The winner of Group D1 of the UEFA Nations League will be determined in the clash between Malta and the Faroe Islands on Tuesday after the latter were held in a 1-1 draw by Latvia in another match on Saturday.

This result puts the Faroe Islands on the 11-point mark, three ahead of Malta.

The Faroe Islands need a draw to win the group and secure promotion to League C.

Photo: Copyright domenic aquilina/MFA

On the other hand, in case of a win for Devis Mangia’s side, Malta would join the Faroe Islands on eleven points.

According to Article 15 of the regulations, in case two or more teams in the same group are equal on points on completion of the league phase, the following criteria are applied, in the order given, to determine their rankings:

a. higher number of points obtained in the group matches played among the teams in question;
b. superior goal difference from the group matches played among the teams in question;
c. higher number of goals scored in the group matches played among the teams in question;
d. higher number of away goals scored in the group matches played among the teams in question;
e. if, after having applied criteria a) to d), teams still have an equal ranking, criteria a) to d) are reapplied exclusively to the matches between the remaining teams to determine their final rankings.
If this procedure does not lead to a decision, criteria f) to l) apply in the order given to the two or more teams still equal;
f. superior goal difference in all group matches;
g. higher number of goals scored in all group matches;
h. higher number of away goals scored in all group matches;
i. higher number of wins in all group matches;
j. higher number of away wins in all group matches;
k. lower disciplinary points total based only on yellow and red cards received by players and team officials in all group matches (red card = 3 points, yellow card = 1 point, expulsion for two yellow cards in one match = 3 points);
l. position in the 2020/21 UEFA Nations League Access List.

Since the Faroe Islands and Malta would have won a game each in the direct encounters, the superior goal difference, the higher number of goals scored or the higher number of away goals scored in the direct encounters would determine who will win the group.

Malta needs to beat the Faroe Islands 1-0, 2-1 or with a two-goal difference or more.

In case of a Malta win with a one-goal difference with more goals (3-2, 4-3, etc), the Faroe Islands would still win the group. as they would have the higher number of away goals in all group matches or the higher number of away goals scored in the direct clashes.

Photo: Copyright Joe Borg/MFA