Dimitri Payet, Renato Sanches and Harry Kane feature in our Euro 2016 achievers and underachievers

By Gerard Brand

Image: Who overachieved and who underachieved at Euro 2016

It's been a tournament of surprises at Euro 2016, but who has extended themselves and who has failed to hit the heights?

Euro 2016 may be remembered most for the Icelandic 'viking thunder-clap' and that Hal Robson-Kanu strike, but which other players have contributed most, and least? 

Here, we look at the tournament's overachievers, and those who have failed to live up to the hype when it mattered...

Overachievers

Dimitri Payet (France)

As late bloomers go, Dimitri Payet is one of the most impressive. He'll be 30 next year, and it's easy to forget the midfielder has been around the block for a while.

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Having made his debut for France in 2010, his international career took a dip, not playing a single game in 2011 and 2012, before returning to the fold a year later.

Image: Dimitri Payet was not a permanent fixture in the France side just a year ago

Even last year, the West Ham man was still fighting for a place in the France squad, but is now one of the first names on the teamsheet.

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This Euros has seen Payet at his peak; a crowd-lifter and creator, with three fine goals to boot, and will surely have a place in the best XI regardless of his final disappointment.

Hal Robson-Kanu (Wales)

In the space of little over a month-and-a-half, Hal Robson-Kanu has gone from the Reading release list to a potential Premier League move, all thanks a fine Euro campaign.

Let go from the Madejski in May, Robson-Kanu was still named as part of Chris Coleman's 23-man squad for the tournament, his stunning goal in the famous 3-1 win over Belgium the highlight, but his work elsewhere did not go unnoticed.

Image: Hal Robson-Kanu scored twice for Wales at Euro 2016

The 27-year-old was the perfect partner for Gareth Bale, holding up the ball when Wales took a direct route and allowing the Real Madrid star freedom to roam in a variety of forward areas.

Now, Sky sources understand Premier League champions Leicester are one of four top-flight sides interested in Robson-Kanu.

Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (Iceland)

Aside from scoring the goal that sent England packing, Kolbeinn Sigthorsson was Iceland's most noticeable figure in attack throughout the tournament.

Sigporsson fit Iceland's style perfectly. Physical, energetic and with a decent touch, the Nantes forward has a goal every two games for his country, though his club rate is less impressive.

Image: Kolbeinn Sigthorsson celebrates scoring against France in the last eight

He scored just four in 29 appearances for the French side last term, following a less-than fruitful four years at Ajax. To add, the 26-year-old has in the past received criticism from current Nantes chairman Waldemar Kita and his former manager at AZ Alkmaar Gertjan Verbeek, both admitting concerns about the striker's injury problems and physical shape.

Nevertheless, during Euro 2016 he was a superb watch if you're a fan of the underdog, and his goal against England in Saint-Etienne will be remembered for years to come.

Renato Sanches (Portugal)

At 35m euros, he isn't exactly a hidden gem, but Renato Sanches' performances at Euro 2016 with Portugal have shown the 18-year-old looks to be worth every penny, and more.

Bayern Munich managed to snap up the Benfica man before the tournament, despite heavy talk in the British press linking him with a move to Manchester United over the past six months.

Image: Renato Sanches has been superb for Portugal, who have reached the final

Helping Portugal to a first major tournament final since 2004, Sanches has shown athleticism beyond his years, and the decision-making of a player who made his senior club debut 10 seasons ago, not 10 months ago.

"He's 18 and flies around the pitch, and in five years I think he will be the best player in the world," said Paul Merson earlier in the tournament. Sanches was taken off - for eventual matchwinner Eder - but leaves with a winner's medal as well as a further boost to his reputation.

Underachievers

Harry Kane and Dele Alli (England)

Widely regarded as the pair who held the key to any potential England had before the tournament, Harry Kane and Dele Alli simply failed to deliver.

Alli, who was voted PFA Young Player of the Year by his peers last season after bursting onto the scene with Spurs, never hit the heights we were so used to seeing as England were sent packing in the last 16.

Image: Dele Alli (left) and Harry Kane did not hit the heights seen for Tottenham

Kane too, who received heavy criticism for his set-pieces early in the group stage, registered just four shots on target in his four appearances, with a shot accuracy of 40 per cent.

In the Premier League last season, the top scorer averaged double the amount of shots on target with a 60 per cent accuracy rate.

Robert Lewandowski (Poland)

The Poland striker's form for Bayern Munich slowed down towards the end of the season, relative to his lethal first half of the campaign, but going into Euro 2016, Lewandowski was still among the most feared strikers.

He managed just one goal in his five appearances in France - the opener of the quarter-final defeat by Portugal - but his manager was still full of praise for the 27-year-old heading into that clash.

Image: Robert Lewandowski scored just once at Euro 2016

"Robert is doing a lot of fantastic work," said Poland boss Adam Nawalka. "He has a great influence on our team and the way we play. He's incredibly important for us. He's like the steam-powered locomotive of the team. He's adapted to a new role very well."

Admittedly, Lewandowski's qualities go beyond his ability to find the back of the net, but with Poland scoring just four goals in their five games, some extra bite in front of goal could have taken his side even further.

David Alaba (Austria)

Ranked 10th in the world ahead of Euro 2016 after dropping just two points in qualifying, Austria's show in France was a major disappointment.

They finished bottom of Group F with just one point - behind Iceland, Portugal and Hungary - with Bayern Munich defender David Alaba less than impressive in his advanced midfield role.

Image: David Alaba's Austria were knocked out after picking up just one point in the group stages

It worked in qualifying, but not when it mattered, as Alaba was labelled "overrated" by some Austrian press. The outcome of the tournament, Alaba admitted, will stick with him for a while.

"It's a chapter in my personal book," he said. "One I will now carry with me. I will try to look better in the next chapter."

Thomas Muller (Germany) 

Having scored five for Germany on their way to World Cup triumph in Brazil two years ago, Thomas Muller was the man tasked with finding the goals for Joachim Low's side having named just three out-and-out forwards for the tournament. 

His touch and finishing, however, screamed of a player lacking confidence, as Germany exited at the semi-final stage without a goal to Muller's name.

Image: Thomas Muller did not score for Germany in six games at Euro 2106

So often the man to save Germany, the 26-year-old also had a hit-and-miss end to his campaign with Bayern Munich, and was dropped to the bench for the Champions League semi-final first leg defeat by Atletico Madrid. 

It seemed that form was carried to France, along with the burden of a nation... 

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