Editing 2006 FIFA World Cup (section)

====Ranking criteria====
If teams were level on points, they were ranked on the following criteria in order:

{{blockquote|
# Greatest total goal difference in the three group matches
# Greatest number of goals scored in the three group matches
# If teams remained level after those criteria, a mini-group would be formed from those teams, who would be ranked on:
## Most points earned in matches against other teams in the tie
## Greatest goal difference in matches against other teams in the tie
## Greatest number of goals scored in matches against other teams in the tie
# If teams remained level after all these criteria, FIFA would hold a drawing of lots}}
In the original version of the rules for the finals tournament, the ranking criteria were in a different order, with head-to-head results taking precedence over total goal difference. The rules were changed to the above in advance of the tournament, but older versions were still available on the FIFA and UEFA websites, causing some confusion among those trying to identify the correct criteria.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/worldcupspreadsheets/rulechange.html |title=FIFA changes World Cup tie-breaking rules |last=O'Dea |first=Joseph |date=18 May 2006 |access-date=29 June 2006 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
In any event, the finals tournament saw only two pairs of teams level on points: Argentina and the Netherlands at 7 points in Group C; Tunisia and Saudi Arabia at 1 point in Group H. Both of these ties were resolved on total goal difference. Also, in both cases the teams had tied their match, so the order of ranking criteria made no difference.