Euro 2016 saw some of the game’s best provide breath-taking highlights, while other lesser known names at times stole the show.
Following the end of the European championships’ latest installment, the gang at oulala.com took a look at the stats behind every player to feature at the tournament to build the ultimate Best XI – all based purely on performance data. Surprisingly, perhaps, it fails to feature any players from eventual underdog winners Portugal.
Germany’s Manuel Neuer earns the custodial role, having recorded four clean sheets, 12 saves and conceding just three goals during his six games. A three-man backline features Italian hero Giorgio Chiellini – who scored a vital goal against Spain, and Welshman Ashley Williams – but is highlighted by Ragnar Sigurdsson, a man that embodied Iceland’s fairy tale campaign with 40 clearances.
The midfield features two Polish players, with Grzegorz Krychowiak screening the defence and Jakub Blaszczykowski on the right-flank, having scored twice from just seven attempts. Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard lines up on the opposite wing, having silenced his critics from the domestic season with four assists and a stunning goal against Hungary. Mesut Ozil sits just behind the strikers having displayed his expert passing and dribbling abilities.
Proving just as valuable on the international stage, Gareth Bale plays on the right of the attack, finishing joint runner-up in the top scorer race with three goals and ranking first in terms of shot accuracy. Dimitri Payet provides support from the left, arguably the tournament’s most creative player with 24 created chances and netting three times himself. Who else but Golden Boot winner Antoine Griezmann would fill the strikers position, delighting his home supporters with six goals in seven games, also providing two assists for teammates.
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