashion after his left-footed cross deceived Nigel Martyn and went into the far post.
8. Ferenc Bene – 19 years, 183 days
Ferenc Bene came up clutch for Hungary towards the last minutes of the game in their EURO 1964 semifinal clash with Spain to force the game into extra time after Jesús María Pereda put Spain in front before the break.
The then-19-year-old lad restored parity for the Hungarians in the 84th minute as he pounced on a parried ball from the Spanish goalkeeper that came in his direction.
7. Cristiano Ronaldo – 19 years, 128 days
As the all-time leading goalscorer of the tournament (14) and arguably the greatest goalscorer of all time, it is not surprising that Cristiano Ronaldo is among the youngest goalscorers in EUROs history.
Ronaldo and Portugal got off to a bad start in EURO 2004 as they lost their first game against eventual winners Greece.
The Portuguese superstar put himself in the elite company of young stars after he scored a consolation goal for his side in the 93rd minute with a towering header.
In fact, that match was Ronaldo’s debut in the EUROs, and the goal made him the youngest player to ever score on his European Championship debut until Turkey’s Arda Güler broke his record in 2024.
6. Arda Güler – 19 years, 114 days
Turkey got off to a flying start in EURO 2024 as they walloped debutants Georgia (3-1) in their opening game of the campaign. However, it was Arda Güler who stole the show as he curled home a beauty in the 65th minute to restore Turkey’s lead.
Not only did the game put him on the list of the youngest goalscorers in the EUROs, it also made him the youngest player to ever score on his European Championship debut, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s record.
5. Dragan Stojković – 19 years, 108 days
Current Serbia national football team manager Dragan Stojković made sure his Yugoslavia side was not condemned to another heavy defeat in their final group game of EURO 1984. Stojković made history when he assumed responsibility from the spot as they were beaten 3-2 by France.
Although the goal was but a consolation, it made him the youngest ever goalscorer in the European Championship at the time, and he held the record for some years before it was finally broken by Wayne Rooney.
4. Renato Sanches – 18 years, 317 days
The game between Portugal and Poland in the quarterfinal of EURO 2016 saw two records being broken.
After Robert Lewandowski gave Poland the lead by scoring one of the fastest goals in the history of the tournament and the fastest goal of EURO 2016 (1 minute, 40 seconds), 18-year-old Renato Sanches scored the equalizer for Portugal to become one of the youngest goalscorers in the history of the competition.
The Portuguese man found the back of the net after being teed up by Nani at the edge of the box to release a powerful shot past Fabianski’s outstretched hand.
3. Wayne Rooney – 18 years, 237 days
As of June 17, 2004, Wayne Rooney became the youngest ever goalscorer in European Championship history as his brace helped England see off Switzerland in a 3-0 victory. However, his record was short-lived, as it was broken four days later in that very campaign (EURO 2004).
2. Johan Vonlanthen – 18 years, 141 days
Just a few days after Wayne Rooney clinched the top spot as the youngest goalscorer in European Championship history, that honor fell to Johan Vonlanthen after he equalized for Switzerland against France in the final group game of EURO 2004 at just 18 years and 141 days.
The Swiss player wrote his name into the history books after Ricardo Cabanas gave him a through ball that he received behind the defense, allowing him to find the back of net.
1. Lamine Yamal – 16 years, 362 days
Lamine Yamal became the youngest goalscorer in European Championship (EURO) history after scoring Spain’s equalizer against France in the EURO 2024 semifinal at the age of 16 years and 362 days. The Barcelona player made history in the 21st minute, evading Adrien Rabiot and sending an audacious strike curling in off the far post.