World Cup – The knockout permutations ahead of the final group games

Rashford determined to take chance with England at World Cup

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The World Cup is quickly approaching the knockout stages as the competition for the most prestigious trophy in football hots up. Defending champions France are the only team guaranteed through to the knockout stages already, with Qatar and Canada two who will be heading out. Here Express Sport looks at the permutations for each group and details the results that the likes of England will need in order to ensure progression.

Group A 

With Qatar already out of the tournament after becoming the first host nation ever to lose both of their opening games, just Senegal, Ecuador and the Netherlands are left to fight for the two knockout spots. 

However, with the Dutch already on four points and facing the Middle-Eastern nation in their last game, it looks to be a straight fight between Ecuador and Senegal for the final place. The South Americans must simply avoid defeat to reach the knockouts while a win would ensure progression for the Africans. 

A draw could be enough to see both teams go through. However, the Netherlands would need to lose by two goals or more against Qatar, which is unlikely. Any of the three teams can claim top spot with the Dutch currently in pole position due to their superior disciplinary record over Ecuador. 

Group B 

England look likely to have sealed their place in the next round with the Three Lions needing to lose by four goals to Wales to stand any chance of falling out, while a win would secure top spot in the group. The Dragons must win to have a hope of going through with the team also needing a draw in the other fixture between Iran and the USA. 

The permutations for Iran and US are simple. Whoever wins will be in the round of 16 while Iran will progress if the score is tied, provided Wales do not beat England. 

Group C 

All four teams still have a chance of progression going into the final round of games with an exciting day set to be in store. The winner of the tie between Poland and Argentina can guarantee themselves a place in the round of 16, while a draw would ensure the Europeans progress. 

Lionel Messi’s side would be sweating over the chances should this happen as they would be reliant on the score in the other game between Saudi Arabia and Mexico. A win for the Middle-Easten side would mean they go through whatever happens but a draw would only be enough if Poland beat Argentina. 

Mexico’s hopes rest on beating Saudi Arabia and the fate of the other match. They either need to overturn a four-goal deficit to Poland, a three-goal deficit to Argentina in the event of a draw or hoping Robert Lewandowski can inspire his side to victory against the South Americans to go through. 

Group D 

France have already claimed a spot in the next round and Australia, Denmark and Tunisia will be looking to join them. The second team are likely to come from the match between the Danes and the Aussies with a win for those from Down Under putting them through. 

A victory for Denmark is also likely to be enough to see them progress but Tunisia can put a cat among the pigeons by beating France by a greater margin than the Scandinavians beat the Aussies. 

A draw between Australia and Denmark would send the former through unless Tunisia can beat the French. 

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Group E 

Any of the team’s in the group can secure their place in the last 16 with a win with Germany facing Costa Rica and Spain playing Japan. The situation becomes more complex if any of the games are drawn. 

Spain will go through if they draw with Japan, while the East Asian nation could also go through if they score more than Germany do if they beat Costa Rica. Los Ticos can advance with a draw if Japan loses, but the Germans would go out in the group stages again if that happened to them. 

Spain can only go out if Costa Rica wins or Germany manage to overturn an eight-goal deficit on the final day. 

Group F 

Canada are already guaranteed to be heading home from their second World Cup after losing both their matches, leaving Belgium, Morocco and Croatia fighting for two places. 

Croatia only need to avoid defeat to Belgium if they are to progress with a draw unlikely to be enough for Roberto Martinez’s men as they would need Morocco to lose by at least three goals or more to Canada. A Belgian win would secure their place in the round of 16 as they seek to overcome their terrible start to the World Cup. 

The Africans must just avoid defeat to Canada if they are to progress but may still go through if they do lose depending on the result in the other match. 

Group G 

To be determined after the second round of games. 

Group H

To be determined after the second round of games.  

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