Best five goals at Euro 2012

Before the final, 72 goals had already been scored by 16 teams that took part in Euro 2012. But Spain decided to up the ante and add 4 more to this tally with some fantastic tiki – taka football. Goals wins matches, and certainly we have seen a plethora of goals this Euros but lets relive those moments of class from the scorers.

Here’s a pick of my top five (in no particular order):

1. The Balotelli Smash Hit (in semis against Germany)

A superb through ball put by Montolivo, Balotelli just stays on-side due to Lahm’s positioning, controls the ball wonderfully and then smashes right in the top of the net. Sheer power, vengeance and a classy finish killed all but any hopes of a German revival. Even the goalkeeper, Neuer, was appreciating the magnificent strike.

2. Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Scissor Kick (v/s France in a group stage match)

Surely, the scissoring farewell was sizzling indeed. Already eliminated Sweden, played France in their group stage match and went off with a bang. Zlatan completely threw himself sideways to a Seb Larsson cross and the timing of this volley at clinical precision is almost irreplacable.

3. Danny Welbeck‘s moment of brilliance ( v/s Sweden in a group stage match )

Welbeck left his mark by scoring only one goal, but that too the winner in some fantastic fashion. The exquisite timing, brilliance and the execution were awesome as he flicked it behind with his heel after meeting Walcott’s cross smartly, with his back to the net.

4. Silva’s calm , composed , super cool finish ( v/s Ireland in group stage match)

A goal scored with sweet finishing and in style, around an impenetrable wall of three defenders blocking his route to the goal. This diminutive talent improvised by twisting and turning, dancing right, then left before hitting the ball with pin point precision past one and through the legs of two others. Wonderful accuracy with a calm execution.

5. Alba’s thundering run and smart finish ( in finals v/s Italy )

This is the goal that will matter the most for Alba. What a time to score his first international goal. The beauty of the through ball was mesmerizing along with the marauding run from the full- back and run behind the defense as if being unnoticed. For the finish – way too smart and cool from the young lad.

There were other few as well which took the limelight like Di Natale’s fantastic chip, Pirlo’s Panenka penalty and his free kick, Blaszczykowski goal, Balotelli’s semi scissor kick, Khedira’s crazy finish or Ronaldo‘s second goal against dutch.

What were your top goals of the Euro 2012?