✨ EURO 2024 best XI of the semi-finals
Four have become two but who really impressed in the EURO 2024 semi-finals?
Let’s find out.
GK: Jordan Pickford (England)
There’s a very solid argument to say that Jordan Pickford is England’s greatest ever goalkeeper.
The Three Lions man couldn’t stop Xavi Simons’ rocket in the first half against Netherlands, but was otherwise incredibly solid as Gareth Southgate’s men reached their first final on foreign soil.
RB: Jules Koundé (France)
His sliding block may have inadvertently helped Dani Olmo’s shot go in on Tuesday but Jules Koundé was one of the few French players who could leave the semi-final with his head held high.
Koundé has been sensational all tournament, despite Les Blues stuttering.
CB: Kyle Walker (England)
Okay, so we’re squeezing in Kyle Walker slightly out of position here but the England defender was superb against Netherlands.
His ageless pace and tireless work ethic completely neutered Cody Gakpo, who up to that point had been one of the players of the tournament.
CB: Aymeric Laporte (Spain)
Many pondered whether Aymeric Laporte’s move to Saudi Arabia would hinder his performance at these EUROs but the Al-Nassr man has been consistently excellent.
Despite Robin Le Normand’s suspension in the semi-final, Laporte remained his composed self in the face of France’s spirited attack.
LB: Marc Cucurella (Spain)
Is Marc Cucurella the revelation of this tournament? The Chelsea man struggled all season long in the Premier League and then looked lost in the opening game against Croatia.
Cucurella though, has grown into this tournament and was, once again, exemplary against France, totally shutting down the threat of Ousmane Dembélé.
CM: Rodri (Spain)
It’s almost become a given now that Rodri will put in a world class performance in every match he plays, but once again the Spanish midfielder was a colossus in the middle of the park for La Roja.
Inarguably, for our money, the best midfielder on the planet.
CM: Kobbie Mainoo (England)
Kobbie Mainoo wasn’t first choice for England’s midfield at the start of the EUROs but the Manchester United man has made himself irreplaceable alongside Declan Rice.
The 19-year-old surpassed his midfield colleague against Netherlands though, always looking to surge forward with the ball and constantly trying to unpick those Dutch locks.
CM: Xavi Simons (Netherlands)
Comfortably the Netherlands’ best player in Dortmund and really the only attacker who looked like producing any sort of magic at all. His seventh-minute goal was a thing of real beauty.
CAM: Dani Olmo (Spain)
Pedri’s injury opened things up for Dani Olmo in this tournament and the Spain attacker hasn’t looked back since. His first-half winner against France was just the cherry on top of a perfect performance cake.
FW: Lamine Yamal (Spain)
The things that Lamine Yamal is doing at 16 years of age are, frankly, unbelievable. His equaliser in Munich was special but his bravery on the ball and ability to scare defenders is, whisper it, Messi-esque.
FW: Ollie Watkins (England)
It had been a disappointing EUROs for Ollie Watkins up to Wednesday with the Aston Villa striker only playing 30 minutes in England’s drab draw with Denmark.
And then he etched his name into Three Lions folklore.
