If you were trying to select the ingredients for the ideal way to hit the back of the net in the European Championship, this is what you'd go for…
One of the best things about football is its simplicity.
There's only one way to score points in a game - by putting the ball in the back of the net - and doing so is always worth a single goal, whether it was a glorious 50-yard volley or a scuffed tap-in on the goal-line.
Still, some goals live longer in the memory due to their aesthetic quality or the sheer difficulty of executing the move as intended. With that in mind, we've picked out several elements that, when combined, would make for the perfect European Championship goal...
A Schmeichel save...
The opposition break beyond your defence but Peter Schmeichel is on hand to keep them at bay, just as he was throughout Denmark's remarkable triumph at Euro 92.
Schmeichel keeps the Dutch out in the semi-final in 1992
A Nesta tackle…
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The danger's still not been fully averted, though, so Alessandro Nesta steps in to make a crucial slide tackle without losing any of his elegance. Not many defenders could read the game as well as the Italian.
Nesta dispossess Sylvain Wiltord in the final of Euro 2000
A Beckenbauer maraud...
Nesta lays the ball off to Franz Beckenbauer, who looks up, assesses his options and decides to carry the ball up the pitch in a manner that was typical of West Germany's attacking sweeper.
Beckenbauer on a run forward against England in a Euro 1972 play-off
A Xavi pass...
Midfield metronome Xavi, who controlled the tempo of many a Spain game at Euro 2008 and Euro 2012, collects the ball and lays off a pass.
Xavi picks out a team-mate (obviously) against Italy at Euro 2012
An Ibrahimovic touch...
The lofted ball is accurate, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic's delicate control ensures the defender can't get anywhere near it. Good touch for a big man, that Zlatan.
Zlatan kills it dead against France at Euro 2012
A Gascoigne dribble…
Paul Gascoigne takes possession and sets off on a run, skipping past a couple of challenges before laying the ball off.
Off goes Gazza...
A Platini through ball…
Michel Platini, the star of France's triumph on home soil at Euro 1984, plays a defence-splitting through ball to set up the striker in a great position.
France international Platini plays a brilliant through ball for Juventus
A Shearer blast…
There's only one way to finish off a move like this. Over to you, Alan.
Shearer smashes home against the Netherlands in 1996
FourFourTwo's guide to Euro 2016: who'll shine, and who to watch out for
Goals: they're beautiful aren't they? This article is part of FourFourTwo's partnership with BetVictor and their Million Pound Goal campaign. Find out how to enter and more here.
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Greg Lea is a freelance football journalist who's filled in wherever FourFourTwo needs him since 2014. He became a Crystal Palace fan after watching a 1-0 loss to Port Vale in 1998, and once got on the scoresheet in a primary school game against Wilfried Zaha's Whitehorse Manor (an own goal in an 8-0 defeat).
