EX-IRELAND INTERNATIONAL David Meyler is The42′s football columnist for this season.
Each week, the former Hull City and Sunderland midfielder will give expert insight and his predictions ahead of the biggest action, alongside the latest William Hill prices.
In his latest column, Meyler looks back at Euro 2020 by choosing his favourite moments and standout players.
Euro 2020 is done and dusted and, in my opinion, it turned out to be a brilliant month of football — despite the obvious disappointment of Ireland not being there.
Originally scheduled for a year ago, the tournament was worth the wait. A record number of goals were scored and I really enjoyed watching so many of the games – right up to Sunday night’s gripping finale, with Italy ultimately coming out as worthy champions.
Below, I’ve picked some of my best bits:
Goal of the tournament: Lorenzo Insigne (Italy v Belgium)
When I’m picking my favourite goal, I always look at which one I’d love to score most myself.
Andriy Yarmalenko’s strike against the Netherlands was outstanding. Patrik Schick’s long-range effort against Scotland is up there too and will get plaudits because that type of goal that doesn’t come around very often.
For me though, Insigne’s solo goal is the winner. He takes the ball in his own half, drops the shoulder, steps inside and lets fly into the top corner with Thibaut Courtois well beaten.
Favourite game: France v Switzerland, last 16
We were absolutely spoiled the day Spain played Croatia just before France took on Switzerland in the last 16.
I’m slightly torn between those two games, but France-Switzerland just edges it.
Current world champions and hot favourites France started so poorly and allowed the Swiss to go in front. Hugo Lloris then saved a penalty and France flipped the game on its head in space of two minutes with some world-class play.
When Paul Pogba scored a worldy to make it 3-1 you thought that’s curtains but Switzerland dug deep to find a way back into the game and eventually won in a penalty shootout — with France’s golden boy Kylian Mbappe seeing his spot-kick saved.
Best moment: Denmark qualifying for the knockout stages
I wouldn’t be their biggest fan from my playing days with Ireland, but I think Denmark became a lot of people’s second team over the course of these Euros.
It must have been so difficult for that group of players to go through such an awful experience with Christian Eriksen in the opener against Finland. Thankfully, he pulled through the ordeal and that news in itself was special.
After losing their first two matches, the Danes comprehensively beat Russia in front of their home fans in Copenhagen to book a place in the last 16. They followed that up with wins over Wales and the Czechs before narrowly losing out to England in the semi-finals thanks to a controversial penalty decision.
They were undoubtedly one of the real feel-good stories of this competition.
Player of the tournament: Raheem Sterling (England)
The Manchester City forward took a lot of criticism coming into the tournament as he didn’t have the best of seasons at club level by his standards.
However, Gareth Southgate stuck with him and the decision certainly paid off as he popped up with some big goals — both in the group games and the knockout stages.
It has been a fantastic tournament for Sterling — notwithstanding the final disappointment – who has been central to England’s success.
Breakout star: Pedri (Spain)
Spain dominated international football between 2008-2012 with the Barcelona midfield of Xavi and Andres Iniesta central to their success. This young boy Pedri has come through and is already earning comparisons to both of those legends of the game.
Luis Enrique actually went as far to say he is doing things that Iniesta couldn’t at that age. Even to be mentioned in the same breath as him is high praise indeed.
It is scary to think Pedri is still just 18 considering the composure he plays with and he has enjoyed a superb Euros.
Mikkel Damsgaard of Denmark has been their creative spark with Eriksen missing and also deserves a shoutout.
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