Euro 2020 has already witnessed several spectacular efforts from distance as players chance their luck and shoot from range, with Patrik Schick’s brilliant lob for the Czech Republic against Scotland and Andreas Christensen’s fierce drive for Denmark against Russia amongst the very best.

Following some stellar strikes, we look back at the five farthest goals in European Championship history.

Gareth Bale v England – 2016 (32.8 yards)

Wales qualified for their first tournament since the 1958 World Cup at Euro 2016, where Chris Coleman’s team were drawn to face British rivals England in the group stages.

Wales had opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over Slovakia, whilst England were in need of points after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser to Russia in Marseille.

It was the Welsh who opened the scoring three minutes before half-time however, Gareth Bale’s dipping 32-yard free-kick squirming past Joe Hart who will have been disappointed to see the effort sneak in.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Gareth Bale 🎯

⏪ @Cymru | @GarethBale11 pic.twitter.com/ikQhEv2k8a

— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) April 30, 2020

England came back to win 2-1 courtesy of a dramatic Daniel Sturridge winner, but it was Wales who enjoyed the better tournament after upsetting the odds to reach the semi-finals in an impressive campaign.

Rafael Gordillo v Denmark – 1988 (34.1 yards)

Rafael Gordillo was far from a regular goalscorer during a Spain career that lasted a decade, the wing-back netting just three times across 75 caps for La Roja.

Gordillo saved one of his very best for the major tournament stage however, netting this winning goal against Denmark at Euro ’88 with a free-kick from distance.

🇪🇸 Rafael Gordillo 😎

𝙏𝙃𝙄𝙎 free-kick was the difference as Spain beat Denmark 3-2 #OTD at EURO 1988!

⏪ @SeFutbol pic.twitter.com/QujyVxENTD

— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 11, 2020

It proved the final goal of Gordillo’s international career, with the former Real Madrid defender representing Spain for the final time at the 1988 finals, as Miguel Muñoz’s side exited the competition at the group stage.

Vladimir Beschastnykh v Czech Republic – 1996 (34.2 yards)

Pick that out.

Russia’s Vladimir Beschastnykh scored one of the goals of Euro ’96 with this sweetly struck effort from range, blasting home against the Czech Republic during a thrilling 3-3 draw at Anfield.

Beschastnykh’s goal looked to have sealed three points for Russia who had come from two goals down to take the lead with five minutes remaining, but Vladimir Smicer’s 88th-minute equaliser ensured the points were shared.

🇷🇺 𝑻𝑯𝑰𝑺 Vladimir Beschastnykh goal was scored #OTD at EURO 1996 🎯

⏪ @TeamRussia pic.twitter.com/9GPN0YRWy8

— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 19, 2020

The draw saw Russia finish bottom of the group with just a solitary point, though it was enough to see the Czech Republic progress ahead of Italy courtesy of a superior head-to-head record.

The talented Czechs progressed all the way to the final on their first tournament appearance as an individual nation, losing to Germany following Oliver Bierhoff’s Golden Goal in extra time.

Torsten Frings v Netherlands – 2004 (38.6 yards)

Torsten Frings developed a penchant for the spectacular throughout his career, though this 38.6 yard effort should perhaps be filed under fortuitous rather than fantastic.

The Germany midfielder opened the scoring in his nation’s Euro 2004 group opener against rivals the Netherlands in Porto, his free-kick from the byline evading everyone before finding its way into the far corner.

🇩🇪 Torsten Frings 💪

🎂 Wish the former Germany midfielder a happy birthday! 🥳 pic.twitter.com/XX8hcuJTvB

— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) November 22, 2018

The body of players crossing the penalty area seems to distract Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar who, anticipating a touch, sees Frings’ in-swinging delivery nestle in at the far post.

Patrik Schick v Scotland – 2020 (49.7 yards)

The farthest goal in European Championship history and by some distance came this summer, with Patrik Schick’s spectacular effort against Scotland an early contender for Goal of the Tournament.

Schick had headed the Czech Republic into a one-goal lead with a fine effort, before securing all three points in his nation’s opener with this marvellous exhibition of technique and audacity.

Scotland were competing in their first major tournament in 23 years and goalkeeper David Marshall will not want to watch this one back, the 36-year-old caught in no man’s land as Schick executed a wondrous lofted finish from just inside the Scottish half.

🗣 "It's one of the best goals you can see in a big tournament."

Here's what Petr Cech thought about Patrik Schick's goal against Scotland…

📲📺 Watch #CRO v #CZE: https://t.co/Y7OTCSPIqo #bbceuro2020 pic.twitter.com/P5PGVmF3IP

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 18, 2021

Schick swiftly spotted Marshall venturing far too far from his goal-line before scoring one of the goals of the Euros so far, with the forward having netted four times to date for the Czech Republic who have impressed in reaching the quarter-finals.

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