The reason why Ukraine have been eliminated from Euro 2024 despite having more points than several teams
Ukraine have been eliminated from Euro 2024 in unusual circumstances.
Alex Brotherton
Ukraine have been eliminated from Euro 2024 despite having more points than some teams that have reached the last-16.
Euro 2024 has been an enthralling tournament so far, and the conclusion of Group E more than lived up to that.
On Wednesday afternoon Ukraine faced Belgium while Slovakia took on Romania in the final matches of the group.
All four sides went into the final day tied on three points, setting up an almighty fight to qualify for the last-16.
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Slovakia and Romania ended up drawing 1-1 in Frankfurt, a result that saw them both qualify for the knockout stages.
Simultaneously, Ukraine and Belgium played out a goalless draw which was enough for Belgium to claim second place in the group.
Although Ukraine finished the group stage with four points after one defeat, one win and one draw, they finished bottom of the group on goal difference and have been eliminated.
Ukraine became the first nation ever to fail to progress to the knockout rounds with four points.
The quirk of Ukraine exiting the tournament with four points is that there could be two sides that play in the last-16 despite only earning three points in the group stage.
That's because, as things stand, Slovenia and Hungary will qualify as two of the four best third-place sides. Both took three points from their three group games.
That scenario could change later on Wednesday when the final matches of Group F are played, but at least one team that took three points in the group stages will be included in the four best third-place teams.
Tuesday saw another crazy end to a group, with Denmark beating Slovenia to second place in Group C because of one bizarre reason.
All four teams in Group E finished with four points, so the final standings were decided by goal difference and goals scored.
Romania and Belgium both recorded a goal difference of +1, but Romania's four goals bettered Belgium's two.
Slovakia finished third with a goal difference of zero, while Ukraine finished bottom with -2.