Picture Credit: Twitter
The European Championship 2020 produced a spectacle of football and brought smiles to the faces of all fans across the globe amid the pandemic. Italy were eventually crowned as champions after they defeated England in a thrilling penalty-shootout at Wembley Stadium. However, one cannot forget the contributions of various players in last few weeks in what has been a hard-fought and grueling tournament in Europe. Looking at some valuable individual heroics and some brilliant performances, here is the best XI of EURO 2020.
Team of the tournament (Formation: 4-1-3-2)
GK - Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy)
The Italian goalkeeper produced some crucial saves throughout EURO 2020, with most important ones during penalty shootouts. Gianluigi Donnarumma saved Alvaro Morata's penalty in the semis before coming up with huge saves off Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka in the final. For his heroic campaign, the 22-year-old was named as the player of the tournament by the tournament officials.
RB - Denzel Dumfries (Netherlands)
The 25-year-old right-back was a revelation of the tournament as he absolutely bamboozled all the defenders with his runs down the right flank. Denzel Dumfries registered two goals and two assists to his name in EURO 2020 and was undoubtedly one of the best players for Netherlands. Apart from his offensive exploits, he also did a remarkable job in defense putting in some crucial tackles.
CB - Harry Maguire (England)
The Manchester United centre-back came into the tournament nursing an ankle injury he sustained a few weeks prior to start of EURO 2020. However, Maguire returned to the starting XI and has been a force to reckon with in the defense. He has formed a formidable partnership alongside John Stones and also contributed with a brilliant goal in quarter-finals against Ukraine.
CB - Aymeric Laporte (Spain)
The France-born Aymeric Laporte was fast-tracked into Spain's side ahead of EURO 2020 and it proved to be a masterstroke by Luis Enrique. The 27-year-old stood like a wall in Spain's heart of defense and did a remarkable job, along side Eric Garcia and Pau Torres whoever he played with. Laporte was one of the best players of a young-looking Spanish side.
LB - Joakim Maehle (Denmark)
The Danish left-back emerged as one of the most impressive players of the tournament. Joakim Maehle proved to be a nightmare for the defenders down the left flank as he also scored two goals. To add to it, his audacious assist against Czech Republic was one of the best plays of EURO 2020. Maehle played a huge role in Denmark's remarkable journey till the semis of the tournament.
CDM - Jorginho (Italy)
The Chelsea's magician has been the perfect shield for an experienced Italy's defense. Jorginho has been the unsung hero for the Azzurri in the midfield, allowing players like Nicolo Barella to play freely alongside him. With 399 passes and 40 ball recoveries to his name in the tournament so far, Jorginho also took the decisive penalty against Spain which helped his side go through the final.
RM - Emil Forsberg (Sweden)
The Swedish winger was another player who caught everyone's attention with his brilliant displays throughout the tournament. Emil Forsberg scored 4 goals in EURO 2020, including the crucial penalty against Slovakia in a 1-0 win. The 29-year-old produced one of the best individual performances of the tournament against Ukraine but was still not enough to take his side through to quarters.
CM - Paul Pogba (France)
The French midfielder had a really good tournament and was one of the few positives in France's horrible campaign. Paul Pogba scored a brilliant goal against Switzerland but it was not enough for Didier Deschamps' side in the end. With 86% pass accuracy in addition to one assist as well, Pogba deserves his place in the best XI of the tournament.
LM - Raheem Sterling (England)
The selection of Raheem Sterling ahead of Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish and Jadon Sancho raised a few eyebrows in the beginning. However, Raheem Sterling has certainly justified his place in the starting line-up and as he silenced all his critics, registering 3 goals and 1 assist while earning a crucial penalty against Denmark in the semis.
ST - Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
The Portuguese skipper could not lead the defending champions to glory once again. However, Cristiano Ronaldo broke many records during the campaign as he became the highest-ever goal scorer in the history of the tournament. The 36-year-old ended the tournament with 5 goals and 1 assist in only 4 matches and gets his place in the best XI despite Portugal's elimination in Round of 16.
ST - Patrik Schick (Czech Republic)
The Czech Republic striker scored the goal of the tournament after he found the back of the net from halfway line against Scotland. Patrik Schick also scored 5 goals in 5 matches and was one of the most clinical strikers in the tournament. He is currently the joint top-scorer in EURO 2020 alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and deservingly finds his name in the team of the tournament.
