Why Poland are first team eliminated from Euro 2024 despite having one more game to play

Poland are the first team eliminated from Euro 2024. Here's why.

France and the Netherlands played out a tepid 0-0 on Friday evening - the first goalless draw in the European Championship since England’s stalemate with Scotland back in 2021.

Xavi Simons thought he had given the Netherlands the lead late in the game only for the goal to controversially be ruled out after it was deemed Denzel Dumfries had impacted on the play.

And that decision proved deeply costly for Poland, who needed France to lose after their 3-1 defeat to Austria hours earlier.

The top two teams in each group go through to the round of 16, along with the four best runners-up. The third-placed scenarios are first determined by points, then goal difference, followed by goals scored, wins, lower disciplinary points and finally European qualifiers overall ranking.

Friday’s defeat sees the Netherlands top the group, level on four points with second-place France, while Austria sit in third on three points.

Poland, on zero points, are now eliminated despite being able to catch Austria’s points tally should they defeat France in their final game.

This is because, having lost to Austria, Poland can no longer overtake them, as head-to-head is in being used to order teams that are level on points.

Poland have been knocked out of Euro 2024 (Getty)

Indeed, at Euro 2024 if teams are equal on points, they will first be separated by head-to-head points, then head-to-head goal difference, followed by head-to-head goals scored.

After Austria's win over Poland, the former's manager, Ralf Rangnick said: “My glasses are still OK.

"I said before the match that it would be a playoff match. The team that loses is out. The team who wins has everything in their own hands. Since I’ve been Austria coach, it was the most important match. That is why we are so content.”

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