List of the Best Third Ranked Teams for Euro 2024, the Netherlands Can Still Breathe a Breath of Relief

JAKARTA – The race to reach the round of 16 Euro 2024 as one of the four best third-ranked teams, it is getting hotter. The Netherlands is one of the lucky ones.

Although the top two teams in each group Euro 2024 guaranteed a place in the round of 16, only the four best third-placed teams will join them in advancing.

With four groups now complete, the Netherlands and Slovenia are certain to advance to the round of 16.

The team that finishes third in Group E will qualify for the round of 16 with four points and if they get three points, the comparison with Hungary will start on goal difference.

To determine the four best third-placed teams, the following criteria were applied, in order:
A. Higher number of points;
B. Superior goal difference;
C. More goals scored;
D. Higher winning amount;
e. Total lower disciplinary points based only on yellow and red cards received by players and team officials in all group matches (red card = 3 points, yellow card = 1 point, expulsion for two yellow cards in one match = 3 points);
F. Position in the overall ranking of the European Qualifiers (see Article 23), or if Germany, the host association team, is involved in the comparison, the draw.

Once the four best third-placed teams have been determined, Article 21.05 of the rules specifies which third-placed teams will play in which series. Only once all four teams are known can the allocation of each round of 16 tie be made.

Which round of 16 matches will each third-place match follow?

The current third ranked team

Group A: Hongaria*
Group B: Croatia*
Grup C: Slovenia*
Group D: Netherlands*
Group E: Slovakia
Group F: Czech Republic

What happened to the previous third ranked team?
The system was introduced for Euro 2016, with Portugal among the teams that finished third in their group. Fernando Santos’ side reached the last 16 on goal difference alone – before eventually lifting the trophy.

Portugal finished third again at Euro 2020, but were eliminated in the last 16 while the Czechs, Switzerland and Ukraine all advanced to the quarter-finals.

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