Italy and Wales booked a place in the next round and while level on points with Wales, Switzerland will have to wait for the completion of other group games to know their stand at the Euro2020.
Switzerland are hopeful of being one of the best losers in the Euro2020. Photo Credits: Facebook/ Bleacher Report
OltSports correspondant Afolabi Kehinde Hassan takes us through the basic rules for ranking teams, to determine which sides stand the better chance of making the round of 16, despite falling out of the top two in their respective groups.
The European Championship tournament has six groups, and the first two teams in each group automatically qualify, making a total number of 12 teams in the round of 16, while four others join them them as best losers.
Italy and Wales have qualified from group A as winners and runners up respectively, while Switzerland wait to learn their fate, maybe they will make it to the next round, depending on results from other groups.
Four teams will qualify as best losers from the six groups. The ranking is basically on the amount of points earned from their respective matches. The teams with most points are selected for progression and if the teams are tied on points, then goal difference comes into play.
The team that has the most goal difference has the advantage and if these teams also tie on goal difference, the amount of goal scored is then considered.
On a very rare case that teams also tie on goal scored, fair play will be next. The teams that has a fair record of cautions and bookings will go through.
If the teams can not be separated with all these rules, then their position in the qualifiers ranking will have a say in the matter.
In 2016, Slovakia, Republic of Ireland, Portugal and Northern Ireland made the round of 16 after being selected as four the best losers, and Portugal went all the way to clinch the title.
Afolabi Kehinde Hassan
