Following England’s disappointing 1-1 draw with Denmark on Thursday, it increases the likelihood that the two sides could finish the group stage on identical points and goal difference.
Gareth Southgate’s side took an early lead for the second game running as Kyle Walker caught the Danish defence lacking before finding Harry Kane who buried the opportunity, but what followed was far too predictable.
England then completely dropped off the Danes allowing them to freely attack Jordan Pickford’s goal, and they were eventually punished by a 25-yard screamer from Morten Hjulmand who put the sides back level.
From the equaliser onwards it was only really Denmark who ever looked like scoring, and England can be thankful they got anything from the game at all.
With just one group match left, what seemed an unbelievable scenario before the tournament could just be coming to fruition, as England and Denmark could be set to finish the group stage identically.
On matchday three, if England draw 1-1 with Slovenia (which honestly seems quite reasonable) and Denmark beat Serbia 1-0, both sides will have exactly the same points, the same goal difference, and the same goals scored.
Interestingly if all of the above happened but England’s last game of the group was Denmark the group leader would have been decided on penalties which might have given us a nice dress rehearsal.
However, in this case, UEFA’s tiebreaker rules mean it would then rather staggeringly be decided on the amount of yellow and red cards the nation has received.
“Lower disciplinary points total in all group matches (1 point for a single yellow card, 3 points for a red card as a consequence of two yellow cards, 3 points for a direct red card, 4 points for a yellow card followed by a direct red card.)”
Luckily for England, it’s Denmark who would currently miss out with four yellow cards compared to England’s one, however, there is still a solution if England’s game with Slovenia is an overly spicy affair.
“Higher position in the European Qualifiers overall ranking, unless the comparison involves hosts Germany, in which case a drawing of lots will take place.”
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