Luke Shaw could barely believe the stats that were thrown his way after England's 4-0 drubbing of Ukraine in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals.
It emerged that the Manchester United left-back had notched more European Championship assists (two) in four minutes against Ukraine than France legend Zinedine Zidane managed (one) in his whole Euros career. Shaw was superb again for England, laying on the assists for Harry Maguire and Harry Kane goals in a ruthless Three Lions performance.
Shaw played down the statistics and the suggestion that he could be in the running for the player of the tournament award, speaking after the victory in Rome.
“A very strange stat," he laughed. "A nice one, I think. Obviously Zidane was one of the best midfielders ever and I can't compare to him, like I've said before about different people.
"It's a nice stat to obviously hear but the most important thing for me tonight was reaching the semi-final, getting another game at Wembley in front of our own crowd and hopefully making them happy again.”
Shaw actually chose England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford as one of the contenders for player of the tournament. The Everton keeper is yet to concede a goal at the Euros, with England recording five successive clean sheets and scoring eight goals without reply.
"I think, for me, nowhere near the player of the tournament,” Shaw added.
“I think the concentration in the defence has been unbelievable and of course that starts with Pickers [Pickford].
“For me, Pickers has been outstanding. He's been unbelievable, one of our best players this tournament.
"Like I said, it starts with him. I'm really happy for him. He's been unbelievable."
