1984 European Championships: Michel Platini's nine goals

As Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated scoring a penalty against Hungary in Portugal's opening match of Euro 2020 - in that typical understated way of his - the goal that clinched three points for his country contained added significance. 

The successful spot kick broke a record held by a man who played a big part in the organisation of Euro 2020. He may have been widely appreciated as a player, but Michel Platini was far from popular in his stint as UEFA President.

Ronaldo's 12 goals (and counting) have been spread across five tournaments since his bow at Euro 2004. Platini would only ever play in one European Championship finals. Yet he managed to make his mark in France during Euro 84, leading his country to glory and scoring nine goals along the way. 

It wasn't all about Platini, the French skipper forming one quarter of the formidable Carré Magique midfield along with Jean Tigana, Alain Giresse, and Luis Fernandez. But Euro 84 will forever be linked to the majestic midfielder who scored in every match he played and would lift the Henri Delaunay trophy to cap a memorable 15 days.

Goal 1: Denmark, 12 June, Parc des Princes

The opening match of the tournament saw Platini shackled by Klaus Berggreen, as described in the brilliant Danish Dynamite book: "No matter where Platini went, Berggreen stuck to his heels like an eager puppy." But in the 78th minute there was an opportunity to escape his shadow.

Berggreen temporarily left the side of Platini, but as soon as he was dispossessed by Tigana, there was trouble ahead for the Danes. When the ball fell to Platini on the edge of box, his shot flicked off the head of the prostrate defender Soren Busk and left keeper Ole Qvist helpless. 

Equalling the French international scoring record of 27 goals set by Just Fontaine, there was a touch of fortune about Platini's first goal of the tournament. But the next two group games would give a full demonstration regarding the genius of France's number ten.

Goals 2, 3 and 4: Belgium, June 16, Nantes

Platini marked his 50th international in style, scoring a hat-trick that established him as France's record goalscorer, as well as equalling the European Championship finals record of four goals held jointly by Dieter and Gerd Muller.

Opening the scoring with a left-footed strike from the edge of the area - after Patrick Battiston had struck the bar with a free kick - Giresse and Fernandez added further goals before half-time against a beleaguered Belgium. But there was more pain to come.

A penalty struck down the middle of the goal with his right foot was then followed by a superb header from twelve yards out to complete the so-called perfect hat-trick. "At the start of the season I set myself three targets," Platini revealed. "The Italian Championship and European Cup Winners' Cup with Juventus, and the European Championship. This is the hardest, and also the one closest to my heart." Platini liked doing things in threes during 1984.

Goals 5, 6 and 7: Yugoslavia, June 19, Saint-Etienne

Another day, another perfect hat-trick. Yugoslavia, who were unable to reach the last four, had the temerity to take a first half lead against the hosts. Platini guaranteed that the momentum was not slowed, however, setting a new European Championship scoring record in the process.

Equalising with a left-footed effort after a Jean-Marc Ferrari pass, Platini's second from a Battiston cross was magnifique, a diving header from the penalty spot with the ball slightly behind his head as he stooped to conquer.

Platini secured his second consecutive hat-trick with a sublime free-kick from just outside the box. British viewers may not have been lucky enough to have seen much of Euro 84. But most of us had already witnessed a similar goal four months earlier as England also succumbed to the irrepressible force of the French captain.

 

 

Goal 8: Portugal, June 23, Marseille

A match that deserves a blog of its own - in fact someone has kindly prepared one for you earlier - the dramatic extra-time win over Portugal rightly takes its place in European Championship folklore. Platini's last gasp winner would leave John Motson orgasmic and the rest of us open-mouthed in wonder at the whole experience.

Left back Jean-François Domergue tried his best to steal the limelight from Platini, opening the scoring and equalising as extra-time drifted away from France. Yet it is the winning goal in the 119th minute that is the enduring memory from this match. Tigana's thrusting run, Platini's cool touch and strike, French delight and Portuguese heartache.

It's staggering to think that British viewers could only enjoy this via late night highlights. At least the final would be live, as Platini edged closer to completing the dream tournament for him and his country.

Goal 9: Spain, June 27, Parc des Princes

It ended as it started for Platini; a strike from outside the box on the Parc des Princes turf that was a touch fortuitous. Platini's 57th minute free kick gave France the lead in the final against Spain, ensuring that the tournament star had scored in every match. 

Luis Arconada provided a helping hand, the ball squirming under his body and limping apologetically across the line. And despite Yvon Le Roux being sent off late on, Tigana's through ball to Bruno Bellone in the final minute provided France's only goal of the tournament from a striker, to seal the win.

Platini may have lost his record to Ronaldo. But even with the bloated format of the finals that we see today, it is hard to envisage Platini's tally of nine goals in one tournament being bettered. Not everything Platini has had to do with the European Championships has been welcome. But you can't deny his majesty during Euro 84, as he led his country to their first major title.