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
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.
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Denmark had the ninth-best record in qualifying when matches against sixth-placed teams were discounted, with Albania the only group winners with a worse record. Slovenia had the fifth-best record of second-placed teams, putting them 15th in the overall ranking and six places below Denmark.
Here’s where things get strange, though. Denmark and Slovenia were in the exact same qualifying group, where they each picked up 22 points from 10 games after winning seven, drawing one and losing two. Denmark had the better head-to-head record, though, and therefore topped the group while Slovenia claimed second spot.
Denmark’s second-place finish means they will play host nation (and Group A winners) Germany in the round of 16. Slovenia have also progressed as one of the best third-placed teams in the group stage, and will either play Portugal or the still-to-be-determined winner of Group E in the round of 16.
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