[Explainer] World Cup Group qualifying scenarios for knockout rounds

Argentina are the biggest World Cup name in danger of being sent home early from Russian Federation 2018. Uruguay need to win to take the group.

But the likes of Brazil, Germany, Spain and Portugal have yet to secure their places in the knockout stages. They only need a win against Sweden to finish in first.

Russian Federation and Uruguay have already assured their places in the last 16 of the competition and when they kick off their game in Samara they will have no way of knowing who their possible rivals will be in the next round.

See a complete breakdown of Group B below. While Uruguay’s clash with Russian Federation will determine which team tops the group, eliminated Egypt and Saudi Arabia are meeting to save some face. Saudi Arabia have finished bottom of their group at their past three World Cups.

France topping the group could mean a date with Argentina from group D, but, at this moment in time, that would be a more appetising proposition than taking on an in-form Croatia.

A Nigeria win will guarantee their progression, but even a draw would be enough unless Iceland beat Croatia by two clear goals.

Ronaldo against Spain was one of the all-time great individual World Cup performances, single-handedly nicking a point from an opposition that had collectively outclassed them. A draw takes both sides through as they are, while Denmark can leapfrog France with a win. The only team that can catch up is Nigeria, but Croatia’s plus-five goal difference is all but insurmountable. The first is, of course, the points scored by the teams.

If team are still tied after all that FIFA Fair Play rules come into account. If all else fails, Federation Internationale de Football Association will draw lots.

Advances with a win over Croatia and a better goal differential than Nigeria. Messi’s men have to beat the Super Eagles to move onto four points, giving themselves a chance of progressing.

In 1982, Algeria made their debut at the World Cup and began well against then European champions West Germany, beating them 2-1 in their opening group match.

Croatia have qualified and will be group winners with a point against Iceland.

Winners: Germany (1st, Group G) Runners-up: Argentina (1st, Group F) Third: Holland (1st, Group B) Fourth: Brazil (1st, Group A) Germany were crowned world champions for the fourth time, reaching the last 16 as group winners ahead of the United States of America.

Mexico take on Sweden on Thursday at 2am, while Germany meets South Korea.

Despite two losses South Korea still have a slim chance of advancing but they would need to beat Germany and hope both that Sweden lose to Mexico and that the goal difference goes their way.

Spain and Portugal are even on points (four) and goal difference (plus-one).

They faced Austria, who would also advance along with their opponents if they were beaten by no more than two goals. The day’s two clashes then are only to decide placings. England now have one fewer.

It’s the final round of fixtures in the group stage and there are several teams fighting for a spot in the next round.

In Group H, Japan and Senegal both have four points, while Colombia have three points. If Colombia, win Japan will need to lose by fewer goals than Senegal to progress.