The Republic of Ireland find themselves in a strange situation where their hopes of qualifying for next summer’s Euro 2024 would be helped if they were to LOSE to Netherlands in November.
Ireland Could Benefit If They Lose To Netherlands Next Month
After losing five of their six matches so far in Group B, Stephen Kenny’s Ireland side are unable to qualify automatically for the Euros in Germany next year.
Their loss to Greece last Friday left the side fourth in the group, 15 points behind leaders France.
Giorgos Giakoumakis! 😱🇬🇷
A thumping header by the Greek striker to score against Ireland 👏#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/YzHKhnv0na
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) October 13, 2023
However, their dreams of being in the tournament are not dead yet as they can still make the play-offs, with a strange new rule giving them a chance.
With the introduction of the Nations League in 2018, it now means that countries have two means of qualification, handing Ireland a glimmer of hope.
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Why Would It Be Better For Ireland To Lose To The Netherlands?
The play-offs now include the best-performing sides from the Nation League that failed to automatically qualify for Euro 2024.
That means that Ireland cannot have more than seven teams above them in the Nations League ranking that fail to get automatic qualification for the tournament in Germany.
The Dutch are one of those teams above Ireland in the Nations League rankings, so it would be beneficial for the side to finish above Greece in Group B, leading to automatic qualification.
Ireland are ranked higher than Greece, therefore would take the play-off spot over them due to the new UEFA rules.
So a defeat to the Netherlands on November 18th in the final qualifier would create an additional spot for Ireland in the play-offs. However, if they were to beat Ronald Koeman’s side, it would take away any dreams of qualification.
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