Spain Dominates Opta's Euro 2024 Team Selection, Surprising Absence Of Rodri

Spain secured their fourth European title at Euro 2024 with a 2-1 win over England in the final. This achievement was mirrored in Opta’s stats-based Team of the Tournament, which included five Spanish players. Despite being named Player of the Tournament, Spain’s Rodri did not make it into this XI. England, reaching their first final on foreign soil, had only one player in the team: centre-back Marc Guehi.

Georgia’s goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili conceded eight goals, four of which were against Spain. However, his performance during the group stages was exceptional, helping Georgia progress unexpectedly. Mamardashvili made 30 saves and had an expected goals on target (xGoT) figure of 4.76, the highest in the tournament.

Joshua Kimmich from Germany stood out at right-back despite Germany's quarter-final exit to Spain. He created 16 chances from open play across five matches, second only to Spain’s Lamine Yamal. Kimmich's forward play was crucial in Germany’s group stage win over Switzerland.

Switzerland’s Manuel Akanji played a key role in their strong defense, which allowed only 2.4 shots on target per game and had an expected goals conceded figure of less than one per game. Despite his efforts, Switzerland was eliminated by England in the quarter-final via a penalty shootout.

Marc Cucurella proved vital for Spain despite initial doubts about his inclusion. He participated in 31 open-play attacking sequences and provided the low cross that led to Mikel Oyarzabal’s decisive goal in the final.

Lamine Yamal was named Young Player of the Tournament after registering four assists and becoming the youngest player to appear in a Euro or World Cup final. His performances against France in the semi-final and his assistance in the final were pivotal.

Dani Olmo tied a record for Spain with five goal contributions, matching David Silva's record. Although he started only three matches, Olmo's involvement included scoring a crucial winner in the semi-final.

Midfield Dominance and Defensive Prowess

Toni Kroos showcased his midfield mastery for Germany by making the most line-breaking passes (141) and completing passes under pressure at a rate of 94.3%. His performance remained stellar despite Germany not winning.

Fabian Ruiz contributed significantly to Spain's success with two goals, two assists, and numerous defensive recoveries. He led all players by winning possession 46 times and played a key role in Spain’s high press strategy.

England's Lone Representative

Marc Guehi emerged as a standout player for England due to Harry Maguire’s injury. Guehi led England in aerial duels contested (29) and won (13), along with maintaining a pass completion rate of 93.5%.

Notable Performances from Other Nations

Cody Gakpo helped Netherlands reach the semi-finals with three goals and one assist, earning him a share of the Golden Boot. His creativity was evident as he completed 10 chances following ball carries.

Nico Williams opened the scoring for Spain in the final and posted the highest expected assists (2.06). His impactful performances were crucial during key moments for Spain throughout the tournament.

This Euro 2024 saw remarkable individual performances contributing to their teams' successes or near-successes, highlighting both emerging talents and established stars across Europe.