Ten of the best Euro 2016 group stage players
We are halfway through Euro 2016 with the group stages at an end and the knockout phase due to begin on Saturday as the last 16 battle it out for the trophy.
Which players have stood out so far? Matt Ogborn runs the rule over the early star performers who have helped make this a fascinating tournament heading into the final two weeks.
Gareth Bale
In a group stage that has yielded far more efficient defensive displays than jaw dropping attacking performances, the way Real Madrid’s galactico has scythed through opposition defences has stood out more than most. Assisted by powerhouse midfielder Aaron Ramsey, the former Tottenham winger has taken on defenders at every turn with the raw speed and jinking runs that made his name. The two free-kicks he has scored alongside his open play strike against Russia merely reinforces the view that this Welsh dragon could take Chris Coleman’s side way further than expected, especially with a limited Northern Ireland side up next in the last 16 before the so-called heavyweight sides come into play.
Michael McGovern
Icelandic goalkeeper Hannes Halldórsson has performed heroically for them during their fairytale run thus far, however Northern Ireland custodian Michael McGovern has been tremendous in the group stage. Currently without a club, the 31-year-old carried the weight of his country on his broad shoulders into the Germany game with a large defeat set to deny them a place in the last 16. He foiled the likes of Muller, Gomez, Gotze and Ozil time and again with his imposing frame to keep the loss down to 1-0 and secure a tie against Wales. Let us not forget how well he performed in their first two games too. Someone snap him up please.
Granit Xhaka
Switzerland may not be the most fashionable side plying their trade in France, nevertheless they managed to sneak into the last 16 and a tie against Poland. One player, in particular, well and truly put down his marker on the tournament from the outset and he happens to be Arsenal’s brand new midfield enforcer to boot. Xhaka patrolled the middle of the park with ferocious intent in the 1-0 win over Albania, draws against Romania and group winners France also highlighting his tough tackling and pinpoint passing. If he can continue his bullish form, Robert Lewandowski and co might be booking an early flight back home on Saturday.
Eric Dier
If the red half of North London are feeling smug with their purchase of Xhaka, the white half must be even more overjoyed with Dier’s delightful form for club and country. He only cost £4m from Sporting Lisbon and has gone on to anchor the Lilywhite and England midfield with astonishing poise and maturity. No stranger to a heavy tackle, his long, arrowed balls into his striker’s feet and simple passing elsewhere on the pitch has been fundamental to England’s progress into the last 16. Where once Jack Wilshere shined in qualifying, Dier has taken over with many tipping him as a future captain.
Kevin De Bruyne
On paper, Belgium look an extremely scary proposition. Unfortunately they have yet to properly transform that into dynamic performances at major tournaments. The individual brilliance they display in their club leagues somehow gets lost when thrust together into a collective effort - Marc Wilmots somewhat to blame here. Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, though, is trying everything in his locker to inspire the Red Devils whether it is dangerous runs and cute balls in the final third or heading off the line from opposition attacks. If his team-mates can get on the same wavelength, Belgium could well prosper in the last 16.
Toni Kroos
Jerome Boateng has been a towering rock in the German defence and Mesut Ozil his usual impish self in the final third, nonetheless it is Kroos who has stood out most for the world champions. His displays have been majestic, orchestrating Germany’s attempt to end Spain’s stranglehold on this competition. The Real Madrid maestro completed more passes than the whole of the Northern Ireland team in the 1-0 win that set up a last-16 clash with Slovakia, while he was also instrumental in the 2-0 win over Ukraine and hard-fought draw against neighbours Poland. Has a mean shot on him as well.
Andres Iniesta
We cannot include a top-10 list in any competition it seems without including the Spanish and Barcelona midfield genius. Much like Zinedine Zidane in his pomp, he operates on a different plane of existence to everyone around him probing and cajolling attacks with incredible ease. Even though the Spaniards looked far from convincing against the Czechs and Croatia, he was superb in their 3-0 victory over Turkey and holds the key to Vicente del Bosque’s side completing a Euro hat-trick especially when defences get tighter and chances are at a greater premium during the knockout stages.
Leonardo Bonucci
The Italians have an enviable defensive backbone that has only been breached in defeat by the Republic of Ireland so far in the group stages. Even though Bonucci skippered the side in the 1-0 loss to Martin O’Neill’s team, he did not have his usual trusty pals alongside him in a much changed team from new Chelsea boss Antonio Conte. With Giorgio Chiellini present and Gianluigi Buffon behind him, he was at the heart of Italy’s opening two victories that included the outrageous long ball for Emanuele Giaccherini’s goal against Belgium. If he can maintain this level of form, Spain will need every trick in the book to get past Italy on Monday.
Dimitri Payet
This tournament owes a big debt to West Ham’s attacking whirlwind because, if he hadn’t lit up the host nation France with his long-range belter in the opening game, the early tournament period could have become a damp squib. Not only did he repay Didier Deschamps’ faith in him with that winning goal over Romania, he went on to score and boss the second victory over Albania before a well deserved rest and cameo in the Switzerland draw. With Paul Pogba alongside him in the French midfield, the home fans will be hoping he can keep up his scintillating form for Martin O’Neill’s revenge seeking Irish side.
Ivan Perisic
Outside of Bale, the Croatian star has arguably been the most exciting player going forward so far in this tournament. His rapier-like runs have left Turkish, Czech and Spanish defenders all at sea with his two goals an added bonus for many people’s favourite team heading into the knockout phase. His displays have echoes of Asanovic, Boban and Suker, his ability to dazzle with quick feet and underrated pace allied with a sweet strike that almost always tests the opposition keeper. With the Croatian strikers struggling for goals, he will be crucial in advancing past Portugal and beyond.