The second matchday has ended in all the World Cup groups, with some countries having already booked their spot in the last 16.
Others have some work to do in the final group stage match in order to extend their dreams. Let’s take a look at how things stand.
GROUP A
Ecuador – Senegal
Netherlands – Qatar
A draw is enough for the Netherlands and Ecuador to qualify. Senegal must win if they want to be in the round of 16 because the other option available to them seems unlikely: a draw with goals against Ecuador and a 2-0 or more win for Qatar against the Oranje. The hosts have already been eliminated
GROUP B
Wales – England
Iran – USA
England and Iran will be in the Round of 16 if they get three points. A draw is also good for the English but Iran, with a draw, need Wales not to beat Southgate’s team.
The United States need a win to secure their place in the knockout stage.
The Welsh have two options: a 4-0 win or more against England or a win, even 1-0, against their neighbors and a draw in the match between Iran and the United States.
GROUP C
Saudi Arabia – Mexico
Poland – Argentina
A draw is enough for Poland to reach the Round of 16. This result could be enough for Argentina if there is a draw between Saudi Arabia and Mexico or a victory for Martino’s team that doesn’t exceed 3-0.
The Poles, Argentines and Saudis will advance from the group stage with three points.
Mexico need a win and an Argentine defeat. Or a win by as many goals as possible and see who they leapfrog, either the Albiceleste (if there is a draw) or the Poles (if they lose).
GROUP D
Australia – Denmark
Tunisia – France
France is sure to top the group with a draw, and possibly even if they lose.
Australia will also be in the round of 16 with a win, and a point if Tunisia fail to beat the French.
Victory gives Denmark almost certain qualification. Only one scenario would leave them out of the round of 16: a Tunisian victory by one goal more than the Danes.
GROUP E
Costa Rica – Germany
Spain – Japan
Spain can secure their place in the Round of 16 with a draw. Only a disaster would eliminate them (apart from a loss and a Costa Rica win): losing 1-0 against Japan and Germany beating Costa Rica by 7-0 or more.
Japan and Costa Rica would qualify with a win. A draw would be enough for the Costa Ricans if the Japanese lose. A point would also be enough for the Japanese if Germany does not win.
Germany will qualify for the knockout stage if they win by a two-goal margin, provided the Japanese and Luis Enrique’s team draw. A one-goal win may even be enough, depending on their win and/or the draw between Spain and Japan. For example, if Germany wins 1-0 and Spain and Japan end in a goalless draw, Flick’s team would advance to the Round of 16.
GROUP F
Canada – Morocco
Croatia – Belgium
Canada has already eliminated.
Croatia, Morocco and Belgium are through with a win. A draw is also good enough for the Croatians and Moroccans.
The Belgians have a chance to go through with a draw if Canada beats Morocco (4-0 or more and even with a 3-0 if the draw between Belgium and Croatia is two or more goals or more).
GROUP G
Serbia – Switzerland
Cameroon – Brazil
Brazil is already in the round of 16 and will top the group with a draw against Cameroon. Even if they lose, they will finish first if Switzerland do not win. And even if the Swiss win, Brazil have a favorable (+3) goal difference.
Switzerland, Cameroon and Serbia are competing for the other spot. Only the Swiss control their fate and will be in the round of 16 if they beat the Serbians, or if they draw and Cameroon do not beat Brazil.
Cameroon must beat the Brazilians and hope for a draw between the Swiss and the Serbs. And Serbia’s option is to beat Switzerland and hope that Cameroon does not beat Brazil or, if they do, that they don’t have a better goal difference.
GROUP H
South Korea – Portugal
Ghana – Uruguay
Portugal is the third team to qualify for the round of 16 after France and Brazil. With a draw against South Korea they will be guaranteed first place, and won’t even need it if Ghana is unable to beat Uruguay.
Uruguay still have a chance of finishing second if they beat Ghana and the South Koreans fail to win against Portugal. Uruguay could still go through even if the Asians also win, if they manage to beat them on overall goal difference.
Ghana will be in the round of 16 if they beat Uruguay or if they draw and South Korea does not win or, even if they win, does not beat them on goal difference.
South Korea need to win and the result of Ghana-Uruguay must go their way: no Ghanaian victory and any other combination (draw or Uruguayan victory) would have to be accompanied by a goal difference in their favor.
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