Euro 2020 team of the group stage: Ronaldo, Pogba and Modric joined by some up-and-coming superstars

Tournament heads for last 16 with plenty of talent on show

GOALKEEPER: Jordan Pickford (England) - A soaring save against the Czech Republic preserved England’s impeccable defensive record in the last group game. Besides his three clean sheets, Pickford’s long passes have been an asset. Reuters

DEFENDERS: Andreas Christensen (Denmark) - A Champions League winner last month, and now remembered by compatriots for the rocket of a goal that carried Denmark into the knockout phase. Christensen seldom scores. His strike against Russia was special.

Joe Rodon (Wales) - The epitome of Welsh resilience, the Tottenham Hotspur defender marshalled rearguard actions against Switzerland and Italy. “Exceptional,” his manager, Rob Page, calls him. EPA

David Alaba (Austria) - Unfortunate to concede a penalty against the Netherlands, the versatile Austria captain has been the key man in pushing them to a historic qualification for the knockouts, both in defence and as a creator. AFP

MIDFIELD: Denzel Dumfries (Netherlands) - Dynamic on the right flank of the free-scoring Dutch, the 25-year-old has already netted two goals in the tournament, and earned a penalty. A breakthrough two weeks for the PSV Eindhoven player. Reuters

Paul Pogba (France) - Hugely influential for the world champions - and occasionally frustrating to watching Manchester United supporters wishing the France version of Pogba was as consistent for his club. Some brilliant passes so far at the Euros. Reuters

Luka Modric (Croatia) - When his country were on the brink, the captain stepped up. A dazzling goal against Scotland steered Croatia into the last-16 phase. Has recovered his energies and best touch as the tournament has progressed. AFP

Manuel Locatelli (Italy) - Figurehead for a young, confident Italy. A pair of goals against Switzerland - the first brace of his career - secured progress with a match to spare. An all-terrain midfielder who will be hard to leave out of the side from here. Reuters

Robin Gosens (Germany) - A revelation at left wing-back for Germany, where he has never played senior league football, having emerged via Dutch clubs and with Italy’s Atalanta. Sensational in the 4-2 win over Portugal. Reuters

STRIKERS: Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) - Three games, three goals, Lukaku has brought his superb form for Internazionale into the Euros. Belgium play to his strengths and will trust him to win Sunday’s head-to-head with Portugal’s Ronaldo. Reuters

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - Poised to set an all-time record for international goals - he 's on 109 - CR7 has hauled Portugal into the last 16. Anybody thinking that, at 36, he is fading should look at how much ground he covered to score against Germany. AFP

Eight teams out and 16 march on as Euro 2020 prepares to ramp up the drama in the knockout stages, starting on Saturday with Wales against Denmark and Italy facing Austria.

The group round of the delayed event was not short of thrills as Europe's heavyweights battled to avoid the ignominy of an early exit.

That fate almost befell Germany until a late equaliser against Hungary saw them scramble through a tricky Group F and a last 16 date with old rivals England at Wembley next Tuesday.

There was plenty of opportunity for some of the games biggest stars to shine - or flop - as the action got underway. And also some emerging talents has been on show.

Here Ian Hawkey picks his team of the group stage in the picture gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.