Estonia secure Euro 2024 play-off place with zero wins thanks to bizarre rule

It's almost unheard of

In all honesty it was a rather miserable qualifying campaign for the Baltic nation, losing seven of their eight matches and conceding 22 goals.

To really emphasise how bad it was, San Marino scored more goals (three) than Estonia (two) in the eight games.

Despite that though, the minnows could still be on a plane to Germany.

Thanks to their performances in the Nations League, which saw them top their group ahead of Malta and San Marino because of one particular technicality.

For the play-offs, 12 teams are selected from Leagues A, B and C, who are then replaced by the next highest-ranked team in their league if they have already secured their place at the Euros.

But if fewer than four teams from the same league enter the play-offs, the highest-ranked side from Group D then enter the play-offs.

After the Czech Republic beat Moldova 3-0 on Monday, that place was then taken by Estonia.

Poland await Estonia in the play-off rounds and despite being touted as underdogs for the two-legged affair the tiny nation will have some hope that they can reach the finals of a major tournament for the first time ever.

Related links:

• England’s potential Euro 2024 groups revealed in best and worst case scenarios
• Ukraine denied stonewall penalty in 93rd minute
• Lionel Messi’s brutal 13-word response after Rodrygo’s ‘coward’ comment