Euro 2024: Best XI of the quarter-finals

After a rather disappointing and dreary last-16, football fans were treated to a bit more entertainment in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.

There was penalty drama, top class individual performances and a few late, late goals too.

And after all of that fun, here's 90min's team of the Euro 2024 quarter-finals:

GK: Mike Maignan

Nation: France

While France's forwards have struggled (to say the very, very least) in the offensive third, their goalkeeper has at least held up his end of the bargain at the other end.

Mike Maignan hasn't conceded a goal from open play and was in superb form in his nation's eventual penalty shootout win over Portugal - making four crucial saves in normal time.

RB: Dani Carvajal

Nation: Spain

Yes, he did manage to get himself sent off.

No, that isn't going to stop us from putting him into our team of the round.

Dani Carvajal put in a masterclass of sh*thousery in the win over Germany in the quarter-finals, consistently finding ways to slow Germany's momentum at just the right times via good tackles, clever fouls, and by simply being really annoying.

CB: William Saliba

Nation: France

The best centre-back in the Premier League has also been the best centre-back at Euro 2024, and we're not surprised at all by that fact.

William Saliba has been fantastic throughout the competition for France, but put in his best performance of the tournament to date against Portugal in the quarter-final.

His 98% pass completion rate, eight clearances, and 13 defensive actions tell you all you need to know about just how good the Arsenal man was in the win.

CB: Stefan de Vrij

Nation: Netherlands

Although Virgil van Dijk is the 'star defender' at the heart of the Dutch team, there's no doubt that Stefan de Vrij has been their best defender at Euro 2024.

As well as being a rock defensively, De Vrij even popped up with a crucial goal in the quarter-final win over Turkey too. Nice one.

LB: Nuno Mendes

Nation: Portugal

Despite being knocked out at the quarter-final stage, Nuno Mendes can leave Germany with his head held high after his impressive outing against France.

The 22-year-old put in an all-action display throughout the gruelling 120-minute encounter, completing 97% of his passes, winning nine duels and scoring his penalty in the shootout.

CM: Dani Olmo

Nation: Spain

Replacing the injured Pedri after just eight minutes, Dani Olmo immediately pressed high alongside Alvaro Morata to put Germany under the cosh and he arrived at the perfect time to slide Lamine Yamal's cutback into the corner for the game's opening goal.

Olmo worked tirelessly thereafter, even when Germany got a grip on proceedings, and capped his match-winning performance by whipping a devilishly good cross in for Mikel Merino to head home in the 119th minute of the game.

CM: Rodri

Nation: Spain

As expected, Rodri stepped up once again in a big game for Spain in the quarter-finals.

The 28-year-old was absolutely everywhere throughout the game, particularly impressing with his defensive work by winning back possession for his team a rather outrageous 12 times.

He's too good.

CM: Fabian Ruiz

Nation: Spain

Fun fact: Fabian Ruiz has made every single one of our team of the rounds so far.

Spain's creative midfielder has arguably been the player of the tournament and he continued his brilliant form in the quarter-finals.

The creative spark and incredible work rate he contributed were key to his country's success against Germany, and the whole of Spain will be crossing their fingers hoping he's fit for the semi-final meeting with France.

RW: Bukayo Saka

Nation: England

Moved into a wing-back role for the clash with Switzerland, Bukayo Saka thrived.

The 'Starboy' was by far and away England's most potent offensive threat in the win, scoring a late equaliser before banishing some Euro 2020 demons with a successful spot kick in the shootout.

ST: Baris Alper Yilmaz

Nation: Turkey

Baris Alper Yilmaz is a player that not a lot of people would've been particularly familiar with heading into Euro 2024.

Thanks to his busy outing against the Netherlands, in which he was a constant thorn in the side of Van Dijk and De Vrij, Yilmaz is now deservedly highly-regarded. Don't be surprised if a few Premier League clubs are linked with a move for the 24-year-old in the coming weeks.

LW: Lamine Yamal

Nation: Spain

Many thought that a quarter-final clash with the mighty Germany would perhaps be a bridge too far for 16-year-old Lamine Yamal.

It most definitely wasn't.

The youngster was as brilliant, confident and effective as ever on the right flank against the hosts, chipping in with an assist for Dani Olmo's opener during his hour on the pitch.

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