The defeat against Spain makes Italy’s path to the Euro 2024 round of 16 more complicated. But the Azzurri are not out of contention yet. On Monday 24 June at 9pm against Croatia we will need at least a draw to close group B in second place. With their eyes focused on Spain-Albania, where the Azzurri will have to cheer for La Roja. Three points could be enough for Italy to go through, as some historical precedents also demonstrate. In 2021, for example, it happened to Portugal, who had won the European Championship in the previous edition.
In the round of 16 from second or third in the group
If Luciano Spalletti’s selection manages to finish the group in second place, the pairing for the round of 16 will be with the second team in group A. With a good chance therefore Switzerland. If, however, Italy were to finish the group in third place and were found among the best third-placed teams, the path risks being more complicated. Possible opponents for the Azzurri could be the first in group E, with Belgium as favourites, or in group F, therefore Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
What happens with equal points
According to the regulations, if the group ends with two or more teams on equal points, the criteria indicated to establish the order of the ranking are:
- greater number of points in direct matches
- best goal difference in head-to-head matches
- highest number of goals scored in direct matches
- best overall goal difference in the group
- highest number of goals scored in the group
- highest number of wins in the group
- best fair play conduct in the group (calculating yellow cards and expulsions)
- best position in the European qualifying standings
