GOAL's Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament: Lamine Yamal leads Spain-dominated line up as just two England players make the cut

Pickford was England's best player at Euro 2024. He made 17 saves in total, including two brilliant stops to keep out Lamine Yamal in the final, and his distribution was almost flawless. The Everton goalkeeper also stepped up to the plate in another penalty shootout as England edged past Switzerland in the quarter-finals, showing the next generation just how important pre-match research on your opponents can be.

An honourable mention must go to Giorgi Mamardashvili, whose 29 saves inspired Georgia to the knockout stage in their first ever Euros appearance, but Pickford provided the foundation for England to reach a second successive final, and deserved to leave Germany with a winners' medal around his neck.

Carvajal's trophy cabinet is bursting at the seams now, but Spain's success is unlikely to quench the Real Madrid man's hunger for silverware. The 32-year-old was a rock at the back for De La Fuente's team, and became the oldest player to score for Spain at the Euros with a clever poked finish in the group stage against Croatia.

Spain had to make do without Carvajal in their semi-final against France as he served a suspension, but the diminutive general returned for the final in better shape than ever, and shut down the majority of England's attacks down the left flank. A world-class performer who seems to be ageing line a fine wine.

Stones has been the most underrated member of the England squad for several years now, and that theme continued in the early stages of Euro 2024 as tournament debutant Marc Guehi impressed after being drafted in to replace the injured Harry Maguire as his centre-back partner. But the Three Lions would never have made it to another final without Stones, who barely put a foot wrong and set a shining example with his composure and technical quality.

None of the blame for England's final defeat can be laid at his door, either. Stones dominated Alvaro Morata and drove the Three Lions out of defence at every opportunity, but those around him couldn't reach the same standards. It's high time Manchester City's Roll's Royce is given the credit he's due.

Many thought Laporte was cashing in his chips when he left Manchester City to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr last summer, but he's proven his critics wrong over the past four weeks. The 30-year-old rolled back the years in Germany, exuding a sense of calm across the Spanish backline and serving as the main link to the midfield with his exceptional passing.

Laporte's standout display came in La Roja's quarter-final win over the host nation, which included a vital clearance, and Spain generally relied on him to kick-start their build-up play. The former City star is wasted in the Middle East, but might well receive a few offers to return to Europe in the coming weeks.

Cucurella's first two years at Chelsea have been disappointing, to say the least. Gary Neville even suggested the 25-year-old's presence would prevent Spain from winning the Euros, but he shut the former England defender up in spectacular fashion.

Spain's threat on the left stemmed from Cucurella's relentless pressing and impressive delivery, as he struck up an instant rapport with Nico Williams. The ex-Brighton defender capped a remarkable tournament with the assist for Mikel Oyarzabal's winning goal in the final, proving beyond all doubt that he is an elite operator who still has plenty to offer Chelsea in the coming years.

"For me Rodri is the best player in the world, please give him the Ballon d'Or now," De la Fuente insisted after Spain's Euros triumph, and it's difficult to argue with him. A cruel injury saw Rodri limp out of the final early, but was still voted Player of the Tournament, which just goes to show how influential he was in Spain's previous six games.

Man City and Spain's talismanic No.16 is the finest defensive midfielder of his generation; everything goes through him. Rodri's outstanding technical ability is matched only by his ferocious competitive spirit, and he's an expert reader of the game. Football's most coveted individual prize would be just reward for his remarkable exploits at club and international level over the past year.

Few could have predicted how much of an impact Ruiz would make at the Euros this summer. The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder's first two years at Parc des Princes have been underwhelming, but he took his game to new heights right from the off in Germany.

Ruiz scored twice, including a sublime individual goal against Croatia, and provided two assists during Spain's run to the title. The former Napoli man was a constant menace with his movement and forward-thinking passing, proving to be the perfect foil for Rodri at the base of midfield. It might be strange to say of a 28-year-old, but Ruiz's prime years could very well be ahead of him.

Olmo only started three games for Spain at the Euros, but no one could better his haul of five goal contributions. The RB Leipzig ace always made a decisive impact, even when having to make do with a super-sub role, showcasing his exceptional decision-making in the final third.

When Spain needed a killer pass, more often than not, Olmo was the man to provide it and he was equally deadly when he got a sight of goal. It's little wonder that Barcelona, Manchester United and Manchester City are all said to be chasing Olmo's services ahead of the new season, and it's fair to say the 26-year-old has outgrown Leipzig at this point.

Yamal's record-breaking exploits in Germany will live long in the memory. He's now the youngest player to ever appear in a major tournament final, surpassing a certain Brazilian named Pele, and comparisons with Lionel Messi are starting to feel realistic.

The Barcelona wonderkid, who turned 17 on Saturday, also equalled the record for the most assists at a single Euros (four), the last of which came in the form of a perfect pass for Nico Williams in the final against England, and curled in what will endure as one of the greatest Euros goals of all-time from 25-yards against France in the semis. Yamal has justified the insane hype around him in spectacular fashion, and it will be fascinating to see what he does next.

It has to be noted that Gakpo was mainly deployed as a left winger for the Netherlands at Euro 2024, but there was a distinct lack of options for the striker slot in this line up because the continent's elite frontmen didn't really show up in Germany. Gakpo was the closest thing to a fully functioning No.9, as he naturally drifted into the centre for Ronald Koeman's team.

The Liverpool star earned a share of the Golden Boot with three goals, while essentially carrying his country through to the last four. The Oranje are a disjointed side these days, but Gakpo was a constant threat with his pace and direct dribbling, which suggests he does still have a bright future at Anfield, despite a mixed start to his career with the Reds.

Yamal took most of the plaudits for Spain over the past month, but Williams was just as important to their success as his teenage partner-in-crime. The Athletic Club winger played like a man possessed from the first minute to the last at the Euros, demanding the ball constantly and attacking his marker with real purpose.

Williams' crowning moment came when he slotted home Spain's opener against England for his second goal of the tournament. Kyle Walker kept him quiet in the first half of the final, but the 22-year-old showed impressive mental strength to re-emerge as La Roja's most influential performer in the second 45. Williams is now being touted for a big-money switch to Chelsea, and his aggressive style of play is ideally suited to Premier League football.