The group stage schedule in Euro 2020 is set to end this week. With the slots for the knockouts all but decided, the question that comes up is how third-place teams will qualify for Euro 2020 knockouts.
As it stands, only Group A and Group C have had their winners disclosed. Italy, currently on a 30-game unbeaten run, finished as group A winners with three wins and zero goals conceded. The Netherlands, meanwhile, top Group C following wins over Ukraine and Austria and join Italy, Wales and Belgium as the teams to earn early tickets to the knockout round.
As per the rules, the top two teams from each of the six Euro groups will automatically qualify for the knockouts. Accompanying them will be the four third-placed teams who have a good record from the group stage round.
How are the four third-placed teams decided?
Based on the following criteria, the third-placed teams in each of the six groups in Euro 2020 will be decided.
- Maximum points
- Superior goal difference
- Most goals scored
- Most wins
- Disciplinary record
- Overall European qualifiers rankings
Furthermore, the rule of a head-to-head record - used to determine the top two teams in a group - will not be applicable.
Who will the four third-placed teams face in the knockouts
Each of the four third-placed teams that qualify will play the team that won a group in the knockouts. However, the sides who played earlier in the group stage won’t face each other in the upcoming round.
Here are the permutations of how the round-of-16 schedule should look:
| Third-placed teams | Winner (Group B) | Winner (Group C) | Winner (Group E) | Winner (Group F) |
| ABCD | 3A | 3D | 3B | 3C |
| ABCE | 3A | 3E | 3B | 3C |
| ABCF | 3A | 3F | 3B | 3C |
| ABDE | 3D | 3E | 3A | 3B |
| ABDF | 3D | 3F | 3A | 3B |
| ABEF | 3E | 3F | 3B | 3A |
| ACDE | 3E | 3D | 3C | 3A |
| ACDF | 3F | 3D | 3C | 3A |
| ACEF | 3E | 3F | 3C | 3A |
| ADEF | 3E | 3F | 3D | 3A |
| BCDE | 3E | 3D | 3B | 3C |
| BCDF | 3F | 3D | 3C | 3B |
| BCEF | 3F | 3E | 3C | 3B |
| BDEF | 3F | 3E | 3D | 3B |
| CDEF | 3F | 3E | 3D | 3C |
Here’s how the round-of-16 line-up for Euro 2020 looks like:
Saturday, June 26
Wales vs 2B - 9:30 PM IST
Sunday, June 27
Netherlands vs 3D/3E/3F - 9:30 PM IST
Italy vs 2C - 12:30 AM IST
Monday, June 28
2D vs 2E - 9:30 PM IST
1B vs 3A/3D/3E/3F - 12.30 PM IST
Tuesday, June 29
1D vs 2F - 9:30 PM IST
1F vs 3A/3B/3C - 12:30 PM IST
Wednesday, June 30
1E vs 3A/3B/3C/3D - 12:30 PM IST
Who can register third-place finish in their Euro 2020 groups
With the winner and runner-up of Group A already decided - Italy and Wales - Switzerland are likely to finish third in the group.
Here are the teams still in contention to secure a third-place finish in their respective groups.
Group A: Switzerland
Group B: Russia / Finland / Denmark
Group C: Ukraine / Austria
Group D: Croatia / Scotland
Group E: Sweden / Slovakia / Spain
Group F: France / Germany / Portugal
Featured photo: AFP / Niklas Halle'n
