The Soviet Union finished on top of the group before defeating Italy in the semi-finals to qualify for their fourth European Championship final.

Meanwhile, 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.

[2] In the previous international football tournament, the 1986 FIFA World Cup, the Soviet Union were eliminated by Belgium in the second round, losing 4–3 after extra time, despite Igor Belanov's hat-trick.

They remained unbeaten throughout their eight games, winning five and drawing the remainder, to finish top of the group, two points ahead of East Germany.

"[9] His side adopted a defensive approach to the match and the first half ended goalless: Rinat Dasayev, the Soviet Union goalkeeper, pushed two shots from Ronald Koeman over the crossbar and saved other attempts to score from Ruud Gullit, John van 't Schip, John Bosman, Jan Wouters and a potential own goal from Volodymyr Bezsonov.

Although Marco van Basten was then brought on, the Netherlands' best chance to equalise came when Vagiz Khidiyatullin deflected a header from Gullit onto his own crossbar, and the match ended 1–0 to the Soviet Union.

The Soviet Union goalkeeper then denied Houghton at full stretch after the Republic of Ireland player had beaten three defenders before shooting.

Seven minutes before half-time, the Republic of Ireland took the lead: McCarthy took a long throw-in which found Whelan who volleyed it into the top corner of the Soviet Union goal from the edge of the penalty area.

With 15 minutes remaining, Belanov's pass over Kevin Moran found Oleh Protasov who struck the ball past Packie Bonner's legs to equalise.

Substantial rain fell in the early stages of the second half and, according to the Italy manager Azeglio Vicini, "we were technical and fast, but they were more powerful.

His shot was blocked by Franco Baresi but Lytovchenko struck the rebound into the corner of the goal to give the Soviet Union the lead.

Four minutes later, Oleksandr Zavarov passed to Protasov who hit a measured shot over Zenga to double the Soviet Union's lead.

A minute before half-time, Van Basten, who had been restored to the starting line-up, received a pass from Gullit before turning past Adams and shooting beyond Peter Shilton, the England goalkeeper.

Soon after, Wim Kieft's flick-on from Erwin Koeman's corner was met by Van Basten who scored to complete his hat-trick and give the Netherlands a 3–1 victory.

Kieft turned and diverted the ball past Bonner with his forehead and secured a 1–0 win for the Netherlands,[21] who finished Group 2 in second place, one point behind the Soviet Union.

[22] There were few chances to score for either side in the first half, with Frank Mill's opportunist attempt to intercept Ronald Koeman's backpass being gathered by Van Breukelen.

Jürgen Klinsmann took the ball past Van Tiggelen and Erwin Koeman before falling under a tackle from Frank Rijkaard inside the Netherlands penalty area.

With 15 minutes remaining, Van Basten ran into the West Germany box and was tackled by Jürgen Kohler and was awarded the second penalty of the match.

A failed clearance from Erwin Koeman was headed by Protasov and Sergey Gotsmanov kept the ball in play before being fouled by Van Breukelen.

[30] In the next international tournament, the 1990 FIFA World Cup, the Netherlands were defeated in the second round by eventual winners West Germany.