<a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/euros/" target="_blank">Euro 2024</a> came to a dramatic conclusion in Berlin on Sunday night as <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2024/07/14/spain-beat-england-to-secure-historic-crown-at-euro-2024/" target="_blank">Spain lifted </a>their fourth continental crown with a 2-1 victory over <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2024/07/15/spain-v-england-euro-2024-final-ratings-williams-9-yamal-8-kane-3-palmer-8/" target="_blank">England</a>. Luis de la Fuente's side have been the tournament's best team by some distance, beating holders Italy, hosts Germany, France and then England <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2024/07/09/spain-v-france-player-ratings-yamal-9-olmo-8-kounde-8-mbappe-6/" target="_blank">on their way to a title</a> which makes them the most successful nation in Euros history. Their victorious players dominated the individual awards after the final and, unsurprisingly, feature heavily in <i>The National's</i> team of the tournament. In between conceding three on Georgia’s tournament debut against Turkey and reaching out a right hand to stop Nelson Semedo <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2024/06/26/georgia-stun-cristiano-ronaldo-and-portugal-as-euro-2024-round-of-16-line-up-is-confirmed/" target="_blank">pulling a goal back for Portugal</a>, Mamardashvili made a series of superb saves. The imposing Valencia keeper was as influential as anyone in helping his side to the last 16. Sunday's victory gave Real Madrid's right-back a European Championship winner's medal to go with his Champions League and La Liga triumphs from an <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2024/06/01/champions-league-final-real-madrid-strike-late-to-beat-borussia-dortmund/" target="_blank">all-conquering season</a>. Always a tenacious defender, Carvajal added steel and leadership to the Spanish team and even chipped in with his first international goal in the group stage win over Croatia. The performances of Didier Deschamps' dreary French team at Euro 2024 won't live long in the memory but they did boast an impressive defensive unit led by the superb Arsenal centre-back. A formidable defender and a smooth distributor, Saliba took his impressive club form into the tournament. The seemingly ageless centre-back showed he'd lost none of the competitive spirit, positional awareness or ability to read the game that made him a defensive rock at Real Madrid for so many years. Now 41, <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2024/07/06/will-cristiano-ronaldo-retire-from-international-football/" target="_blank">it's likely the last we have seen of him on the international stage</a>. The full-back has struggled since his move to Chelsea last summer but reminded everyone of his quality in Germany with some all-action displays. Brought boundless energy whether it be starting or joining attacks or containing opposition forwards. Did well in his duel with the dangerous Bukayo Saka in the final and even provided the assist for Mikel Oyarzabal's eventual winner. The best defensive midfielder in the world was Spain's 'Mr Reliable', starting all seven games and bringing his quality and tactical acumen to the side. Picked up Uefa's Player of the Tournament award and was the lynchpin as Spain won all of their games, even if injury forced him off at half time in the final. The best midfielder at the tournament. Got his summer off to a flying start with a superb solo goal in Spain's <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2024/06/16/spain-v-croatia-player-ratings-carvajal-8-yamal-8-modric-6-budimir-5/" target="_blank">tournament opening 3-0 win over Croatia</a> and never looked back. Elegant midfielder showed all of his quality and had Uefa preferred him to Rodri for the official best player award then there would have been few complaints. Started the tournament on the bench but played a huge role for his side – first as a sub and then as a starter in place of the injured Pedri – with three goals and two assists. The RB Leipzig player is reported to have an agreeable release clause in his contract and it will be interesting to see if his performances this summer encourage other clubs to meet it. The face of the tournament and now a global star after a string of electric displays. You might have heard at some point that he turned 17 the day before the final. You'd have to go back to Wayne Rooney in 2004 to find an example of a young player causing such a stir at a major tournament. Yamal is clearly destined for greatness and Euro 2024 will always be the time he announced it to the wider sporting world. His goal in the semi-final against France will <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2024/07/09/spain-v-france-wonderkid-lamine-yamal-makes-history-as-la-roja-reach-euro-2024-final/" target="_blank">go down as one of the great moments</a> in Euros history. It is quite unsatisfactory to move Musiala in off his berth on the wing for the purposes of this exercise but it is hard to make a case for any of the out-and-out strikers we saw this summer. Tournaments are always improved by a buoyant host nation and Germany's Musiala did more than anyone to spark Euros fever on home soil. An outstanding tournament from the Athletic Club winger whose pace and trickery made him a constant menace for defenders. <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2024/07/15/lamine-yamal-says-winning-euro-2024-best-birthday-gift-as-spain-usher-in-new-era/" target="_blank">Made the crucial breakthrough in the final with confident finish</a>. Reported to be Barcelona's top target this summer. <b>Jordan Pickford:</b> Another solid tournament from England's goalkeeper. Kept his side in the final at times. <b>Jules Kounde: </b>Impressed on the right side of France's miserly defence. <b>Marc Guehi: </b>Will be disappointed with role in Oyarzabal's winner on Sunday but can be proud of his efforts this summer. <b>Arda Guler: </b>Stylish Turkish forward showed his quality and will no doubt light up many more tournaments in the future. <b>Cody Gakpo: </b>Proved again that he's a reliable source of goals when it comes to tournament football.
