Image source, Getty Images
It was another case of so close yet so far for England, but few can deny that Spain were worthy winners of Euro 2024.
Using the Opta Index – which rates players based on a wide range of parameters – the sports analytics company formulated a Team of the Tournament using data to support selections.
Their choices are the result of a wealth of additional information from a database that contains every touch made during Euro 2024.
A ‘best XI’ will of course never achieve consensus among footballing public opinion, but here’s a data-driven interpretation to test your imagination…
- Author, Jamie Kemp
- Role, Performance Statistics
Giorgi Mamardashvili (Georgia)
Georgia managed to qualify for the round of 16 of what was their first ever major tournament and they owe a lot to their goalkeeper for that.
Mamardashvili’s 21 saves are the record for goals saved by a goalkeeper in a European Championship group stage, tied with Alexanders Kolinko in 2004.
Indeed, based on the quality of shots on target taken using expected goals (xG), the Georgian has prevented more goals than any other keeper at Euro 2024 (+4.7 – eight goals conceded from 12.7 xG on shots on target taken).
Kimmich was one of only two German outfield players, along with Antonio Rudiger, to play every minute for his team at Euro 2024. Indeed, he was a vital part of the team, both through his presence and his contribution, particularly in attack.
The German right-back was the best player in terms of passes that broke the opposition’s defensive line (17), and only Lamine Yamal (16) created more chances from open play than the Bayern Munich man (15).
Manuel Akanji (Switzerland)
Although the Manchester City defender’s tournament ended in a penalty shootout against England, Akanji had a fine campaign overall, helping a strong Swiss side reach the semi-finals.
Akanji was a key part of the Swiss defence, despite being the team that trailed on the scoreboard for the lowest percentage of their match time at Euro 2024 (2.5% – just 13 minutes behind).
In his first-ever appearance at a major international tournament, Guehi has proven himself to be one of the most reliable defenders at Euro 2024. Indeed, the Crystal Palace man has been one of the best developments throughout the tournament for England, and looks set to be a key part of their plans going forward.
Featuring in all but one of his team’s seven games in the competition, no England player won more aerial duels (12) than the defender, while he also led the team in counterattacks (6).
Left-back Cucurella was one of Spain’s question marks ahead of Euro 2024, but he proved many doubters wrong at the end of the Euros. Competitive in defence and an attacking contributor, the Chelsea player has done a good job taking over from Jordi Alba in previous editions.
As well as assisting on Mikel Oyarzabal’s winning goal in the final, Cucurella made the most combined tackles and interceptions for Spain (20) during the tournament.
Kroos didn’t get the start his career deserved (at least not at international level), but there’s no doubt he finished at the top in terms of individual performance.
Kroos was the master of distribution at Euro 2024 and broke the record (since 1980) for most successful passes in a single group stage of the competition (324).
But the German midfielder is not just playing from one side to the other: he also leads the tournament in assists (141) by a significant margin.
Another tournament, another Spanish midfielder to remember. In the tradition of astute manipulators, Ruiz had a superbly complete tournament at the heart of the Spanish midfield.
As well as being directly involved in four goals at Euro 2024 (two goals, two assists), he has recovered possession more times overall (46) and in the final third (14) than any other player.
The youngest player to play in a World Cup or European Championship final (aged 17), Yamal did more than just play in the final. His trademark running and composure to find the pass helped Spain break the deadlock, as he assisted Nico Williams to open the scoring.
Yamal has been directly involved in five goals in total at Euro 2024 (one goal, four assists), a record shared with teammate Daniel Olmo. Indeed, his four assists also constitute the shared record (since 1980) in a single edition of the European Championship.
Olmo may have started the tournament on the Spain bench, but he ended it as one of the most influential players at Euro 2024. With his dynamic and direct style from the number 10 role, Spain’s already dynamic attack became much more difficult to deal with once Olmo arrived.
The Leipzig player has the most goal involvements in the tournament (five – three goals, two assists), while his 14 successful dribbles are the most by a Spanish player in a single edition of the European Championship since Lobo Carrasco in 1984 (16).
The other half of Spain’s dynamic wing duo, Williams has been one of the rising stars to announce themselves on the world stage at Euro 2024. In fact, when we look back on this tournament in the years and decades to come, many will remember this Spain team for the productivity of the wingers above all else.
By opening the scoring in the return match against England, Williams (22 years and two days) became the youngest player to score in a European Championship final since 1968, when a 20-year-old Italian, Pietro Anastasi, did so against Yugoslavia.
If you thought Gakpo’s performance at the 2022 World Cup was a flash in the pan, Euro 2024 will have changed your mind. The Liverpool player has scored six goals in 11 games across the two tournaments, with Kylian Mbappe (9) the only European player to have scored more
Gakpo also scored and assisted in the Netherlands’ round of 16 victory, becoming the first Dutch player to do so in a European Championship knockout match since Frank Rijkaard in the 1992 semi-final.