After 36 exhausting games and what seemed like an endless number of changes, eight teams—including Croatia, the 2018 World Cup winners—were eliminated, and the four best third-place teams—the Netherlands, Georgia, Slovakia, and Slovenia—qualified for the knockout stage. Although many spectators preferred the previous 16-team format's higher level of danger, each game still had a genuine competitive edge, and several standout individual performances have elevated the competition.
This is true even if a number of the pre-tournament favorites, like as England and France, have had difficulty settling into a groove. The only countries roaring right now are Germany and Spain, while Austria and Georgia have emerged as dark horses.
Which players, specifically, have thus far caught our attention the most? With a goalkeeper who has continued from where he left off at Euro 2020, GOAL has selected the finest of them for our Team of the Group Stage.
Which players, specifically, have thus far caught our attention the most? With a goalkeeper who has continued from where he left off at Euro 2020, GOAL has selected the finest of them for our Team of the Group Stage.
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy)
Even though the Azzurri are not quite as strong as they were three years ago, Donnarumma is once again rising to the situation. He was Italy's talisman during their march to the title. Italy almost defeated Albania thanks to the Paris Saint-Germain No. 1's outstanding late stop to deny Rey Manaj. He also played a significant role in their last group match against Croatia.
After making three crucial stops and deflecting a penalty kick from Luka Modric, Mattia Zaccagni scored a late equalizer to give Italy a 1-1 draw and guaranteed them a spot in the round of 16. Given their lack of depth, Italy's chances of making it to another final look remote, but since Donnarumma is their last line of defense, they cannot be ignored.
After making three crucial stops and deflecting a penalty kick from Luka Modric, Mattia Zaccagni scored a late equalizer to give Italy a 1-1 draw and guaranteed them a spot in the round of 16. Given their lack of depth, Italy's chances of making it to another final look remote, but since Donnarumma is their last line of defense, they cannot be ignored.
RB: Dani Carvajal (Spain)
Carvajal, who recently won his sixth Champions League title with Real Madrid, has contributed to laying the groundwork for Spain's strong Euro debut. The 32-year-old led by example with his exceptional work ethic and recorded 12 ball recoveries during Spain's victories over Croatia and Italy. He also contributed with a goal.
Carvajal consistently performs at the highest level, making him one of the finest right-backs in the game. His expertise will be crucial as La Roja attempts to reclaim the championship they had from 2008 to 2012. Carvajal is the general for Spain, but they have a number of more visually spectacular players who will undoubtedly steal the show.
Carvajal consistently performs at the highest level, making him one of the finest right-backs in the game. His expertise will be crucial as La Roja attempts to reclaim the championship they had from 2008 to 2012. Carvajal is the general for Spain, but they have a number of more visually spectacular players who will undoubtedly steal the show.
CB: Marc Guehi (England)
It would be a vast understatement to suggest that England did not perform up to par in Euro 2024. Phil Foden, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Declan Rice were among the players that underperformed spectacularly after having outstanding seasons for their clubs. It was difficult to watch Gareth Southgate's team struggle through Group C.
With his head held high, Guehi can make it to the final 16. It was only because of the Crystal Palace man's defensive maturity and steel that England emerged victorious in the group, as a team severely lacking in confidence.
With his head held high, Guehi can make it to the final 16. It was only because of the Crystal Palace man's defensive maturity and steel that England emerged victorious in the group, as a team severely lacking in confidence.
CB: Riccardo Calafiori (Italy)
Calafiori's year has been eventful. The 22-year-old defender won a spot in Italy's European Championship squad by being enormous during Bologna's incredible run to Serie A Champions League qualifying.
He couldn't have made a better first impression either, driving out of defense against Albania at every chance. Despite Italy's subsequent defeat to Spain due to a tragic own goal, he has demonstrated true character to bounce back. To finish off an incredible all-around performance against Croatia, Calafiori assisted Zaccagni's equalizer. However, he also received a booking, and Luciano Spalletti's team will be severely lacking in the final sixteen as he serves a ban.
He couldn't have made a better first impression either, driving out of defense against Albania at every chance. Despite Italy's subsequent defeat to Spain due to a tragic own goal, he has demonstrated true character to bounce back. To finish off an incredible all-around performance against Croatia, Calafiori assisted Zaccagni's equalizer. However, he also received a booking, and Luciano Spalletti's team will be severely lacking in the final sixteen as he serves a ban.
LB: Maximilian Mittelstadt (Germany)
Last season, Stuttgart finished second in the Bundesliga, ahead of Bayern Munich, and Mittelstadt was a key player in that incredible accomplishment. In the process, Mittelstadt made his way into Germany's starting lineup, and Julian Nagelsmann saw his confidence in the 27-year-old pay off in the European Championship.
Mittelstadt has provided Germany with a legitimate outlet down the left wing by effectively coordinating with Toni Kroos and Florian Wirtz. He is just as effective attacking as he is defensively. He even contributed an assist in Germany's 2-0 victory over Hungary. Nagelsmann will need to use him to lead the home team to their first European Championship since 1996.
Mittelstadt has provided Germany with a legitimate outlet down the left wing by effectively coordinating with Toni Kroos and Florian Wirtz. He is just as effective attacking as he is defensively. He even contributed an assist in Germany's 2-0 victory over Hungary. Nagelsmann will need to use him to lead the home team to their first European Championship since 1996.
CM: Fabian Ruiz (Spain)
It's no easy task to outperform Pedri and Rodri, but Fabian Ruiz has done just that as the third wheel of Spain's technically skilled midfield. The 28-year-old earned Player of the Match honors against Croatia, setting up Alvaro Morata with a beautiful pass before scoring one of the tournament's goals to double Spain's advantage himself. The Paris Saint-Germain player used superb footwork to weave around three defenders before scoring only his third goal for his country.
Ruiz also stole the show as Spain defeated Italy, and he appears to have taken his game to new heights in this tournament, providing Luis de la Fuente's team a surprise X-factor.
Ruiz also stole the show as Spain defeated Italy, and he appears to have taken his game to new heights in this tournament, providing Luis de la Fuente's team a surprise X-factor.
CM: Marcel Sabitzer (Austria)
Austria is serious about business under Ralf Rangnick, who has admirably rebuilt his reputation following a terrible stint at Manchester United. He has a lot to credit another former United employee for, however, with Sabitzer stepping up as the key man with three all-action displays in the Euros group stage.
Sabitzer, who was a key player for Borussia Dortmund on their way to the Champions League final, is a dynamic midfielder with quick feet and a keen eye for goal, as evidenced by his goal against the Netherlands. He also sets the tone for Rangnick's team with his persistent pushing, and Austria has a good opportunity of keeping upsetting the odds if he continues on his present path.
Sabitzer, who was a key player for Borussia Dortmund on their way to the Champions League final, is a dynamic midfielder with quick feet and a keen eye for goal, as evidenced by his goal against the Netherlands. He also sets the tone for Rangnick's team with his persistent pushing, and Austria has a good opportunity of keeping upsetting the odds if he continues on his present path.
CAM: Jamal Musiala (Germany)
Musiala is the face of Germany's Euros campaign, which puts a lot of pressure on him. Not many young players could handle that amount of scrutiny, but this is no average 21-year-old; the Bayern Munich star is mature beyond his years and possesses the technical prowess to have a significant effect in the most important games.
Scotland and Hungary found out the hard way, as Musiala scored in both games and wrecked havoc with his remarkable dribbling abilities and precise passes. Germany has everything it takes to win it all on home turf, and Musiala is on track to write his name in history after seeing his decision to choose Die Mannschaft over England pay off.
Scotland and Hungary found out the hard way, as Musiala scored in both games and wrecked havoc with his remarkable dribbling abilities and precise passes. Germany has everything it takes to win it all on home turf, and Musiala is on track to write his name in history after seeing his decision to choose Die Mannschaft over England pay off.
RW: Lamine Yamal (Spain)
After seeing Yamal come off the bench for a scintillating cameo in Spain's 1-0 win over Albania, Germany legend Lothar Matthaus gave him the highest praise. The 16-year-old is the youngest player to ever appeared in a European Championship, but you wouldn't know it from the way he conducts himself on the pitch.
Yamal also caused nightmares for Croatia and Italy as a starter in Spain's first two victories, and while comparisons to all-time greats don't help the Barcelona wonderkid, he is doing an admirable job of justifying them thus far. Spain's extremely talented youth is swift, skilled, and deceptively strong, and he already possesses real end product, making him De la Fuente's most lethal weapon.
Yamal also caused nightmares for Croatia and Italy as a starter in Spain's first two victories, and while comparisons to all-time greats don't help the Barcelona wonderkid, he is doing an admirable job of justifying them thus far. Spain's extremely talented youth is swift, skilled, and deceptively strong, and he already possesses real end product, making him De la Fuente's most lethal weapon.
ST: Georges Mikautadze (Georgia)
Many people expected Kane, Kylian Mbappe, and Cristiano Ronaldo to compete for the Golden Boot in the Euros' last 16 round. While those three men have only scored two goals between them, Mikautadze has soared to the top of the charts, helping Georgia pull off a stunning upset in their debut big competition.
The 23-year-old was part of Metz's Ligue 1 relegation last season, but he's played like a top-tier striker in Germany, scoring in all three of Georgia's group games.
The 23-year-old was part of Metz's Ligue 1 relegation last season, but he's played like a top-tier striker in Germany, scoring in all three of Georgia's group games.
In the first knockout round, Willy Sagnol's underdog team will play Spain. However, with Mikautadze leading the line alongside Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Napoli, they will be a real threat on the break, and he may be eyeing a high-profile summer transfer.
LW: Nico Williams (Spain)
Williams was a key player in Athletic Club's historic Copa del Rey victory in 2023–24, contributing eight goals in six games and orchestrating the collapse of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. And now, the 21-year-old's abilities in a Spain shirt are being seen by everyone on the planet.
Williams was outstanding in La Roja's first two group matches, particularly in their match against Italy. He attempted a total of 12 take-ons and made the equivalent amount of runs in behind. Williams particularly impressed against Italy. Williams appears like a player built for the Premier League's intensity, so it's no wonder that he's now being linked to a big-money move to Chelsea. Spain knows they can count on him to create opportunities in the final third.
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