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Post by Jep Gambardella on Nov 28, 2022 19:04:02 GMT
.. of group stage matches.
Group A
Ecuador 4
Netherlands 4
Senegal 3
Qatar 0
Final matches:
Qatar x Netherlands
Ecuador x Senegal
Barring a major upset, the Netherlands will at the very least tie against Qatar and therefore advance. The other spot will be decided in the direct confrontation between Ecuador and Senegal.
I’d bet on Netherlands finishing first and Ecuador second.
Group B
England 4
Iran 3
USA 2
Wales 1
Final matches:
England x Wales
Iran x USA
I don’t think Wales is going to beat England, so England should advance. The other spot will also be decided by the result of the second game. Iran only needs a tie and therefore on paper are favourites, but I think the USA will prevail. I can see Iran losing their cool if they don’t get an early advantage.
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Post by Jep Gambardella on Nov 28, 2022 19:09:26 GMT
Group C
Poland 4
Argentina 3
Saudi Arabia 3
Mexico 1
Final round:
Argentina x Poland
Saudi Arabia x Mexico
When push comes to shove, I think Argentina will beat Poland. Poland might still squeak by even if Mexico beats the Saudis, which I think they will. It would then come down to goal difference, with Poland and Mexico tied with four points. Every goal in both matches would count. It could be a nerve-wrecking final minutes in front of the TV for Polish and Mexican fans!
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Post by Jep Gambardella on Nov 28, 2022 19:15:33 GMT
Group D
France 6
Australia 3
Denmark 1
Tunisia 1
Final round:
France x Tunisia
Australia x Denmark
France already has one of the spots. Tunisia still has an outside mathematical chance if they beat France, but realistically the other spot will go to the winner of the Australia x Denmark match, with Australia only needing a tie to advance.
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Post by Carl LaFong on Nov 28, 2022 19:17:31 GMT
I want Mexico to end their streak of going out in the first knockout round … by going out at the group stage!
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Post by Jep Gambardella on Nov 28, 2022 19:18:13 GMT
Group ESpain 4 Japan 3 Costa Rica 3 Germany 1 Final round: Spain x Japan Costa Rica x Germany Spain is going to beat Japan and Germany is going to beat Costa Rica so Germany will advance even though they are currently in last place.
*** EDIT ***
Wouldn't it be something if Japan and Costa Rica win their matches and advance, sending both Spain and Germany home? It would be almost a repeat of the "Group of Death" from the 2014 World Cup when Costa Rica and Uruguay advanced and the paper favourites England and Italy went back to Europe early. I would love to see that!
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Post by Jep Gambardella on Nov 28, 2022 19:23:19 GMT
Group F
Croatia 4
Morocco 4
Belgium 3
Canada 0
Final Round:
Belgium x Croatia
Canada x Morocco
Morocco only needs a tie against already-eliminated Canada to advance. If Canada wins, there is a possibility that the two European teams will advance, but the more likely scenario is that the winner of the Croatia x Belgium match will advance alongside Morocco.
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Post by Aj_June on Nov 28, 2022 19:25:33 GMT
Group FCroatia 4 Morocco 4 Belgium 3 Canada 0 Final Round: Belgium x Croatia Canada x Morocco Morocco only needs a tie against already-eliminated Canada to advance. If Canada wins, there is a possibility that the two European teams will advance, but the more likely scenario is that the winner of the Croatia x Belgium match will advance alongside Morocco. Croatia vs Belgium is an interesting prospect. Hopefully Belgium improves.
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Post by Jep Gambardella on Nov 28, 2022 19:29:05 GMT
Group G
Brazil 6
Switzerland 3
Cameroon 1
Serbia 1
Final Round:
Brazil x Cameroon
Serbia x Switzerland
Brazil has clinched one of the spots, most likely the top one. Cameroon needs to beat Brazil and hope for a tie on the other match. Most likely, the second spot will go to Serbia if they beat Switzerland, or to Switzerland otherwise.
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Post by Jep Gambardella on Nov 28, 2022 21:16:40 GMT
Group H
Portugal 6
Ghana 3
South Korea 1
Uruguay 1
Last round:
Portugal x South Korea
Ghana x Uruguay
Portugal is through to the round-of-16. The other three teams all have a chance, although realistically the South Korean FA is probably already busy looking for flights to Seoul for next weekend. So it will come down to a repeat of the infamous 2010 quarter-final between Ghana and Uruguay when Suárez saved a goal with his hands in the dying moments and prevented Ghana from being the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final. Ghana has the advantage, but I certainly wouldn’t bet against Uruguay reversing it.
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Post by Jep Gambardella on Dec 2, 2022 18:04:38 GMT
Group HPortugal 6 Ghana 3 South Korea 1 Uruguay 1 Last round: Portugal x South Korea Ghana x Uruguay Portugal is through to the round-of-16. The other three teams all have a chance, although realistically the South Korean FA is probably already busy looking for flights to Seoul for next weekend. So it will come down to a repeat of the infamous 2010 quarter-final between Ghana and Uruguay when Suárez saved a goal with his hands in the dying moments and prevented Ghana from being the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final. Ghana has the advantage, but I certainly wouldn’t bet against Uruguay reversing it. I hope the Korean FA didn't follow my recommendation and booked their flights! Those change fees can be expensive! |
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