Stats prove Cristiano Ronaldo was the most wasteful forward at Euro 2024
After the conclusion of Euro 2024 on Sunday evening, we’ve taken a look back at which players underperformed their Expected Goals figure in Germany. Here, we run through the top 10.
10. Ante Budimir (Croatia) - 1.43 xG underperformance
Despite exiting the tournament in the group stages, only seven teams created more xG than Croatia at Euro 2024. Zlatko Dalic’s side were creative enough but lacked a clinical striker, exemplified in Bruno Petkovic’s underperformance in the competition. The 32-year-old made just one start, but should have netted at least once from his five attempts on goal.
9. Rasmus Hojlund (Denmark) - 1.45 xG underperformance
Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund had a European Championship campaign to forget with Denmark, failing to find the net with any of his six shots on goal, which were worth a total of 1.45 xG.
8. Lamine Yamal (Spain) - 1.51 xG underperformance
Even after his wonder-goal against France in last week’s semi-final, Spain star Lamine Yamal ends the tournament with an xG underperformance of 1.51. In all, Yamal fired off 18 shots on goal, finding the net just the once.
7. Antoine Griezmann (France) - 1.71 xG underperformance
France attacker Antoine Griezmann failed to score a goal at a second successive major international tournament, in what was a disappointing campaign for the 33-year-old individually. Griezmann lost his place in Didier Deschamps’ first-choice XI on two occasions, and struggled in front of goal, underperforming his xG by 1.71.
6. Aleksandar Mitrovic (Serbia) - 1.82 xG underperformance
Former Fulham hitman Aleksandar Mitrovic takes sixth place in our top 10, having failed to find the target with any of his 10 attempts on goal, which were collectively worth 1.82 Expected Goals.
5. Memphis Depay (Netherlands) - 2.00 xG underperformance
Into the top five now with Netherlands striker Memphis Depay, who led the line in every single game for Ronald Koeman’s side, despite calls for Wout Weghorst to replace him. The now free agent mustered 17 shots on goal in total, finding the net just once.
4. Kylian Mbappe (France) - 2.02 xG underperformance
Real Madrid’s new star Kylian Mbappe is another player who endured a disappointing campaign at Euro 2024. The Frenchman broke his nose in the opening group game, before netting a penalty against Poland two matches later - his only goal at the tournament. In all, Mbappe underperformed - given the chances he was presented - by more than two goals.
3. Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) - 2.29 xG underperformance
Unlike Mbappe, Romelu Lukaku’s underwhelming Euro 2024 campaign saw him fail to find the net entirely, despite racking up an Expected Goals total of 2.29. The 31-year-old fired off 11 shots on goal to no avail, and had three goals disallowed.
2. Kai Havertz (Germany) - 3.11 xG underperformance
Although he ended the tournament with two goals - both from the penalty spot - Arsenal and Germany striker Kai Havertz was Euro 2024’s second biggest xG underperformer. Given the chances he was presented, the 25-year-old would have been expected to finish the tournament with at least five goals.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - 3.52 xG underperformance
The biggest xG underperformer at Euro 2024 was Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who failed to find the net despite firing off 23 attempts on goal - only Kylian Mbappe (24) managed more. Ronaldo also failed to convert an extra-time penalty in the round of 16 clash with Slovenia, contributing to an underperformance of 3.52.
