Musiala and Guehi IN: Euro 2024 Team of the Group Stages

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 27 Jun 2024 09:54 BST
• 7 min read

With the group stage of Euro 2024 wrapped up, teams and players across the tournament are slowly finding momentum to emerge victorious in Germany.

There have not been too many standout performers yet in the tournament, with many countries largely relying on an overall team effort to qualify for the knockout stages.

But the tournament has been filled with drama and excitement along with some high-quality performances from some of the biggest stars in world football.

READ MORE: Euro 2024 top scorers

FootballTransfers takes a look at the best XI of the group stage at Euro 2024.

GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy)

Gianluigi Donnarumma was the player of the tournament at Euro 2020 and he has continued his fine form in Euro 2024, arguably becoming the goalkeeper of the group stage in Germany.

The fact Italy are through to the last 16 is thanks to Donnarumma, having made a huge save in injury time to ensure his country defeated Albania, while also making eight saves against Spain to keep the score respectable for the Italians.

Against Croatia, Donnarumma made three more brilliant stops, including saving Luka Modric's penalty, edging out Georgia's Giorgi Mamardashvili to justify his inclusion in this XI.

RB: Joshua Kimmich (Germany)

Despite being the hosts, few expected Germany to perform to the levels they have, however, it has been the composure of their experienced stars such as Joshua Kimmich that has epitomised their impressive displays.

Kimmich has helped Germany concede just twice in the group stage, while also providing an assist against Scotland and his ability on the ball as a natural midfielder has brought quality to all phases of play.

The Bayern star has put up some of the most impressive creative numbers so far at the tournament despite playing at full-back.

READ MORE: Euro 2024 most assists

CB: Marc Guehi (England)

Although England have had a hugely underwhelming campaign so far in attack, their defence has quietly gone under the radar, with Gareth Southgate’s side conceding just once in their three games.

A huge reason for that has been the presence of Marc Guehi at centre-back, with the Palace defender only being a starter due to an injury to Harry Maguire, but, despite his lack of international experience, he has looked like a player who has anchored England’s defence for an eternity.

CB: Jaka Bijol (Slovenia)

Jaka Bijol was a virtually unknown quantity prior to Euro 2024 but it is a testament to the Slovenian’s quality that he has locked down the centre-back position in this team due to his performances so far.

The Udinese defender has helped his side remain undefeated to reach the knockout round of the Euros for the very first time, with a wide range of passing as well as a composed head in defence.

LB: Marc Cucurella (Spain)

There has been a dramatic turnaround in Marc Cucurella’s performances in the last few months which has culminated in the Chelsea left-back becoming a star performer for his country as well as his club.

The Spaniard has ensured his side have conceded no goals in the group stage and was even afforded the luxury of being rested for the final group game against Albania after leading his country to victory in their opening two games.

CM: Toni Kroos (Germany)

Toni Kroos is hoping to end his career in legendary fashion by leading Germany to glory, with the veteran continuing to showcase the same elite quality he has displayed throughout his years at the top.

After leading Real Madrid to Champions League glory at the start of the month, Kroos has been a huge reason for Germany’s success so far, posting the highest amount of successful passes in Euro history (324) against Switzerland.

CM: Marcel Sabitzer (Austria)

One man's Champions League glory was another man's agony. Partnering Kroos in midfield is Austria star Marcel Sabitzer, who lined up against the German for Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.

By Sabitzer's own admission, the final defeat weighed heavily on him for quite some time, so much so that he wasn't in the right frame of mind to play in his country's preparation friendlies for Euro 2024.

This has barely been noticeable so far at the tournament, however, as Sabitzer has starred for Ralf Rangnick's dark horses, notching a goal and an assist as they claimed top spot in their group of death with France, the Netherlands and Poland.

CM: N’Golo Kante (France)

It’s been a veterans' tournament for midfielders as N’Golo Kante showed European fans just what they were missing since he left for Saudi Arabia last summer.

The France star rolled back the years to win the man-of-the-match award in the opening two games for his country and has made more tournament appearances than any other European player without losing (17).

AMLC: Nico Williams (Spain)

Despite not officially providing a goal or an assist so far in the tournament, arguably no other player has raised his profile quite as much as Nico Williams, who has terrorised defences.

The Athletic Club star has been the subject of intense transfer speculation during the tournament due to his pace on the ball, boasting more dribbles than any other player in the group stage, and creating danger for Spain in the final third.

AMRC: Jamal Musiala (Germany)

Gary Lineker called him 'magical,' coach Julian Nagelsmann described him as 'brilliant,' Jamal Musiala has been one of the undisputed star players so for ar Euro 2024.

Boasting silky-smooth skills and boundless creativity, the 21-year-old has looked like his old amazing self after a somewhat disappointing season by his high standards. With two goals in the first two group games, Musiala was key to Germany cruising into the knockouts.

CF: Georges Mikautadze (Georgia)

Perhaps the most difficult and contentious decision was picking a striker for this team. None of the big names have really covered themselves in glory. Alvaro Morata has been useful for Spain. Romelu Lukaku has been unlucky. Kylian Mbappe has been fine. Niclas Füllkrug has been prolific for Germany but he is not even a guaranteed starter.

Therefore, we have decided to give the nod to Georgia frontman Georges Mikautadze. The 23-year-old French-born striker leads the scoring charts after the group stage, having netted once in each of his country's games as they managed to upset the odds and get into the knockouts.