Each group has now played two rounds of games, and I can honestly say that this is the most entertaining World Cup I can remember. The games have been fast-paced and high-scoring (at least by soccer standards), and the quality of play has been very high. Here's where each group stands (countries in bold have qualified for the knockout rounds; countries in italics have been eliminated):
Group A (Brazil, Mexico, Croatia, Cameroon): Brazil and Mexico lead the group with four points each, but Brazil plays Cameroon (which has already been eliminated) while Mexico will have a very difficult game against Croatia (which can advance to the knockout rounds with a win over Mexico).
Group B (Netherlands, Chile, Australia, Spain): Netherlands and Chile have clinched both spots in the knockout rounds, and their game will decide who finishes top of the group. Netherlands will finish first if they draw.
Group C (Colombia, Ivory Coast, Japan, Greece): Colombia is almost certain to finish top of the group, and Ivory Coast only needs a tie with Greece to advance.
Group D (Costa Rica, Italy, Uruguay, England): Costa Rica has already clinched a spot in the knockout rounds, and they are in a very strong position to finish top of the group. Italy and Uruguay will play an epic to determine the other spot -- Italy will advance if they draw.
Group E (France, Ecuador, Switzerland, Honduras): In theory, all four of these teams can advance. In reality, 2-0 France will probably come in top of the group and Switzerland should get the second spot if they can beat Honduras (as they should).
Group F (Argentina, Nigeria, Iran, Bosnia and Herzegovina): Argentina will play Nigeria, and both teams can advance with a draw. In theory, Iran could get the second spot if they crush Bosnia and Nigeria loses to Argentina, but somehow I don't see that happening.
Group G (Germany, United States, Ghana, Portugal): The Group of Death has lived up to its billing, as it has produced some excellent games. The United States was about a minute from moving on to the next round, but the Americans gave up a late goal to Portugal that created a 2-2 draw and left everything up for grabs. Here's what it looks like now:
1. Germany: 4 points (goal differential of 4)
2. United States: 4 points (goal differential of 1)
3. Ghana: 1 point (goal differential of minus 1)
4. Portugal: 1 point (goal differential of minus 4)
Germany will not lose to the United States, so they will finish top of the group. After that, it's anyone's guess. The Americans will be hoping that Portugal beats Ghana, but Ghana has looked really good. If I had to guess, I would predict that Ghana will beat Portugal, the U.S. will lose to Germany, and Ghana will overtake the U.S. on goal differential.
But the oddsmakers like the USA to advance. In Britain, the odds on the U.S. moving to the next round are only 2 to 9, compared to 5 to 1 for Ghana and 8 to 1 for Portugal.
Group H (Belgium, Algeria, Russia, South Korea): Belgium will finish top of this group, and Algeria will probably get the result they need to advance.
Here are the latest odds from Britain:
Brazil: 3 to 1
Germany: 4 to 1
Argentina: 7 to 2
France: 17 to 2
Netherlands: 9 to 1
No one else is better than 20 to 1. Mexico is 66 to 1. The United States is 100 to 1.
Netherlands beats Chile 2-0 to finish top of Group B.
ReplyDeleteMexico scores three late goals to beat Croatia 3-1 and take second place in Group A. Brazil takes first place with a 4-1 win over Cameroon.
ReplyDeleteSo two of the games in the Sweet 16 are now set:
ReplyDelete1. Brazil v. Chile
2. TBD
3. TBD
4. TBD
5. Netherlands v. Mexico
6. TBD
7. TBD
8. TBD
Italy appears to be on its way out of the World Cup. The Italians needed at least a draw in their match with Uruguay to reach the knockout rounds. But in the 65th minute one of their players got a red card, and in the 80th minute Uruguay took a 1-0 lead. Only about 10 minutes left to play.
ReplyDeleteUnlike the United States, Uruguay knows how to defend a lead; they keep most of their players in front of their own goal. Italy's 10 men are not able to break through -- despite almost six minutes of stoppage time -- and Uruguay are through to the next round.
ReplyDeleteAn utter disaster for Italy, who beat England and then lost to Costa Rica and Uruguay.
Costa Rica gets a draw with England to finish top of the group.
In Group C, Colombia crushed Japan 4-1 to finish top of the group. Ivory Coast and Greece battled for the second spot. Greece had to win, while Ivory Coast would go through with a draw. In injury time the score was 1-1, when Greece was awarded a penalty kick! They make the kick! Ivory Coast are out! Greece are through to the next round.
ReplyDeleteSo now the round of 16 looks like this:
ReplyDelete1. Brazil v. Chile
2. Colombia v. Uruguay
3. TBD
4. TBD
5. Netherlands v. Mexico
6. Costa Rica v. Greece
7. TBD
8. TBD
It will take a huge upset to keep Netherlands out of the semi-finals.
In Group F, Argentina beats Nigeria to finish top of the group. But Nigeria takes second place when Iran loses to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
ReplyDeleteSo far, five teams from South America -- and two teams from Central America -- have qualified for knockout rounds. That's seven out of 10.
In Group E, France finishes top of the group and Switzerland comes second. Ecuador becomes the first South American team to be eliminated. Now the round of 16 looks like this:
ReplyDelete1. Brazil v. Chile
2. Colombia v. Uruguay
3. France v. Nigeria
4. TBD
5. Netherlands v. Mexico
6. Costa Rica v. Greece
7. Argentina v. Switzerland
8. TBD
Here are the likely quarter-finals:
1. Brazil v. Colombia or Uruguay
2. France v. Germany
3. Netherlands v. Costa Rica
4. Argentina v. Belgium
THROUGH!
ReplyDeleteAs Eric mentioned, the USA is through to the next round. Germany beat the USA 1-0, while Portugal beat Ghana 2-1. So Germany finishes top of the group, and the USA beat Portugal on goal differential.
ReplyDeleteSo the USA finish second, and they will play the winner of Group H, which will probably be Belgium.
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