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LequteMan
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The first round of matches at Euro 2016 has been completed, and some players have been outstanding. There are some surprises as well.
Here are the best rated players in each position:
Goalkeeper:
Hannes Halldorsson, Iceland - 8.54
Facing a Portugal side with Cristiano Ronaldo, Iceland were huge underdogs in their first ever match at a major tournament. They however played well, as a team, and fought back to earn a point after going down. Hannes played a huge part in the battle. He stood tall to produce eight saves – more than any other goalkeeper in the opening round of fixtures – one of which was an outstanding stop from a Nani header.
Defenders:
Darijo Srna, Croatia - 8.08
Croatian right-back Srna put on his best on Sunday. This is despite the tragic news that hit the camp during the match against Turkey - the death of his father. He hit the woodwork with a trademark free-kick, produced four tackles and had the joint-most accurate crosses in the opening round of fixtures (five).
Shkodran Mustafi, Germany- 8.82
Germany was without injured first team players Mats Hummels and Antonio Rudiger for their match against Ukraine, but Shkodran Mustafi didn’t let anyone down as a deputy. The Valencia defender will likely keep his place having scored a superb header to give Germany the lead. He made a costly mistake following a disunderstanding with Manuel Neuer but he did more good than evil. He made more interceptions than any other player in the opening round (seven).
Fabian Schar, Switzerland - 8.60
Schar is another defender who scored a goal, this time around to give his team the whole 3 points. The Hoffenheim defender's fifth minute header was enough to secure a narrow victory over 10-man Albania. He also made eight interceptions, won five of his seven aerial duels and completed 91% of his passes.
Tamas Kadar, Hungary- 8.13
Kadar impressed at left-back for Hungary in a very surprising 2-0 victory against 10-man Austria, as they were not expected to win. He showed no sign of injury, made three tackles, three interceptions and completed three dribbles. He also won 5 aerial duels.
Midfielders:
Toni Kroos, Germany - 9.41
Toni Kross is the second highest rated player from the opening round of fixtures. He was at his best against Ukraine. He controled the match, completing 93.6% of a mammoth 109 passes. This includes 12 accurate long balls and five chances created. He also registered the assist for Mustafi’s opener with a superb free-kick and looks likely to be Germany’s key player if the first match is anything to go by.
Luka Modric, Croatia - 8.72
Real Madrid star, Luka Modric, put on his best display in a Croatian shirt in the game against Turkey, according to his coach Ante Cacic. Modric was crucial in both sides of the pitch, scoring a stunning distance volley which earned Croatia 3 points. He also made three tackles and five interceptions to ensure that Turkey’s threat was nullified in a comfortable and impressive victory.
Xherdan Shaqiri, Switzerland - 8.13
Shaqiri constantly tormented Albania in their opening game, even before they were reduced to 10 men. The Stoke City player was in fine form throughout the match. He gave the assist to the winning goal, had three key passes, completed 2 dribbles and tested Albanian goalkeeper Eitrat Berisha twice.
Wes Hoolahan, Republic of Ireland - 8.27
Hoolahan's superb strike wasn't enough to get his team the much-needed 3 points against Sweden, but the goal will live long in the memory of Irish fans. The Norwich player combined technique with industry before his late withdrawal, completing two dribbles and three tackles to earn the man of the match award.
Dmitri Payet, France - 9.59
No player has been able to usurp Dimitri Payet’s rating against Romania so far (9.59). The French midfielder really lit up the tournament on its opening night, overshadowing France's other stars. The West Ham talisman set up Olivier Giroud’s opener in the second half with one of his tournament-high eight key passes, and completed a further five dribbles before capping a sensational display with a goal worthy of winning any game.
Striker:
Gareth Bale, Wales - 8.38
Gareth Bale was expected to give a spectacular performance against Slovakia and he didn't disappoint. Although the 26-year-old Real Madrid star's freekick was saved by Slovakia goalkeepr, he was a menace throughout, terrorizing the opponent defence. He had 5 shots and won four aerial duels admirably.
Credits: WhoScored.com, Opta
Here are the best rated players in each position:
Goalkeeper:
Hannes Halldorsson, Iceland - 8.54
Facing a Portugal side with Cristiano Ronaldo, Iceland were huge underdogs in their first ever match at a major tournament. They however played well, as a team, and fought back to earn a point after going down. Hannes played a huge part in the battle. He stood tall to produce eight saves – more than any other goalkeeper in the opening round of fixtures – one of which was an outstanding stop from a Nani header.
Defenders:
Darijo Srna, Croatia - 8.08
Croatian right-back Srna put on his best on Sunday. This is despite the tragic news that hit the camp during the match against Turkey - the death of his father. He hit the woodwork with a trademark free-kick, produced four tackles and had the joint-most accurate crosses in the opening round of fixtures (five).
Shkodran Mustafi, Germany- 8.82
Germany was without injured first team players Mats Hummels and Antonio Rudiger for their match against Ukraine, but Shkodran Mustafi didn’t let anyone down as a deputy. The Valencia defender will likely keep his place having scored a superb header to give Germany the lead. He made a costly mistake following a disunderstanding with Manuel Neuer but he did more good than evil. He made more interceptions than any other player in the opening round (seven).
Fabian Schar, Switzerland - 8.60
Schar is another defender who scored a goal, this time around to give his team the whole 3 points. The Hoffenheim defender's fifth minute header was enough to secure a narrow victory over 10-man Albania. He also made eight interceptions, won five of his seven aerial duels and completed 91% of his passes.
Tamas Kadar, Hungary- 8.13
Kadar impressed at left-back for Hungary in a very surprising 2-0 victory against 10-man Austria, as they were not expected to win. He showed no sign of injury, made three tackles, three interceptions and completed three dribbles. He also won 5 aerial duels.
Midfielders:
Toni Kroos, Germany - 9.41
Toni Kross is the second highest rated player from the opening round of fixtures. He was at his best against Ukraine. He controled the match, completing 93.6% of a mammoth 109 passes. This includes 12 accurate long balls and five chances created. He also registered the assist for Mustafi’s opener with a superb free-kick and looks likely to be Germany’s key player if the first match is anything to go by.
Luka Modric, Croatia - 8.72
Real Madrid star, Luka Modric, put on his best display in a Croatian shirt in the game against Turkey, according to his coach Ante Cacic. Modric was crucial in both sides of the pitch, scoring a stunning distance volley which earned Croatia 3 points. He also made three tackles and five interceptions to ensure that Turkey’s threat was nullified in a comfortable and impressive victory.
Xherdan Shaqiri, Switzerland - 8.13
Shaqiri constantly tormented Albania in their opening game, even before they were reduced to 10 men. The Stoke City player was in fine form throughout the match. He gave the assist to the winning goal, had three key passes, completed 2 dribbles and tested Albanian goalkeeper Eitrat Berisha twice.
Wes Hoolahan, Republic of Ireland - 8.27
Hoolahan's superb strike wasn't enough to get his team the much-needed 3 points against Sweden, but the goal will live long in the memory of Irish fans. The Norwich player combined technique with industry before his late withdrawal, completing two dribbles and three tackles to earn the man of the match award.
Dmitri Payet, France - 9.59
No player has been able to usurp Dimitri Payet’s rating against Romania so far (9.59). The French midfielder really lit up the tournament on its opening night, overshadowing France's other stars. The West Ham talisman set up Olivier Giroud’s opener in the second half with one of his tournament-high eight key passes, and completed a further five dribbles before capping a sensational display with a goal worthy of winning any game.
Striker:
Gareth Bale, Wales - 8.38
Gareth Bale was expected to give a spectacular performance against Slovakia and he didn't disappoint. Although the 26-year-old Real Madrid star's freekick was saved by Slovakia goalkeepr, he was a menace throughout, terrorizing the opponent defence. He had 5 shots and won four aerial duels admirably.
Credits: WhoScored.com, Opta
