Publications
Partners
Cape Town - What a jaw dropping SWC Brazil is hosting so far and now with only one round left in the group stages, we look at who requires what to qualify for the Round of 16.
GROUP A
Brazil – With four points to their name after two matches, a win or a draw will see the hosts progress to the next round.
Mexico – Like Brazil, Mexico are well placed on four points. Miguel Herrera’s troops just need to avoid defeat against Croatia to secure their qualification.
Croatia – With three points on the board after losing to Brazil and beating Cameroon, Croatia need to beat Mexico in order to make it into the last-16.
Cameroon - The Indomitable Lions have already been knocked out after losing their first two matches.
GROUP B
Netherlands – The Dutch have qualified after winning their first two games against Spain and Australia.
Chile – After backing up their opening win over Australia with a comprehensive victory over Spain, Chile are through to the last-16.
Australia – The Aussies have put in some gutsy performances, but their match against Spain is a dead rubber after two straight defeats.
Spain – The defending champions have relinquished their crown after notching up a grand total of zero points from their first two matches.
GROUP C
Colombia – With six points on the board, the Colombians have booked their place in the next round.
Cote d’Ivoire – The men from West Africa are well placed with three points heading into the final match. A win over Greece will ensure their progression, while a draw might be enough if Japan fail to beat Colombia.
Greece – Having scored just two goals in eight World Cup matches, it’s hard to see Greece beating Cote d’Ivoire to pip them to second spot in the group, but in a match which is effectively a final for the two teams, anything is possible.
Japan – After a loss to the Ivory Coast and a bore draw against Greece, Japan need to summon some samurai strength if they are to beat Colombia. Even if they pull off an upset, it might not be enough if Greece or Cote d’Ivoire win.
GROUP D
Costa Rica – If you had said that one team from Group D would have booked their place in the knockout rounds before the final game, not many people would have put their money on Costa Rica, but with six points it is the Central Americans who can rest easy for now.
Italy – After getting off to a solid start, Italy’s showing against Costa Rica suggested they’re rather average. As such, with just three points to their name and a clash against Uruguay coming up, the Azzurri will be a little anxious. Due to their superior goal difference, a draw against the Uruguayans will be enough to get the job done.
Uruguay – The South American nation looked revitalised against England, in no small part due to the presence of Luis Suarez. With three points collected against the Three Lions after a poor defeat to Costa Rica, only a win against Italy will do the trick for Uruguay.
England – England have some tough decisions to make on Tuesday – will they pick window or aisle seats on their trip home after their match against Costa Rica.
GROUP E
France - While France can still mathematically be knocked out, with six points already registered, they’ll need to suffer a heavy defeat to Ecuador with Switzerland hammering Honduras. A win or a draw will secure their spot.
Ecuador – Credit to Ecuador, they looked out of it after defeat to the Swiss, but a win over Honduras kept them in the running. They’ll need to win against France and hope that Switzerland don’t correct their poor goal difference if they’re to ensure their place. A draw might be enough if Honduras do them a favour and beat the Swiss. In this eventuality even a defeat could be enough depending on goal difference.
Switzerland – Losing to France was bad enough, but getting walloped 5-2 certainly hasn’t helped the Swiss. With a goal difference of negative two, they’ll have to better Ecuador’s result to progress.
Honduras – Two defeats mean that Honduras have already been eliminated.
GROUP F
Argentina – Job done, Argentina have booked their place in the next round having collected six points.
Nigeria – A win over Bosnia and Herzegovina over the weekend has breathed new life into Nigeria’s campaign. A draw or a win will do the trick for Stephen Keshi’s men.
Iran – The Asian nation head into the final round with just a point after Lionel Messi’s late goal deprived them of a draw against Argentina. A win against Bosnia and Herzegovina will see them draw level on points with Nigeria if the Super Eagles lose to Argentina, meaning that goal difference could come into play.
Bosnia and Herzegovina – A campaign that held much promise as thus far delivered no points and an early trip home.
GROUP G
Germany – Having dispatched of Portugal with ease in their first match, Germany would have expected to have already qualified, but a draw against Ghana means they only have four points heading into the next round. A draw will be enough to go through.
USA – Portugal’s last-gasp equaliser on Sunday denied the Americans guaranteed qualification. A draw against the Germans will do the trick though.
Ghana – Nothing but a win will do for the Black Stars, and even then it might not be enough if the USA and Germany draw.
Portugal – As above. Who would have thought.
GROUP H
Belgium – Qualification is done and dusted for Belgium, but they’ll need a win over South Korea to ensure top spot.
Algeria – Few people expected the Desert Foxes to shine as they did against South Korea. With four points on the board, a draw against Russia will see them through unless South Korea hammer Belgium.
Russia – It’s not all over for Fabio Capello’s men just yet. One point may not be much to show for their toil, but if they beat Algeria by a considerable margin they could still sneak through.
South Korea – Like Russia, it’s a win or bust for South Korea. It’s also going to have to be a win by a considerable margin.
