The knockout rounds of the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar are now just two days away., with the Round of 16 beginning on Saturday, December 3.
The top 2 teams in each of the 8 groups go through to the Round of 16 or the pre-quarterfinals.
So far, 10 teams have made the cut for the knockouts, which leaves 6 slots still left to be filled for the next round. The final positions of 8 teams from 4 groups have been decided, in terms of group toppers and runner-ups. Brazil and Portugal are the two qualified teams so far whose final table positions are yet to be determined as we head into Thursday's crucial matches.
TimesofIndia.com here takes a look at all 8 groups, the teams that have qualified, those that are still in contention and what the Round of 16 line-up is looking like right now:
Group A (Decided)
Winner: Netherlands (7 points)
Runner-Up: Senegal (6 points)
Group B (Decided)
Winner: England (7 points)
Runner-Up: USA (5 points)
Group C (Decided)
Winner: Argentina (6 points)
Runner-Up: Poland (4 points - beat Mexico on GD)
Group D (Decided)
France (6 points - beat Australia on GD)
Runner-Up: Australia (6 points)
Group E (All four teams in contention)
1. Spain (Points: 4, GD: 7)
2. Japan (Points: 3, GD: 0)
3. Costa Rica (Points: 3, GD: -6)
4. Germany (Points: 1, GD: -1)
Group F (Three teams in contention, Canada eliminated)
1. Croatia (Points: 4, GD: 3)
2. Morocco (Points: 4, GD: 2)
3. Belgium (Points: 3, GD: -1)
Group G (One team through - 3 teams in contention)
1. Brazil (Points: 4, GD: 3) - Qualified - Position TBD
2. Switzerland (Points: 3, GD: 0)
3. Cameroon (Points: 1, GD: -1)
4. Serbia (Points: 1, GD: -2)
Group H (One team through - 3 teams in contention)
1. Portugal (Points: 6, GD: 3) - Qualified - Position TBD
2. Ghana (Points: 3, GD: 0)
3. South Korea (Points: 1, GD: -1)
4. Uruguay (Points: 1, GD: -2)
What the Round of 16 line-up is looking like right now:
December 3: Netherlands (A1) vs USA (B2)
December 4: Argentina (C1) vs Australia (D2)
December 4: France (D1) vs Poland (C2)
December 5: England (B1) vs Senegal (A2)
December 5: Winner Group E vs Runner-up Group F
December 6: Winner Group G vs Runner-Up Group H
December 6: Winner Group F vs Runner-up Group E
December 7: Winner Group H vs Runner-Up Group G
