Argentina will resume play as Lionel Messi’s squad attempts to defeat Poland and advance to the Round of 16. World Cup 2022 Live Updates: To ensure their place in the next round, Saudi Arabia will play Mexico in another Group C match at the same time. The start time for both games is 12.30 AM IST.
Tunisia will face off against a France team that has already qualified for the next round in the 8.30 PM kickoffs, while Denmark and Australia will square off to determine which team will advance from the group as the runner-up.
England defeated Wales on Tuesday to advance from Group B, and the United States barely defeated Iran. Regarding Group A, Senegal eliminated Ecuador with a 2-1 victory against them, while the Netherlands finished first in the group with a 2-0 win over Qatar.
What happens if teams tie for first place in the group stage?
Three of the 32 teams made it to the Round of 16, two were eliminated, while the other 27 are still in the running. There is a chance that two or more teams will end up tied for first place in the group stage as the last round of group-stage matches begins later on Tuesday. FIFA’s rules are clear in this situation.
The criteria for choosing which side will advance to the World Cup’s knockout stages vary depending on the governing organization.
1. Points: The team with the most points is determined first. For each victory, each country receives three points, one point for a tie, and zero points for a loss. The authorities will consider the second rule, which is the goal difference if two or more teams finish the group stage with the same number of points.
2. Goal difference: In a tie game where both teams have the same number of points, the team with a better goal difference—defined as the sum of goals scored minus goals conceded—will advance. Portugal, who placed second in their group behind the US in 2014, was the last team to experience the effects. The third criterion will be taken into consideration if rules 1 and 2 fail to distinguish the teams.
3. Goals scored: In 1982, when Italy and Cameroon were tied on points and goal differential but the European team advanced because they had scored one more goal, this rule was most famously put into effect. That World Cup was ultimately won by Italy. Another noteworthy event occurred in 1994, when Mexico, Ireland, Italy, and Norway tied for first place with the same number of points (4 each) and goal differential (0). Mexico won that group because they outscored the other teams, 3, in goals scored.
4. Head-to-head: If the teams are still tied after using the first three rules, the fourth rule will be applied: the teams’ combined point totals from head-to-head games. Here, points earned in head-to-head encounters, goal differential, and goals scored are examined in that order. The team with the better record moves on.
5. Fair play record: The fair play record is examined if the teams are still unable to be divided. For every yellow card a team receives, two points are deducted from their “conduct score,” and four points are deducted for a straight red. Each team also receives a conducting score. The group stage is advanced by the team with the lesser score. Based on this criterion, Japan defeated Senegal at the 2018 World Cup. It was impossible to tell the two teams apart on any of the factors above. Senegal received a fair play score of -6, while Japan received a score of -4.
Messi is Argentina’s savior.
At the World Cup, Lionel Messi has already saved Argentina. He might just have to start from scratch. Argentina takes on Poland on Wednesday in a game with a lot on the line, and Messi and the soccer-crazed South American nation that worships him are due for another emotionally charged evening. For Messi, who is most certainly participating in his final World Cup. For Poland striker Robert Lewandowski, who may also be too old in 2026 when the sport’s premier competition comes around.
The Qatari supporters shouted with a hidden passion.
The drumming halted midway through the second half of Qatar’s World Cup match against Senegal as a man in a bucket hat and sunglasses rose and requested silence.
More than 1,000 people, almost all of whom were men, had been shouting in unison moments before under the guidance of four fan leaders. They were all wearing similar maroon T-shirts with the word “Qatar” written on them in both English and Arabic. The sea of soldiers finally grasped what was intended, though, and they obeyed the command before entering an eerie quiet as the Al Thumama Stadium crowd roared around them.
A signal was then given. Then the audience sprung into life once more.
They repeatedly chanted in Arabic, “Play, the Maroon!” referring to the national team of Qatar. The men leaped up and down while joining arms in large lines. The ground trembled beneath them.
Instead of being in Qatar, the scene was more akin to soccer stadiums in South America and Europe, and the crowd’s roars were reminiscent of the ultras, a highly organized soccer fan subculture with roots in Italy that is widespread throughout the world, including in North Africa and the Middle East.
The idea was that. As it had five days earlier during Qatar’s opening match against Ecuador, the stadium was packed with the sounds of the crowd. Their sheer numbers suggested power. Their unrelenting vigor was contagious. But numerous of them were identifiable due to body art.
- Tunisia has reached its destination.
In its third game, France will take on a group-bottom squad that hasn’t scored a goal yet this World Cup. Tunisia can still develop, though. The easiest route is for Australia to tie with Denmark and overcome France. Tunisia might advance using a tiebreaker like a goal differential if Tunisia wins and Denmark wins.
- What must Denmark do?
Denmark needs to defeat Australia to proceed. Even then, it would still require France to defeat Tunisia or draw with them. Denmark might prevail based on goal differential if Tunisia and Denmark both win their final games. On that metric, the two nations are currently tied.
- Australia is still hopeful.
Australia, which had lost its opening match against France, came back to upset Tunisia and maintain its chances of making it to the round of 16. It is now ranked second in the team. The Australians would advance with a victory over Denmark. If France defeats or ties Tunisia, a tie will do.
- France enjoys a simple day trip
The reigning champion was the first group to formally secure its place in the round of 16. Even if it loses its last group match against Tunisia, it will undoubtedly advance as the top seed in the group.
- Mexico is being pressed.
It has slim but not impossible chances of moving on: If Mexico defeats Saudi Arabia and Poland defeats Argentina, it will advance to the round of 16. Mexico would require a significant goal differential to surpass Poland for second place in the group if they win but Argentina defeats Poland. Depending once more on tiebreakers like goal differential, Mexico might also advance if it wins and the other group game is deadlocked.
- Saudi Arabia strives for glory
Saudi Arabia made it more difficult for itself to advance to the round of 16 after losing to Poland after its historic victory against Argentina. Saudi Arabia will progress if it defeats Mexico in its subsequent match, but it could potentially move with a draw if Poland or Argentina win (but that scenario would come down to goal differential).
- Situation in Argentina
Second-place Argentina will move to the knockout stage if it defeats Poland in its last group match, but even a draw could do it if Mexico wins but not by a wide margin or if the other group game is a draw.
- Poland is in the first place.
Poland, who is currently in the first place, will move on to the knockout round if they defeat Argentina or draw their match. If Mexico and Saudi Arabia tie or Mexico wins, based on tiebreakers like goal differential, it still has a chance to advance even if it loses against Argentina.
- Hello and Salutations
In Qatar, the 22nd FIFA World Cup is in its final round of the group stage. Lionel Messi and Argentina must defeat Poland, the only unbeaten team in the group, in order to advance. If they succeed, Poland will win the pool. Saudi Arabia will be trying to write history by defeating Mexico, who will require divine intervention to remain in the tournament, in their shadows. France will play Tunisia today, while Denmark will face Australia, Saudi Arabia will face Mexico, and Argentina will square off against Poland.
While Lionel Messi and Argentina try to turn things around in the group stage, Saudi Arabia wants to write history.
Lionel Messi and Argentina must defeat Poland, the only unbeaten team in the group, in order to advance. If they succeed, Poland will win the pool. Saudi Arabia will be trying to write history by defeating Mexico, who will require divine intervention to remain in the tournament, in their shadows.
It would have taken a courageous person to have predicted that the Saudis would be the most entertaining and adventurous side in a group that included South and North American giants together with a European middleweight.
The players for Herve Renard’s team have demonstrated a strong appetite for risk by captivating the crowd with their absurdly high defensive line, luring and baiting their opponents to get beyond it, seizing the initiative, and then attacking them quickly on the counter.
The situation would be quite different right now if Argentina had executed their runs well. The Saudis should be commended for sticking to their plan in spite of the disallowed goals and the constant threat of Messi running through.
The line in front of them continuously pressed down on the Argentines, suffocating them on a hot Doha afternoon thanks to Renard’s well-practiced defense. Few teams would have ventured to do so in opposition to the title favorites, and on any other day, it might have gone against them, as it did when Saudi Arabia played Poland and had more possession, better chances, and more shots on goal but still lost.
However, they were entertaining to watch because of their high press and aggressive attacks. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that they have shown such bravery in retrospect. Saudi Arabia played the same style throughout their qualification campaign. Perhaps the weak lead-up to the World Cup obscured their impressive performance in the qualifications.
The question now is whether they can once more work their magic in the group stage, which is when they most need it. Will they still have enough petrol in the tank after giving it their all in the first two games?