Euro 2020 has lived up to expectations, and all the usual suspects have qualified for the knockout stages of the competition.
Most of the star players have delivered so far and they will be expected to take their performances a few notches higher in the knockout rounds.
94 goals have been scored so far in the 36 group games, with the Netherlands scoring the most goals (8) so far.
Let’s take a look at the top five forwards from the group stage of Euro 2020.
Euro 2020 –Top 5 forwards from the group stage
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal finished third in Group F, aka the Group of Death of Euro 2020, and qualified for the knockout rounds as one of the four best third-placed teams. Their star man has once again been Cristiano Ronaldo, who has already racked up five goals in the tournament.
The Juventus forward is the leading goal-scorer of the competition so far, with three of his five goals coming from the penalty spot. The competition has seen six players miss from the penalty spot in the group stages, but Ronaldo hasn’t had any problems so far.
Parabéns equipa! 👏🏽 Obrigado a todos pelo o apoio incondicional! 🇵🇹🌍🙌🏽#AcreditemTantoComoNos #vamoscomtudo pic.twitter.com/QkQwv8iH2n
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) June 23, 2021
#2 Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku has taken his good club form to Euro 2020 and has scored thrice in the opening three games. The Belgian forward scored a brace against Russia and put in a man-of-the-match performance. He also found the back of the net against Finland.
Lukaku helped turn the tide in his team’s favour with some clever attacking play against Denmark. Teams will be wary of the threat he poses, especially with star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne returning to full fitness and being a huge threat in the final third.
#3 Memphis Depay
Memphis Depay has had a good few weeks as a footballer as it was confirmed that he will join Barcelona next season, while also being in good form for the Netherlands.
The Dutchman has been exceptional for his country in the three group stage games, scoring twice and assisting once. He is a key player in the attack for his national team as his pace and trickery have caused numerous problems so far.
#4 Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski‘s Poland will not be in the knockout stages of Euro 2020 as they finished last in Group E and were knocked out of the tournament. But, the Bayern Munich forward once again left a mark with his superb attacking performances, scoring thrice in three games, including a brace against Sweden in Poland’s last game of the tournament.
🔎 | FOCUS
Robert Lewandowski gave it his all for Poland today, but, unfortunately, it wasn't enough to lead them to victory:
👌 35 touches
⚽️ 2 goals
🥅 5 shots/2 on target
🔑 1 key pass
💨 3/3 succ. dribbles
🪵 2 hit woodworks
📈 8.1 SofaScore rating#EURO2020 #SWEPOL pic.twitter.com/MyL6txi1NE— SofaScore (@SofaScoreINT) June 23, 2021
Lewandowski’s first was a superb solo effort and shot from just inside the box, while his second was a wonderful control and shot from a long ball. His two goals helped Poland level the game after they went 2-0 down, but a late goal from Viktor Claesson ended Poland’s hopes of progressing further.
#5 Ciro Immobile
Italy has surprised everyone with their resilience at the back, and their exciting attacking play. At the middle of their potent front three is Ciro Immobile, who has scored twice in his two starts.
The Italian striker is a prolific goal-scorer domestically in Italy but didn’t have a good record for his national team. Immobile has started off the tournament well with goals against Turkey and Switzerland in comfortable 3-0 wins for the Azzurri.
His poacher’s instinct and excellent finishing will be of great importance in the knockout stages if Italy is to go far in the tournament.
