The Top Performers of Euro 2024 So Far

por Wosti -

The Top Performers of Euro 2024 So Far

The group stages of Euro 2024 have been and gone and what a tournament football fans are getting to witness thus far. From the passionate fans in and out of the stadium, to the plethora of top-quality goals, Germany has delivered the passion and soul that international football missed so much during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and as we approach the business end of the competition it will be interesting to see who can lift the coveted trophy in Berlin later this summer.

Indeed, this is a tournament defined by moments of magic. From shock victories like Slovakia beating Belgium and Georgia toppling Portugal 2-0, there have been several underdog stories that have captured the imagination of football fans across the continent.

When you look at some of the Cinderella stories of European Championships gone by – the likes of Denmark in 1992 and Greece stunning Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Figo in their own backyard in the 2004 final – it reminds you of the unpredictability that comes with international football. And with two of the favourites for Euro 2024 in England and France underperforming, it could pave the way for another underdog to come through and pull off an upset.

So far, the stars of the tournament are yet to light up the pitch. Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, and Harry Kane have all struggled to grasp any momentum so far, although their sides have ensured progression to the Round of 16. It’s meant other players who had gone under the radar have performed at their best, and it will be exciting to see if they can do the same in the latter stages of the tournament.

In this article, we examine some of the best performers at Euro 2024 so far – assessing the key performances that have made a difference in this summer’s tournament at different ends of the group stage table. Read on to find out more.

Marcel Sabitzer

One of the surprise packages at the tournament so far have been Austria. Their highly energetic style intensified the pace of games and pushed some good teams like France and Netherlands right to the wire. Their win over the Dutch 3-2 ensured they topped the group against all odds from top online bookmakers under the guidance of former Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick.

Rangnick’s tactics required an unconventional striker in the form of Marcel Sabitzer, with the Borussia Dortmund man in a new role compared to the deeper one he played in BVB’s run to the Champions League final.

Technically brilliant and tactically astute, Sabitzer’s versatility has seen the 30-year-old score in big games and his win against Holland showed he can finish from all angles.

Nico Williams

Spain look like one of the best sides at Euro 2024 so far, winning in commanding style against Croatia and Italy thanks to their dynamic front three of captain Alvaro Morata, Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal, and Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams.

Williams has stood out the most for La Roja, with his pace being deceptive for a player of his size and strength. Having won silverware with the Basque Country side he arrived in Germany full of confidence, with the 21-year-old fearless in one-on-one situations.

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente praised his wingers after they progressed to the next round, with the side incorporating more direct tactics to the tiki-taka style that won them consecutive European Championships throughout their golden era.

"They are young players, especially Lamine, he's a young boy, with incredible talent that only the chosen ones have," De la Fuente told reporters "They have a gift from God, very few players have these qualities. We're enforcing the education and training from his club. They are special footballers, Nico too, that makes them different from the rest."

Cody Gakpo

From one winger to another, Cody Gakpo could have a say in where the Netherlands finish this summer, after the Liverpool man looks to have come alive under Ronald Koeman.

Gakpo has previously cut a frustrated figure in the Premier League, with his versatility almost a caveat after featuring in centre-midfielder, up front as well as on the wing. His best position is certainly on the left flank, where he has cut in and scored goals throughout the tournament.

New Liverpool manager Arne Slot will surely take this into consideration when he arrives at Anfield ahead of the new season, with Gakpo a serious contender for the Golden Boot.

Only time will tell who will be the most important player of Euro 2024. France, England and Germany still command the best odds as favourites to lift the trophy but both Portugal and Spain went significantly under the radar. It will be interesting to see some of the big clashes and if reigning champions Italy can defend their crown and conjure up some more defining moments.