The best XI from the Euros group stage
With the group stage of Euro 2020 now over, we can get down to the important business: arguing over who have been the best players until now.
The first three matchdays produced some enthralling spectacles, a handful of shocks and one or two rather forgettable encounters of which there is no need to speak any more.
We have seen some rather obvious star turns, such as a certain Portugal striker equalling the record for international goals in men's football, while other standout performers have flown a little more under the radar.
Here, using Opta data for added insight, Stats Perform presents the Euro 2020 team of the group stage.
GK: DANNY WARD
Wales battled its way into the knockout rounds after finishing second in Group A, ahead of Switzerland on goal difference. Much of that is down to Danny Ward's form.
The Leicester City man saved 86.7 of the shots on target he faced, the best record among keepers to make at least five saves.
LCB: DALEY BLIND
The Netherlands surprised a few people with three convincing wins in Group C, with Daley Blind's calm yet authoritative presence at the heart of their performances.
Blind completed 221 passes in the group stage, more than any other Oranje player, with more than half of those (115) coming in opposition territory.
CB: ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN
Quite rightly celebrated for that thunderbolt of a goal in Denmark's key victory over Russia, Andreas Christensen's all-round displays make him worthy of inclusion here.
The Chelsea defender won 79.2 of his duels in the first three rounds, a tally bettered only by Oleksandr Karavaev (80 per cent) and Thomas Vermaelen (90 per cent) among those to contest at least 10.
RCB: LEONARDO BONUCCI
Italy's 1.3 expected goals against was the lowest figure of any side in the group phase, underlining the imperious nature of their form not just at these finals but in the whole of their 11-game winning run in which they have not let in a single goal.
Leonardo Bonucci has been the rock at the back, particularly with Giorgio Chiellini battling injury. He has won possession 11 times, the most of any Azzurri defender, and has yet to be beaten by a dribble.
LWB: JORDI ALBA
Jordi Alba was Spain's standout performer until the rest of the team somewhat caught up on matchday three as they turned on the style to thrash Slovakia 5-0.
The Barcelona left-back completed 247 passes, the most of any defender after Aymeric Laporte (259), while leading the way for possession won (30 times).
CM: GEORGINIO WIJNALDUM
With three goals in three games, Georginio Wijnaldum surpassed the great Marco van Basten on the all-time Netherlands scoring charts to reach 25 for his country.
Enjoying a more advanced role at these finals, Paris Saint-Germain fans are being given a glimpse of what the midfielder could provide for them next season.
CM: PIERRE-EMILE HOJBJERG
Alongside Kevin De Bruyne, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is one of only two midfielders to create nine goalscoring chances during the group stage.
The Tottenham man set up two Denmark's goals in the 4-1 hammering of Russia to move to three assists at these finals, a tally matched only by Switzerland's Steven Zuber.
CM: MANUEL LOCATELLI
His two goals against Switzerland were the highlight of his group-stage displays and made Manuel Locatelli just the third Italy player to score twice in a single European Championship match.
The Sassuolo star was rested against Wales, but the quality of his performances in the first two games prompted rumours that Juventus have redoubled their efforts to sign him.
RWB: DENZEL DUMFRIES
Full-back Denzel Dumfries became an unlikely goalscoring hero for Frank de Boer, becoming just the second Netherlands player to score in his first two European Championship games (the first was Ruud van Nistelrooy).
Denmark wing-back Joakim Maehle was the only nominal defender with more touches in the opposition box (20) during the group stage than Dumfries (17).
CF: ROMELU LUKAKU
Continuing his spectacular Inter form at these finals, Romelu Lukaku scored three times in Belgium's group games from a total of just four shots on target.
He would probably be the favourite for the Golden Boot were it not for the form of the only man to outscore him in Serie A last season...
CF: CRISTIANO RONALDO
With five goals in three games, Cristiano Ronaldo became the leading goalscorer at the World Cup and European Championship combined (21).
The Portugal captain needs just one more to surpass Ali Daei as the top-scoring international men's footballer of all time.
