Germany then defeated Croatia in the quarter-finals, before progressing to the final following a penalty shoot-out victory over hosts England in the semi-finals.

[2] In the previous international tournament, the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the Czech Republic were represented as the Czechoslovakia national football team, but failed to qualify for the finals, finishing in third place in group 4, behind Romania and Belgium.

[9] Germany took the lead in the 26th minute through Christian Ziege who ran with the ball along the left wing before cutting inside Miroslav Kadlec and shooting into the bottom corner of the Czech Republic goal.

Pavel Nedvěd then struck Karel Poborský's cross over the bar, but the Czech Republic failed to threaten further and the match ended 2–0, with their manager Dušan Uhrin suggesting that the "players were just overawed.

Poborský avoided Paolo Maldini's tackle and crossed for Nedvěd who controlled the ball on his chest and scored past Angelo Peruzzi, the Italy goalkeeper.

[12] In the 28th minute, Italy were reduced to ten players when Luigi Apolloni was sent off after being shown a second yellow card for a foul on Pavel Kuka.

Seven minutes later, Kuka's cross was missed by Maldini and volleyed into the Italy goal by Radek Bejbl, to give the Czech Republic the lead.

Suchopárek's sixth-minute header gave them the lead before Kuka headed Jiří Němec's long ball into the Russia goal.

Eight minutes into the second half, the Czech Republic took the lead with what author Jonathan O'Brien described as "one of the most astonishing goals ever witnessed in a major tournament.

"[17] Poborský received the ball from Němec before dribbling past four Portugal players and then striking a high lob over Vítor Baía, the Spain goalkeeper, who was off his goalline.

[18] The Czech Republic had four players booked and Radoslav Látal was sent off late in the game for a foul on Dimas, but secured a 1–0 victory and a place in the semi-final.

Fifteen minutes after the interval, Youri Djorkaeff had two opportunities to score, firstly striking the bar before volleying a cross from Zinedine Zidane over the Czech Republic crossbar.

[20] With the full-time score 0–0, the match went into extra time where, late on, Djorkaeff's cross was sliced wide by Laurent Blanc and a penalty shoot-out was required to determine the winner.

Reynald Pedros struck his penalty against Kouba's legs and the Czech Republic progressed to their first European Championship final.

[21] The day before, a bomb was detonated in Manchester city centre by the Irish Republican Army which initially placed the match in doubt.

[23] Early in the game, Köpke saved a volley from Fuser before Casiraghi charged down a clearance from Sammer and was fouled by the Germany goalkeeper.

Despite having the majority of possession, Italy failed to create many chances to score, although Köpke saved shots from both Fuser and Roberto Donadoni.

In the second half, Helmer's shot went over the England crossbar and with ten minutes remaining, Möller was booked for his reaction to Pearce fouling him and picking him up off the ground, ruling him out of the final should Germany have qualified.

Darren Anderton hit the Germany post after beating Köpke to a Steve McManaman cross but the German goalkeeper caught the rebound.

[28] Shearer's late cross passed Köpke but Gascoigne's outstretched left foot just missed the ball, and after Adams' header was cleared by Eilts, the game went to a penalty shoot-out.

As a result of the depletion, both managers were given dispensation by UEFA to call up two additional players: Vogts added Jens Todt to his squad while Uhrin declined the offer.

[31] Suchopárek, Bejbl and Kuka were recalled to the Czech Republic line-up having served their suspensions, Karel Rada kept his position as Látal was unavailable having been sent off in the quarter-final, and Patrik Berger returned to the starting eleven replacing Šmicer.

[30] Klinsmann's late shot was blocked by Rada before Köpke dived full-length to keep out a strike from Šmicer, who had replaced Poborský moments earlier,[30] and full-time ended 1–1, sending the match into extra time: the golden goal rule applied such that the first team to score in the additional period would immediately win the game.

After confirming with the linesman that Kuntz was not offside, the referee blew to indicate the end of the match with Germany winning 2–1 and securing their third European Championship title.