The 2024 European Championship Golden Boot has been shared six ways after six players finished level on three goals following Sunday’s final between Spain and England.
Heading into the final in Berlin, England’s Harry Kane, Spain’s Dani Olmo, Slovakia’s Ivan Schranz, Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze, Germany’s Jamal Musiala and Netherlands’ Cody Gakpo were all tied on three goals. There were also two active players with two goals playing in the final, England’s Jude Bellingham and Spain’s Fabian Ruiz.
Neither Kane nor Olmo could add to their tallies in the final, with the Englishman withdrawn in the 61st minute after struggling to impact the game. Though Olmo did not find the back of the net for the fourth successive game, his presence was still felt with a crucial header off the line to clear a Marc Guehi header that would have levelled the score late on. Spain held on to win the final 2-1.
Kane’s first goal at the tournament came in England’s second group game as he put his side ahead with a close-range effort in the first half of their 1-1 draw with Denmark. The England captain’s second strike was the extra-time header to win their last-16 tie against Slovakia, with his third the equalising penalty in their 2-1 semi-final victory over Netherlands.
England captain Kane scored three goals (Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Olmo emerged as a surprise contender for this year’s Golden Boot award, with the RB Leipzig attacking midfielder not in Luis de la Fuente’s preferred starting line-up at the start of the tournament. He only got his first goal at the Euros in Spain’s last-16 win over Georgia, coming on as a second-half substitute and scoring the fourth in the 4-1 win.
Olmo then scored in Spain’s 2-1 quarter-final triumph against hosts Germany, having come on as a substitute for Pedri in the first 10 minutes of the match. He scored again Spain’s semi-final win over France, with his well-taken half-volley the eventual matchwinner in the 2-1 victory.
Why is the Golden Boot shared?
If two or more players finish the tournament having scored the joint-highest number of goals, then the award is shared. This was confirmed by UEFA on Friday, July 12, though from Euro 2008 to Euro 2020 the tiebreaker was whoever had provided the most assists — which is how Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo edged out Czech Republic’s Patrik Schick at the delayed Euro 2020 three years ago.
(Top photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)