Gary Lineker has left fans baffled after claiming the Euro 2024 qualification system is 'flawed' following Ukraine's exit from the tournament.
Ukraine held Belgium to a 0-0 draw on Wednesday evening, while the other game in Group E saw Slovakia and Romania play out a 1-1 stalemate.
Those results meant all four teams finished on four points, but Ukraine crashed out due to their inferior goal difference. Other teams who have finished with fewer than four points are set to progress to the last-16, and Lineker claimed Ukraine had been very unfortunate as he called for the current system to be re-assessed.
'Well, Belgium have got themselves through but you feel for Ukraine,' he said after the final whistle on the BBC.
'They did everything towards the end there, probably the better side overall but it's heartbreak for them.
'The first team to not make it through with four points, I do think this system is flawed at the moment. They need to look at it, I suspect, at some point.'
Lineker had some sympathy for Ukraine, but fans appeared to view things differently as they struggled to understand why the Eastern European nation had been unlucky when they finished bottom of their group.
'Gary Lineker saying the system is flawed because Ukraine didn't go through after finishing bottom of their group? What is he on about?' one puzzled fan asked on X.
Another X user added: 'Disagree with Lineker there about the system being ‘flawed’. Ukraine came 4th in the bloody group!'
Fans were having none of Lineker's protests as one pointed out: 'Ukraine finished 4th, bottom of the group. Finishing bottom of your group never means qualifying to the next round. They just had a tough group it happens.'
Meanwhile, another astonished fan wrote: 'Gary Lineker has just said that a system where the team that finishes bottom of their group is “flawed”.'
Ukraine created Euros history on Wednesday, becoming the first country to earn four points but still exit at the group stages since the new 24-team format was introduced in 2016.
Denmark and Slovenia have progressed from Group C despite only taking three points from their matches, but four points was not enough for Ukraine.
NotoriousNeyJunior11
0
Uefa and FIFA need to revisit their decision and do the needful it’s really heartbreaking to see teams with fewer points qualified ahead of the Ukrainian side ,all in the name of they are in desperate groups .
Lol
ElagoTomas
0
so do you wanna tell us that all teams from group E must go to the next round or what?
vuaabdipu
0
No, it's not the weaker teams are good Keep the competition alive Enhance the level of the game 🎯 So when we compete in the World Cup we dominate the other continent's
Wutabeimry
1
Uefa and FIFA need to revisit their decision and do the needful it’s really heartbreaking to see teams with fewer points qualified ahead of the Ukrainian side ,all in the name of they are in desperate groups .
sen10r
0
I don't know why I used to like Shevchenko's Ukraine back then, but now this is the country that I wish it didn't even qualify
Pamdeoruz
2
You can’t go by points. Ukraine lost out because Slovakia beat Belgium whilst they could only draw against Belgium. Ultimately, they should never have played for a draw in that 1st game whilst Slovakia have tried to win all of their games by playing the pressing game. Teams going thru from other groups has no relevance in Ukraine not going thru. Destiny was in Ukraine’s hand and they have only themselves to blame sadly.
comcdetz
3
Gary Lineker is right FIFA must revisit this system to make it interesting.Ukraine did everything to go through it's not easy to get 4 points in such a complicated group.
poebiz
2
I agree with with Gary they have to look into this seriously
Vohalopryz
2
I pointed this out..its true...Ukraine with 4 points will not go through while those with 3 points will bcos they finished third..there should be a change
bisbcdlsu
1
Thats true the system is biased. I was ashamed for Ukraine
Thunderstorm_007
0
victim card playing country 🤮🤮
BrintonC
2
Yeah it is flawed considering teams with less points than Ukraine have qualified. Something for the powers that be to look at.
boweklosuy
2
It is flawed the rule should be the best finishing points then you would get teams in groups like Ukraine going through.
wuacmprtuy
2
Ukraine's forwards just didn't deliver esp Dobyk - just slow & cumbersome, don't know how he scored so many goals in La Liga this season. Lineker is right - Ukraine should have gone thru to the knockout stage with their 4 pts. UEFA / FIFA should change the policy !
lodeiotuyz
1
let them go and fight Russians
Zahcemnors
2
Consider Points first
cewaekprtz
4
why not take the best team with higher points regardless of where it has finished,progressing a team with 2 points because it's the third best placed is insane
yeeceprtz
4
Lineker is right as far as they pick the best thirds which means they're comparing points intra groups why not look at overall points as well whenever such incidents of 4 points occur !