The knockout stages of Euro 2024 will consist of four of the best third-ranked teams from the group stages.
This means that from four of the six groups, three teams will qualify for the next stage.
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Hungary beat Scotland to get a chance of being one of the best third-placed teamsCredit: Getty
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It’s a system that ensures UEFA get a Round of 16 while allowing some of the smaller nations to make it out of the groups.
However, it has also benefitted European powerhouses following its introduction at Euro 2016 in France.
Portugal finished third in Group F on three points following three successive draws, two adrift of Hungary and Iceland, but Cristiano Ronaldo and co famously went on to win the tournament.
Euro 2024 group stages: Four best third-ranked teams explained
The criteria for qualifying as one of the four best third-placed teams is relatively straightforward.
The only real difference is that those sides are essentially competing on two fronts.
First, they are fighting with the other nations in their group, and second, there is another table that consists of six sides in total, with four spots up for grabs.
The team that finishes third with the most points will qualify as the best third-placed side, and that is the first separating factor.
After that, it comes down to goal difference, goals scored and wins.
Ranking third-placed teams at Euro 2024
In order of the following criteria
1) Points
2) Goal difference
3) Goals scored
4) Wins
5) Lower disciplinary points total
6) Position in the overall European Qualifiers rankings
7) If hosts Germany are involved, drawing of lots
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This is how things stand with the third-place teams ahead of the last groups finishing off
You would hope that would be enough to sort the last few spots.
However, should two teams competing for the last place be level on all of those factors, there are alternative methods that aren’t very well known.
The first is disciplinary points, so the team with the least yellow and red cards would qualify.
If they were the same, the last place would be decided by the team’s ranking in qualifying.
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