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- Manuel Neuer has not been at his best despite Germany’s progress at Euro 2024
- He’s in SofaScore’s worst XI of the group stage, but who joins him?
After the emotions and spills of the group stage of Euro 2024, it is a pertinent time to reflect before the end of the tournament.
Which players impressed in their first three games and who will want to look away from the worst XI?
SofaScore’s stats experts have analyzed the data and put together the best and worst performing teams based on an algorithm, so there’s no subjectivity here.
Some big names make up the worst XI, with German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer continuing his shaky pre-tournament form on the big stage despite the hosts advancing to the knockout stages as group winners.
And it was not the only significant loss from the group stage, as Rasmus Hojlund, a Manchester United player valued at £72 million, struggled to represent Denmark.
Manuel Neuer is in the worst XI of the group stage despite Germany advancing
Manchester United’s Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund (above) is yet to score
The striker has yet to score and his score of 6.47 out of 10 is the fourth lowest in the competition.
He will go out to reinforce that support in the qualifying match against Germany on Saturday.
Another Premier League player joins Hojlund in the worst XI, with Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez rated 6.57 in the first three games for Hungary, who were eliminated despite beating Scotland in their last game.
He is joined by teammate Attila Fiola at the back, who is paired with Robin Hranac of the Czech Republic.
The Scots are also represented at full-back with Celtic’s Anthony Ralston having the lowest rating at 6.33 and in midfield Italian David Frattesi is perhaps a surprise inclusion.
He is accompanied in the middle by the Swiss Silvan Widmer and the Polish Przemysław Frankowski.
Albania’s Jasir Asani and Slovenia’s Jan Mlakar are on the wings either side of Hojlund.
Scotland’s Anthony Ralston (right) is another unfortunate inclusion in the worst eleven
Kylian Mbappé is part of the best team despite missing much of the playing time
The worst eleven of the group stage according to Sofascore is created using an algorithm
On a more positive note, the group stage best XI includes some of the best talents in the world and there are even a couple of surprise inclusions.
Of course, Kylian Mbappé leads the line, having posed a constant threat for France despite missing the second match against the Netherlands after breaking his nose in the opening victory.
Cody Gakpo featured in that match and the Liverpool player’s rating of 7.83 is enough to see him take up the left wing spot.
Kevin De Bruyne has been Belgium’s main man and occupies an attacking midfield spot alongside fellow Manchester City star Bernardo Silva.
The highest-rated player in the tournament so far comes from Spain and is one that few would have predicted before kicking the ball.
Fabian Ruiz has been excellent for La Roja, who have won every game so far and the PSG all-rounder’s rating of 8.60 beats everyone else.
He is Toni Kroos’ teammate in the engine room and the German is performing magnificently in what is his last tournament before retiring.
There are some surprises in defence, including Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella, rated at 7.95.
He has never managed to nail down the Blues shirt, but he reminded everyone of his quality on the big stage so far and will be key for the team in the difficult half of the draw.
Fabián Ruiz is the highest-rated player in the competition so far after shining with Spain
Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo (left) and retired German star Toni Kroos (right) have been named in the best XI.
Marc Cucurella (right) has been another of the standout players and is performing well with La Roja
Fabián Ruiz is the highest rated player in the ideal XI after his team’s first three games
At centre-back, Slovenia’s Jaka Bijol takes his place after drawing 0-0 with England in the final group game and lines up alongside Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni.
There is another veteran German at right-back, Joshua Kimmich, but a surprise in goal in Georgia stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
The Valencia goalkeeper kept a clean sheet against Portugal in the final group game, making some incredible saves along the way and earning a rating of 8.17.