The young guns firing their way to glory at Euro 2024

As the Euro 2024 group phase drew to a close on Wednesday and the remaining 16 sides prepare for the knockouts, the tournament has so far provided a platform for the rising stars of the game to showcase their talents with all of Europe watching.

These are five players, aged 21 and under, who have shone during the group stage.

Nico Williams (Spain)

Spain's group-stage performances have made it a hot favorite to win the tournament — and nobody has impressed more than 21-year-old Nico Williams.

Williams turns 22 on July 12, just two days before the Euro 2024 final in Berlin.

Fresh from helping his boyhood side Athletic Bilbao to the Copa del Rey trophy, its first silverware for 40 years, Williams has shown he belongs on the international stage as part of an impressive Spain outfit.

The winger was a constant attacking threat for La Roja, particularly in the 1-0 win over Italy, for which he was named player of the match.

Entering the dressing room after the Italy match, Williams was personally congratulated by King Felipe VI of Spain, later telling the media: "I've dreamed of moments like this my whole childhood."

Jamal Musiala (Germany)

Jamal Musiala, 21, has been the host's most effective attacking force so far at Euro 2024, scoring a goal in Germany's first two games, helping it to win Group A.

Musiala was, arguably, the only shining light for Germany in a dismal 2022 World Cup campaign, which saw it eliminated at the group stage. Two years later, Musiala is looking like the complete package, adding goalscoring to his creative attacking game.

At this Euros, Musiala has put an inconsistent season with Bayern Munich behind him and linked-up well with fellow 21-year-old Florian Wirtz, despite the two playing similar roles for their respective clubs.

After a man-of-the-match performance in the 5-1 demolition of Scotland in the tournament opener, Musiala was asked if he had just played the best match of his young career. "You could say that, yes," the Germany-born, England-raised midfielder replied, laying down a warning to the other teams at the tournament.

Jude Bellingham (England)

Despite being just 20 years of age, England youngster Jude Bellingham has arguably become a pivotal component of the Three Lions' midfield since his star turn at the 2022 World Cup.

Scorer of the only goal in England's only victory of the tournament so far, Bellingham came into Euro 2024 off the back of a La Liga and Champions League double with Real Madrid.

Alongside Harry Kane and Phil Foden, Bellingham will be crucial to England's fortunes should it shake off more than half a century of heartbreak and win a major tournament.

Arda Guler (Turkiye)

Arda Guler, 19, has picked up at the Euros where he left off domestically, having finished the La Liga season in excellent form with Real Madrid, scoring five goals in his last five league fixtures.

With the scores locked at 1-1 in Turkiye's opener against Georgia, Guler scored a long-range screamer that is already a contender for goal of the tournament.

At 19 years, 114 days, Guler became the youngest player to score on their Euros debut — breaking the record of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Guler was not yet born when Ronaldo, now 39, set the record, a fitting tribute, given the Portuguese superstar is likely playing his last Euros before handing the baton to the new generation.

Lamine Yamal (Spain)

Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal became the youngest Euros player ever when making his debut in Spain's 3-0 win over Croatia, aged 16 years and 338 days.

Yamal also became the youngest player to lay on a Euros assist in that match, and, again, impressed against Italy, before starting from the bench against Albania as Spain made it three wins from three matches in the group stage.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente explained that he was trying to ease the burden on the young star, who he described as being "touched by God's magic wand".

AFP