Halfway through the final games of the first round and eight teams have booked their place in the knockout stages of the 2014 World Cup. Here’s how the remaining teams can make sure that they join Netherlands, Chile, Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Columbia and Greece in the next round.
Group F — Wednesday, noon EST
Argentina, 6 pts.
As long as they tie Nigeria, they top the group. If they lose, they’ll finish second, but regardless, they’re through to the next round.
Nigeria, 4 pts.
They need a tie against Argentina to secure their spot in the next round, and a win to top the group.
Iran, 1 pt.
Iran needs to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina and hope Argentina beats Nigeria to have a chance to advance to the next round. If both games were to end 1-0 — which is definitely not out of the question — the knockout berth would come down to a drawing of lots.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, 0 pts.
Eliminated after Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Nigeria.
Group E — Wednesday, 4 p.m. EST
France, 6 pts.
Despite impressing in two goal-heavy victories, France has yet to secure passage to the next round. Les Bleus just need one point (or a Switzerland loss) to advance, but should still feel secure about making it.
The only result that could keep them from the next round is a four-goal loss to Ecuador combined with a five-goal victory by Switzerland. Not likely.
Ecuador, 3 pts.
Ecuador may seem to be in better position than Switzerland going into the final match because of their superior goal difference (even to -2) but going up against the class of their group — France — makes advancement no sure thing. A win against France and they’re in, unless Switzerland wins their game by two more goals. If both games end in a draw, Ecuador advances.
Switzerland, 3 pts.
Switzerland needs to win or tie and hopes France beats Ecuador. If they don’t get help from their fellow European nation, they need to better Ecuador’s win by two goals. If both teams draw, Switzerland will go home even though they’re tied on points.
Honduras, 0 pts.
Honduras has not registered a point, but they have a very slim chance of making it to the second round. Of course, they need a lot of help. First, they’ll have to beat Switzerland by at the very least a 3-1 or 4-2 margin, and need Ecuador to lose by two (or more) goals. If the teams all finish with the same goal differential, Honduras would advance based on their big win against Switzerland.
Group G — Thursday, noon EST
Germany, 4 pts.
In a group where every team is still alive, Germany is in the best shape, just needing a point to advance to the next round. Because of their large goal differential (+4) they’re a near lock to advance if they lose to the US and either Ghana or Portugal win.
USA, 4 pts.
Like Germany, the US just needs a point to advance to the next round. But if the Americans lose to Germany, things get tricky. If they fail to get a point against the group leader, and Ghana/Portugal ends in a draw, they’ll advance. But if either team wins, it will come down to goals. Right now, the US has a better goal difference than both teams (+1 compared to -1 for Ghana and -4 for Portugal).
Ghana, 1 pt.
Ghana must beat Portugal and hope that there is a winner in the other game to have a chance of qualifying for the next round. If the US beats Germany, Ghana will need to win by a five-goal margin to overcome the Germans. If Germany wins, things are slightly easier. They could qualify with a win if the Americans lose by two. If the US only loses by one, though, they need to record a higher-scoring one goal victory (for example, if the US loses 1-0, Ghana would advance if they won 2-1) because America owns the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Portugal, 1 pt.
Even with their thrilling last-second draw with the US on Sunday, Portugal still faces an uphill task. Because of their 4-0 loss to Germany in the group opener, they need an eight-goal swing to overcome the Germans if the US wins. US and Portugal are level based on the head-to-head tiebreaker, but the Americans’ goal differential is much stronger (+1 to -4). Therefore, Portugal needs a five-goal swing from a US loss to make it to the next round. If the two teams end up even on goal difference and goals scored (for instance, if the US lose 3-0 and Portugal win 2-0), the two teams would draw lots to see who advances.
Group H — Thursday, 4 p.m. EST
Belgium, 6 pts.
Belgium has clinched a spot in the next round and just needs a tie to top the group.
Algeria, 3 pts.
Algeria needs to beat Russia to ensure passage to the knockout stages, and can top the group if they win and Belgium loses to South Korea. A draw probably will be enough, too, because S0uth Korea would still need to win and then Algeria’s goal differential (+1 to -2) likely would clinch it.
Russia, 1 pt.
Will advance to the next round with a win over Algeria and a South Korea loss. If both teams win, Russia has the better goal difference (-1 to -2), but South Korea has scored more goals because of its high-scoring 4-2 loss to Algeria.
South Korea, 1 pt.
Must beat group leaders Belgium and hope Algeria doesn’t beat Russia. If Algeria-Russia finishes in a draw, South Korea needs to win by at least three to advance. If Russia wins, South Korea just need to win by a larger margin than Russia.