Euro 2020 Team of the Tournament

BeSoccer 3 years ago 4.5k
Italy were crowned champions of Euro 2020. AFP

After Italy were crowned champions of Euro 2020 following a narrow penalty shoot-out win against England at Wembley, we take a look at the standout players of the tournament.

Italy ended their 53-year wait for a second European Championship crown with victory over England in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.

Leonardo Bonucci cancelled out an early Luke Shaw goal to take the game to extra time and then penalties, which the Azzurri edged 3-2 to inflict heartbreak on hosts England.

Italy's triumph was deserved on the basis of the qualifying campaign and the tournament itself; Roberto Mancini's side have now gone 34 games unbeaten in all competitions. England can also be proud of their run, and it is perhaps no surprise that the two finalists dominate our best XI of the tournament.

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarummma (Italy)

Gianluigi Donnarumma was named UEFA's Player of the Tournament for his penalty shoot-out heroics against Spain and Italy, and its clear to see why. The 22-year-old was there when his team needed his most, and formed a vital part of Italy's title winning team.

Right-back: Kyle Walker (England)

While Reece James may have got the nod ahead of him at the beginning of the tournament, Walker became a mainstay as it progressed. Solid both at right-back and as a right sided central defender in a back three, the Man City man offered his pace and experience to take England all the way to the final.

Centre-back: Leonardo Bonucci (Italy)

Juventus defender Bonucci was a rock at the heart of Italy's defence, particularly in the quarter-finals when frustrating Belgium's plethora of attackers. He was always there for his team making interceptions, and it was his bundled finish that drew his country level against England in the final.

Centre-back: Giorgio Chiellini (Italy)

It is impossible to include Bonucci without his fellow experienced partner Giorginio Chiellini. With his seemingly happy-go-lucky attitude during the most pressured of situations, Chiellini brought calm and experience and was a pillar in Italy's formidable back line. Wherever Bonucci couldn't cover, Chiellini was there. 

Left-back: Joakim Maehle (Denmark)

In one of the most hotly contested spots in the XI - Luke Shaw and Leonardo Spinazzola get some honourable mentions here - Maehle gets the aclaim for his coming of age performances for a Denmark side that almost everyone got behind. With two goals, a memorable outside of the boot assist and in the top 10 of players in terms of distance ran, it is hard to argue his inclusion.

Central midfield: Sergio Busquets (Spain)

Busquets' quality can truly be appreciated by how much Spain missed him in their opening two group matches. After his absence due to coronavirus, Busquets returned to help his side to a 5-0 thumping of Slovakia on a crucial final group day. He brought a wealth of experience and dictated everything La Roja did from the middle of the park. Class really is permanent.

Central midfield: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Denmark)

Denmark's motor in midfielder, Hojbjerg really grew into the tournament after the shocking events involving Christian Eriksen on the opening day. Strong, aggressive and with bundles of tactical nause, he was one of the main reasons why Denmark exceded expectations and got all the way to the final four of the tournament. 

Central midfield: Pedri (Spain)

A number of young players enjoyed a breakthrough tournament at this edition of the Euros, arguably none more so than Barcelona superstar in the making Pedri. He became the second European player to start as many as five games at the age of 18 or below in major tournament history, after Northern Ireland's Norman Whiteside. Proving age is just a number, Pedri completed all 55 of his passes in regular time in the semi-final loss to Italy.

Right wing: Federico Chiesa (Italy)

Versatile wide player Chiesa was always going to be one to watch at the Euros, having stepped up on the big occasions for Juventus last season with goals in key matches, including their Coppa Italia triumph against Atalanta. He scored Italy's extra-time opener in their last-16 win against Austria and put his side ahead against Spain in the semi-finals. He was not afraid to shoot, and was arguably Italy's most dangerous player in the final.

Left wing: Raheem Sterling (England)

England's run to the final would not have been possible if not for the fine form of Sterling, the Manchester City winger responsible for his side's first three goals in the competition. That includes winning strikes against Croatia and the Czech Republic in the group stage, followed by the opener against Germany in the last 16, before assisting Kane's early goal against Ukraine. Even when not scoring he was a real threat, especially with his driving runs with the ball.

Centre forward: Patrik Schick (Czech Republic)

Schick not only scored the joint-most goals, his five strikes putting him level with Ronaldo, but he was responsible for surely the most memorable one of the lot - a 49.7-yard lob against Scotland, the furthest ever distance a goal has been scored at a European Championships. The Bayer Leverkusen forward found the net in all but one of his side's games, with three of his goals coming from open play, compared to just two for Golden Boot winner Ronaldo.

Mentioned in the news story

G. Donnarumma
Kyle Walker
F. Chiesa
Sergio Busquets
L. Bonucci
Inglaterra
Dinamarca
Giorgio Chiellini
R. Sterling
P. Højbjerg
Patrik Schick
J. Mæhle
República Checa