Delaney’s November 2023 goal: The surprising reason why Denmark edged Slovenia in Group C

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Denmark and Slovenia finished level in their group at this European Championship. UEFA rules include the following as deciding factors as to who will finish above whom:

1) Result of direct confrontations: Denmark – Slovenia 1-1

2) Goal difference: Denmark +0, Slovenia +0

3) Goals scored: Denmark 2, Slovenia 2

4) Matches won: Denmark 0, Slovenia 0

5) Disciplinary points (+1 for yellow card, +3 for red): Denmark +6, Slovenia +6

6) Position in the European qualifiers classification

Since the scores from 1 to 5 are exactly the same, the qualifications results had to be looked at to determine second place. Denmark and Slovenia also happened to be in the same group there…

And it can actually be even crazier.

Slovenia and Denmark also finished with an equal number of points in Group H of the qualifiers. There the group was decided on the basis of mutual score.

Enter Anderlecht midfielder Thomas Delaney. Denmark defeated Slovenia on November 17, 2023, by scoring the goal 2-1. The Danes thus finished top of the qualifying group.

This goal was widely celebrated at the time as the goal that took Denmark to the European Championship, but it is now also the goal that puts them second in the group. However, Slovenia should not be sad, because they are also sure of finishing third in the next round. They still have to wait some time before facing their rival, while Denmark already knows they will face Germany. Not a gift at all.