✨ EURO 2024 best XI of the quarter-finals

The final four line-up for EURO 2024 is complete, with Spain, France, England and Netherlands booking their semi-final spots.

It is time to select our best XI of the quarter-final action from Friday and Saturday.

GK: Bart Verbruggen (Netherlands)

Although Unai Simón and Mike Maignan were also contenders, the 21-year-old edges it by coming up big for his country as they attempted to defend their lead against Türkiye in the closing stages. His injury-time stop was outstanding and perhaps the most important of his career to date.

RB: Joshua Kimmich (Germany)

Not only did the Bayern Munich star do what nobody else managed in this tournament by keeping Nico Williams quiet on Spain’s left, he was always available in attack to help his side too and deserves great credit for keeping the ball alive with his last minute assist to keep his country in it.

CB: Stefan de Vrij (Netherlands)

Won the Man of the Match in his side’s comeback win over Türkiye and rightly so. He was excellent defensively, steering the Dutch through some concerning first half moments, and brought their tournament back to life with his thumping header to equalise.

CB: Pepe (Portugal)

Amid all of the furore over another veteran presence in the Portugal side, their centre-back hasn’t gotten nearly enough credit. At the age of 41 (yes, 41!), he kept the likes of Kylian Mbappé, Randal Kolo Muani, Marcus Thuram and more quiet with 120 minutes of exceptional defending.

LB: Theo Hernández (France)

Got forward whenever the opportunity presented itself as he attempted to pen back the attacking threat of João Cancelo. Always intelligent in his use of the ball, he then showed nerves of steel from the spot to score the penalty which booked a semi-final berth for Les Bleus.

CM: N’Golo Kanté (France)

Where does he get the energy? In case his Saudi sojourn made the footballing public forget exactly what he is capable of, the tireless midfielder provided the perfect reminder by covering every blade of grass for France in their win over Portugal to extend his incredible unbeaten run at major tournaments.

CM: Fabián Ruiz (Spain)

Created more chances against Germany than any other Spanish player but was also still happy to relinquish his usual attacking responsibilities to others (notably Dani Olmo after his surprisingly early introduction) and perform more defensive responsibilities. Remains the unsung hero of this Spanish side.

CAM: Dani Olmo (Spain)

Upon his introduction, he was pivotal. He gave Spain a different dimension in terms of their attacking options, opening the scoring with a well-taken low finish and then providing the perfect cross deep into extra-time for Mikel Merino’s dramatic late winner.

RW: Bukayo Saka (England)

Easily England’s best player. Fears of him being deployed in a left wing-back role proved unfounded as he shone on the right flank and was always England’s biggest threat on the ball. Saved the day with his fine finish for their equaliser when his country were on the brink again before exorcising the demons of the EURO 2020 final with an ice-cool penalty in the shootout.

ST: Breel Embolo (Switzerland)

Across four quarter-finals flooded with talent, he holds the distinction of being the only centre-forward to hit the back of the net, tapping home from close range to give Switzerland a late lead that ultimately, they couldn’t hold and it was no more than he deserved for his hard work throughout in causing problems.

LW: Cody Gakpo (Netherlands)

Again, he was his country’s most dangerous player and looked like the biggest threat around the penalty area. Although he wasn’t credited with the winning goal, it was solely down to his pressure that he forced Mert Müldür into the own goal which decided the tie.