REUTERS: With the second series of World Cup group games completed on Sunday, qualification for the knockout rounds is now clearer.The top two teams in each group go into the last 16. In the case of teams finishing level on points, FIFA has put in place seven tie-breakers starting with goal difference and then the number of goals scored in all group matches.If two or more teams are equal on the basis of the above three criteria, their rankings are determined as follows:* points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned;* goal difference in the group matches between the teams concerned;* number of goals scored in the group matches between the teams concerned;* fair play points determined by red and yellow cards at the tournament.* drawing of lots.Here is where things stand in each group going into final round-robin matches.Group ARussia and Uruguay are through and all that is left to decide is who will top the group when they meet on Monday. Russia have a superior goal … [Read more...] about World Cup Group qualifying scenarios for knockout rounds
World cup group
One of the toughest World Cup groups is suddenly in chaos and now Lionel Messi and Argentina have been thrown a lifeline to advance
caption After two disappointing results, Argentina’s window to escape the group stage of the World Cup looked to be closing, but Nigeria threw Lionel Messi and company a lifeline with its 2-0 win over Iceland on Friday. source Ryan Pierse/Getty Images With just two matches remaining before the knockout stage of the 2018 World Cup, Group D is in chaos. After two disappointing performances from group favorite Argentina, it looked as though Iceland’s path to advancing was clear, but on Friday the tiny island nation fell to Nigeria, and now we won’t know who will escape to the knockout stage until the final two matches are played on Tuesday. Group leader Croatia has already sealed its spot in the final bracket of 16, but Argentina, Nigeria, and Iceland all still have paths to keep their World Cup dream alive. Here is how each of the teams can advance to the knockout round: Chances of advancing based on FiveThirtyEight’s SPI ratings. … [Read more...] about One of the toughest World Cup groups is suddenly in chaos and now Lionel Messi and Argentina have been thrown a lifeline to advance
News FIFA World Cup group stage: 5 potential highlights
The World Cup group stage will see 48 games crammed into two weeks. AFP Sport picks out the moments to look out for in Russia: - Opening match - How can anyone miss the opening game at the World Cup? It sets the tone for a month-long festival of football, even if in this case it brings together the two lowest-ranked teams in the competition. Hosts Russia will walk out onto the pitch at the 80,000-capacity Luzhniki Stadium ranked a lowly 70th in the world, three spots below Group A rivals Saudi Arabia, and without a victory in eight months. However, Russia has spent more than $13 billion on preparations for the big event, and President Vladimir Putin will be eager for the hosts to get off to the best possible start. In contrast, a defeat against minnows Saudi Arabia would heighten the prospect of Russia becoming just the second host nation to be eliminated in the group stage, after South Africa eight years ago. - Portugal v Spain - The standout fixture in the first round is this Iberian … [Read more...] about News FIFA World Cup group stage: 5 potential highlights
World Cup group stage: 5 potential highlights
SOCHI: The World Cup group stage will see 48 games crammed into two weeks. AFP Sport picks out the moments to look out for in Russia:OPENING MATCHHow can anyone miss the opening game at the World Cup? It sets the tone for a month-long festival of football, even if in this case it brings together the two lowest-ranked teams in the competition.Hosts Russia will walk out onto the pitch at the 80,000-capacity Luzhniki Stadium ranked a lowly 70th in the world, three spots below Group A rivals Saudi Arabia, and without a victory in eight months.However, Russia has spent more than US$13 billion on preparations for the big event, and President Vladimir Putin will be eager for the hosts to get off to the best possible start.In contrast, a defeat against minnows Saudi Arabia would heighten the prospect of Russia becoming just the second host nation to be eliminated in the group stage, after South Africa eight years ago.PORTUGAL v SPAINThe standout fixture in the first round is this Iberian derby … [Read more...] about World Cup group stage: 5 potential highlights
Team Philippines draws tough 3×3 World Cup group
Team Philippines draws tough 3x3 World Cup group Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star) - April 12, 2018 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines gained automatic berth as the host team but found itself in a tough bracket with Russia, Brazil, Canada and Mongolia in the drawing of lots for the FIBA 3x3 World Cup set at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan on June 8-12. In the draw held at the FIBA headquarters in Mies, Switzerland yesterday, Team Phl landed in Group C with teams with successful professional teams on the FIBA 3x3 World Tour. Russia was bronze medalist in the 2014 World Cup while Mongolia won the Asia Cup at home last year with upsets of Australia and New Zealand. The Philippines needs to make the Top Two in group plays to advance to the knockout stage of the tournament where the team of Kiefer Ravena, Jeron Teng, JR Quiñahan and Kobe Paras finished 11th out of 20 teams in Nantes, France last … [Read more...] about Team Philippines draws tough 3×3 World Cup group