Nico Williams shines as Spain dominate Euro 2024 Quarter-final Best XI
With the round of 16 at Euro 2024 now complete, and the quarter-final line-up confirmed, we’ve taken a look back at the standout performers over the last four days of action in Germany. Represented in our Team of the Round are Portugal, Austria, Turkiye, Germany, Spain and Switzerland.
Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa was the hero for Portugal as they advanced past Slovenia on penalties on Monday evening. The 24-year-old produced two stops in regular time, before saving all three of the penalties he faced in the shootout to return a WhoScored rating of 8.31.
Despite his side’s defeat to Turkiye, Bologna full-back Stefan Posch earns a place in our best XI following a strong performance in Leipzig. The 27-year-old made a total of six key passes, with one finding Michael Gregoritsch for what would turn out to be a consolation goal. Posch also made four tackles, one interception and won seven duels for a WhoScored rating of 7.89.
Merih Demiral (Turkiye) - 9.64
With a WhoScored rating of 9.64, Merih Demiral’s display against Austria was not just the performance of the round, but of the tournament so far. The former Juventus defender put Turkiye in front inside one minute - the fastest goal in a European Championship knockout stage match - before heading home a second goal in the 59th minute. Demiral also managed four blocks, three interceptions, seven duels won and a whopping, record-breaking 17 clearances.
Nico Schlotterbeck (Germany) - 7.88
Joining Demiral at the heart of our backline is Germany centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck, who stepped in for the suspended Jonathan Tah as the hosts progressed past Denmark on Saturday evening. The Borussia Dortmund man certainly staked his claim for a permanent starting berth as he provided a wonderful assist for Jamal Musiala’s goal, while also making six clearances, two interceptions and five ball recoveries to land a WhoScored rating of 7.88.
Rounding off our back four is Portugal left-back Nuno Mendes, who continued his fine form at Euro 2024 with a strong defensive display against Slovenia on Monday. The PSG defender made three successful dribbles, three tackles, five clearances, seven ball recoveries and won 10 of his duels to register a WhoScored rating of 7.53.
For the second time at Euro 2024, Spain midfielder Fabian Ruiz both scored and assisted in the same game, this time the 4-1 victory over Georgia on Sunday night. The PSG man, who is currently the best rated player at this summer’s tournament, also managed two key passes, four shots on goal, four successful dribbles, three accurate long balls and eight ball recoveries.
Joao Palhinha (Portugal) - 8.60
Anchoring our midfield is Portugal’s Joao Palhinha, who turned in a monstrous display in his side’s eventual win over Slovenia on Monday. The Fulham star managed four accurate long balls, seven tackles, two clearances, four interceptions, 10 ball recoveries and won an impressive 17 duels to earn a WhoScored rating of 8.60.
Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri completes our trio, having drawn his nation level with a wonderful effort against Georgia on Saturday night. The 28-year-old also made two key passes, five accurate long balls, three tackles, 12 ball recoveries, and won all six of the duels he contested.
The third of four Spain representatives in our XI is 16-year-old attacker Lamine Yamal, who continues to terrorise defenders twice his age at this summer’s European Championship. The Barcelona star notched his second assist of the tournament, with a wonderful, sweeping cross for Fabian Ruiz to head home, while he also made a total of six key passes and three successful dribbles for a WhoScored rating of 8.68.
Ruben Vargas (Switzerland) - 8.46
Augsburg attacker Ruben Vargas proved crucial for Switzerland as they saw off defending champions Italy on Saturday afternoon. The 25-year-old had a direct hand in each of his nation’s goals, providing the assist for Remo Freuler’s opener, before finding the net himself with a sumptuous effort only 27 seconds into the second half.
Joining his opposite winger Yamal, is Spain’s Nico Williams, whose sparkling form at Euro 2024 continued against Georgia on Sunday. The 21-year-old netted his first goal of the tournament in brilliant style, while he also completed all 46 of the passes he attempted, and made four key passes and three successful dribbles.
