The Euro 2024 group stage is starting to take shape following the first round matches.
So who can make strides in the second set of matches? And who has some work to do? We’ll look at all six groups and explain the matchups.
The top two teams from each group, and the top four within those, will advance to the Round of 16. The third-place scenario is listed at the bottom of the article.
This article will be updated after each match in the group stage.
Note: With only one draw allowed in the group stage, a scenario in which three of the five groups have six points is highly unlikely. This means that six points does not immediately guarantee qualification, at least at the start of the second match. However, as the matches progress, it is entirely possible that qualification will be confirmed based on the results of other groups. In fact, a draw between Croatia and Albania in the first match on Wednesday would change the entire bracket and ensure qualification for any team with six points.
Tiebreaker:
In the event that teams have the same number of points, ranking will be determined by the following criteria:
1. Head-to-head points
2. Head-to-head goal difference
3. Match results
If three teams have the same number of points, a mini-league will be created that will only cover the results of matches between those teams.
4. If there are still teams with the same points after applying stages 1-3, it will be reapplied only to those teams. For example, England, Slovenia and Serbia are tied on points. After applying stages 1-3, England will be in 1st place, but the 3-team mini league cannot separate Slovenia and Serbia. A head-to-head match between Slovenia and Serbia will decide the 2nd place.
If you still can’t separate the teams:
5. Group points difference
6. Group Score
7. If the two teams meet in the final game, it will be a penalty shootout.
8. If you do not play, your disciplinary points will be reduced (1 yellow, 3 reds for 2 yellows, 3 direct reds, 4 direct reds for yellow).
9. Overall standings for the European qualifiers if Germany is not involved, otherwise determined by draw.
Group A
Remaining matches:
June 19th
Germany v Hungary
Scotland v Switzerland
June 23
Switzerland vs Germany
Scotland v Hungary
Germany: If Germany beat Hungary they would be guaranteed qualification if Switzerland could avoid defeat in their later match.
Switzerland: Switzerland effectively has the same equation as Germany: if Germany beats Hungary, Switzerland will win and advance to the final.
Hungary: If they lose to Germany and then Switzerland wins or draws against Scotland, they won’t finish in the top two and will remain in contention for a top three spot.
Scotland: If Germany wins or draws against Hungary and Scotland and then loses to Switzerland, they will not automatically qualify, but will have to play in a third-place playoff against Hungary on the final day.
Group B
Remaining matches:
June 19th
Croatia vs Albania
June 20
Spain v Italy
June 24th
Albania vs Spain
Croatia v Italy
Spain: If Croatia wins/draws in their second match against Albania, Spain can advance with a win against Italy.
Italy: If Albania wins or draws on Wednesday, Italy will beat Spain and progress to the knockout stages.
Albania: If they lose to Croatia and Spain wins or draws, they won’t finish in the top two.
Croatia: A loss to Albania and a win or draw against Italy would mean they would not finish in the top two.
Group C
Remaining matches:
June 20
Slovenia vs Serbia
Denmark v England
June 25
England v Slovenia
Denmark v Serbia
England: A win against Denmark will ensure they qualify, while Serbia will win the group if they win or draw their next match.
Denmark: There will be no elimination from qualifying or the top two in the second race.
Slovenia: Like Denmark, nothing will be decided in the match against Serbia.
Serbia: A loss to Slovenia would mean they would miss out on a top two spot, while a win for Denmark over England would see them eliminated entirely.
Group D
Remaining matches:
June 21
Poland vs Austria
Netherlands v France
June 25
France v Poland
Netherlands vs Austria
Netherlands: If Poland wins or draws on Friday, the Netherlands will advance with a win over France.
France: If Austria wins or draws in the first match, France will advance to the knockout stages with a win over Spain.
Poland: If they lose to Austria and France and then win or draw, they won’t finish in the top two.
Austria: If they lose to Poland and win or draw against the Netherlands they won’t finish in the top two.
Group E
Remaining matches:
June 21
Slovakia vs Ukraine
June 22
Belgium vs Romania
June 26
Ukraine vs Belgium
Slovakia vs Romania
Romania: If Slovakia beats Ukraine, Romania can qualify by beating Belgium.
Slovakia: A win for Romania over Ukraine will guarantee them a place in the round of 16.
Belgium: If Slovakia wins or draws against Ukraine and then Belgium loses to Romania, they won’t finish in the top two, but they could still finish third.
Ukraine: If they lose to Slovakia and Romania and win or draw against Belgium, they won’t automatically qualify, but they would have to play Belgium in the third-place playoff in the final game.
Group F
Remaining matches:
June 22
Georgia vs Czech Republic
Türkiye vs Portugal
June 26
Czech Republic vs Türkiye
Georgia vs Portugal
turkey: If Georgia wins or draws their first match, Turkey will beat Portugal and advance to the knockout stages.
Portugal: If the Czech Republic wins or draws against Georgia, Portugal will advance by beating Turkey.
Czech Republic: A loss to Georgia and a win or draw against Turkey would mean they would not finish in the top two.
Georgia: If they lose to the Czech Republic and Portugal wins or draws, they won’t finish in the top two.
Best ranking for 3rd place team
The top four runners-up will advance to the Round of 16.
This format has been used in the previous two editions of the tournament, with four points being needed to qualify for the final both times: Ukraine advanced with three points in Euro 2020, while Northern Ireland and eventual winners Portugal both reached the final with three points in Euro 2016.
It is still early days to determine how many points are needed.
The third place ranking will be determined based on the following criteria:
1. Key Points
2. Goal Difference
3. Scoring
4. Victory
5. Reduction of disciplinary points
6. Overall ranking of the European qualifiers if Germany is not involved. If Germany is involved, random draw.
These are the current top six teams, but the positions could change quickly as another team in the group leaps into third place or drops to third.
