YOKOHAMA, June 10: Only Brazil and Spain are certain of qualifying for the second round knockout stage of the World Cup before the final round of group matches.
The other 14 teams to go through will be decided over the next four days.
The top two teams in each group qualify. Groups are decided first on points, then on goal difference, then on highest number of goals scored.
If teams are still level, direct encounters between the two or more teams involved come into play. Points, goal difference and highest number of goals from these games determines the issue. If teams are still level, lots will be drawn.
All four teams can still reach the last 16. Denmark will go through as long as they don’t lose by more than one goal. Senegal need a draw. Uruguay and France have to win, with the world champions needing a two-goal margin.
Spain have already qualified and Slovenia are out. South Africa will qualify unless they lose and Paraguay win. The Paraguayans would also have to overcome South Africa’s superior goal difference of three.
Brazil are already through and China eliminated. Costa Rica are in the same position as South Africa in group B. They will go through unless they lose and Turkey win, with the Turks having to overcome the Costa Ricans’ superior goal difference of three.
South Korea and the United States need draws to ensure their place in the last 16. Portugal need to beat Korea in their final game, though a draw would do if the US lose. Poland are out.
Germany and Cameroon will both go through if Ireland fail to beat Saudi Arabia. If Ireland win, Germany would need a draw against Cameroon, while the Africans would have to win to be sure. The Irish qualify for certain only if they win by two goals. The Saudis are already out.
A draw would be enough for both Sweden and England to qualify. Argentina must win to ensure their place in the last 16 but a draw could be enough if England lose, though goal difference or goals scored would then become a factor. Nigeria are already eliminated.
If Italy beat Mexico and Croatia beat Ecuador, the group would finish with three teams on six points. Mexico need a draw to avoid the danger of becoming the first team to be eliminated at any World Cup finals after winning their first two matches. Italy need to win, although a draw would be enough if Croatia don’t win. Croatia must win by a margin of two goals to be certain of qualifying. Ecuador have faint hopes. They need to win by at least three goals and hope for an Italian defeat.
Japan and Russia both need draws. Belgium must win and Tunisia need a two-goal victory over the co-hosts to be certain of going through.
In the second round, group winners will play runners-up from another section. Pairings: group A v group F, group B v group E, group C v group H and group D v group G.—Reuters
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