Euro 2016 Team of the Last 16: Which Iceland heroes make Coral’s excellent XI?
Published:
Holly Thackeray | June 28, 2016
With the Euro 2016 last of 16 all done and dusted, and both heroes and villains cast, Coral writers select a starting XI plus substitutes of top performers from the round.
Who made the cut? Check out our choices below and let us know on Twitter if you agree or disagree…
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)
With a stunning save to deny Gerard Pique, the flexible 38-year-old ensured he was picked to protect our posts. Germany are up next, so the Azzurri number one will again be called upon to command from the back.
Right back: Bacary Sagna (France)
Centre back: Jerome Boateng (Germany)
There are greater tests to come, but Boateng is one of the players most on form for Die Mannschaft. New Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti will be watching with eager eyes as his star centre back next takes on the Italian’s country of birth.
Centre back: Giorgio Chiellini (Italy)
When the chips are down it is invariably Chiellini who steps up, and the organisation and resistance from Italy owes much to the chemistry between the three formidable centre haves and Buffon, all nurtured back in Turin with Juventus.
Left back: Jonas Hector (Germany)
Quietly building up a set of impressive performances, the Cologne left back could be a big target for Premier League clubs if this continues.
Central midfield: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Iceland)
Outperforming the likes of Eric Dier, Jack Wilshere, Dele Alli and Wayne Rooney, Sigurdsson’s incise and precise passing created the second crucial goal which saw England crash out and Iceland reach a historic quarter-final.
Central midfield: Aron Gunnarsson (Iceland)
Willing to do the dirty work, this Cardiff City disruptor performed on a par with the lauded likes of William Carvalho and Grzegorz Krychowiak, both of whom could very well go for big money this summer.
Right wing: Julian Draxler (Germany)
Starting over flavour of the month picks like Leroy Sane, Draxler’s driving thrusts forward had the opposition on the back foot, while he also bagged both a goal and assist. A joy to watch.
Left wing: Eden Hazard (Belgium)
Back to his best with bundles of energy and dizzying dribbles, Hazard capped off his evening with a stunning solo strike and an assist for Michy Batshuayi.
Attacking midfield/support striker: Antoine Griezmann (France)
This was the Griezmann of Atletico Madrid, as he dispatched a deadly double to save Les Bleus any blushes, gobbling up those couple of golden chances with a ruthlessness and predatory ease.
Centre forward: Graziano Pelle (Italy)
Lurking to sink Spain at the death, Pelle has been out-performing many a bigger name marksman in France, despite doubts about his ability. Italy’s system could simply not work without his willing running, anticipation, selflessness and link-up play with partner Eder Citadin Martins.
Substitutes: Wayne Hennessey, Ragnar Sigurdsson, Toby Alderweireld, Grzegorz Krychowiak, Xherdan Shaqiri, Jakub Blaszczykowski, Mario Gomez.
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