Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Harry Kane, Mario Mandzukic and Robert Lewandowski exited Euro 2016 with just ONE goal between them
EURO 2016 has come in for much criticism over its new format.
For the first time ever, 24 teams qualified for the group stage with only eight leaving the competition at the first phase.
One win was enough to see most through and it led to cagey performances.
And another thing that has seriously suffered is the performances of the continent’s elite strikers.
Euro 2016 was supposed to be a showcase of the best frontmen around with so many top players in France.
But few have lived up to expectation.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic finished as top goal scorer in France and Harry Kane was the best marksman in the Premier League — but both went home without finding the back of the net once.
As did Juventus and Croatia hitman Mario Mandzukic, who actually made his name in this competition four years ago, when his three goals prompted a move to Bayern Munich.
His replacement in Bavaria, Robert Lewandowski, who famously netted five goals in nine minutes in a Bundesliga match against Wolfsburg, only scored onc goalas Poland exited at the quarter-final stage.
The former Borussia Dortmund forward went AWOL in the group stage and last-16 victory over Switzerland.
Lewandowski scored Poland’s opener against Portugal before his side were eliminated from the competition after a second consecutive shoot-out.
He did, however, net in both penalty successes.
The biggest surprise off has to be Thomas Muller.
Golden Boot winner at the 2010 World Cup and scorer of another five as Germany were crowned champions four years later, he is yet to score in TEN European Championship appearances.
Although he still has at least one more match to end his drought.
Manchester United striker, Anthony Martial, was expected to shine as part of an exciting France attack.
But he has played just 58 minutes and has not been selected since being hauled off at half-time as the hosts were struggling to break down Albania in the second game.
Wayne Rooney was mainly deployed in a deep-lying midfield role but, as England’s record goal scorer, he was expected to score more than one he managed to end the tournament with.
And that was from a penalty.
Romelu Lukaku came to the Euros on the back of a stunning season in the Premier League.
And, while he finished the tournament on two goals, they were both in the same game.
Which is the same as Cristiano Ronaldo — whose tournament total came in the form of a brace against Hungary.
Although, he still has a chance to add to his tally and will be facing a Wales defence missing key men in the semi-final.
Meanwhile, Hal Robson-Kanu — with two — is a now genuine contender for the Golden Boot.