Euro 2000 was the first time the tournament was co-hosted by two countries. Hosts Belgium and the Netherlands had mixed fortunes, with Belgium being knocked out in the group stages despite winning their opening game against Sweden. Defeats against Italy and Turkey led to their demise.

The Netherlands were pre-tournament favourites and got off to a flying start winning all three of their group matches, including a 3-2 victory against eventual tournament winners France. With a 6-1 win against Yugoslavia in the quarter-finals, few would have backed against the Netherlands lifting the trophy but, after a 0-0 draw, they lost to Italy on penalties in the semi-finals.

England faced Portugal in their opening match, and went 2-0 ahead in the opening 20 minutes, with goals from Paul Scholes and Steve McManaman. However, goals by Pinto, Luis Figo and Nuno Gomes led to Portugal hitting back to win 3-2. The Three Lions fared better in their second match with Alan Shearer scoring the only goal of the game against holders Germany. It meant that England only needed a draw against Romania to progress to the quarter-finals, but a penalty, converted by Ganea, in the final minutes of the match led to a 3-2 defeat for Kevin Keegan's side.

Romania succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to Italy in the quarter-finals, while the tie of the round saw France defeat Spain 2-1 after extra-time with a stunning winner from Zinedine Zidane.

Les Bleus' opponents in the semi-finals were Portugal who had defeated Turkey 2-0 in the last eight thanks to two goals from Nuno Gomes. The semi-final was a heated affair after Zidane had converted a penalty in extra-time to give France a 2-1 victory. Several Portuguese players challenged the awarding of the penalty for handball and were given lengthy suspensions for shoving the referee.

In the Final, Italy took the lead after 55 minutes with a goal from Delvecchio, but an amazing fightback from France saw them add the European Championship to the World Cup they had won two years earlier. Sylvain Wiltord scored in the last minute of normal time, before David Trezeguet grabbed the winner in extra-time.