The Euro 2024 quarter-finals took place over the weekend and there was plenty of drama as the semi-final line-ups were confirmed.
Bukayo Saka saved England’s redemption after the disappointment of Euro 2020 as the Three Lions came from behind to beat Switzerland in dramatic fashion on penalties.
Meanwhile, Europe’s top-ranked team France struggled against Portugal when João Félix missed his penalty in the shootout, likely ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s journey in the competition for good.
The Netherlands beat Turkey while Spain defeated hosts Germany to also secure their place in the final four.
Following the conclusion of the quarter-finals, Sofascore has revealed its best and worst XIs based on its player ratings.
The quarter-finals of Euro 2024 were held on Friday and Saturday, as the tournament reaches its final phase.
Portugal fell to France on penalties after João Félix’s decisive strike hit the post
Spain (pictured), the Netherlands and France join England in the semi-finals of the tournament.
WORST XI
Four Turks, including a goalkeeper, a centre-back and a full-back, contribute to the starting XI, highlighting their defensive frailties after a late collapse that left attacking talents such as Real Madrid star Arda Guler and self-proclaimed “world’s best playmaker” Hakan Calhanoglu defenceless.
Among the contingent of this team were goalkeeper Mert Gunok, Abdulkerim Bardakci, Mert Muldur and Burak Yilmaz.
Gunok produced a heroic last-minute save in the round of 16 against Austria to ensure his side reached the quarter-finals, but was unable to repeat his performance against the Dutch.
Meanwhile, a surge of attacking talent led the way after the eight teams were whittled down to just four.
Arsenal’s £65m Kai Havertz finished his campaign with a rating of 6.4 as he failed to convert the two big chances that came his way.
After an improved season following his move to Arsenal in London, the German will be hoping to put his previous goalscoring problems behind him and exit the tournament on a higher note.
His German teammate Leroy Sane failed to make an impact on the game after being substituted at half-time having registered just 16 touches of football, ending an unproductive season.
Premier League star Kai Havertz is in the worst XI after failing to capitalise on two big chances
Havertz was joined by Germany teammate Leroy Sane, who was replaced at half-time.
Randal Kolo Muani struggled to make an impact in France’s quarter-final clash with Portugal on Friday
His performances for the national team were representative of his season at Bayern Munich, in which he scored just eight league goals. The winger, once regarded as a great player by Premier League spectators, has struggled to reach the expected levels since his transfer.
Maximilian Mittelstadt was the third of four Germans in the team and had a hard time dealing with the Spanish attackers.
On the other hand, the only Spaniard who formed part of the team was the French-born central defender Robin Le Normand.
The relatively unknown defender has been playing in Spain for several years and is now 27 years old.
He is known for his ability on the ball, but there have been doubts about whether he is physical enough to play at the highest level.
Worries will have to be put on hold as he will be suspended alongside Dani Carvajal for the semi-finals as a result of receiving two cautions in the tournament.
The midfield pair of Swiss Michel Aebischer and German Robert Andrich were the best of a poor group in the worst XI, with both players receiving a rating of 6.8.
Andrich had previously impressed in the early stages of the competition, but against Spain his defensive capabilities were exposed and he lost six matches.
Heading up SofaScore’s worst XI is PSG and France star Randal Kolo Muani, who has endured a difficult period in his career since missing a clear chance in the 2022 World Cup final.
Four Turkish players were included in Sofascore’s worst XI of the Euro 2024 quarter-finals
BEST XI
The biggest contributors to Sofascore’s Best XI were Spain, whose young squad continues to impress on the biggest stage.
The highest-rated player was Dani Olmo, who started the game against Germany on the bench but came on early in the tie when the injury-prone Pedri fell victim to a heavy challenge from Toni Kroos which resulted in a knee injury.
The stage was set for Olmo, who scored and assisted in the last minute to send his nation into the semi-finals of the European Championship.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Unai Simon posted an impressive 8.3 rating despite almost gifting Kai Havertz a crucial goal in the tie.
Aymeric Laporte completed Spain’s star trio in the XI and continued his impressive campaign, despite his defensive partner Le Normand being named in the worst XI.
The left side of the defence is occupied by a mix of Portuguese youth and experience.
Nuno Mendes, the full-back who has had mixed moments since joining PSG, was instrumental in Portugal’s attacking joy against France due to his overlapping runs around Rafael Leao.
Spanish midfielder Dani Olmo was the best player in the quarter-finals, according to Sofascore
Bukayo Saka saved England and banished their Euro 2020 penalty demons on Saturday
Veteran Pepe appears to have bid farewell to international football in style after the 41-year-old put in consistent performances throughout the tournament and secured himself a place in the best XI.
Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka saved England’s redemption after missing the penalty in the Euro 2020 final against Italy.
The young but experienced winger cut inside and unleashed a beautiful shot that crashed off the post five minutes after Switzerland took the lead and just when England looked set to crash out.
Saka’s goal was another moment of brilliance that kept England afloat for another thirty minutes after Jude Bellingham’s heroics in the last 16. He then converted his penalty after extra time to put his team in a good position in the shoot-out.
It was a performance that earned an 8.4 rating and took England into the semi-finals. Club and country teammate Declan Rice also made the starting XI after a dominant display in midfield.
Despite his departure, two German players were present in the team.
Among them was talented attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz, who started on the bench but scored a late substitute to take the game into extra time, while Joshua Kimmich also slotted in at right-back.
Pepe probably played his last game for Portugal, but he impressed despite his elimination
Spain had the most players in Sofascore’s best XI with three, while England had two stars
Wirtz headed a low, rebounding shot into the corner of the net in the 89th minute, forcing another thirty minutes of play.
Towards the end of extra time, he again scored a goal that almost brought glory to Germany.
Kimmich was consistent throughout the tournament in the right-back role to which he has returned this season and his performances have been comparable to those of German legend Phillip Lahm.
Finally, leading the way in this squad was Dutch striker Memphis Depay, as the former Manchester United flop earned his place with an 8.1 rating after an assist against Turkey, while Aurelien Tchouameni was the only French representative to catch the eye in midfield against Portugal.
