Sports Mole looks at who is set to progress to the last 16 of Euro 2024 as one of the four best-third placed teams.
The final round of Euro 2024 group matches is in full swing as teams battle it out to reach the knockout rounds in Germany.
The top two of each group will advance to the last 16, but teams can also progress if they finish as one of the four best third-placed sides.
Some teams have already secured third spot and are facing a nervous wait, while plenty could change in the groups that are yet to be completed.
Here, Sports Mole will paint a clearer picture to provide a summary of the best third-placed teams and who they could face in the last 16.
![Netherlands' Virgil van Dijk in action on June 25, 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/26/virgil-van-dijk.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Netherlands' Virgil van Dijk in action on June 25, 2024 [IMAGO]")
© Imago
Ranking of best third-placed teams at Euro 2024/h2>
1. Netherlands (4pts| 0GD)
2. Slovakia (3pts | OGD)
3. Hungary (3pts | -3GD)
4. Slovenia (2pts | 0GD)
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5. Croatia (2pts | -2GD)
6. Czech Republic (1pt | -1GD)
What teams are guaranteed to finish third?
Group A: Hungary
Hungary kept their last-16 hopes alive with a dramatic win in Sunday’s final group game against Scotland in Stuttgart.
Kevin Csoboth scored a 100th-minute winner to snatch all three points and give his country some semblance of hope ahead of the remaining matches in the other groups.
However, their goal difference leaves them at risk of being overtaken by other teams after losing 3-1 to Switzerland and 2-0 to Germany.
Group B: Croatia
Croatia‘s knockout-round aspirations were dealt a serious blow by Mattia Zaccagni‘s stoppage-time equaliser in Monday’s 1-1 draw with Italy.
Zlatko Dalic‘s side finished Group B with just two points to their name and now require a number of results to go their way to progress to the last 16.
Group D: Netherlands
After the second round of matches, Netherlands were sitting top of Group D and it appeared as though Austria would finish in third place.
However, Ronald Koeman‘s side suffered a surprise 3-2 defeat to Austria, causing the two teams to swap positions and leaving France in second place following their 1-1 draw with Poland.
Who could finish third in the other groups?
Slovenia are currently sitting in third spot in Group C and level on two points with second-place Denmark ahead of the final round of matches.
Serbia are propping up the standings with one point to their name, while England are leading the way after collecting four points from four matches.
However, all four teams could still finish in third spot, with England and Denmark set to face Slovenia and Serbia respectively.
Group E has been one of the most entertaining groups in the tournament, and there is likely to be plenty more drama on matchday three, with all four nations currently sitting on three points.
Slovakia currently occupy third place ahead of their clash with Romania and Belgium’s meeting with Ukraine on matchday three.
Portugal have already wrapped up top spot in Group F after winning both of their two matches against the Czech Republic and Turkey.
However, the other three teams could all still finish in third spot, with Czech Republic and Georgia both on one point and two points adrift of second-placed Turkey.
Who will each team face in Euro 2024 last 16?
The exact ties will not be finalised until the group stage has been completed because the potential ties depend on what groups the third-place teams come from.
While the situation is likely to change, we have looked at the projected ties based on the teams currently sitting in one of the four best third-placed spots.
June 30:Spain vs. Romania/Belgium/Slovakia/Ukraine (Koln | 8pm)
June 30: Group C winner vs. Netherlands (Gelsenkirchen | 8pm)
July 1: Portugal vs. Hungary (Frankfurt| 8pm)
July 2: Group E winner vs. England/Slovenia/Denmark/Serbia (Munich | 5pm)