Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson selects his Euro 2020 Team of the Tournament from the group stage


JORDAN PICKFORD (England)

The Northern Echo: England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford applauds the fans after the UEFA Euro 2020 Group D match at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture date: Tuesday June 22, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER England. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA

England’s number one hasn’t had to do a lot in terms of making saves, although he made a smart stop from Scotland’s Stephen O’Donnell, but he has looked rock solid in all three of his side’s matches and is yet to concede a goal in the tournament. The Wearsider’s form was questioned in the build-up to the Euros, but he has answered his critics by commanding his 18-yard box and has sparked a number of attacking moves with his trademark long passes.


DENZEL DUMFRIES (Netherlands)

The Northern Echo: Denzel Dumfries of the Netherlands celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Euro 2020 soccer championship group C match between the The Netherlands and Austria at Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, June 17,

A number of sides have impressed playing with five at the back, and Dumfries’ rampaging runs from right wing-back have been a key feature of Holland’s effective attacking play. The PSV Eindhoven man has been defensively solid when required, but it was his goals against Ukraine and Austria that really put him on the radar of Europe’s biggest clubs. Displaying boundless energy up and down the right flank, he functions as an extra forward when Holland are on top.


LEONARDO BONUCCI (Italy)

The Northern Echo: Italy's Leonardo Bonucci celebrates at the end of the Euro 2020 soccer championship group A match between Italy and Switzerland at Olympic stadium in Rome, Wednesday, June 16, 2021. Italy won the match 3-0. (Andreas Solaro/Pool Photo via AP).

Like England, Italy are still to concede a goal at the Euros, and Bonucci’s presence at the heart of the back four in all three of their group matches was a major factor in their ability to shut down Turkey, Switzerland and Wales. Now 34, the Juventus defender remains as good as ever, and his partnership with Giorgio Chiellini is surely the best defensive pairing at the tournament. The pair read the game superbly, shutting down opposition strikers and denying space in their defensive third.


SIMON KJAER (Denmark)

The Northern Echo: Denmark's Simon Kjaer greets supporters after the Euro 2020 soccer championship group B match between Denmark and Belgium at the Parken stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark, Thursday, June 17, 2021. (Hannah McKay/Pool via AP).

The Denmark skipper’s on-pitch performances have improved as the tournament has gone on, culminating in the rock-solid display against Russia that helped Denmark make the last 16. His presence in this team, however, also reflects his exemplary conduct when Christian Eriksen’s life was at risk in the opening game. In an unprecedented situation, Denmark needed their captain to step up, and Kjaer was not found wanting as he calmly assumed control.


MATTHIJS DE LIGT (Netherlands)

The Northern Echo: Austria's Christoph Baumgartner, right, is tackled by Matthijs de Ligt of the Netherlands during the Euro 2020 soccer championship group C match between the The Netherlands and Austria at Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, June

De Ligt missed his side’s opening game against Ukraine, when they conceded two goals, but returned to contribute to back-to-back clean sheets against Austria and North Macedonia. The Dutch look much more solid with the Juventus defender in the team, mainly thanks to his pace, physical presence and exemplary positioning, and he also offers a considerable threat from set-pieces.


ROBIN GOSENS (Germany)

The Northern Echo: France's Antoine Griezmann, left, tries to block a shot by Germany's Robin Gosens during the Euro 2020 soccer championship group F match between Germany and France at the Allianz Arena stadium in Munich, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. (Franck Fife/Pool

Joachim Low’s decision to switch to a five-man defensive formation has divided opinion in Germany, but if nothing else, it has certainly enabled him to get the best out of Gosens. The Atalanta man has been a revelation so far, with his performance in his side’s 4-2 win over Portugal, when he scored and claimed two assists, representing the best individual display of the Euros. England will have to come up with a plan to contain him on Tuesday.


PAUL POGBA (France)

The Northern Echo: France's Paul Pogba applauds the fans at the end of the Euro 2020 soccer championship group F match between Portugal and France at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Franck Fife, Pool photo via AP).

He might not always hit the heights with Manchester United, but Pogba rarely fails to deliver in a France shirt and he was his side’s stand-out performer as they finished top of the ‘Group of Death’. His driving midfield runs have been a key feature of France’s attacking all tournament, and he was the stand-out performer in Wednesday’s draw with Portugal, dictating play from the heart of midfield and slipping through a series of superb through balls.


MANUEL LOCATELLI (Italy)

The Northern Echo: Italy's Manuel Locatelli, left, scores his side's first goal during the Euro 2020 soccer championship group A match between Italy and Switzerland at the Rome Olympic stadium, Wednesday, June 16, 2021. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP).

The Sassuolo midfielder didn’t enter the tournament as one of Italy’s biggest stars, but he might well end it that way if he keeps up the standards he has displayed so far. He was quietly efficient during his side’s opening-game win over Turkey, but really burst into life in their second game, scoring twice in the 3-0 win over Switzerland that marked the Azzurri out as potential winners. His partnership with fellow midfielder Jorginho could prove one of the key double-acts of the Euros.


KEVIN DE BRUYNE (Belgium)

The Northern Echo: Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne controls the ball during the Euro 2020 soccer championship group B match between Finland and Belgium at Saint Petersburg stadium, in St. Petersburg, Russia, Monday, June 21, 2021. (Lars Baron/Pool via AP).

Belgium’s talisman missed the first game-and-a-half, but was summoned from the bench as his side toiled against Denmark. Suffice to say, he had an instant impact. Having had a hand in Thorgan Hazard’s equaliser, he fired in Belgium’s winner before producing another accomplished display against Finland in the final group game, claiming an assist for Romelu Lukaku’s goal. Now injury-free, he might well improve further as the knockout stages progress.


CRISTIANO RONALDO (Portugal)

The Northern Echo: Cristiano Ronaldo tops the Euro 2020 goalscoring charts with five goals from three matches

When it comes to delivering at the very highest level, few players do it quite like Ronaldo. Portugal’s star man scored five goals in his opening three matches, firing him to the top of the tournament goalscoring charts and enabling him to equal the all-time record for international goals. While a number of his team-mates haven’t quite clicked into gear yet, his performances alone have powered Portugal into the last 16.


ROMELU LUKAKU (Belgium)

The Northern Echo: Belgium's Romelu Lukaku reacts after scoring his side's second goal during the Euro 2020 soccer championship group B match between Finland and Belgium at Saint Petersburg stadium, in St. Petersburg, Russia, Monday, June 21, 2021. (Lars Baron/Pool

While a number of Europe’s leading strikers struggled in the group stage – most notably Harry Kane and Alvaro Morata – Lukaku lived up to his billing as one of the best forwards in world football. His double against Russia got Belgium up and running, when he was simply too powerful for an ailing Russian defence, and he added another goal to wrap up the 2-0 win over Finland that ensured his side finished the group stage with a 100 per cent record.


Substitutes: Thibaut Courtois (Belgium), Leonardo Spinazzola (Italy), Andriy Yarmolenko (Ukraine), Georginio Wijnaldum (Netherlands), Patrik Schick (Czech Republic).