They didn’t seem to be at all bothered by losing.
But that puts one more team into the knockout that I didn’t expect to be there. Likely knocks Scotland out. There are some huge games to decide those 3rd place teams over the next couple days.
Group G is still completely up for grabs for 1st 2nd and 3rd.
This match between Japan and Sweden means a lot for not only those teams but a draw or Sweden win would take another 3rd place spot. Although Sweden may be in with 3 points regardless. But they’d certainly be sweating it out with a 0 goal diff currently.
The Australia vs Paraguay match is one of those that both teams would benefit from a draw or win. So do you play it safe for the draw or do you go for the win?
Then you have Group H where 2nd place is up for grabs but there’s not a great path for a 3rd place qualifier. So that Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia game is going to be good. And Uruguay needs to hope that Spain is off form or they’re out. But Spain will need to try because they haven’t secured the group win yet.
Group I only matters if Senegal can put it on Iraq. If they can get three points and win by several goals, they will look good to qualify.
Group J is another both teams benefit from a win or draw in the Austin vs Algeria match.
Group K has the first place up for grabs between Columbia and Portugal. That game will be intense. Congo just needs to beat Uzbekistan to qualify.
Group L sees Croatia needing to get a result against Ghana to qualify.
As of now, the only groups that I see that are out of a 3rd place spot is C with Scotland and G with Iran being left out. But that goes out the window with an upset there.
