Only two teams have no VP chance.
The group stage after three games becomes the most intriguing: any mistake can be fatal and often the direct competitors for a place in the playoffs collide in the final group. Third round matches between teams from the same group will take place at the same time – and this adds to the intrigue.
Group A: head to head for second place
With the leader of the quartet, everything is clear – the Netherlands, although they failed to collect 3 points with Ecuador, but have a rather skillful selection of performers for a confident victory over the hosts of the tournament.
But the second line, which also allows you to reach the playoffs, remains vacant. Now there is Ecuador – and the national team will play the final tournament with Senegal, who are just one point behind the top two.
The Senegalese must win in any case and Ecuador need a draw to complete the task.
Wales looking for the top 2
This is not how the Welshman has envisioned his first World Cup for a long time, following a draw with United States of America the match against Iran required a win. In fact – a flat defeat (0:2) and the last place in the group. Despite this, Wales still have chances to progress to the next stage.
The plot in group B also revolves around the fact that all teams were able to score points. And the Welsh today will meet with the leaders of the quartet – the British and United States of America – with Iran, which still holds the second line of the quartet.
There are many scenarios for the denouement of this action movie: United States of America and Wales in the play-offs if they beat Iran and England; The States are not in agreement with Iran on the draw, and the Welsh send home the “three lions” for the victory (advantage in the outcome of personal matches on equal points); the Americans get on the last car and England keeps the leadership thanks to the victory; nothing changes given that the underdogs failed to impose a playoff challenge.
Match of life for Messi
In group C, you can wrap up enough stories – from the club (Barca legend Leo against Lewandowski’s heir) to the national team (Messi’s last chance to win the world Cup).
The Argentines returned to the playoff zone after a bad start with Saudi Arabia, but they did not guarantee anything. And hope for a draw is definitely not worth it – in this situation, a lot will depend on the outcome of the parallel meeting between the Saudis and Mexico. Get the win first and Leo will have to pack his bags. In order not to complicate life, the “white-blues” only need a victory over the Poles.
Mexico is still counting on the continuation of the fight for the trophy – in this case Saudi Arabia must be beaten. And to believe that Lewandowski’s scoring talent will break Argentina.
Duel of Australia and Denmark
When calculating hands in the D quartet, the French factor should be taken into account: after a confident start, they are unlikely to light up badly, especially with Tunisia.
This narrows the scope of the review considerably – it narrows it down to two specific teams battling for second place. We’re talking about Australia and Denmark, who will settle things in the face-off in the final round.
For the Danes, not only a draw with Tunisia could be called planned – a defeat from France was also perceived as inevitable. Australia allows you to go higher only due to the fact that with the Tunisians they scored all 3 points.
No complicated calculations are required here: Denmark’s victory is their entry into the playoffs; an Australian draw or win is a ticket to the next stage for them.
Moment of truth for Germany
Several Bundesteam players have already promised that the covered-mouth gesture is their last protest world Cup. Now we can focus on football.
But so much the worse for the national team than the fate of Germany onwards world Cup-2022 is not entirely up to them. 3 points with Costa Rica will lift the Germans to intermediate second place – and here the duel between Japan and Spain will play a decisive role. The victory over the “red fury” will lead the Japanese to the second round. For the Bundesteam, this is better not to happen: due to the impressive goal difference, the Spaniards will not let them move into second place.
Purely in theory, Costa Rica also remains in the fight: they must repeat the performance of the Japanese with the “German car” and expect Spain to win.
Hunting old men from Belgium
Moreover, even Kevin De Bruyne notes old age as the reason for the team’s failures. The Belgians are saved by the fact that their entire fate at the World Cup in Qatar is determined in a match with Croatia. Canada is left behind and cannot get around the “Red Devils”.
It all boils down to two possible outcomes: Belgium qualify for the playoffs in case of victory and exit from the tournament in case of defeat. All that is ingenious is simple.
Serbia’s desperation
Well, how can such a talented generation of Serbs end up world Cup Like this?! From the game with Cameroon left a feeling of understatement. He leaves the “white eagles” and scores a point with which it is easier to continue the fight for the first 2. But they could also score 3: they played confidently, quickly changed the tide of the match.
The evening for the Serbs spoiled the momentum of the Cameroonians. Their rivals did what Argentina failed to achieve in the match with Saudi Arabia: they withstood the offside line in two attacks. They led to goals conceded.
Cameroon will play Brazil in the final group, which without Neymar hardly got past Switzerland. The win will be a strong bid for second place.
In a parallel match with the Swiss, Serbia will play – and they need a sure (preferably big) victory. Then there will be a second row.
Uruguay dissatisfied
The Koreans upset the “charrua”, but in the second round they flew down behind them. The former have 2:3 with Ghana, the latter have 0:2 against Portugal.
The second place remains vacant, claimed by three teams simultaneously. The Uruguayans in the last round must overcome Ghana. And in order to protect yourself in case of sensations in a parallel meeting, you need to do it with a high score.
Although Portugal is unlikely to allow South Korea to win, which will please the “blue sky”.
