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England v Wales: How the result will affect Group B permutations

Eric Dier (C) of England celebrates scoring his team's first goal with his team mates during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B match

Victory for Wales over England will guarantee a first-place finish in Group B for Chris Coleman's side - but whatever the outcome of the Lens encounter, it will throw up a range of permutations for the third round of fixtures in the pool...

Wales go into the game on the back of a 2-1 win over Slovakia, which put them top of the group, while England's draw with Russia has left them down in third place, after Slovakia's 2-1 victory over Russia on Wednesday.

Group B

Team Games played Points Goal difference
Wales 1 3 +1
Slovakia 2 3 0
England 1 1 0
Russia 2 1 -1

Only two teams are guaranteed a place in the knockout rounds, with four of the six third-placed teams also progressing. Teams which finish their group games on the same number of points are separated by their head-to-head records before goal difference comes in to play.

Here, we look at what the outcome of England v Wales will mean for the final round of Group B fixtures...

If Wales win...

Wales v Slovakia - Group B: UEFA Euro 2016
Image: Gareth Bale scored in Wales' win against Slovakia

Wales will go on to six points from two games and win the group. Slovakia could join them on six points if they beat England in their final fixture and Wales lose to Russia, but Wales will have a superior head-to-head record after beating Slovakia 2-1.

Defeat for England would leave Roy Hodgson's men in third or fourth place, depending on how heavy the loss is. They would then need to beat Slovakia and make up any goal difference deficit on Russia, should they beat Wales, to take second.

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England can only finish third if they draw against Slovakia and Russia fail to beat Wales and have a worse goal difference. Hodgson and England would then have to wait to see whether two points from three games would be enough to progress to the knockout phase as one of the four best third-placed teams.

How teams on same number of points are separated

a. higher number of points obtained in the matches played among the teams in question
b. superior goal difference resulting from the matches played among the teams in question
c. higher number of goals scored in the matches played among the teams in question
d. if, after having applied criteria a-c, teams still have an equal ranking, criteria a-c are reapplied exclusively to the matches between the teams in question to determine their final rankings. If this procedure does not lead to a decision, criteria e-h apply:
e. superior goal difference in all group matches
f. higher number of goals scored in all group matches
g. fair play conduct in the final tournament as defined in Annex C.5.1 in UEFA regulations
h. position in the UEFA national team coefficient rankings
*If two teams which have the same number of points and the same number of goals scored and conceded play their last group match against each other and are still equal at the end of that match, their final rankings are determined by a penalty shoot-out.

If England win...

An England victory would put England top of Group B and knowing a win over Slovakia in their final pool game would guarantee first place. They could also secure top spot if they draw with Slovakia and Wales draw or lose against Russia.

Wales could still win Group B but would need to beat Russia and hope England fail to defeat Slovakia. They will finish second if both they and England win, or both England v Slovakia and Wales v Russia end in draws.

If Wales lose to Russia and Slovakia get a point or three against England, Wales will finish fourth and will definitely be out of Euro 2016.

Best third-placed teams

The four best third-placed teams are determined according to the following criteria applied, in the order given, to the final tournament group matches:
a. higher number of points obtained
b. superior goal difference
c. higher number of goals scored
d. fair play conduct in the final tournament as defined in Annex C.5.1 of UEFA regulations
e. position in the UEFA national team coefficient rankings.

If England and Wales draw…

Slovakia's defender Jan Durica vies for the header with Russia's forward Artem Dzyuba during the Euro 2016 group B football match between Russia and Slovak
Image: Russia and Slovakia could capitalise on a draw between England and Wales

If England and Wales draw, Wales will remain top of Group B, with England staying in third place on two points.

Wales will finish top if they beat Russia or both final group-stage fixtures end in a draw.

England could still win the group by beating Slovakia if Wales draw (thanks to goal difference) or lose to Russia.

If England go on to draw with Slovakia, Russia must beat Wales to knock England out and take at least third.

If England lose to Slovakia and Russia win, England will be out. If England lose by more than one goal and Russia draw, England will be out on goal difference.

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