Euro 2024 table: Group standings, best third-placed teams, projected last 16 ties

Sports Mole looks at the projected Euro 2024 last 16 ties with things as they currently stand in each group, including the best third-placed teams.

History has been made and records have tumbled in the opening phase of Euro 2024, and there have already been two last-16 places sealed for hosts Germany and another pre-tournament favourite in Spain.

In addition, England are on course to reach the knockout phase as group winners – even if they did squander a chance to do so early with a mediocre display versus Denmark – while France, the Netherlands and Slovakia could soon seal their spots too.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at the current Euro 2024 group standings, which nations are set to qualify for the knockout rounds, including the best third-place teams, and the projected last 16 and quarter-final ties.

EURO 2024 GROUP A STANDINGS

Who will qualify from Group A as things stand?

Germany, Switzerland

Germany became the first team to qualify for the last 16 of Euro 2024 after following up their thumping 5-1 win over Scotland with a 2-0 victory against Hungary in their second Group A clash on Wednesday.

Die Mannschaft can secure top spot in Group A if they avoid defeat in their final game against Switzerland, who themselves require just a draw to secure a top-two finish having already collected four points from their opening two group fixtures, beating Hungary 3-1 before drawing 1-1 with Scotland on matchday two.

Scotland can climb into second place if they beat Hungary on June 19 and Switzerland lose to Germany – with a six-goal swing in goal difference also required – but even if the Swiss avoid defeat and secure second place, a win for Scotland would move them onto four points, which could be enough to claim one of the four best third-place spots up for grabs. Hungary, meanwhile, must beat Scotland to have any chance of reaching the last 16.

EURO 2024 GROUP B STANDINGS

Who will qualify from Group B as things stand?

Spain, Italy

With two matches gone in Group B, Spain have already sealed their place in the knockout rounds courtesy of a pair of triumphs over Italy and Croatia, and La Roja will also go through to the last 16 as group winners.

Despite falling to defeat to the Spaniards on Thursday, Italy are also on course to nab second spot behind the 2008 and 2012 winners, although Croatia and Albania’s hopes have not been shot down just yet.

The two nations must win on the final matchday to have any hope of stealing the runners-up spot, though, and it will make no difference for Albania if Italy claim at least a point versus Croatia.

EURO 2024 GROUP C STANDINGS

Who will qualify from Group C as things stand?

England, Denmark

Despite failing to seal qualification and a first-placed finish with a game to spare on Thursday, England remain in control of their Group C destiny with four points, two clear of Slovenia and recent foes Denmark, who are in the runners-up spot thanks to their disciplinary points record.

Meanwhile, one-point Serbia have already been eliminated from first-placed contention before a pivotal showdown with Denmark next week, while England’s clash with Slovenia is just as critical.

EURO 2024 GROUP D STANDINGS

Who will qualify from Group D as things stand?

Netherlands, France

Few will be surprised to see the Netherlands and France leading the way at the top of Group D, with the two European giants claiming maximum points from their opening fixtures against Poland and Austria respectively.

While the Netherlands came from behind to beat Poland by a 2-1 scoreline on Sunday, France secured a slender 1-0 win over Austria on Monday night thanks to a first-half own goal.

Netherlands, currently sitting top of the group via goals scored, will remain at the summit heading into their final group game if they avoid defeat against France on Friday, while Austria and Poland will bid to boost their hopes of claiming a top-two of best third-place finish when they square off a few hours earlier.

EURO 2024 GROUP E STANDINGS

Who will qualify from Group E as things stand?

Romania, Slovakia

Belgium were regarded by many as strong favourites to finish top of Group E, but they already find themselves playing catch-up after suffering a surprise 1-0 defeat to Slovakia in their opening fixture of Euro 2024 on Monday.

The same can be said for Ukraine, who were put to the sword 3-0 by an impressive Romania outfit just a few hours earlier, with Edward Iordanescu’s side now sitting joint-top of the group along with Slovakia.

Belgium and Ukraine can blow the group wide open with victories over Romania and Slovakia respectively on Saturday, and should this happen, all four teams would be sitting on three points each heading into their final Group E fixtures.

EURO 2024 GROUP F STANDINGS

Who will qualify from Group F as things stand?

Turkey, Portugal

Concluding the first round of Euro 2024 group fixtures on Tuesday, Turkey survived a handful of scares against Georgia but eventually emerged triumphant via a 3-1 scoreline, thanks partly to a spectacular effort from Real Madrid teenager Arda Guler.

As Portugal could only scrape a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic later in the day, Turkey currently hold the edge over the 2016 champions by virtue of a better goal difference, while the Czechs are currently in the bronze medal position.

As a result, victory for either side in Saturday’s crunch clash would seal their place in the last 16, while the Czech Republic and Georgia appear set to vie for one of the coveted third-placed spots.

EURO 2024 LAST 16 LINEUP AS THINGS STAND
© Reuters

June 29: Switzerland (Group A runner-up) vs. Italy (Group B runner-up) (5pm BST | Olympiastadion, Berlin)

June 29: Germany (Group A winner) vs. Denmark (Group C runner-up) (8pm BST | Westfalenstadion, Dortmund)

June 30: England (Group C winner) vs. (Best third-place team of Group D/E/F) (5pm BST | Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen)

June 30: Spain (Group B winner) vs. (Best third-place team of Group A/D/E/F) (8pm BST | RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne)

July 1: France (Group D runner-up) vs. Slovakia (Group E runner-up) (5pm BST | Merkur Spiel-Arena, Dusseldorf)

July 1: Turkey (Group F winner) vs. (Best third-place team of Group A/B/C) (8pm BST | Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt)

July 2: Romania (Group E winner) vs. (Best third-place team of Group A/B/C/D) (5pm BST | Allianz Arena, Munich)

July 2: Netherlands (Group D winner) vs. Portugal (Group F runner-up) (8pm BST | Red Bull Arena, Leipzig)

We are still in the early stages of the group phase, but as things stand, the majority of the so-called favourites from each group – besides Belgium in Group E and Portugal in Group F – are set to advance to the last 16 as group winners.

Hosts Germany could be rewarded with a last-16 tie against Group C runners-up Denmark, while holders Italy and France could be drawn against fellow group runners-up in Switzerland and Slovakia respectively, and a battle of the behemoths between the Netherlands and Portugal is currently in the offing.

Meanwhile, England, Spain and Romania are all on course to be rewarded with last-16 ties against one of the four best third-place nations.

July 5: Spain (Group B winner) or (Best third-place team of Group A/D/E/F) vs. Germany (Group A winner) or Denmark (Group C runner-up) (5pm BST | MHPArena, Stuttgart)

July 5: Turkey (Group F winner) or (Best third-place team of Group A/B/C) vs. France (Group D runner-up) or Slovakia (Group E runner-up) (8pm BST | Volksparkstadion, Hamburg)

July 6: England (Group C winner) or (Best third-place team of Group D/E/F) vs. Switzerland (Group A runner-up) or Italy (Group B runner-up) (5pm BST | Merkur Spiel-Arena, Dusseldorf)

July 6: Romania (Group E winner) or (Best third-place team of Group A/B/C/D) vs. Netherlands (Group D winner) or Portugal (Group F runner-up) (5pm BST | Olympiastadion, Berlin)

Both Germany and Spain are regarded as favourites to win their group and then advance from the last-16 stage, which would set up an intriguing quarter-final showdown between the pair of three-time Euros winners.

If England were to win their group and their last-16 tie, they could then be faced with a quarter-final encounter against Switzerland or Italy, who beat the Three Lions in the Euro 2020 final on penalties.

Should Romania continue their fairytale start and progress beyond the last-16 stage, a challenging encounter against possibly France, the Netherlands or Portugal could be waiting for them in the quarter-finals.

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