7 Euro 2016 Truths: Kroos control, Bartosz Kapustka is top of the Poles

Jerome Boateng rightly stole the show for Germany during their match with Ukraine. The defender’s heroic and dramatic clearance on the Manuel Neuer's line prevented a certain goal and it could hardly have been more eye-catching. Initially blocking the ball in the six-yard box, Boateng had to hurl himself into the back of his own net while somehow clearing the ball to safety. It’s so rare that a clearance gets more attention than a winning goal, but in this case it was thoroughly justified.

Toni Kroos was utterly imperious for Germany against Ukraine and the Real Madrid midfielder demonstrated why he is so valuable for Joachim Low’s side. The 26-year-old reportedly misplaced just two passes in the entire match as he bossed the show from midfield in a way that showed England and others exactly what they are missing from a deep position. Kroos’s talents may often be overlooked in Real Madrid’s star-studded team, but his quality stands out on an international stage perhaps even more.

Northern have a defined way of playing; it revolves around a sound defensive base. However, that does not mean that they are beholden to one particular formation or shape. Michael O’Neill’s side started the first half in a 5-3-2 formation and morphed into a 3-5-2 when they attacked.

However, at half-time they reverted to a more familiar 4-1-4-1 formation. It was a much better performance come the second half from O’Neill's men despite conceding the goal that ultimately cost them the match. O’Neill and his side may have lost but they showed enough to suggest that they will not be overawed here.

They are in a tough group with Ukraine and Germany but getting out of the group should still be the target.

Northern Ireland set up to frustrate Poland and for large swathes of the match they did just that. However, the Poles remained patient – they continued to probe and were eventually rewarded with a fine strike from Arek Milik.

The concession of the goal sparked O’Neill's men into action. They played with abandon but Poland remained resolute and continued to play their game. They did not try to sit on their lead – take note England – and were rewarded with a first win at a knockout competition in 10 years.

Poland are a side of guile and grit. This is their most exciting side since they finished third at the World Cup in 1982. They should go deep into this tournament.

Kapustka, 19, plays for KS Cracovia in Poland’s Ekstraklasa. However, do not expect him to be there for much longer. Kapustka was nominally operating down the Polish left but appeared to have the freedom to roam. And roam he did.

He played with an authority beyond his years in only his fifth appearance for the national team. He was calm in possession, diligent in his defence and was arguably Poland’s best player. He had a hand in much of what was good from an exciting Poland side.

Their midfield contains Real Madrid’s Luka Modric, Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic and Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic. Juventus’ Mario Mandzukic is up front and wily Vedran Corluka, formerly of Manchester City and Tottenham marshals the defence. What’s not to like? Croatia have a team full of talent and showed as much with a dominant win over Turkey.

Former national team boss – and current West Ham manager – Slaven Bilic believes that they are even better than the team that made the World Cup last four in 1998. "This is maybe the best Croatian team on paper," he said before the match. And the bookmakers had them at 25/1. Have we missed something?

Luka Modric makes Croatia tick. His goal was wonderful and will get all the headlines, but his all-round game is simply crucial to his country as well - his passing, his vision, and ability to dictate the tempo of a game and inspire his team-mates.

His coach, Ante Cacic, was in no doubt about this after the game. “We need Luka in this form because, when he is, the whole team looks different. It looks better and more aggressive.”

So, despite all the brilliant other players in their ranks, mentioned above, just like Ronaldo for Portugal or Bale for Wales, if Croatia could guarantee that one player would feature in every minute for them, there are no prizes for guessing who it would be…

Dan Quarrell, Marcus Foley, Kevin Coulson