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How Northern Ireland qualified as one of best third-placed sides

Niall McGinn of Northern Ireland celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group C match against Ukraine
Image: Northern Ireland are into the last-16 at Euro 2016

Northern Ireland are through to the last 16 of Euro 2016 as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams.

Michael O'Neill's side finished behind Germany and Poland in Group C with three points from their three games but a combination of results elsewhere means that will be enough to reach the knockout rounds.

Here we explain how they qualified - and which other teams could make it through to the next phase as a third-placed team…

Why are Northern Ireland guaranteed a place in the knockouts?

Four of the six third-placed teams qualify for the last-16, based on points total and then goal difference, goals scored, fair play record and finally UEFA national team coefficient ranking.

Northern Ireland's 1-0 defeat to Germany on Tuesday meant they finished third in Group C with three points and, crucially, a goal difference of 0.

Albania finished third in Group A on Sunday with three points and a goal difference of -2 and Turkey's 2-0 win over Czech Republic on Tuesday night left them with the same points and goal difference.

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That means Northern Ireland are guaranteed to rank above those two teams and be at least the fourth-best third-placed team.

Who else has qualified as a third-placed team?

Marek Hamsik of Slovakia is mobbed by teammates
Image: Slovakia have also progressed from third place to the knockouts

Northern Ireland's result against Germany had earlier guaranteed Slovakia a place in the last 16. The Group B side had finished on four points and a goal difference of 0.

Who else could qualify as a third-placed team?

Sweden and the Republic of Ireland in Group E are currently on one point, so will need to win their final games against Belgium and Italy respectively to earn enough points to qualify for the knockouts. Should they do so, goal difference and then goals scored will decide which one of them finishes third. Whichever side it is will have enough points to progress.

However, a Sweden win and Republic of Ireland draw or defeat would mean Belgium finish third. In that instance, Belgium cannot afford to lose by four goals or more or they will miss out on a best third-placed side spot.

In Group F, Hungary, Portugal, Iceland and Austria could all finish third. There are a number of different scenarios but two draws in the final two Group F fixtures would see the third-place team in that pool progress (which, in that scenario, will be either Iceland or Portugal, depending on goals scored).

If neither Group E nor Group F fails to provide a best third-placed team, Turkey in Group D and Albania in Group A will progress.

 Wes Hoolahan (C) of Republic of Ireland celebrates scoring his team's first goal with his team mate Glenn Whelan (L) and Robbie B
Image: A Republic of Ireland win over Italy could lead to Northern Ireland playing Wales

Who will Northern Ireland play next?

It seems Northern Ireland are most likely to play France in Lyon on Sunday - but they could also face Wales in Paris on Saturday, depending on the results in the final fixtures in Group E and Group F.

If Groups B, C, E and F provide the four best third-placed teams, Northern Ireland will play Wales.

For that to happen, Republic of Ireland must beat Italy or Sweden must beat Belgium (or both, as long as Belgium don't lose by more than four goals) and the top three teams in Group F must finish with a better record than three points and -2 goal difference (there are a number of ways this could happen, including two draws).

If either Group E or Group F fails to provide a best third-placed team, Northern Ireland play France.

Dimitri Payet celebrates after France's victory over Albania
Image: Northern Ireland could also face Dimitri Payet and France in the knockouts

Who else could qualify as one of the best third-placed teams?

Currently, Belgium, Sweden, Republic of Ireland, Hungary, Iceland, Portugal, Austria, Turkey or Albania could take up the two remaining places for third-place teams.

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