The UEFA Euro 2024 group stage is heating up, and the race for a spot in the round of 16 is intensifying.
As it stands, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Switzerland have secured their spots in the round of 16. Unfortunately, Poland and Scotland won’t be moving forward in the tournament.
Read Also: Germany Crushes Scotland 5-1 in Dominant Euro 2024 Opener
In each group, the top two teams plus the four best third-placed teams will move on to the round of 16.
Here’s a breakdown of the current standings and what each team needs to do to advance:
Group A
- Germany has secured first place, and Switzerland is through as the runner-up. Hungary is still in contention, while Scotland has been eliminated.
Group B
- Spain has secured the top spot, and Italy is through after a late equaliser helped avoid defeat against Croatia to secure the runner-up spot. Croatia have a slim chance of advancing as the best loser.
Group C
- England, Denmark, Slovenia, and Serbia are all still in contention, with various scenarios depending on the outcomes of their final group-stage matches. Serbia will be unable to advance if they lose or if they draw and Slovenia avoid defeat.
Group D
- The Netherlands will progress to the round of 16 as the top third-placed team unless Albania defeats Spain. They can secure a top-two position by avoiding a loss to Austria. Winning the group will require a win while France doesn’t, or a draw while France loses.
- France will progress to the round of 16 as the best third-placed team after Albania lost 1-0 to Spain. To secure a top-two spot, they need to avoid defeat against Poland or hope Austria doesn’t beat the Netherlands.
- Austria can secure a top-two spot by defeating the Netherlands and could potentially win the group. Poland cannot reach the round of 16.
Group E
- Slovakia and Romania played to a 3-3 draw, and Ukraine and Belgium also drew 3-3.
- Romania, Belgium, Slovakia, and Ukraine are still in contention for advancing to the round of 16, with their fate depending on the outcomes of their final group-stage matches.
Group F
- Portugal has advanced to the round of 16 as the winners of the group.
- Türkiye and Czechia are still in contention for the runner-up spot, with the result hinging on their final group-stage match.
Settling Ties, How Best Loser Works
In the event of a tie on points at the end of the final tournament group stage in Group F, the teams’ rankings are determined by specific criteria in the following order.
- Points earned in matches played between the tied teams are considered first.
- Next, the goal difference from matches played between the tied teams is taken into account.
- Subsequently, the number of goals scored in matches played between the tied teams is examined.
If the teams are still tied after applying the above criteria, the same criteria are then applied to matches between the remaining teams. If a decision is still not reached, criteria e) to i) are applied in a specified order.
These subsequent criteria include considering the goal difference in all group matches, the number of goals scored in all group matches, and the total disciplinary points based on yellow and red cards in all group matches.
The teams’ position in the overall European Qualifiers rankings is taken into account, or a drawing of lots is conducted in Germany, as the host association team, is involved in the comparison.
If two teams have the same points, goals scored, goals conceded, and their last group match ends in a draw, their final rankings are determined by penalty kicks, provided no other teams in the group have the same number of points.
To select the four best third-placed teams, the results of the third-placed teams are compared based on their three group stage matches, according to the specified criteria, including points earned, goal difference, goals scored, number of wins, and disciplinary points.
The teams’ position in the overall European Qualifiers rankings is considered, or a drawing of lots is conducted in Germany, as the host association team, is involved in the comparison.
Once the four best third-placed teams are determined, Article 21.05 of the regulations explains the placement of each third-placed team in the tournament ties.
