With a click of a finger, the last 16 of Euro 2024 is done and dusted. While there weren’t too many major shocks, some top sides were given almighty frights.
England needed a 95th-minute Jude Bellingham overhead kick to spare their blushes against Slovakia, while Portugal were taken all the way to penalties by a resilient and heroic Slovenia side. France may not have needed extra-time or spot-kicks to edge their way past Belgium, but they did require a Jan Vertonghen own goal to do so.
The most surprising result of the round came in the capital as Switzerland beat a woeful Italy side 2-0 with little fuss. That means the reigning champions can no longer defend their crown.
Within the drama, there were plenty of exceptional displays. Here are the six stars who shone brightest in the last 16.
Germany’s Jamal Musiala has dazzled at Euro 2024 so far and produced another effortless display as Germany ran out 2-0 winners against Denmark. In a stormy Signal Iduna Park, the Bayern Munich star was in his element.
Having already scored twice at Euro 2024 so far, Musiala added his third of the competition. Racing in behind the Denmark backline, the youngster showed tremendous composure to slot beyond the onrushing Kasper Schmeichel. He is now the tournament’s joint top scorer.
His trickery once again proved difficult for the opposition to contain, floating across the front line without his usual attacking midfield partner Florian Wirtz.
When is Rodri not sensational? The Manchester City ace has taken his terrific club form to the national team for Euro 2024 and looked well rested for the 4-1 last 16 victory over Georgia having been suspended for Spain’s final group game.
Of course, the defensive midfielder produced another clutch moment. He is now renowned for big goals at key intervals and offered La Roja their equaliser with a superb left-footed drive into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
However, it was his all-round display that was so tantalising. Unsurprisingly, he had more touches than any other player (129), misplaced just eight of his 117 passes and recovered the ball 12 times – four more than anyone else on the field.
Rodri really is a cheat code in the base of Spain’s midfield.
Ruben Vargas has been quietly impressive at Euro 2024 bombing up and down the left…
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