1988 Euro Final – Netherlands 2–0 Soviet Union (Stuttgart)

Netherlands 2–0 Soviet Union: Oranje's first European title in Munich.

The UEFA Euro 1988 final was the final match of UEFA Euro 1988, the eighth European Championship, UEFA's top football competition for national teams. The match was played at the Olympiastadion in Munich, Germany, on 25 June 1988, and was contested between the Netherlands and the Soviet Union. The Netherlands won 2–0 to secure their first European Championship title.

Quick Facts

Scorers: Ruud Gullit (header from a corner), Frank Rijkaard (header from a free kick)

Lore & Background

The two finalists had both been drawn into Group 2 of the tournament, alongside the Republic of Ireland and England. The Soviet Union finished on top of the group before defeating Italy in the semi-finals to qualify for their fourth European Championship final. The Netherlands ended the group stage in second place, before beating host nation West Germany in the semi-finals to progress to their first European Championship final. The final was played in front of 72,308 spectators, and was refereed by Michel Vautrot from France.

Reader's Guide

The Netherlands progressed to the final tournament after finishing top of qualifying group 5, unbeaten in a group comprising Greece, Hungary, Poland and Cyprus. They lost their first group game 1–0 to the Soviet Union, then beat England 3–1 and the Republic of Ireland (result not fully given in source) to finish second in the group. They then beat West Germany in the semi-finals. The Soviet Union qualified as champions of qualifying group 3, unbeaten, then topped Group 2 with a win over the Netherlands, a draw with the Republic of Ireland, and a win over England. They defeated Italy 2–0 in the semi-finals.