The group stage of Euro 2024 is finally in the books, and has presented us with a number of surprises and records. In this article, we’ll take a look at the lineup of the best players from the three group stage matchdays, which surprisingly doesn’t include any players from former World Cup winners France, defending champions Italy, or from England.
Revealed: The Best Euro 2024 Group Stage XI
GK: Giorgi Mamardashvili (Georgia)
96.6 – Giorgi Mamardashvili was the top Opta Points performer during the EURO 2024 group stages, picking up 96.6 points. The Georgia goalkeeper made 21 saves, the joint-most of any goalkeeper in the group stages of a European Championships. Hero. pic.twitter.com/hJ2CRJtdbO
— OptaPlay (@OptaPlay) June 27, 2024
Mamardashvili played a huge role in helping Georgia qualify for the last 16, keeping a clean sheet against Portugal and leading the list of the most saves made in the group stage of the tournament.
RB: Mert Müldür (Turkey)
Muldur scored the first goal of Euro 2024 for Turkey, launching a rocket into the back of the net, before Arda Guler followed it up with an even better effort. The right-back played a vital role in helping Turkey qualify for the last 16, and has been one of the country’s standout performers.
CB: Robin Le Normand (Spain)
Spain are the only team to have not conceded any goals in the group stage of Euro 2024 while winning their group. Ahead of a potential move to Atletico Madrid, Le Normand might be an underrated defender, but has kept three clean sheets while playing 225 minutes of football.
CB: Jaka Bijol (Slovenia)
A few players who’ve proper caught my eye this EUROs (that I hadn’t properly watch before);
— h (@htomufc) June 27, 2024
— Jaka Bijol (CB) 🇸🇮
Monster box defender, barely loses any duels, first to everything and decent enough on the ball. Would be great value for money buy for a better mid-block side.
—… pic.twitter.com/t8IWz6BBPU
Bijol ranks first for the most clearances in the group stage of the Euros, and has emerged as an unlikely contender for being the best defender till now. He has helped Slovenia qualify for the last 16, and has truly earned his place in the line-up.
LB: Marc Cucurella (Spain)
Most people expected Alejandro Grimaldo to start ahead of Marc Cucurella for Spain, but the Chelsea defender has been incredible for Spain in the group stages. He put in an incredible shift against Croatia and Italy, and has emerged as the best left-back in the group stage.
CM: Marcel Sabitzer (Austria)
Sabitzer has been incredibly good for Austria in the group stage, and scored the crucial goal that helped them defeat the Netherlands in the last game of the group to finish at the top of the pile.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)
Kevin De Bruyne has picked up two Player of the Match awards in three games at Euro 2024 🌟 pic.twitter.com/ZVKpBo2npw
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) June 27, 2024
It’s quite unfortunate that De Bruyne wasn’t able to register more than one goal or assist in the group stage of the Euros this year. But, he picked up two out of three player of the match awards, and captained his country to the Round of 16 of the Euros this year, all the while dictating the games he played in.
CAM: Jamal Musiala (Germany)
Musiala has been incredible for Germany in the group stage of the Euros, and has been almost unplayable at times. The Bayern midfielder has scored two goals and has impressed the world with his skillful footwork.
RM: Bernardo Silva (Portugal)
Silva has been a workhorse for Portugal thus far, and chipped in with a great goal in Portugal’s game against Turkey. The Manchester City winger has been as reliable as ever, now that he is being played out wide for the national team.
ST: Georges Mikautadze (Georgia)
Mikautadze en pole 👏 😎 #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/Te5xU1uP34
— UEFA EURO 2024 🇫🇷 (@EURO2024FRA) June 27, 2024
No one expected Mikautadze to finish the group stage as the top scorer, but the Georgian is the only player to have scored three goals in the group stage and has been the best striker at the Euros so far.
LW: Cody Gakpo (Netherlands)
Gakpo was able to score an important goal against Austria for the Netherlands, and has been a constant threat for defenders when played. While he hasn’t delivered a better end product, his all-round play earns him a spot over Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal.
