Thursday 7 July 2016 17:58, UK
As Wales bowed out of Euro 2016 with defeat to Portugal, the chance of a first major tournament final appearance from a home nation in 50 years also came to an end.
Chris Coleman's men still exceeded expectations, and Northern Ireland also had their moments too. Meanwhile, Republic of Ireland reached the last 16 but WhoScored.com stats say no members of Martin O'Neill's team make the British and Irish combined XI for the tournament.
In contrast, while England were the biggest disappointment, stats suggest there were some strong performers in Roy Hodgson's squad as four players make the grade.
Michael McGovern (Northern Ireland) - 7.06 rating
While the fact that Hal Robson-Kanu is a free agent has been widely discussed after some eye-catching displays this summer, Michael McGovern is another man in search of a new club who is likely to have attracted plenty of attention. The Northern Ireland keeper effectively secured his nation's place in the knockout stages by keeping the scoreline down to 1-0 in their final group game against Germany, producing 12 saves in four appearances and conceding just three goals.
James Chester (Wales) - 7.36 rating
Ashley Williams perhaps won more plaudits this summer but the two players either side of the Wales captain were arguably more consistent throughout the tournament as a whole, with James Chester certainly putting a disappointing season at West Brom behind him. The centre-back produced 36 tackles and interceptions combined in France - at least nine more than any other player at the tournament.
Chris Smalling (England) - 7.26 rating
While not reaching the form that saw him named Players' Player of the Year at Manchester United, Chris Smalling was a steady performer for England, though not without the odd scare. Ranking second at the entire tournament in terms of aerial duels won (eight) and clearances per game (10), the centre-back was Hodgson's highest-rated player to make more than one appearance.
Jonny Evans (Northern Ireland) - 7.19 rating
Utilised on both the left of a back-three and a back-four, Jonny Evans was key to Northern Ireland's progression past the group stage, with a string of commanding displays. Only three other defenders at the tournament won more tackles per game (3.3) than the West Brom man, who also somewhat bizarrely created more chances (four) and completed more dribbles (four) than any team-mate.
Kyle Walker (England) - 6.99 rating
After a strong showing in England's final friendly with Portugal, Kyle Walker established his place at right-back for the tournament and his early showings justified that place ahead of Nathaniel Clyne. While being rested against Slovakia didn't seem to help him as he struggled upon his return to the side against Iceland, only two players in the tournament have averaged more dribbles per game than the Spurs man (3.3).
Ben Davies (Wales) - 7.43 rating
Adjusting superbly to Wales' back-three system after a frustrating campaign at Tottenham, Ben Davies' absence in the semi-final with Portugal was certainly felt. He is the defender that can bring the ball out from the heart of Coleman's defence and helps to spring the counter-attacks from which this side flourish, with only two players making more interceptions at this summer's championships so far (17).
Oliver Norwood (Northern Ireland) - 7.10 rating
For Northern Ireland to progress from a difficult group, they were always likely to need a real shift from their midfield and Michael O'Neill certainly got that from Oliver Norwood. The 25-year old wasn't able to influence games in the final third too much beyond his delivery from set-pieces, but he did the dirty work - only one player at the tournament has averaged more tackles per game (4.0).
Eric Dier (England) - 7.07 rating
If there was one England player from the group stages who didn't really put a foot wrong, it was Eric Dier, and while the youngster let his concentration levels slip in the first half against Iceland, he was certainly among his team's strongest performers. The Spurs man kept play ticking over as instructed, completing 89.3% of his 67.8 passes per game, while his goal against Russia was undoubtedly the highlight having averaged 2.3 shots per game.
Aaron Ramsey (Wales) - 7.70 rating
While Wales certainly won't look back on this tournament with too much regret, they will still be thinking what might have been had Aaron Ramsey not been suspended for their semi-final with Portugal. The Arsenal playmaker was in inspired form this summer, with no player having had a direct hand in more goals (five) or registering more assists (four). His willing running helped force Wales up the pitch when they needed a breather and created space for the likes of Gareth Bale and Robson-Kanu to exploit.
Daniel Sturridge (England) - 7.12 rating
Having been left out of the opening game with Russia altogether, Daniel Sturridge would end England's bitterly disappointing campaign as their biggest threat in the final third. His last-gasp winner against Wales offered the Three Lions hope and though Hodgson was still unable to get the best out of the Liverpool striker from a wide berth, Sturridge mustered eight shots, seven key passes and eight dribbles from just 211 minutes of action.
Gareth Bale (Wales) - 8.22 rating
Whilst unable to drag an understrength Wales side through their semi-final, Bale was still the Dragons' biggest threat and although not at his best at stages of the tournament, the Real Madrid man made telling contributions in every game up until the final four. Bale has had more shots on target than any other player at the tournament (17), completed the second most dribbles (23) and earned the most WhoScored.com man of the match awards (four).
