Euro 2024: Denmark finish above Slovenia despite having same points, goal difference and disciplinary record, thanks to lesser-known rule
In one of the most exciting finishes to UEFA Euro 2024 Group C action, Denmark finished above Slovenia in second. That happened despite both teams finishing with the same number of points (3).
They even had the same goal difference (0), goals scored (2) and wins (0). Their head-to-head game finished 1-1, meaning there was nothing to separate them. Even their disciplinary records - six yellow cards apiece - was the same. So, how did the Danes finish above Slovenia? Here's how.
According to the UEFA rules, if two teams cannot be separated after the aforementioned tiebreakers - head-to-head followed by goal difference, goals scored, wins and disciplinary record - their qualifying record is taken into account.
Quite, remarkably, the two teams - perched in the same group - had finished with the same points (22). But Denmark had a better head-to-head record with Slovenia, drawing 1-1 away and winning 2-1 at home.
In their respective final group games at Euro 2024, Denmark drew goalless with Serbia in Munich on Tuesday (June 25), while Slovenia-England also didn't produce any goals in Cologne.
Despite coming up third in the group by the narrowest of margins, Slovenia are through to the knockouts as one of the four-best third-placed teams. It marks their first foray into the knockouts of a major tournament.
It's pertinent to note that had Denmark and Slovenia finished level on all the above parameters after playing each other in their final group game, a penalty shootout - yes, a shootout - would have determined who finished ahead. Of course, that wasn't required for this game, as the two teams didn't clash on matchday three.
Euro 2024: What's next for Denmark and Slovenia?
Denmark - as mentioned above - are through to the Euro 2024 knockouts as Group C runner-ups. They next face hosts Germany in a daunting Round-of-16 clash on Saturday (June 29).
As for Slovenia, they are yet to learn their Round-of-16 opponents, as groups E and F will conclude on Wednesday (June 27). What's certain is that they are going to be up against a group winner, either Portugal or the team that finishes atop Group E.
If they are up against the 2016 champions, Slovenia will play in Frankfurt on July 1, else they will play the next day in Munich against the Group E winners in the seventh Round of 16 game.