Who needs what to go through? We look at the World Cup permutations
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All important last round of group games
It’s that time again. The final round of World Cup group stage matches are upon us.
Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Peru, Costa Rica, Panama, Tunisia and Poland have already been eliminated. That leaves 24 teams in the mix for the round-of-16 stage in Russia. Some of those have already qualified. Others need results to go their way over the next four days.
The Coral News Team have had a look at who needs what in each group ahead of the last round of World Cup group stage matches until 2022…
Group A
It’s a fairly simple scenario in Group A. With Egypt and Saudi Arabia already out, Russia and Uruguay will fight it between each other to decide who goes through in first and second spot.
Only a Uruguay win against the hosts will be enough to rotate their positions this afternoon. You can check out our tips for Group A today here.
Group B
Morocco are gone. That much we know. So it’s down to Spain, Portugal and Iran to fight it out for the two qualification spots. However, three doesn’t go into two.
For Fernando Hierro’s side, the equation is simple. Avoid defeat against the Moroccans and they’re through. The same applies to Portugal, who know that a draw or a win against Iran will see them into the next round at the expense of their opponents, who have never won their final group stage match at the World Cup. Iran are 4/1 to qualify.
Group C
France are guaranteed safe passage into the last-16 and need a single point against Denmark to go through as group winners. The Danes can ensure their own qualification with a point against the French.
Australia require a win and a two goal-swing over Denmark if they’re to make an unlikely knockout round appearance. Their opponents, Peru, are already out.
Group D
This one is interesting. Croatia have qualified. Nigeria will join them if they avoid defeat to Argentina and Iceland fail to beat Croatia.
Argentina will go through if they beat Nigeria and Valtreni see off Iceland. They could also advance if they pick up three points against Nigeria, Iceland beat Croatia and Argentina finish on a better goal difference than Iceland.
Iceland need to win against Croatia and hope Nigeria lose to Argentina. Should this scenario unfold, goal difference will play a factor.
Group E
Brazil’s last-gasp victory over Costa Rica means they need just a single point against Serbia to guarantee qualification from the group stages for the 13th World Cup in a row. They’re 4/11 to win the group.
Serbia will leapfrog Switzerland if they draw and the Swiss lose to Costa Rica by two or more goals. Switzerland will go through with a win, although a draw may be good enough providing Serbia fail to beat Brazil.
Group F
All eyes will be on Group F on Wednesday with all four nations still in the hunt for qualification. Mexico are in pole position. Avoid defeat against Sweden and they’re into the last-16.
Germany’s dramatic victory over Sweden on Saturday puts them second in the group. As long as they equal or better the Swedes’ result against South Korea, they’re through. Should both matches end in a draw, identical records would see Joachim Low’s men through courtesy of their 2-1 win in Sochi. Die Mannschaft are 1/8 to qualify.
An unlikely South Korea qualification would require them to win against Germany, a Sweden defeat to Mexico and a three-goal swing over both countries.
Group G
All the important matters are already sewn up in Group G, with England and Belgium guaranteeing qualification over the weekend.
The pair meet in Kaliningrad on Thursday night where a Three Lions victory will see them top the group. A draw would mean who finishes top is decided by disciplinary points.
Group H
Japan’s draw with Senegal means they only require a draw against Poland to progress to the last-16.
Senegal and Colombia also go head-to-head with the winner qualifying for the next round. A stalemate would also be good enough for Senegal to progress at the expense of James Rodriguez and co. Poland were eliminated on Sunday night.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
