Do-or-die games for some
The group stage of World Cup 2018 will be concluded over the next three days.
By Nick Said
The 2018 World Cup group stage reaches its conclusion this week and by close of business on Thursday the 16 teams that will contest the knockout stages will be known.
Some countries have already sealed their passage into the second round of the competition, while for others victory or a draw in the last of three matches in the group stage is needed to stand a chance to make into the Last 16. TAB Sports Express looks ahead to some of the key clashes in the remaining three days of group matches. Kick-off times are South African.
Tuesday 26 June FRANCE v DENMARK (4pm, Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow):
France have sealed their passage into the knockout stages, but will want to keep up their momentum after victories against Australia and Peru. Denmark need just a point to advance, but a French victory would open the door for Australia to take second spot. France have won six of the last seven meetings between these two nations, while there hasn’t been a draw in 10 clashes dating back to 1976.
Tuesday 26 June NIGERIA v ARGENTINA (8pm, St Petersburg Stadium):
Argentina are in desperate need of a victory to stand any chance of reaching the last 16 as their troubled campaign lurches towards a likely early exit. They must win and hope Iceland don’t better their result or Lionel Messi will be headed home from what is probably his last chance to win a World Cup. Nigeria beat Argentina 4-2 in a friendly in Krasnodar last November.
Wednesday 27 June SOUTH KOREA v GERMANY (4pm, Kazan Arena):
Defending champions Germany claimed a last-gasp victory over Sweden on Saturday to keep their knockout hopes alive and will likely need at least a point here to ensure their passage to the next stage. If Sweden beat Mexico and Germany win as well then all three teams will be on six points. These two sides met in the 1994 and 2002 World Cups with Germany victorious on both occasions, although the only other clash was a friendly in 2004 won 3-1 by the Koreans.
Wednesday 27 June
SERBIA v BRAZIL (8pm, Otkrytiye Arena, Moscow):
A point will be enough for Brazil to advance, although they may surrender top spot in the pool to Switzerland. A draw might also be good enough for the Serbians if Switzerland suffer a defeat to Costa Rica, who are already eliminated. The only previous meeting between these sides was a friendly in 2014 won 1-0 by Brazil.
Thursday 28 June ENGLAND v BELGIUM (8pm, Kaliningrad Stadium):
England currently head Group G on Fair Play considerations as they have an identical record to Belgium with two wins and eight goals scored and two conceded. But a draw will not be enough to keep them top if they receive more yellow or red cards than their opponents. Both sides have already qualified for the next stage. While most of Belgium’s top stars such as Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne and Vincent Kompany ply their trade in England, they have never beaten England in six previous meetings.