The European Championship is arguably the world’s second famous international football tournament after the FIFA World Cup. The European nations compete against each other to claim the trophy.
The tournament began in 1960 and is held every four years, in the even year between each FIFA World Cups. However, only Euro 2020 was postponed to 2021 owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Euro 2020 has seen many records be broken. Jude Bellingham became the youngest player ever to play in Euros, and a week later, the record was once again broken by Poland’s Kacper Kozłowski.
So let’s take a look at all the youngest record-holders in the European Championship history:
Youngest player to play in Euros – Kacper Kozłowski
Kacper Kozłowski was just 17 years and 248 days old when he came on against Spain in Euro 2020. He broke England international Jude Bellingham’s record, which was made just a week before.
Youngest goalkeeper to play in Euros –
Spain’s goalkeeper José Ángel Iribar became the youngest goalkeeper during Spain’s 2-1 win against Hungary on 17 June 1964. Iribar was aged 21 years and 108 days when he debuted for Spain in the European Championship.
Youngest player to score in Euros – Johan Vonlanthen
Switzerland’s Johan Vonlanthen is the youngest player to score in the European Championship. He was 18 years and 141 days when he scored against France in his team’s 3-1 defeat on 21st June at UEFA Euro 2004.
Youngest player to play in a Euro final – Renato Sanches
Renato Sanches played for Portugal in the Euro 2016 final against France when he was just 18 years and 328 days old. The Portuguese is the youngest player ever to play in a European Championship final. He also won the final as Portugal shocked the world by defeating France even though Cristiano Ronaldo was forced to be substituted in the first half due to an injury.
Youngest player to score in a Euro final – Pietro Anastasi
Italy’s Pietro Anastasi scored a goal in the Euro 1968 final in Rome. His right-footed volley from outside the box doubled Italy’s advantage against Yugoslavia. He was just 20 years and 63 days old when he scored the goal in the European Championship final.
