We’re into the last 16 of the Euro 2020 and it has not failed us! With some spell-bounding matches, there have been so many new revelations at the national level! 36 of the scheduled 51 matches have now been played. Let’s discuss some of our favourite performers at this summer’s European Championship.
Goran Pandev (North Macedonia)
Pandev is now the second-oldest goalscorer in the history of the competition. He achieved this when he scored for North Macedonia in their 3-1 loss to Austria. This was his last match for his country and he retired with 122 caps and 38 goals.
Raheem Sterling (England)
The English side is full of star talents and among them Sterling been the most impactful lately. He had only netter 2 goals in his first 45 games for the three lions. His fates seems to have changed since as he has hit 14 in his last 19 appearances. Two of these came in England’s 1-0 wins against Croatia and the Czech Republic.
Billy Gilmour (Scotland)
He’s been the talk of London for some time now. The young Chelsea talent stole the show as Scotland held grounds to draw against England in the second round. He was the star of the match. His absence from Scotland was largely felt in their match against Croatia. A positive COVID test ruled him out of the 3rd and final Matchday for the side.
Joel Pohjanpalo (Finland)
Joel Pohjanpalo has had a career haunted by injuries. His winning goal against Denmark was the country’s first at a European Championship. The Union Berlin forward thus made history for his nation!
Patrik Schick (Czech Republic)
Schick left Sampdoria for Roma and saw a sudden downfall in his career. Things just didn’t seem to work out for the forward. But what a season he’s having at the European Championships scoring an astounding 50 metres effort against Scotland. Probably the goal of the season! He has been absolutely lethal going forward.
Denzel Dumfries (Netherlands)
Two times Star of the Match already, Dumfries is on fire. The PSV Eindhoven right-back has netted 2 goals and is likely to attract big clubs’ interests this summer.
Manuel Locatelli (Italy)
Probably the biggest revelation of Euro 2020 is Manuel Locatelli. Roberto Mancini played him only because of Marco Verratti’s absence, but he won the boss’s trust with his excellent performance against Turkey. He also went on to score twice against Switzerland.
Mikkel Damsgaard (Denmark)
Losing Christian Eriksen early on in their campaign was tough for Denmark but they’ve really done well going forward. Having made it into the quarters Sampdoria starlet Mikkel Damsgaard stepped up for the side when they needed it the most. He scored a stunner in their 4-1 victory over Russia. He also became the first player born in the 21st century to score at the Euros. Some record!
Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)
The Inter forward is quite literally in a flaming red devil form. He is Cristiano Ronaldo’s biggest competition to finish as the top goalscorer in the Euros. Lukaku creates a threatening connection with Kevin De Bruyne on the pitch. He has scored 3 goals already.
Emil Forsberg (Sweden)
Forsberg has come to enforce Sweden’s attack to push them into the knockouts against popular opinion. He too has three to his name.
David Alaba (Austria)
Real Madrid’s latest signing doesn’t play his regular role for his country. He is a playmaker for the national side and that’s the most interesting part. He does it with a certain supremacy over the game. All eyes are now on seeing him at Madrid.
Robin Gosens (Germany)
It seems that Serie A’s players have taken some adrenaline boost this season. Atalanta’s flying wing-back Gosens showed his quality in the 4-2 win over Portugal. He scored, assisted, and forced Portugal’s own goal all in one match. He has unarguably put out the best individual performance of Euros so far.
Attila Szalai (Hungary)
Szalai really stepped up for Hungary in the group stages. Hungary was literally only 6 minutes away from progressing from the group of death. The Fenerbahce defender has definitely impressed keen eyes.
Georginio Wijnaldum (Netherlands)
Paris Saint-Germain will be smirking watching Wijnaldum perform for Netherlands. Although Netherlands were pushed out of the knockouts, Gini has scored three goals already.
Luka Modric (Croatia)
Real Madrid’s prolific midfielder created the tournament’s best moments so far when he scored against Scotland with some style. He shows no signs of slowing down at his age.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
How could he not be on the list! We kept the best for the last. With five goals already he is playing in his own league creating and breaking records. He’s already the tournament’s all-time top goalscorer (14). He also leveled Ali Daei’s international record of 109 goals. Beast!
