LiveScore's team of Euro 2020: Our best XI from a tournament full of talent

England’s penalty curse came back to haunt them as Italy won the European Championship in dramatic fashion. 

A month-long festival of football is over and despite the somewhat unorthodox nature of Euro 2020, which saw reduced capacities and games dotted across Europe, the event will live long in the memory.

Attention now turns to reflections and accolades. For a start, who would you pick in your team of the tournament?

While you mull that over, here is our best XI from the stars of Euro 2020. 

Goalkeeper: Kasper Schmeichel (Denmark)

People’s champions Denmark fell just short of replicating the Euros-winning class of 1992 — but Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel still shone.

The 34-year-old was in inspired form in the semi-final defeat to England, making 11 saves overall.

Schmeichel’s penalty stop from Harry Kane was perhaps the most notable, while his agility was put to the test to claw out Harry Maguire’s goalbound header in the second half.

Right-back: Denzel Dumfries (Netherlands)

There was a paucity of options for the right-back slot at Euro 2020 but Denzel Dumfries caught the eye for the Netherlands. 

In fact, so impressive was the PSV Eindhoven captain, he is now reportedly a target for Inter Milan and Everton this summer.

Goals against Ukraine and Austria were the 25-year-old defender's standout moments for Frank de Boer’s side.

Centre-back: Simon Kjaer (Denmark)

Simon Kjaer's swift actions and leadership in the face of adversity following Christian Eriksen’s collapse against Finland rightly won praise.

But the performances of the Denmark skipper were just as influential for the tournament’s surprise package.

The AC Milan centre-back's dogged display against England was typical of the spirit he demonstrated throughout.

He threw his body in the way of everything that came his way and led by example as the Danes played their hearts out to reach the semis. 

Centre-back: Harry Maguire (England)

It has been a remarkable turnaround for Harry Maguire, who was included in Gareth Southgate’s squad despite missing Manchester United’s final five games of the season.

Maguire, 28, did not make his first tournament appearance until matchday three’s dead rubber against the Czech Republic.

From then on, he was at his imperious best and the sight of the centre-back carrying the ball out of defence — as he made his trademark at the 2018 World Cup in Russia — became a common occurrence.

He ranked sixth among all central defenders for carries of at least five metres per 90 minutes (9.06) and his inclusion in Southgate's plans was well and truly vindicated.

Left-back: Leonardo Spinazzola (Italy)

Leonardo Spinazzola was arguably Italy’s best attacker at Euro 2020 — despite being a defender.

The Roma full-back, 28, operated more like a flying winger at times, with his penchant for bombing down the flank making him a constant menace.

His relationship with Lorenzo Insigne in front of him was key to Italy’s success and only Poland wing-back Kamil Jozwiak (12.35) could better his 11.95 successful carries per 90.

An Achilles rupture cruelly robbed the Azzurri star of a place in the final but Spinazzola still gets the nod in our line-up despite making his last appearance in the quarter-finals.

Central midfield: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Denmark)

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg stepped up in Eriksen’s absence, establishing himself as the driving force in Denmark’s midfield.

Not normally noted for his creative output, Hojbjerg, 25, bagged three assists for Kasper Hjulmand’s side.

On top of that, the Tottenham star ranked sixth for progressive carries (50), seventh for carries into the final third (14) and fifth again for progressive passes (40).

He was also crowned LiveScore's MVP for the group stage, which goes to show just how good he was at Euro 2020. 

Central midfield: Jorginho (Italy)

Jorginho for the Ballon d’Or? What started as an outlandish statement has suddenly gathered momentum and credibility.

The Chelsea midfielder was at the heart of everything good about the eventual winners, setting the tempo, retaining possession and launching attacks from the base of midfield.

During the knockout phase, Jorginho, 29, ranked eighth among all central midfielders for passes attempted per 90 minutes (54.5) and seventh for completed passes (50.74).

On the defensive side, he was ninth for both interceptions (3.41) and possession regains in the opposing half (1.97).

Central midfield: Pedri (Spain)

The closest thing to Andres Iniesta since the Spanish great quit international football, Pedri was the tournament’s breakout star.

The Barcelona ace, 18, did not misplace a single pass in normal time of Spain’s semi-final defeat against Italy and played with a maturity well beyond his years.

Completing 94.22% of the passes he attempted since the end of the group stage, Pedri finished sixth among midfielders over that period.

As well as finding team-mates for fun, he is an elite ball progresser and showed his ability to drive Spain upfield by completing more carries (37) than any other midfielder.

Right forward: Raheem Sterling (England)

It seems remarkable to think Raheem Sterling was not considered a guaranteed starter prior to the tournament.

Sterling silenced his doubters on matchday one, scoring the only goal of the game against Croatia to vanquish memories of the defeat to the same opponents at the 2018 World Cup.

He followed that up with the decisive strike against the Czech Republic before getting the all-important opener against Germany and forcing Kjaer’s own goal in the clash with Denmark.

Along with scoring crucial goals, Sterling was England’s most dangerous player and talisman.

Centre forward: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

The only player included in our XI not to go beyond the group stage, it is impossible to overlook Cristiano Ronaldo’s five goals for Portugal.

As well as wining the Golden Boot, Ronaldo became the all-time leading goalscorer in European Championship history, overtaking the great Michel Platini in the process.

Despite his early exit, the 36-year-old’s 16 shots were still enough to rank eighth at the tournament as a whole — an indication of his importance to Portugal. 

Left forward: Lorenzo Insigne (Italy)

Lorenzo Insigne was Italy’s most dangerous forward at Euro 2020, driving in from the left with menace.

Two goals are not reflective of the Napoli captain's overall contribution, with seven of his 19 efforts on target.

But Insigne’s stunner against Belgium, stepping inside before curling beyond Thibaut Courtois, was a Goal of the Tournament contender in its own right.

Insigne’s 12 key actions put him joint third overall and only Marco Verratti (15) bettered that tally in the Azzurri squad.

Substitutes: Jordan Pickford, Joakim Maehle, Luke Shaw, Nicolo Barella, Gini Wijnaldum, Sergio Busquets, Marco Verratti, Mikkel Damsgaard, Patrik Schick, Harry Kane, Federico Chiesa.