Euro 2016: What now in Group B? How England and Wales can seal a place in the second round
England have one foot in the knockout stages but we explore the possible outcomes on the final matchday
ENGLAND have one foot in the knockout stages after their late show against Wales.
But, incredibly, Roy Hodgson’s men could end up qualifying BECAUSE of Russian fans rioting inside the Stade Velodrome after last Saturday’s game. Here is how things could work out.
ENGLAND will top Group B if they beat Slovakia and are guaranteed to qualify in at least second place with a draw.
WALES would go through by beating Russia. A draw only guarantees them progress if Slovakia do not beat England.
IF England lose and Wales draw, England would go through in second place behind Slovakia on the head-to-head rule.
A WALES draw and an England draw would see England finish top and Wales second on the head-to-head rule after their win over Slovakia.
If England and Wales both lose, Slovakia top the group, with goal difference, followed by goals scored, determining who is second between the Three Lions and Russia.
Should both be equal, Uefa’s Fair Play rankings would determine the team ranked second. That is calculated on all aspects of play — and the behaviour of team officials and fans inside the stadium.
So, the riot by Russian fans at the end of Saturday’s game in Marseilles could see England edge through.
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If they were still level after that calculation, England would progress by virtue of their much higher Uefa co-efficient.
If England or Wales finish third, they will have to hope two other third-placed teams fail to get four points.
Should one or no third-placed teams have four points, the classification order is goal difference, goals scored, Fair Play and Uefa co-efficients.
Wales, 22nd of the 24 finalists coming into the tournament, would almost certainly be eliminated on that measure.
