It happens very rarely, but one of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations teams returned home through no fault of their own.
Mali and Guinea had identical records in Group D but unfortunately for the West African neighbours, two cannot go into one.
Just one quarter-final place was available and since they could not be separated on the pitch, the rules state that it had to be decided by the drawing of lots as luck took precedence. The luck went to Guinea.
It's been a while, but the Boys in Green were once involved in the same process - albeit with slightly less at stake.
Back in Italia 90, Ireland and Netherlands finished joint second in Group F behind England but ahead of Egypt.
A Dutch side featuring Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard had the exact same record as Jack's Army.
Both sides were guaranteed to reach the last-16 but what needed to be decided was whether we would face eventual champions Germany or Romania in the next round.
The only option left was the drawing of lots to decide both countries' fates.
Many years later current FIFA President Sepp Blatter would scoff at the idea of Ireland being the 33rd team at World Cup 2010 following Thierry Henry's handball. But back in 1990, he handed us Romania and we all know what happened next ...
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