We could have lost 3 or 4 scarecrows on the road. In the end, only the defending champion, Italy, saw the German sky fall on its head, in addition to the torrential rain. In total, 19 goals were scored during these 1/8 finals of Euro 2024, 10 fewer than in 2021 at the same stage. Very tight matches, therefore, and during which the goalkeepers will have held a large part of their team’s success in their hands. When it comes to counting, it is difficult to retain only one for our starting eleven, but the Portuguese Diogo Costa still deserved our honors. The Porto goalkeeper was unstoppable and kept his team afloat against Slovenian Sesko at the end of the match, before shattering the tricky penalty shootout situation with three saves. Special mention, however, to Mike Maignan, Manuel Neuer and Mert Gunok.
Often singled out since his debut with the Blues, Jules Kounde has managed to redeem himself at the start of the Euro. The Barça player delivered a duel at all times with Jérémy Doku, and logically places himself as the starter in our eleven at the right-back position. William Salibahe disgusted Romelu Lukaku, and is associated with the Turk Merih Demiralauthor of a historic performance against Austria last night. Thanks to his double, the former Turin player has in fact become the second European defender, after Lilian Thuram in 1998, to achieve such a performance in a knockout phase of a major tournament. To complete this 4-man defense, it is David Raum who was chosen by the French Football Weekly Editorial Team. Preferred in Mittelstadt against Denmark, the Leipzig left-back delivered a flawless performance, and it was his cross that caused the penalty converted by Havertz in the first half.
Bellingham, still in ambush
Confusing this season with Leverkusen, Granit Xhaka started off on a similarly hungry basis with his selection, and mastered all the tricks against Italy in midfield. While his positioning allowed Freuler to shine, the former Gunner did not fade away on the offensive side, as he was involved in Vargas’ second goal. With Spain, Rodri was also at the crossroads of all influences. Always right, the Manchester City midfielder lifted the Spanish doubts by equalizing with a superb left-footed strike before half-time. Just like Jude Bellinghamaccustomed to goals in the money-time. Relatively discreet against Slovakia, the Madrilenian emerged in the 95th minute to equalize with an exceptional acrobatic overhead kick. A crucial goal, which logically earns him a place in our starting eleven.
Unbalancing, untenable and decisive, the Swiss Ruben Vargas wins his place in the starting eleven. The Augsburg player first provided the assist for Freuler, before extinguishing the hopes of Gianluigi Donnarumma and Italy with a sublime strike into the top corner. He is our right winger. Up front, it is Cody Gakpo who is chosen. After an already stunning 2022 World Cup with the Netherlands (5 matches, 3 goals), the Liverpool player is back to produce a major Euro. Author of his 3rd goal of the tournament against Romania, the 25-year-old striker then turned into a decisive passer for Malen. “The most important player” of the selection, as his coach Ronald Koeman said after the match. Finally, THE revelation of this Euro 2024, Nico Williams, confirms once again that he should not last long in the Basque Country. The Bilbao player disgusted the Georgians with an assist for Rodri, then a superb solo goal after a frantic acceleration. Joshua Kimmich has been warned: he will have to be strong in the quarter-finals.
