Euro 2024 Best 3rd Place: How Teams Qualified for the Round of 16

The group stage of Euro 2024 saw intense competition, with several teams vying for a spot in the knockout rounds. While the top two teams in each group automatically advanced, the four best third-placed teams also earned a place in the round of 16. This article breaks down the criteria used to determine the Euro 2024 Best 3rd Place teams and how they impacted the tournament.

Determining the Euro 2024 Best 3rd Place Teams

UEFA employs a specific set of criteria to identify the four best third-placed teams. These criteria are applied sequentially:

1. Points: The higher the number of points accumulated in the group stage, the better.
2. Goal Difference: If teams have the same number of points, the team with a superior goal difference (goals scored minus goals conceded) advances.
3. Goals Scored: If goal difference is also tied, the team with more goals scored takes precedence.
4. Wins: If points, goal difference, and goals scored are equal, the team with more wins in the group stage qualifies.
5. Disciplinary Points: In case of a tie across all previous criteria, the team with fewer disciplinary points (based on yellow and red cards) advances. A red card counts as 3 points, a yellow card as 1 point, and a second yellow card leading to a red card also counts as 3 points.
6. European Qualifiers Ranking: If all other criteria are equal, the team’s position in the overall European Qualifiers rankings is considered. In the event of a tie involving the host nation (Germany), a drawing of lots would determine the qualifier.

Round of 16 Matches Featuring Best 3rd Place Teams

Once the four best third-placed teams were determined, their opponents in the round of 16 were decided based on a predetermined formula outlined in the tournament regulations. The matches involving these qualified teams were as follows:

• England vs Slovakia
• Spain vs Georgia
• Portugal vs Slovenia
• Romania vs Netherlands

Historical Performance of Third-Placed Teams

The current system for qualifying third-placed teams was introduced at Euro 2016. Notably, Portugal finished third in their group that year but went on to win the tournament. At Euro 2020, Portugal again finished third in their group but were eliminated in the round of 16. Other third-placed qualifiers, such as Czechia, Switzerland, and Ukraine, reached the quarter-finals. This demonstrates that qualifying as a best third-placed team can lead to deep runs in the tournament.

Conclusion

The “best third-place” qualification system at Euro 2024 adds another layer of complexity and excitement to the tournament’s group stage. It allows deserving teams a second chance to compete for the championship, even if they don’t finish in the top two of their group. The criteria ensure a fair and transparent process for selecting the most deserving teams to progress to the knockout stage.