The third and final round of the group stage begins today 2024 European Men’s Football Championshipsdecisive for the composition of the direct elimination draw. Qualification for the round of 16 still in the balance for Italywho have two results out of three available against Croatia in the direct clash for second place in group B.
The Azzurri could still hope to progress to the next round even in the event of defeat, thanks to the repechage of the four best third-placed teams among the 6 groups of Euro 2024. The reigning European Champions, in the worst case scenario, would however risk fourth position in the group and consequently automatic elimination from the tournament with a possible victory for Albania over Spain (already certain of primacy).
The most plausible scenario, in the event of a knockout against Modric and his teammates, remains that of a hypothetical repechage as one of the best third-placed teams. Spalletti’s team would finish on 3 points, with a negative goal difference (to date the balance is tied, with 2 goals scored and 2 conceded) still to be defined based on the exact result of the last match against Croatia.
Actually 3 points could be enough, analyzing the situation of the other groups after two days. In group A, this evening’s direct clash for third place between Scotland (1 point) and Hungary (0 and -4 goal difference) will be fundamental, with a draw or a success for the Hungarians (with a maximum of two goals) which would allow Italy to keep the third of that group behind them.
Group C is more complex and intricate, but a victory for England (in fact already qualified) over Slovenia would relegate the third of that group with less than 3 points regardless of the outcome of Denmark-Serbia. Repechage is very likely for those who finish 3rd in group D (Austria already have 3 points with +1 goal difference and challenge the Netherlands) and E (there are four teams already on 3 points), while in Pool F much will depend on Portugal’s motivations.
The Portuguese team, already certain of first place with maximum points, face Georgia (at the bottom with 1 point together with the Czech Republic) desperately looking for a victory that would qualify for the round of 16. The other Turkey-Czech Republic match should also be monitored, in which the only result that could put the Azzurri in difficulty with a view to a possible repechage would be the success of the Czechs with a single goal difference.
