England hero Bukayo Saka makes Euro 2024 Quarter-final Best XI
After an exciting round of quarter-final matches at Euro 2024, we run through the best XI. Represented in the side are Spain, England, Germany, Portugal, France and the Netherlands.
Unai Simon is the first of three Spain players to make the team of the round having earned a WhoScored rating of 8.11. Simon made five saves in the quarter-final win over Germany and he helped ease the pressure on his side's backline as he made four high ball claims.
England's hero against Switzerland, Bukayo Saka started Saturday's penalty shootout win at right wing-back and impressed in the role having netted the equaliser in Dusseldorf. Saka also completed four dribbles and made two key passes on his way to a WhoScored rating of 8.91.
Pepe was key as Portugal's meeting with France went to penalties. The experienced centre-back was on hand to make six clearances and three tackles as he protected the Portugal goal well, while the 41-year-old also found a teammate with 97.1% of his 138 passes in the eventual quarter-final defeat.
Stefan de Vrij (Netherlands) - 7.25
Partnering Pepe at the heart of the defence is the Netherlands' Stefan de Vrij. The 32-year-old netted the Oranje's equaliser on their way to a 2-1 win over Turkiye, while he stood firm at the back as he made three clearances and one tackle to set up a semi-final meeting with England.
One of Portugal's star performers at Euro 2024 rounds off the backline. The 22-year-old got forward well against France, completing four dribbles, while three tackles and two interceptions saw Nuno Mendes land a WhoScored rating of 8.23.
Jude Bellingham (England) - 7.50
Jude Bellingham is the second England player in the quarter-final best XI having garnered a WhoScored rating of 7.50. Bellingham completed four dribbles against Switzerland, and made one key pass and one tackle to cap a solid showing.
Spain's match winner against Germany makes the cut in the middle of the park. Mikel Merino netted a late goal to send the Euro 2024 hosts packing in Stuttgart on Friday, getting the better of Manuel Neuer with a superb header deep into extra time. During his time on the pitch, the 28-year-old also made two key passes and completed one dribble to make the cut.
Florian Wirtz (Germany) - 7.61
Remaining in Stuttgart, Florian Wirtz scored a late equaliser against Spain to send their quarter-final tie to extra time. The 21-year-old came off the bench to net with one of three efforts on goal, while he also completed three dribbles and made two key passes to land a WhoScored rating of 7.61.
Ousmane Dembele (France) - 8.50
Ousmane Dembele replaced Antoine Griezmann midway through the second half against Portugal and was superb against Roberto Martinez's side. Indeed, Dembele completed six dribbles and made six key passes in the quarter-final showdown, and struck the woodwork with one of three shots, to return a WhoScored rating of 8.50.
Memphis Depay (Netherlands) - 8.14
Leading the charge is the second Netherlands representative in the side. Memphis Depay provided the assist for Stefan de Vrij's equaliser against Turkiye, that coming from one of three key passes. The Dutch forward also fired off four shots and completed three dribbles to feature.
Saving the best until last, Dani Olmo put in a player of the match performance against Germany, landing a WhoScored rating of 9.06 in the process. Olmo netted shortly after the break to put La Roja ahead and found Mikel Merino in extra time to send Spain into the semi-finals. Those came from respective returns of three shots and three key passes, while an additional five dribbles helped the 26-year-old nail down his spot in the side.
