World Cup 2018: How can Germany, Argentina, and Other Teams Qualify for Round of 16?

It's the final round of fixtures in the group stage and there are several teams fighting for a spot in the next round. Only 6 teams have sealed their spot in the next round and that means there are 10 spots left and 17 teams are battling for it.

9 teams have been knocked out so far. 5 of those teams still have a chance to make an impact at the World Cup but Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Panama have only pride to play for!

7 teams have won both their games in the group stage and in a normal scenario, that should be enough to seal their spot in the next round. 6 of those have made it through but for Mexico, they still need a result from their final match vs Sweden or for Germany to drop points vs South Korea.

Without further ado, here's a look at the qualification scenarios for every team:

Group A

Qualified: Russia and Uruguay

Knocked out: Egypt and Saudi Arabia

Fixtures: Russia vs Uruguay | Egypt vs Saudi Arabia

Russia and Uruguay have sealed their spots in the next round but their final match will be a very important one. The winner of the match will finish as the Group A winners and will be facing the team that finishes 2nd in Group B and that might be Iran if they manage to get a win vs Portugal.

As for Egypt and Saudi Arabia, it's a matter of who ends the World Cup with a positive result. Both teams have been knocked out after being humbled by Russia and Uruguay.

Group B

Qualified: None

Can qualify: Spain, Portugal and Iran

Knocked out: Morocco

Fixtures: Portugal vs Iran | Spain vs Morocco

Three of the four teams will be fighting it out to qualify for the next round. A draw vs Morocco is enough for Spain to make it into the next round and that's the same case for Portugal as well. A draw vs Iran will help them finish in the top 2 and thus guarantee a place in the knockout stages.

How Spain can get knocked out: There is a small chance of Spain getting knocked out despite them being on top of the table right now. A 2+ goal loss at the hands of Morocco will leave them at 4 points with a negative goal difference. And that means a draw between Portugal and Iran is enough for the two teams to secure a place in the next round.

However, a loss by one goal will still get them into the next round regardless of the result between Iran and Portugal. But then again, they need to make sure that they do not pick up a yellow or a red card vs Morocco since if they finish on level terms, it could boil down to yellow cards.

How Portugal can get knocked out: Portugal go into their game vs Iran knowing that they need a result to make it into the next round. A loss would leave them in the third spot and that will see them knocked out of the tournament.

How Iran can qualify: Iran take on Portugal in the final game of the group stage knowing that only a win can help them qualify. Spain are favourites vs Morocco and a slip up isn't on the cards. They cannot rely on the result of that game and should go all out against the Euro 2016 winners to make it into the next round!

Group C

Qualified: France

Can Qualify: Denmark and Australia

Knocked out: Peru

Fixtures: Denmark vs France | Australia vs Peru

Group C has one team already in the next round: France. The other spot is up for grabs and Denmark and Australia will be fighting for that. Peru have been knocked out despite playing some superb football.

Denmark are the ones who are in a tough spot right now as they need to get a result vs France to qualify for the next round. A draw is enough for them to make it into the next round but a loss will see Australia jump to the 2nd spot ie if they beat Peru.

Australia have also been impressive this World Cup but their loss to France might come back to haunt them. They managed a draw vs Denmark but that wasn't enough. They are yet to score from open play with both their goals coming from penalties.

Group D

Qualified: Croatia

Can Qualify: Nigeria, Iceland and Argentina

Fixtures: Nigeria vs Argentina | Iceland vs Croatia

Group D is the one everyone has an eye on. One of the World Cup favourites, Argentina are currently at the bottom of the table! They have been awful in their two games and things do not look good for them right now.

Nigeria go into their final game vs Argentina knowing that a draw is enough for them to make it into the next round. However, there is a slight chance of them getting knocked out even with a draw but that would require Iceland to beat Croatia by 3 goals!

Iceland need a win. Anything less than a win will not get them into the next round as Nigeria already have 3 points and the Icelanders have just 1! Even if they win, it will not guarantee them a place into the round if Argentina defeat Nigeria by a better margin than Iceland beating Croatia.

Now the scenarios everyone was waiting for. What do Argentina need to do to make it into the knockout stages? So, here goes:

As long as they win and Croatia hold Iceland, they are into the next round. It's as simple as that but it's easier said than done. The South American side have not been playing as a team and they have not managed to impress one bit. With Nigeria knowing that they can go through with a draw, they might end up parking the bus – something Argentina have not been able to get past.

What if Argentina and Iceland win?

Now, that's the tricky situation. A win for Iceland and Argentina would see them both end up with 4 points – one more than Nigeria and 2 less than Croatia. It all goes down to goal difference then.

Argentina currently have a -3 GD while Iceland have -2. So that means, if Iceland win by 2 goals vs Croatia, Argentina should win by 4 goals! Eg: Iceland win 2-0 vs Croatia will see them finish with 4 points and 0 GD. Argentina need to better than and thus only a 4 goal win will see them have a +1 GD and help them finish above Iceland.

What if both teams finish with the same points and GD?

Advantage Argentina in that case. The 2-time World Cup winners would have scored more goals than Iceland and thus, they will make it into the next round.

Group E

Qualified: None

Can Qualify: Brazil, Switzerland and Serbia

Knocked out: Costa Rica

Fixtures: Brazil vs Serbia | Switzerland vs Costa Rica

While everyone is talking about Argentina's chances of getting knocked out, Brazil are also in a similar situation. They might be on top of Group E right now, but a loss vs Serbia will see them drop to 2nd or 3rd.

A draw or win vs Serbia will see Brazil make it into the next round without any problem. But if they lose, they would need Costa Rica to also beat Switzerland to make it into the next round.

Switzerland might be without their two main players – Xhaka and Shaqiri. They are under investigation by FIFA and might face a two-match ban for their celebration vs Serbia. Swiss know that a positive result (win or draw) vs Costa Rica is enough for them to make it into the next round.

Group F

Qualified: None

Can Qualify: Mexico, Germany and Sweden

Knocked out: South Korea

Fixtures: South Korea vs Germany | Sweden vs Mexico

The second most exciting group coming into the final games. Mexico led the way right by winning both their games with Germany and Sweden occupying the 2nd and 3rd place with a win each.

South Korea are the only side to be knocked out so far and the other three still have a lot to do. Every other side needs a result to make it to the next round and any slip up will see them heading home.

Germany know that a win by a goal will be enough for them qualify as long as they have scored more than what Mexico have scored vs Sweden. A draw for Germany or loss will mean that their qualification will depend on Mexico beating Sweden.

Mexico will end up getting knocked out if they do not get at least a draw vs Sweden. A win for Sweden and Germany would mean that Mexico will finish 3rd on goal difference or on the number of goals scored!

Sweden too need a win to make it to the next round. A draw will be enough as well but that can only be of help if Germany lose to South Korea.

Group G

Qualified: England and Belgium

Knocked out: Tunisia and Panama

Fixtures: Belgium vs England | Tunisia vs Panama

England and Belgium cruised past Tunisia and Panama just like how everyone predicted, they managed to make it to the next round. The two European sides now meet on the final matchday of the group stage to decide who finishes on top of the table.

As for Tunisia and Panama, it is a matter of pride. Both teams will be looking to end their campaign on a high and take back some good memories of the World Cup.

Group H

Qualified: None

Can Qualify: Japan, Senegal and Colombia

Knocked out: Poland

Fixtures: Japan vs Poland | Senegal vs Colombia

The actual group of death. All teams had equal chances of making it to the next round and it was Poland who were tipped by a lot to top the group. But right now, they are at the bottom of the pile!

Japan are on top of the table right now but there is still a good chance of them getting knocked out! They need a positive result vs Poland at any cost to make it to the next round. A loss can also get them into the next round but that can only happen if Senegal beat Colombia.

Colombia need a win at any cost as a draw will mean that would need Japan to lose their game to Poland. A loss will definitely end their campaign regardless of the Japan v Poland result.

Senegal are in the same situation as Japan. A win or draw and they are through but a loss would mean that the Japan vs Poland game becomes very important for them. Unless Poland beat Japan by a good margin, they will be knocked out!

Edited by Amar Anand