How many UEFA EURO have Spain won in their history?

La Roja are the joint-most successful team in the tournament.

From being the joint most successful team in the history of EUROs to becoming the most successful team ever in the history of EURO, España are just one step away from history by winning their fourth Euro trophy – a feat that no team in the continent has ever been able to achieve.

Spain, who have recently created history by becoming the first team in the history of EUROs to reach the finals after winning every single one of their previous fixtures in the competition, won their first title way back in 1964. They are also the only team in the tournament’s history to win back-to-back EURO trophies in 2008 and 2012.

In today’s feature, we look at the most successful EURO campaigns in the history of Spanish football.

1964: The first triumph

Spain qualified for the first time in the second edition of the EUROs in 1964 by virtue of being the host. The UEFA Euros were back then known as the European Nations’ Cup. In June 1964, España took a lead against Hungary in the 35th minute, but the Hungarians responded strongly by equalizing well within time. Amancio Varela, who was also nicknamed “El Brujo,” netted the winner for Spain in the 112th minute of the match.

After España made it to the finals, a huge Spanish crowd of over 70,000 people gathered in the Santiago Bernabéu to witness history unfolding in front of their eyes. Peredia broke the deadlock in just six minutes before Khusainov equalized for the Soviets. It seemed the match would end in a stalemate, but Marcelino found the back of the net in the 84th minute.

1984: Return to the finals

Despite winning the EUROs in 1964, España failed to qualify for the biggest continental event in Europe for the next sixteen years. In the 1980 Euros in Italy, they exhibited a poor display, being relegated in the group stage. But 1984 was a breakthrough year for La Roja as they reached their second finals in the competition. España started the competition slow, but managed to advance to the knockouts where they beat Denmark in the semi-final on penalties before being thrashed by the home side France in the finals at Parc des Princes.

Also read: Spain greatest moments in football

2008: The beginning of a golden era

A series of disappointing runs continued for La Roja in EUROs as they failed to reach the semi-finals for five consecutive editions. But the golden generation had just started cooking, and the world was not ready to predict the calm before the mega Spanish storm. In the next couple of years, España were about to put their hands on every major trophy in world football – not once, not twice, but thrice.

España had enough of their lackluster display of football as they started the group stage with a bang, defeating Russia, Sweden, and Greece in the group stages of Euro 2008. In the quarter-finals, they got past Italy on penalties before thrashing familiar opponents Russia 3-0 in the semi-finals to seal their final berth against Germany in Vienna.

A huge tsunami of Spanish and German fans gathered in Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna, as a solitary goal from Fernando Torres was enough to make Spain the champions of Europe after a long wait of 44 years.

2012: The reign continues

España, after winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, entered the EUROs of 2012 as the world champions. It seemed no team on this planet had yet found any special tactics or formula to halt this Spanish juggernaut, whose golden generation had taken the world by storm in the last couple of years.

Spain were placed alongside Italy, Croatia, and Ireland in a tight group. They managed to top the group and proceed to the knockouts, where two goals from current Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso saw them edging past France in the quarter-finals. After their semi-final clash against Portugal ended in a stalemate at the end of 120 minutes, Alonso missed the first penalty for España. However, his other compatriots made up for his missed penalty, and España defeated Portugal 4-2 on penalties.

Kyiv was expected to host a mouth-watering and entertaining final clash between Spain and Italy, who were coming after defeating England and Germany in the knockout stages. What seemed to be an exciting clash ended in a 4-0 thrashing of Italy by Spain’s golden generation, who proved that their good times were far from over.

The 2024 campaign: A step away from history

However, España, since their 2012 victory, were yet to reach the finals after being knocked out by Italy in the round of 16 in Euro 2016 and in 2020, the same Italian side completed their revenge by knocking out España from the semi-finals of EURO 2020.

Before the start of EURO 2024, Spain were one of the favourites to win the trophy, but it seemed they would collapse after being placed in a tough group alongside Italy, Croatia, and Albania. But they silenced all critics after España thrashed the Croats 3-0 and edged past Italy and Albania. They then knocked out Georgia in the round of 16 and host Germany in the quarter-finals, courtesy of a golden goal from Merino.

A splendid performance from Lamine Yamal against France sent España to their fifth final in EUROs history, where they will face England. Luis de la Fuente’s side have already created havoc in the tournament, securing a 100% win rate. They are currently the favourites and arguably the most deserving side to lift the EUROs 2024 and become the most successful team ever in the history of the EUROs.

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