Going into the last round of World Cup group fixtures, here’s how the qualifying situation stands in each of the eight groups. Three nations are in contention for the final two places up for grabs in the last 16.
Already qualified for second round: Uruguay, Russia, Spain, Portugal, France, Denmark, Croatia, Argentina, Sweden, Mexico, Brazil, Switzerland, England, Belgium.
Confirmed second round matches:
France vs Argentina (Sat)
Uruguay vs Portugal (Sat)
Spain vs Russia (Sun)
Croatia vs Denmark (Sun)
Brazil vs Mexico (Mon)
Sweden vs Switzerland (Tue)
Groups yet to be decided
Group G
England and Belgium are locked together at the top of the group, both guaranteed to progress. Their final match will determine who tops the group. As they have identical records so far, if their final match is drawn, the team with the better disciplinary record (currently England with two yellow cards as opposed to Belgium’s three) will top the group. If they end up with identical disciplinary records, lots will be drawn to decide who finishes first – which could be key to potentially avoiding a route that includes facing Germany or Brazil in the quarter-finals.
Qualified: England, Belgium. Eliminated: Tunisia, Panama
To come: England v Belgium, Panama v Tunisia
Group H
Japan will progress if they get at least a draw against eliminated Poland. Colombia and Senegal face each other. A draw in that game will be enough for Senegal to progress. A draw might also be enough for Colombia to progress, but they would be relying on Poland beating Japan at the same time.
Eliminated: Poland
To come: Japan v Poland, Senegal v Colombia
Groups already decided
Group A
Russia and Uruguay both qualified - with Uruguay’s 3-0 victory in the final game seeing them finish top.
Qualified: Uruguay, Russia. Eliminated: Saudi Arabia, Egypt
Group B
A dramatic VAR-assisted late goal by Iago Aspas ensured Spain took top spot, as neither they nor Portugal were able to overcome Morocco or Iran in the final set of group games. How Iran must rue Mehdi Taremi’s late, late missed chance, which would have been enough to send them through.
Qualified: Spain, Portugal. Eliminated: Iran, Morocco
Group C
Australia were right to fear France and Denmark playing out a tepid Disgrace of Gijón style draw. It might not have quite been “the disgrace of Moscow”, but the first 0-0 draw of the tournament meant both European sides progressed. France topped the group. Australia have little ground for complaints, however, as they succumbed to Peru’s first World Cup victory since 1978, rendering the result in Moscow irrelevant to the Socceroos chances of progressing.
Qualified: France, Denmark. Eliminated: Peru, Australia
Group D
Argentina got the win they needed in the final round of matches to join group-winners Croatia in the next round.
Qualified: Croatia, Argentina. Eliminated: Nigeria, Iceland
Group E
Brazil got the win they needed against Serbia in order to top the group, with Switzerland joining them after they beat Costa Rica in their final match.
Qualified: Brazil, Switzerland. Eliminated: Serbia, Costa Rica
To come: Serbia v Brazil, Switzerland v Costa Rica
Group F
A nerve-wracking set of final games saw Sweden progress as group winners, with Mexico joining them in the second round. South Korea’s heroic 2-0 victory against the Germans wasn’t enough to put them through, but meant defending champions Germany exited at the group stage for the first time since 1938.
Qualified: Sweden, Mexico. Eliminated: South Korea, Germany
