Euro 2016 has failed to disappoint fans in terms of the intrigue and thrilling displays of football which was expected of it, and the competition has done exceptionally well to keep football enthusiasts busy before the League season kicks-off later in August.
So far, it seems like all 24 teams are evenly matched with just a couple of nations failing to live up to the spectacle of the Euros as things stand.
The results have been tight with a one or two goal margin separating the winner and loser on many occasions with Spain’s 3-0 thumping of Turkey being the only exception, a game in which Alvaro Morata bagged a brace, and Nolito put one in the back of the net.
Some players have managed to put in sensational performances while others haven’t quite lived up to the billing, but since there are still a couple of fixtures left in each group, the players still have some time to impress.
Arguably every player wants to win the Euros with their country, but surely they’ll also have their sights set on individual accolades and on that note let’s take a look at the top contenders for the golden boot award judging by what we’ve seen so far in the tournament.
Dimitri Payet
France hasn’t been playing like real contenders, but Dimitri Payet certainly has. He’s already bagged two goals in two games stamping his authority in closing moments of the games he’s ben involved in thus far.
Payet had a great campaign with West Ham in the recently concluded Premier League season and judging by the looks of things; he’s carried his form at club level to the grand international stage.
With the way the Frenchman is playing, he looks all set to be right up there in terms of goals when the tournament draws to a close.
Alvaro Morata
Morata was hitting the headlines even before the competition started with reports suggesting that he’s on his way out of Juventus. However, the Spaniard hasn’t let the speculations affect his concentration at the bigger stage and has already hit the back of the net twice in this year’s European Championships.
Both goals came in the game against Turkey, and he’ll be hoping to reproduce similar kind of performances in upcoming games – he certainly has the ability and quality to impress on the international stage.
Olivier Giroud
Giroud got off to a flying start as he bagged his first goal of the tournament in the opening fixture against Romania with a glancing header.
Giroud is very lethal in front of goal, and when fed with good balls in and around the 18-yard-area, he can convert them into goals, and could very well finish the competition as the highest goal scorer.
Gareth Bale
Wales’ poster boy Gareth Bale seems to be handling all the pressure and the weight of expectation that has been placed on him to get Wales through to the knockout stages with luster.
Despite all the pressure, he’s already bagged two very stunning goals for Wales and with the way he’s playing right now he may just win the golden boot when the competition ends.