Only eight teams remain in the battle for Euro 2024 glory and at this point the cream is rising to the top of the tournament.
Plenty of big hitters are left, as well as a couple of less-expected names. Oh, and England, who nobody really knows how to categorise at this stage.
The round of 16 brought us all the glorious ornaments of elite tournament football – the magnificence of Jude Bellingham‘s goal, the hope of Georgia being crushed to despair, the shock of champions Italy being sent packing, and the attacking masterclass of the Netherlands.
Mail Sport’s brainbox friends at Sofascore have run the numbers on their algorithm and plucked out the objective 11 best players from the round.
There’s no room for any England stars, but beware the Switzerland winger who makes the cut ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Three Lions.
There is no room in Sofascore’s best XI of the last 16 for England players, and the bar is high
Goalkeeper – Jan Oblak, Slovenia, 8.9
Slovenia goalkeeper Jan Oblak gave his team a fighting chance of pulling off a giant-killing against Portugal.
The Atletico Madrid custodian denied Cristiano Ronaldo on several occasions and his heroism peaked in the first half of extra-time when he saved a spot-kick the former Real Madrid man.
Oblak guessed the right way to parry away Ronaldo’s effort and take the game to penalties, though he could not stop any of Portugal’s three attempts in the shoot-out.
Slovenia goalkeeper Jan Oblak gave his side a chance as he constantly spurned Cristiano Ronaldo, though Portugal had the last laugh
Few players are able to say they’ve reduced CR7 to tears and that is a badge of honour Oblak can always wear, even if his Euro dream came tumbling down.
A special mention should be afforded to Diogo Costa, Portugal’s goalkeeper who saved a late one-on-one with Benjamin Sesko before becoming the first goalkeeper in Euros history to save three shots in a penalty shoot-out.
Centre-back – Antonio Rudiger, Germany – 8.2
The Real Madrid rock was awarded man of the match for his performance against Denmark as Germany secured passage to the quarter-finals with a 2-0 win.
Antonio Rudiger won all of his duels on the ground and in the air as he snuffed out any threat from Rasmus Hojlund.
Antonio Rudiger (behind) was ruthless against Denmark, winning all of his duels
Be it last-ditch tackles or throwing his body on the line to block a shot, Rudiger was ubiquitous and materialised at any moment of jeopardy for Germany.
If the hosts do go on and win the tournament, Rudiger’s presence will be as important as that of Toni Kroos, Jamal Musiala, and Florian Wirtz.
Centre-back – Merih Demiral, Turkey – 9.8
Turkey can thank two people above all for just their third European quarter-final: defender Merih Demiral and goalkeeper Mert Gunok.
Demiral pounced on Austrian fumbling to give Turkey a lead after 57 seconds and headed in from another corner in the second half.
Defender Merih Demiral scored two goals for Turkey to fire them to victory against Austria
Alongside his double, the Al-Ahli star gave a commanding performance at the back despite an onslaught from the Austrians.
Gunok’s late Gordon Banks-esque save will be remembered for years to come, but don’t forget the unlikely hero who scored to see them through.
Centre-back – Nico Schlotterbeck, Germany – 8.0
Nico Schlotterbeck only started against Denmark because Jonathan Tah was suspended, but what an audition to get the nod in the quarters against Spain.
The defender towered above everyone else to give Germany an early lead with a header from a corner, but his first international goal was ruled out for a soft foul.
Nico Schlotterbeck filled in well for Jonathan Tah and was unlucky to have a goal ruled out
From there the Borussia Dortmund man did not let his head drop and only Toni Kroos had more touches in the first 45 minutes.
In the second half he helped seal the deal with a powerful through-ball over the top to play Jamal Musiala in on goal. As expected, he finished with aplomb.
Right midfield – Jules Kounde, France – 8.2
Alright, let’s address the elephant in the room. Kounde is a defender by all accounts, but Sofascore’s line-up has him on the right of a midfield four, so let’s roll with it.
In fairness, the amount Kounde got up the flank from right-back, you’d be forgiven for thinking he usually played higher.
Jules Kounde (left) dealt effectively with Jeremy Doku and was a threat on the right flank
He had the task of battling Jeremy Doku and while it wasn’t the easiest assignment, Kounde got the better of one of the best dribblers in Europe.
The Barcelona defender was given man of the match for his role in knocking Belgium out, keeping them under the cosh by peppering their box with crosses.
Central midfield – Rodri, Spain – 8.7
Some of the words used to describe Rodri after Spain’s 4-1 comeback win over Georgia: immaculate, magisterial, ruthless, perfect. Need we say more?
When Spain were under the cosh and needed somebody to provide an equaliser, up stepped Rodri, whose elegant lob found Nico Williams, who decided to play it back to Rodri knowing how good he is. Gola, voila, 1-1.
Rodri stepped up when Spain needed somebody to drag them back into the game
He’ll be up there for player of the tournament if Spain go far, this magical machine of a man moulded by Pep Guardiola.
Talk about dictating play. That’s 261 passes for the tournament now at a completion rate of 93.34 per cent.
Central midfield – Fabian Ruiz, Spain – 9.1
It’s vanishingly rare that anybody outshines Rodri, but Fabian Ruiz is just about doing that.
He too scored in the 4-1 victory, ghosting to the back post to power home a header from Lamine Yamal’s exquisite cross, executing a perfectly timed run to bamboozle the defence.
Fabian Ruiz was an ace in midfield yet again for Spain, scoring their second of the game
He now has two goals and two assists at Euro 2024 and was awarded man of the match for stunning Georgia.
Ruiz is only 26 caps into his Spain career, but at this rate, they’ll be hoping the 28-year-old hangs around for another decade. Another player of the tournament contender.
Left midfield – Ruben Vargas, Switzerland – 8.5
Ruben Vargas was Switzerland’s only change coming into their clash with Italy, replacing the suspended Silvan Widmer.
The attacking midfielder was involved in both goals as Switzerland, heavily underestimated this tournament, shocked the reigning champions.
England should beware Ruben Vargas, who had a hand in both goals as Switzerland felled Italy
It was Vargas who slipped the ball through to Remo Freuler for Murat Yakin’s side to take the lead.
And it was Vargas who scored one of the goals of the round 26 seconds into the second half, curling a bullet high into the far corner from the edge of the box. You’ve been warned, England.
Right wing – Donyell Malen, Netherlands – 9.1
Donyell Malen feasted on a depleted backline which had been ravaged by Cody Gakpo when he came on against Romania, scoring twice.
The winger lurked close to the goal and poked home his country’s second from a Cody Gakpo cross in the 83rd minute.
Donyell Malen was electric off the bench for the Netherlands, scoring a brace late on
Then, in the 93rd, the PSV star went on a blistering run carrying the ball from inside his own half, squeezing inside between two defenders before burying the ball in the net.
A bit-part player in the tournament so far, Malen was so good that Ronald Koeman has a big selection decision to make.
Striker – Cody Gakpo, Netherlands – 9.2
One of the most joyous performances to watch in the last 16 and a forceful ‘give me a chance’ to new Liverpool boss Arne Slot.
Cody Gakpo is reminding everyone how good he is at Euro 2024, with three goals and an assist to his name so far, one of each coming against Romania.
Cody Gakpo (right) ran the show against Romania in an emphatic statement of his talent
Alright, goalkeeper Florin Nita should have done better with his near-post strike, but it was struck with some welly on it.
And Gakpo’s dribbling was a sight to behold in this match, with the 25-year-old looking virtually untouchable against a stupefied defence.
Left wing – Nico Williams, Spain – 8.9
One of the concerns coming into Euro 2024 is whether Spain would have sufficient firepower. Watch Nico Williams and Yamal and those worries dissipate quickly.
Surprisingly, Williams’ goal against Georgia was the first between them at Euro 2024. After assisting Rodri for the equaliser, he later added Spain’s third with an absolute peach.
Nico Williams blasted in his first goal of Euro 2024 in a superb performance against Georgia
On a rapid counter-attack, Williams skinned Giorgi Gvelesiani before blasting a shot into the roof of the net.
The Athletic Bilbao star, 21, has been electric this tournament and you fear there is a lot more to come from him.