Each team plays each of the other teams in its group once, with three points awarded for a win, one for a draw and none for a defeat.
The final tournament group stage is played according to the schedule below. The last two matches in each group must both kick off at the same time. For each group match and for administrative purposes, the first team is considered Team A and the second Team B.
|
Matchday 1 |
Matchday 2 |
Matchday 3 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Group A |
A1 vs A2 |
A1 vs A3 |
A4 vs A1 |
|
A3 vs A4 |
A2 vs A4 |
A2 vs A3 |
|
|
Group B |
B1 vs B2 |
B1 vs B3 |
B4 vs B1 |
|
B3 vs B4 |
B2 vs B4 |
B2 vs B3 |
|
|
Group C |
C1 vs C2 |
C1 vs C3 |
C4 vs C1 |
|
C3 vs C4 |
C2 vs C4 |
C2 vs C3 |
|
|
Group D |
D1 vs D2 |
D1 vs D3 |
D4 vs D1 |
|
D3 vs D4 |
D2 vs D4 |
D2 vs D3 |
|
|
Group E |
E1 vs E2 |
E1 vs E3 |
E4 vs E1 |
|
E3 vs E4 |
E2 vs E4 |
E2 vs E3 |
|
|
Group F |
F1 vs F2 |
F1 vs F3 |
F4 vs F1 |
|
F3 vs F4 |
F2 vs F4 |
F2 vs F3 |
On completion of the final tournament group stage, final group standings are compiled based on the number of points obtained by each team in the group. The six group winners, the six runners-up and the four best third-placed teams qualify for the round of 16.
To determine the four best third-placed teams, the following criteria are applied, in the order given:
-
Higher number of points;
-
Superior goal difference;
-
Higher number of goals scored;
-
Higher number of wins;
-
Lower disciplinary points total based only on yellow and red cards received by players and team officials in all group matches (red card = 3 points, yellow card = 1 point, expulsion for two yellow cards in one match = 3 points);
-
Higher position in the overall European Qualifiers rankings (see Article 23).