By The Numbers: EURO 2024 Last 16 Player Stats

Only eight teams remain at EURO 2024, with most teams (and players) now watching events unfold from the comfort of their homes. Four players are in the race for the Golden Boot with three goals each, with three of them (Cody Gakpo, Ivan Schranz, and Jamal Musiala) still in with a chance to extend their tallies. The two biggest names Cristiano Ronaldo (missed penalty) & Kylian Mbappe (scored penalty) have not met expectations, and one is guaranteed to exit this weekend. However, the Last 16 stage did not have a shortage of heroes. By The Numbers looks at the best players from the Round of 16.

Portugal: Diogo Costa

Despite Jan Oblak saving Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty in extra time, Diogo Costa was the day’s story just a few moments later. The Portuguese shot-stopper saved all three penalties he faced in the penalty shootout, helping his side through to a quarter-final clash against France.

3 – Costa is the first goalkeeper to save three penalties in a penalty shootout at the EUROs. 

Turkiye: Arda Güler

The Real Madrid youngster continues to shine for his country at the EUROs. Turkiye’s two goals came from two corners he delivered – one was a direct assist, and one led to a melee that resulted in the goal. He could have had more.

3 – Arda Güler is the third teenager to both score and assist in the same EUROs (also Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo at EURO 2004).

Turkiye: Merih Demiral

No player completed more clearances (17) and made more interceptions (3) than Turkish central defender Merih Demiral. In addition, no one on the field had more blocks (4) and won more aerial duels than him (4). But that defensive performance was only the beginning, as Demiral pitched up on the other end with a brace that effectively won the game for Turkiye.

2 – Demiral is the first defender to score a brace in a major tournament knockout game(World Cup/EUROs) since France’s Lilian Thuram v Croatia at World Cup 1998.

Netherlands: Donyen Mallen

With seven minutes to go, the Netherlands’ progression was far from guaranteed. Romania had not played well (just 1 shot on target all game), but the possibility of a counter-attack or a set-piece equaliser hung around as long as the score was only 1-0. But Donyen Mallen came on as a second-half substitute, to grab a brace that sent his side through. 

2 – Mallen is the first-ever Dutch player to score twice as a substitute in EURO history.

Netherlands: Cody Gakpo

The Liverpool forward is having the time of his life at the EUROs. Gakpo is the joint-leading scorer and has been one of (if not the) most clinical forwards at the tournament. Three goals from 0.82xG leaves him with 2.18xG overperformance, which is either clinical or lucky (or both). Should that continue against Turkey, Gakpo can help his nation reach its first EURO semi-finals since 2004.

25 – Gakpo is the youngest Dutch player to score and assist in a major tournament knockout match since Marco van Basten at EURO1988 (23 years old).

France: N’Golo Kante

In open play, France have conceded just 1.8xG at EURO2024, the best defensive record of all sides. Their defensive unit has excelled – Goalkeeper Maignan is the Golden Glove favourite at the moment with three clean sheets, William Saliba has been a rock in defence and Jules Kounde was the official Man Of The Match in the Last 16 games. But there is one non-defence player that can not be ignored, as he keeps things ticking for Les Bleus.

19 – No player in major tournament history has gone on a longer unbeaten run than N’Golo Kante’s current run, with France unbeaten in any of the 19 World Cup/EUROs games he has played (W13 D6).

England: Jude Bellingham

Trailing 1-0 with less than 90 seconds to go, England needed a magic moment to save them and Jude Bellingham duly delivered. The timing of the goal is one thing, but the execution will make it live in English memory for a long time, no matter how their tournament ends. It could be the moment that unlocks the English, who have played in a rather restricted manner until now.

6 – This was Bellingham’s sixth goal in second-half stoppage time this season (four for Real Madrid, two for England)

STATS: OPTA

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