Ireland still face a massive challenge in beating Italy on Wednesday night in our final Euro 2016 group game but should we achieve that difficult feat, it's good news.
The way Euro 2016 is set up, the four best third-place finishers of six go through to the first knockout round.
Beat Italy and we go to four points from three games, as we have one point in the bag already.
Should we win in Lille, a draw between Belgium and Sweden in the other group game would put the Belgians on four points but second in the group ahead of us on head-to-head.
A win for Belgium also keeps us third in that scenario, while a win for Sweden also leaves us outside the Top Two - assuming they maintain their goal difference advantage - but ahead of Belgium who would then finish bottom on three points.
Third-place is our best bet in the group in any case and it would be enough to qualify with a victory in Lille because the third-placed teams in Group A (Albania), Group C (Northern Ireland) and Group D (Turkey) have finished with three points apiece - indeed Northern Ireland are guaranteed a last-16 place above the other two due to goal difference.
Our round of 16 opposition isn't certain but it'll be either France on June 26 or Wales on June 25. Depends on Groups E & F results. #GAWA
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) June 21, 2016
As a victory would put us on four points, we would definitely be among the four best third-placed finishers in the group stage.
Of course, we still have to beat an Italy side with arguably the best defence at the tournament.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
