We are three match days into Euro 2020 now, and it is safe to say that the stars from the 90 minute Our 21 are making their presence felt.
Of the 21 players, 17 have gone through the knockout stages, with many playing an integral role in the team’s success.
Some have scored huge goals, others have won the UEFA Star of the Match awards, and others (yes, most) have been linked to moves to the biggest clubs in Europe.
Let’s take a look at how they have all done so far.
The foot impressed in the first game / Chloe Knott – Danehouse / Getty Images
Group games: 2
The foot started England’s first two games but was dropped for the third to avoid picking up a suspension, which could have been disastrous with Mason Mount still isolating.
We saw real glimpses of the Man City starlet’s dazzling quality, especially in the first game against Croatia. Some lovely first hand and an early strike that hit the post to set the tone, and Foden saw home as a start for England.
The next match against Scotland was not his best, but you can say that about literally anyone in a shirt in England.
Gravenberch dominated Northern Macedonia / BSR Agency / Getty Images
Group games: 2
Gravenberch was slowly admitted to Euro 2020. He was an unused substitute in the first game, came off the bench for the second time and then got his first international start in the third against Northern Macedonia.
As you would expect, the Ajax man was dominant. He shone in defense and dominated the attack, and now we can look forward to seeing him support his stuff against superior opposition.
Pedri has been excellent for Spain / David Ramos / Getty Images
Group games: 3
Luis Enrique allowed Pedri to play every minute of Spain’s group stage trip, and the Barcelona man could hardly have looked more at home if he had tried.
So far, he has been one of Spain’s foremost artists. His vision on the pitch has been an integral part of his team’s heavy possession style, but his willingness to carry the ball to the final third is what sets him apart from the rest of his teammates.
He is no longer a “future star”. Pedri is just a star.
Isaac has earned many new fans / Kirill Kudryavtsev – Pool / Getty Images
Group games: 3
None of Our 21 starlets has had a success as big as Isak. He already killed it in La Liga, but now his talents are known all over Europe.
Isak did not even score for Sweden, but still looked like one of his team’s best performers, and he almost gave us a goal-by-tournament competitor with a ridiculous run against Slovakia.
He has been an integral part of Sweden’s surprising success so far, and it can continue for a long time.
Mendes has been injured / Gualter Fatia / Getty Images
Group games: 0
It was frustrating a few weeks for Mendes. Benched for the first game, he picked up a muscle injury shortly after that kept him on the sidelines for the remaining matches.
When Portugal face a tricky 16-year-old with Belgium, Mendes may have to return soon if he wants to play in this tournament.
Doku dazzled on his only appearance / Anatoly Maltsev – Pool / Getty Images
Group games: 1
It would always be tough for Doku to play in a stacked Belgian side, but he took his chance when he got his only start in the third match against Finland.
Doku was excellent and showed why scouts have been so high on him for several years now. He may not keep his place in the squad in the future, but Doku showed that he can keep up with the big boys.
Baumgartner can play for a summer transfer / Mihai Barbu – Pool / Getty Images
Group games: 3
Baumgartner’s Euro 2020 has gone so well that he is now linked to a blockbuster move to Liverpool.
The Austrian player played either as a striker or winger and has been outstanding for his side and even added a great goal to seal the 1-0 victory against Ukraine who booked their place in the 16-year-olds.
Felix is not in full condition / Alex Pantling / Getty Images
Group games: 0
Like teammate Mendes, Felix has yet to see a minute of action this summer due to his own muscle injury.
He was back on the bench for the last game against France, so here we hope that Felix is close to a return.
The future looks bright for Gilmour / Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA / Getty Images
Group games: 1
What a roller coaster this summer was for Gilmour.
His only outing came at Wembley against England, where he absolutely ran the show and got the man of the match. Fans from both sides were left.
Gilmour’s tournament ended abruptly with a positive COVID-19 test, which kept him on the sidelines when Scotland crashed out of the competition.
Damsgaard shot himself in the record books / Wolfgang Rattay – Pool / Getty Images
Group games: 2
Damsgaard recorded after Denmark’s difficult 1-0 loss against Finland and played a role in writing this summer’s most dramatic story to date.
He became the first player born in the 2000s to score on the euro with a world champion of a strike against Russia, which steered his side to a 4-1 victory and a place in the knockout stages.
Kulusevski has just started / Maxim Shemetov – Pool / Getty Images
Group games: 1
A positive COVID-19 test before the tournament started has limited Kulusevski to just 35 minutes so far, but boy, what 35 minutes were they.
The high edge came from the bench towards Poland and went on an absolute tear. Kulusevski placed Przemyslaw Frankowski in a spin cycle on his way to the first of two excellent assistants who booked Sweden a trip to the 16-year-olds.
Elmas impressed in a fighting team / Soccrates Images / Getty Images
Group games: 3
Elmas played every minute of Northern Macedonia’s captivating campaign, and there were a handful of moments that showed exactly why he was named the country’s next superstar after the retirement of Goran Pandev.
His tournament may be over now, but his career has just begun.
Raspadori has been fighting for minutes / Insidefoto / Getty Images
Group games: 1
15 minutes in the last match against Wales was probably the best Raspadori could have hoped for in an Italian side that wanted to take over Europe this summer.
It’s hard to see Raspadori start from this point forward, but he will be determined to impress at every turn.
Musical radiated towards Hungary / Matthias Hangst / Getty Images
Group games: 1
Like Raspadori, Musiala’s chances of starting for Germany would always be small.
He was left out of the squad for Germany’s first two matches, but Musiala received a huge display of faith from Joachim Low when he arrived late in Hungary, when Germany needed a goal to avoid elimination from the tournament.
Musiala only managed eight minutes but absolutely ran the show after his introduction, and it was no surprise to see Germany come back to the game because of that.
Kozlowski made history / Boris Streubel / Getty Images
Group games: 2
Now officially the youngest player in the history of the Euro, it is safe to say that this was a good summer for Kozlowski, whose Polish side failed to make it out of the groups.
The 17-year-old impressed during two stints from the bench, including a very solid cameo against Spain.
De Ligt was excellent when he returned from injury / BSR Agency / Getty Images
Group games: 2
After missing the first game with a groin injury, De Ligt struck back seamlessly in the Dutch defense for match two and gave their side a much-needed stability.
De Ligt led the Netherlands to two clean sheets and was one of the best midfielders in the group stage, but it came as absolutely no surprise.
Hlozek had to settle for minutes from the bench / MICHAL CIZEK / Getty Images
Group games: 3
He took the role of super sub for the Czech Republic and got Hlozek off the bench in all three matches to help his side through to the next round.
With such inconsistent minutes, we have not really seen the best of Hlozek, but he will have the chance to make a bigger impact in the knockout phase.
Saka was impressive for England / Robin Jones / Getty Images
Group games: 1
Saka did not participate for England until the third match in the groups, but based on that performance he will see many more minutes in the knockout stages.
The Arsenal winger was sublime against the Czech Republic and impressed with his work frequency and creativity, and he was involved in the goal that helped England cover the top spot in the group.
Saka gave England something they had missed in the first two matches, and he will continue to do so in the coming weeks.
Williams impressed against tough opposition / Claudio Villa / Getty Images
Group games: 2
A minute’s como in match two was followed by a start in the third game for Williams, who was given the unforgivable task of submitting to an Italian side who have played themselves to favorite status this summer.
It was obviously a tough game for the young fullback, but it will have been a good preparation for the knockout stages.
Torres scored a wonderful goal / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
Group games: 3
Torres was released to the bench after an overwhelming display against a Swedish side that neutralized every Spaniard forward, Torres rediscovered his mojo from the bench.
He netted with his first touch in the 5-0 victory against Slovakia and pulled out a lovely little tab just 44 seconds after entering the game to open his account for the summer.
The competition in minutes in Spain’s forward line is fierce, but Torres does enough to give himself a real chance.
Bellingham have seen limited minutes so far / Robin Jones / Getty Images
Group games: 2
For a full six days, Bellingham was the youngest Euro player ever before Kozlowski came and stole the record for himself.
Getting that record was the brightest moment in what would otherwise have been a silent tournament for Bellingham. He has seen only 30 minutes of action so far and was kept on the bench for the Scotland game, which only called for a midfielder like him.
Fortunately, England are in the knockout stages, so there should be more chances for Bellingham to shine.
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