Most teams at Euro 2024 are facing a critical moment, with the last 16 spots potentially being determined by the slimmest of margins.
Group A concluded with Germany narrowly securing its place as winners, followed by Switzerland in second place. Scotland's dramatic loss on Sunday marked the end of its journey at the Euros, while Hungary is left wondering if their three points will be enough to secure one of the four third-place spots for the next stage.
England is aiming to top Group C with a victory over Slovenia on Tuesday, but not all groups will have such clear outcomes. It's possible for many soccer teams to end up with the same number of points after three games, prompting UEFA to establish a comprehensive list of criteria to determine who advances to the knockout stages.
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The primary method to differentiate two teams tied on points is their head-to-head record, with the winning team ranking higher in the group. If that match ended in a draw, the teams are then ranked based on goal difference, followed by goals scored, disciplinary record, and finally qualifying ranking.
In cases where multiple teams end up with the same number of points - as is currently the case with all four teams in Group E each having three points - the same process is applied.
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However, there's an additional twist. If two teams are tied on points, goal difference, and goals scored and face each other in the final round of games assuming no other teams in the group have the same number of points, their position will be determined by a penalty shootout.
The expansion of the Euros to include 24 nations means that four third-place spots are up for grabs in the round of 16. A similar set of factors is used to differentiate the eligible teams: higher number of points, superior goal difference, most goals scored, highest number of wins, lowest disciplinary points, and position in the qualifying rankings.
Four of the 16 spots in the next round have already been claimed, with Portugal and Spain also winning their respective groups. Scotland became the second team to be eliminated on Sunday, following Poland's early departure.