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Euro 2016 Best XI: Team of the tournament

Bengaluru, July 11: The month long football fiesta is finally over as Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal lift the Euro 2016 trophy beating France 1-0 at their own den. This was their first ever major international accolade which makes it even more special.

With a fairly average side at his disposal, Fernando Santos did wonders with this Portuguese side. Although it has to be mentioned that the champions were not the best team in the tournament as they won only one game in the 90 minutes regulation time.

Portugal players hold the trophy at the end of the Euro 2016 final

Nonetheless, this Portuguese side will be remembered for amazing mental strength, spirit and perseverance. This was indeed a special triumph for the men in red.

Now as the tournament is finally over let us have look at the best eleven players from the tournament.

Formation: 4-4-2

Goalkeeper: Rui Patricio

It was a tough choice to pick the best goalkeeper of this tournament considering that some of the best goalkeepers in the world were competing. We pick Rui Patricio as our best goalkeeper of the tournament. Patricio seemed a better choice considering he made some brilliant saves throughout the tournament to ensure Portugal's ship sailed properly. Statistically he was better than both Manuel Neuer and Gianluigi Buffon even though he conceded more.

Defenders: Bacary Sagna, Pepe, Laurent Koscielny, Raphael Guerreiro

We selected all the defenders from the finalists France and Portugal. Bacary Sagna makes the cut in the right-back position. The French defender had an impressive tournament. His runs down the right flank his crossed, and of cource the way he track back to defend was commendable. In the centra defense, Laurent Koscielny is accompanied by Portugal's Pepe. Koscielny without a doubt was the defender of the tournament but it was a tough call between Pepe and Leonardo Bonucci who had fantastic tournament. But considering Portugal won the title and Pepe played an integral role in the triumph we have decided to go with the Real Madrid star over the Italian. Portugal's 22-year-old left-back Raphael Guerreiro comes in the left-back psoition. The youngster did a commendable job throughout the tournament.

Midfielders: Gareth Bale, Paul Pogba, Aaron Ramsey, Dimitri Payet

Wales were one of the revelations of this Euro 2016 as they reached the semi-final, participating in a major international tournament after 58 years. They surpassed some of the toughest hurdles including Belgium in quarter-final. As Wales mesmerized the world, two Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey were the main architects behind their nations triumph. While Bale lead the attack force upfront, Ramsey stayed down in the midfield and concentrated on distribution of the ball. Ramsey's absence in the final proved costly for Wales as they were knocked out by eventual champions Portugal.

The other two midfielders are Paul Pogba and winger Dimitri Payet from France. Pogba, one of the finest upcoming midfielders in the world had a great tournament. Initially he played in a much advanced role but as the tournament progressed, his role changed to a more deeper role in which also he excelled. Dimitri Payet too was one of the best players of this French team. He started the tournament on a hight scoring in the first two matches. He also scored a third goal against Iceland in the quarter-final.

Forwards: Antoine Griezmann, Cristiano Ronaldo

Antoine Griezmann and Cristiano Ronaldo lead the team in the attack force. Griezmann, the golden boot winner socred as many as 6 goals in the tournament, while Ronaldo netted thrice.

Euro 2016 Best XI

OneIndia News

Story first published: Tuesday, August 8, 2017, 11:47 [IST]
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