Wednesday night brought down the curtain on the biggest-ever European Championship group stage with 36 matches played at Euro 2016 so far.
Despite expectations of a dilution in quality, the tournament has instead seen a group of underdogs impressing, with no team holding a 100 per cent record just three games in.
Goalkeeper: Michael McGovern (Northern Ireland)
Produced an outstanding performance against world champions Germany and made 16 saves overall, conceding just twice, to guide Northern Ireland through a difficult group.
Northern Ireland goalkeeper Michael McGovern keeps out a shot from Germany’s Mario Gomez on Tuesday
Right back: Darijo Srna (Croatia)
Captaining Croatia in all three group games despite the death of his father, Srna was defensively solid, offered a great outlet on the right and made sure his team didn’t completely lose their heads despite their troubles.
Croatia captain Darijo Srna slides in on Spain winger Nolito during his country’s 2-1 victory on Tuesday night
Centre back: Ragnar Sigurdsson (Iceland)
Another defensive member of a side barely given a chance by critics, Sigurdsson played a key role in frustrating Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal before a similarly composed display to deny Austria.
Iceland defender Ragnar Sigurdsson tussles with Austria forward Marko Arnautovic during his side’s 2-1 win
Centre back: Leonardo Bonucci (Italy)
A slip to let Wes Hoolahan in on Wednesday night aside, Bonucci has been the tournament’s outstanding defender, particularly impressing with his display and assist in the surprise win over Belgium.
Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci stops Republic of Ireland striker Shane Long from getting to the ball first
Left back: Robbie Brady (Republic of Ireland)
Norwich City winger has played the full back role for his club and Ireland’s minnow status in their group meant he was often pinned back but still offered great runs down the wing and his goal against Italy was brilliant.
Defender Robbie Brady sent Republic of Ireland into the last 16 of Euro 2016 with a late header against Italy.
Defensive midfielder: Granit Xhaka (Switzerland)
Arsenal new boy was the pass master for the Swiss as they got through the group unbeaten. Man of the match in their opener against Albania and then continued to impress, including against hosts France.
Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka (left) battles for the ball with France forward Kingsley Coman on Sunday
Centre midfield: Toni Kroos (Germany)
Kroos completed more passes than the entire Northern Ireland team in Germany’s win in Paris and he has been the group stage’s pass master to help the world champions breeze through.
Toni Kroos (right) controlled the game from midfield as Germany defeated Northern Ireland 1-0 in Paris
Centre midfield: Andres Iniesta (Spain)
Outstanding against Czech Republic in Spain’s opener to re-establish the European champions as favourites before their Croatia collapse and pulled the strings in tournament’s biggest win so far over Turkey.
Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta gets away from Croatia’s Marko Rog during their Group D clash in Bordeaux
Right wing: Dimitri Payet (France)
West Ham hero lit up the tournament opener after being allowed a roaming role by Didier Deschamps with his brilliant strike before another well-taken goal against Albania.
France forward Dimitri Payet kicks the corner flag as he celebrates scoring his side’s second against Albania
Striker: Gareth Bale (Wales)
Euro 2016 has seen a lack of great striking performances, but Bale netted three goals as the Welsh driving force in Group B and has occupied a central role for Chris Coleman’s side.
Gareth Bale pokes home Wales’ third goal in their 3-0 victory over Russia in Toulouse on Monday evening
Left wing: Ivan Perisic (Croatia)
Surprised plenty as the outstanding player of the tournament so far, not least champions Spain and David de Gea. His darts down the left flank have proven to be the most-dangerous movement that defenders have struggled to cope with.
Ivan Perisic runs off to celebrate after netting a late winning goal for Croatia against Spain on Tuesday night
Unfortunate to miss out…
Hannes Halldorsson (Iceland) has made more saves than any other goalkeeper and proved a frustrating presence for Ronaldo and Co in Group F, while the goal-line clearance Jerome Boateng (Germany) produced against Ukraine was a high point in his marshalling of a defence that is yet to concede.
Balazs Dzsudzsak (Hungary) was brilliant in helping Hungary top their group and Alvaro Morata (Spain) remains in the hunt for the Golden Boot with three strikes so far