Colombia, Japan, Senegal to fight for final places
MOSCOW — Fourteen teams have secured spots in the knockout stage at the World Cup, leaving just two more up for grabs today. Here’s a look at who’s in, who’s out and possible scenarios.
GROUP A Uruguay won all three of its group matches and will play Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal. The host Russians won their first two to finish second and will take on Spain. Egypt and Saudi Arabia are eliminated.
GROUP B Spain and Portugal tied with five points each and had the same plus-one goal differential, but Spain won the group because it scored one more goal over the three matches. Spain’s reward: playing the Russians in Moscow’s main stadium. Portugal will play Uruguay in the round of 16. GROUP C France won the group and will meet Lionel Messi and Argentina to start the knockout stage. Denmark nabbed the second spot and plays Croatia. Australia and Peru are out.
GROUP D Croatia won the group easily and will play Denmark in the round of 16. Second-place Argentina moves on to play France. Nigeria and Iceland were eliminated.
GROUP E Brazil took top spot with a 2-0 win Wednesday over Serbia, which could have advanced with a win. Brazil will play Mexico in the knockout stage. Switzerland’s 2-2 draw with Costa Rica was enough to lock up second place and a knockout-stage match with Sweden. Serbia and Costa Rica are out.
GROUP F Defending champion Germany staggered out of the tournament Wednesday with a 2-0 loss to South Korea. Sweden beat Mexico 3-0 to win the group and gets Switzerland to start the knockout stage. Mexico backed into the round of 16 courtesy of South Korea’s win over Germany and will next play Brazil. Germany and South Korea were eliminated.
GROUP G Belgium and England meet in Thursday’s late pairings to determine which team wins the group and which finishes second. Tunisia and Panama play the other late game but are out of contention.
GROUP H Japan and Senegal lead the group with four points apiece. Colombia has three and would advance if it beats Senegal, and both could go through with a draw if Japan loses. Poland is out of contention.
— The Associated Press