Take a bow, Payet, Kapustka, Modric and Conte

Ugly scenes of hooliganism have soured the first few days of Euro 2016, but it shouldn’t overshadow what’s been an entertaining start to the tournament. With plenty of positive football on show, all 12 matches have featured goals, and our Euro analyst and tactics expert Adrian Clarke hasn’t missed a minute of the action so far. Here’s his review of a marvellous match day 1...

Best Player – Dimitri Payet (France)

Dimitri Payet (C) celebrating his goal against Romania. Photo: AFP

West Ham United’s Payet was so exceptional against Romania that it seemed ridiculous his place in Didier Deschamps’ starting XI hadn’t been guaranteed ahead of kick off.

Oozing confidence, he skillfully sidestepped his markers all game long, dominating the contest with a gorgeously creative eye. Before hitting his wondrous 89th minute winner, he was a 9/10 and my clear Man of the Match. Once the net bulged, it was a perfect 10!

Best Youngster – Bartosz Kapustka (Poland)

Poland's Bartosz Kapustka. Photo: AFP

Plying his trade for Polish minnows Cracovia, the little known 19-year-old announced himself with a spectacular performance against Northern Ireland.

Skipping past players with ease, he was a constant tease, and the tricky winger almost bagged a world-class goal in the first period. This nerveless display will attract hoards of scouts to the next game.

Best Goal – Luka Modric (Croatia) v Turkey

Luka Modric (L) celebrating his wonder goal against Turkey. Photo: AFP

We’ve witnessed plenty of beauties already, but for the quality of its tricky execution, Modric’s sumptuous volley against Turkey earns him the winners’ rosette.

Watching a hooked clearance drop out of the Paris sky, most players would have been content to try and trap the ball, but the Croatian had other ideas, lashing a perfect first-time volley over the onrushing defenders and into the bottom corner.

It was the technique of a grand master.

Best Save - Ben Davies (Wales) v Slovakia and Jerome Boateng (Germany) v Ukraine

Wales's Ben Davies (L) coming to his country's rescue. Photo: AP

Germany's Jerome Boateng (R) clearing that shot off the line against Ukraine. Photo: AP

Normally, we’d hand this to a keeper, but the two best saves belong to defenders!

Slovakia’s Marek Hamsik is still quizzically scratching his head at how Ben Davies sprinted back to pull off a miraculous goal line recovery in their opener. Reading where his shot would be placed, the Welshman’s amazing last-ditch intervention denied him a virtuoso individual goal.

Not to be outshone, Germany’s Jerome Boateng, adjusted his feet in a magical way to fly-kick a ball off the line from underneath his own cross bar against Ukraine. Off balance, it looked like he’d score a horrible own goal, until a Cirque de Soleil-style gymnastic clearance saved the day.

Best Tactics – Antonio Conte (Italy) v Belgium

Italy coach Antonio Conte belting out instructions from the touchline. Photo: AP

Chelsea’s incoming head coach masterminded the result of the tournament so far when he steered Italy to a famous 2-0 win against Belgium.

It was almost as if Conte was controlling his players with a remote control.

Squeezing space and keeping their shape, the Italians nullified the Belgians completely, before picking them off with a couple of outstanding tactical manoeuvres. Playing with great energy, everyone knew their job inside out.

Best Team – Germany

Germany celebrating a goal against Ukraine. Photo: AFP

The world champions purred like a Rolls-Royce engine in their 2-0 success over Ukraine. There was the odd glimpse of vulnerability, but in possession (they had 68 percent of it), they passed with purpose and fluidity.

There was end product too. Germany carved out 18 chances, with eight of them hitting the target. It was an ominous start from Joachim Loew’s star-studded line-up.

Worst Team – Belgium

Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini holdng his head in frustration during the game against Italy. Photo: AFP

Belgium played like strangers at the last World Cup, and from the way they performed against Italy, it looked like they haven’t met up with one another since 2014.

Credit must be go to the Italians, but Marc Wilmots’ star turns produced a strangely disjointed effort. Performing as individuals, there was no flow to their play, and at the back they were pulled apart too easily.

Toby Alderweireld was hopeless, Kevin De Bruyne looked wasted on the right, Romelu Lukaku had a stinker, and Marouane Fellaini was anonymous. If Belgium don’t up their game, they’ll soon be out.

Flop Star – Arda Turan (Turkey) v Croatia

Turkey's midfielder Arda Turan (L) in an aerial battle for the ball. Photo: AFP

Barcelona’s gifted midfielder went missing in their opening Euro 2016 clash.

Sat on the periphery, he did nothing to stop the Croats bossing the midfield, and was so ineffective that his manager was forced to yank him off in the 65th minute.

When a player apologises to his own fans for a bad day at the office (which he later did), you know it must have been awful.

Key Trend – Striker Woes

England's forward Harry Kane clutching his face in exasperation after a wasted chance. Photo: AFP

What’s happened to all the superstar front men? With Antoine Griezmann, Robert Lewandowski, Alvaro Morata, Thomas Muller, Harry Kane, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lukaku and Cristiano Ronaldo all firing blanks, the first round of matches belonged to the midfield maestros. It’s a pattern that’s unlikely to last.

Don’t Miss…Germany v Poland

These two neighbouring countries are not the best of friends, and with group leadership up for grabs on Friday morning, I expect it to be extremely tasty. Poland impressed when beating Northern Ireland, and will take it to Germany at the Stade de France.  Lewandowski v Boateng will be a duel to savour.

Team of the Tournament So Far  (4-1-4-1)

Yann Sommer (Goalkeeper, Switzerland)

Switzerland's goalkeeper Yann Sommer stopping the ball. Photo: AFP

Made two superb saves and didn’t put a glove wrong in a commanding display against Albania.

Elsaid Hysaj (Right back, Albania)

Albania's defender Elsaid Hysaj heading away the ball. Photo: AFP

The Napoli star made two of the most sublime defence splitting passes we’ve seen in the competition so far.

Jerome Boateng (Centre back, Germany) 

Germany's defender Jerome Boateng (R) getting the better of Ukraine midfielder Yevhen Konoplyanka. Photo: AFP

He made one incredible goal-line clearance, and exuded class for 90 minutes against Ukraine.

Leonardo Bonucci (Centre back, Italy)

Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci celebrating his team's 2-0 victory. Photo: AFP

His dreamy assist for Italy’s opener caught the eye, but he also had Romelu Lukaku tucked away in his back pocket.

Ricardo Rodriguez (Left back, Switzerland)

Switzerland's Ricardo Rodriguez. Photo: AP

Looked a class act against Albania. Defended well, passed excellently, and got forward with his usual vigour.

N’Golo Kante (Dfensive midfield, France)

France's N'Golo Kante (L) getting the better of Romania's Nicolae Stanciu. Photo: AP

We’ve seen several quality displays from players in the holding midfield role, but none was as energetic as the Frenchman’s.

Luka Modric (Centre midfield, Croatia)

Croatia's midfielder Luka Modric (L) vying for the ball. Photo: AFP

Scored a wonder goal in a majestic opening game appearance. Broke up play and linked beautifully.

Toni Kroos (Centre midfield, Germany)

Germany's midfielder Toni Kroos (L) fending off Ukraine midfielder Serhiy Sydorchuk. Photo: AFP

The World Cup winner ran the show against Ukraine, producing a stream of quality passes. His assist was top notch.

Dimitri Payet (Right midfield, France)

Dimitri Payet (C) scoring the winner in France's 2-1 win. Photo: AFP

It was sensational stuff from the West Ham star on the opening night. Bagged a screamer, and played with true swagger.

Andres Iniesta (Left midfield, Spain)

Spain's midfielder Andres Iniesta (L) dribbling past Czech Republic's midfielder Jaroslav Plasil. Photo: AFP

The playmaker sparkled brightly against the Czech Republic, and supplied the winner with a delicious trademark cross.

Gareth Bale (Centre forward, Wales)

Wales forward Gareth Bale taking a shot in at goal.. Photo: AFP

Big-name strikers have been quiet so far, but the Welshman was lively. His lovely free kick strike set the tone for a great win.

About the author

Adrian Clarke is a former Arsenal midfielder who has played at every level of the English game. He now writes for TODAY and several major football websites. Follow him @adrianjclarke.