Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Little-known rule saw Denmark claim second place in England’s Euro 2024 group

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Denmark finished level with Slovenia on points, goal difference and goals scored, but finished above their rivals as both teams made it out of England’s Euro 2024 group

Denmark and Slovenia drew their goup game and were separated by the narrowest of margins(Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Any football fans who attempt to argue a good qualifying campaign for a major tournament doesn’t matter would be advised to look at England ‘s Euro 2024 group.

England’s goalless draw with Slovenia on Tuesday night was enough for Gareth Southgate ‘s team to top Group C with five points. Denmark and Slovenia each ended on three points, having both drawn all of their games, with Serbia bottom of the pile on two.




When the dust settled, Denmark and Slovenia had identical records. Both had three points, with two goals scored and two conceded, and their 1-1 draw in Stuttgart ensured they couldn’t be separated on head-to-head.

Despite this, Denmark took second spot, with Slovenia third. And it was purely because the Danes had performed better than their rivals in qualifying.

Going into the tournament, the tie-breakers were set to come into play in the following order for teams finishing level on points. Head-to-head, then goal difference, then goals scored, and after that we might have been treated to a penalty shoot-out if Slovenia and Denmark finished level after playing against one-another in the final group game.

If teams can’t be separated by any of the above, it comes down to disciplinary points. Sure enough, that was all-square as well, with Denmark and Slovenia each picking up six yellow cards and no reds during the group stages.

And so to the final tie-breaker, qualifying performance. Not only was it used to determine seedings for the group stage draw itself, it also ended up sending Denmark through in second and Slovenia in third.

Which of the teams from Group C will get furthest? Have your say in the comments section

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