Euro 2024: How Group E was decided after every team finished on same points

The dust has now settled on Euro 2024 Group Stage matches following riveting action across three match days since June 14.

The tournament hasn't produced major surprises yet, with all the 'big boys' qualifying for the knock-out round despite some of them putting below-par performances.

However, some underdogs have risen to the occasion, stunning the tournament favourites to top their groups. Ralf Rangnick led Austria to a six-point haul in Group D, finishing ahead of France and the Netherlands.

The other surprise came in Group E, where Romania topped a group that included Belgium. The group saw every team finish on four points.

Let's delve into how the final positions were decided after every team finished level on points.

Romania run out Group E winners in quite possibly the tightest final matchday you'll ever see...😳🇷🇴 pic.twitter.com/tm3ez99QOS

— OneFootball (@OneFootball) June 26, 2024

Euro 2024: How Group E was decided

Why Ukraine was eliminated despite having more points than other teams

For starters, Ukraine headed into their final match against Belgium, knowing that only a win could do them favours. Shipping in three goals against Romania in their opening game put Serhiy Rebrov in a difficult spot where only three points or a defeat to Romania could have helped them.

After the goalless draw against Belgium, Ukraine finished with the lowest goal difference (-2) in the group and thus placed fourth. The knock-out bracket offers only an opportunity to the best third-placed teams - teams that are placed last in a group are eliminated.

Ukraine are the first-ever team to fail to progress from a Euros group with 4 points 😭 pic.twitter.com/1E8LfxTwah

— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 26, 2024

This is why Slovenia, who finished third in Group C with three points, qualified for the Round of 16 instead of Ukraine. The Blue and Yellow became the first team to be eliminated despite getting four points.

Every team in Group E finished level on points

Now, coming back to the top three, here is how the final standings were decided:

1. Romania - 4 points, 1 goal difference

The UEFA tie-breakers, in this case, dictate that teams will be separated by goal difference if they are level on points. However, Romania and Belgium each had a goal difference of 1, which means we moved to the next category of goals scored.

Romania scored four goals while Belgium scored two goals, which meant Romania got the upper hand and ranked first, with the Kevin De Bruyne-led side taking second place.

2. Belgium - 4 points, 1 goal difference


3. Slovakia - 4 points, 0 goal difference

Belgium beat Slovakia to second-place due to a superior goal difference. Belgium scored two goals and conceded one, while Slovakia scored thrice and conceded thrice.

This saw Belgium earn a date with France in the Round of 16, a repeat of the 2018 World Cup semi-final. Romania landed the Netherlands, who were one of the best third-placed teams, while Slovakia will play England.

Romania, Belgium and Slovakia through to the round of 16 👏#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/8cOMy5Fhce

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 26, 2024

Euro 2024 Round of 16 fixtures

Spain vs Georgia

Germany vs Denmark

Portugal vs Slovenia

France vs Belgium

Romania vs Netherlands

Austria vs Türkiye

England vs Slovakia

Switzerland vs Italy.