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The Euro 2016 group stage is done and dusted, providing its fair share of heroes and villains. Players like Gareth Bale, Dimitri Payet and, just recently, Cristiano Ronaldo have enlivened the proceedings, but which five supposed stars have flopped at one of the world’s most prestigious events?
Thanks to the forgiving nature of the expanded tournament format, a few players on this list still have time to make amends for their performances. For a couple of them, it’s off to the beach and an early summer break.
The 5 Biggest Flops Of The Euro 2016 Group Stage
#1: Zlatan Ibrahimovic | Sweden
Zlatan Ibrahimovic failed to find the net for Sweden. Photo: @SquawkaNews | Twitter
Zlatan Ibrahimovic always faced a tall, some would say impossible, task in leading Sweden into the finals. His excellence in leading Sweden to a 4-3 qualifying playoff victory over Denmark, during which he contributed 3 of the goals, will never be forgotten.
However, his finals appearances almost certainly will. His horrific offside miss against Italy is really the only individual play that captured the headlines.
Off the pitch, his ill-timed retirement announcement hardly seemed to invigorate his teammates for their final group match against Belgium. Would-be suitors certainly won’t be put-off by these three matches, but it was hardly the international send-off that a legend such as Zlatan deserves.
#2: Petr Cech | Czech Republic
Checkmate for Petr Cech and the Czechs. Photo: @TheSunFootball | Twitter
Petr Cech makes this list as somewhat of a fall guy for the entire Czech Republic national team. Only Russia allowed more goals (6) than the Czech Republic (5), and their goalkeeper must shoulder some of the blame.
Such has been the nature of these past international games that the 34-year-old goalkeeper is considering retiring from the national team.
“I will take a time to decide if I continue in national team (or retire),” Cech said. After a great debut season with Arsenal, this June could hardly have gone any worse for Cech.
After collecting only a single point from three matches, it may be time for a rethink of the entire Czech Republic setup.
#3: Robert Lewandowski | Poland
Lewy has been nowhere near his best for Poland. Photo: @Squawka | Twitter
Make no mistake, Robert Lewandowski still has time to make things right. Poland finished undefeated in the group stage and second in their group, behind Germany on goal difference.
No thanks to Lewandowski. After enjoying the finest season of his career with Bayern Munich, as well as scoring 13 goals over qualifying with Poland, Lewandowski has yet to register a shot on target over 270 minutes of action.
Such was the hype surrounding the Polish striker that he’s been widely considered the biggest disappointment of the tournament so far.
#4: Pedro | Spain
Pedro would rather be on the beach. Photo: @NigeriaNewsdesk | Twitter
Pedro’s appearances for Spain at Euro 2016 have totaled one, and that single appearance lasted less than 10 minutes. Yet he makes this list because of his boneheaded remarks in the lead up to Spain’s final group game.
Having been used as a substitute, Pedro declared, “It is difficult for me to play this role and if there is no continuity, it is not worth me turning up just to be part of the group.”
This is a professional footballer saying that playing football isn’t worth his time. Playing football with the Spanish national team, his country and the defending European champions, isn't worth Pedro's time. Spanish manager Vicente del Bosque should've sent him home on the spot.
This kind of preposterous arrogance seemed to infect the entire Spanish squad during their final group game, a 2-1 defeat to Croatia that cost them the top spot in Group D.
#5: Raheem Sterling | England
Raheem Sterling might be England's new fall guy. Photo: @HITCmancity | Twitter
As bad as Roy Hodgson’s decision was to have Harry Kane take corners for England, Raheem Sterling’s decision making in all facets of his game has left England supporters scratching their heads.
Sterling has looked absolutely jaded at times, his confidence surely having taken a beating from the matches against Russia and Slovakia. Even England assistant manager Ray Lewington has had to come to the aid of the winger by saying, “It’s not nice to see people like [Sterling] being booed - it does hurt. They are human beings, they feel things, particularly when they are young and trying to find their feet and it wasn’t nice.”
Sterling isn’t a favorite among English fans, his move from Liverpool to Manchester City certainly didn’t help, but England will need him to perform in the knockout rounds if they have any hopes of advancing beyond the quarterfinals.
Follow me on Twitter: @ConmanFleming
