Despite finishing level on points, here’s why Poland qualified for World Cup Round of 16 ahead of Mexico
When the referee blew the final whistle in the game between Poland and Argentina, the Polish players were still unsure if they were qualifying or not, given the Mexico-Saudi Arabia game was ongoing. At one stage, Poland and Mexico were only separated by the number of yellow cards they had collected in the group stage — Poland had five compared to Mexico’s seven — and coach Michniewicz was desperately urging his team to not give away fouls in the final minutes.
A stoppage-time goal by Saudi Arabia meant their match finished 2-1 in favor of Mexico at Lusail Stadium, whose goal difference was inferior by one to Poland.
Hence, Poland, despite losing to Argentina, ended up as the happier side on the night because the team went through as the group’s second-place team — on goal difference ahead of Mexico.
According to the governing body’s guidelines for the World Cup, there are various criteria to determine which team will progress into the knockout rounds.
1. Points: The first way is the team with the highest number of points. Each nation gets three points for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a defeat. In the event of two or more teams end the group stage with the same points, then the authorities will look at the second rule, which is the goal difference.
2. Goal difference: If the teams are level on points, the one with a superior goal difference – the total of goals scored minus goals conceded – will go through. The last team to face the consequences was Portugal in 2014 when they finished behind the US for second place in their group.
If nothing separates the teams after rules 1 and 2, the third criterion will be looked at.
3. Goals scored: This rule was most famously enforced in 1982, when Italy and Cameroon were locked on points and goal difference, but the European side advanced because they had scored one more goal. Italy went on to win that World Cup. Another memorable instance was in 1994, when Mexico, Ireland, Italy and Norway finished with the same number of points (4 each) and goal difference (0). Mexico won that group because they scored more goals (3) than the rest.
4. Head-to-head: If the teams are tied after the first three rules, the next step will be to look at the points total in the head-to-head matches between the teams involved. Three things are looked at here (in this order): points won in head-to-head matches, goal difference and goals scored. The team with a superior record will advance.
5. Fair play record: If the teams still can’t be separated, then the fair play record is looked at. Each team is given a ‘conduct score’, wherein a point is deducted for each yellow card they receive, two points for a red card received after two bookings and four points for a straight red. The team with a lower score progresses into the knockout round. At the 2018 World Cup, Japan edged out Senegal based on this rule. The two teams could not be separated on any of the above criteria. Japan’s fair play score of -4 was better than Senegal’s, who tallied -6.
Belgium’s golden generation, Germany’s gen next seek to avoid humiliation
When journeyman Niklas Fullkrug came on to score a decisive equaliser against Spain to earn them a 1-1 draw on Sunday, German football fans all over the world breathed a collective sigh of relief. His goal was not an act of heroism. He simply kept them in the running to avoid another humiliating World Cup elimination. A must win match awaits them against Costa Rica on Thursday, as it does Belgium’s ‘golden generaton’ against Croatia. Roberto Martinez’s side have had a terrible World Cup, failing to create much in their opening two games, their star man calling them “too old” to win the tournament, reports of a dressing room bust up emerging, and crashing 2-0 to Morocco. A win, and only a win, will be enough for them. (READ)
Japan players celebrate after the World Cup group E soccer match between Japan and Spain, at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022. Japan won 2-1. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
And it's all over. Japan hold on and both of them go to the Round of 16. Spain could not return the favour to Germany and the 2014 World Champions are out for the second time in back to back World Cup tournaments
On his Twitch stream, Spain's coach Luis Enrique talked about his date with Germany's coach Hansi Flick for the day after the world cup final. "“Hansi Flick and I have arranged to meet as if we were a couple. Half-joking, half-serious, we have pencilled in Dec. 18. Being in the same group, it means we can't meet until then. I hope it happens. Flick is a coach I like a lot. He won a lot of trophies with Bayern, but beyond that, he's warm and very respectful. Germany are capable of going all the way.” Now, if that date were to happen, his team has to score one goal in the next one minute! ButJapan, the Manga-loving football team, didn't yield. They top Group B and shove out Germany out of the world cup
Spain are passing and passing but havenm't really troubled the Japanese goal. Japan are close to going through and if Spain score, they'll be going home. What drama!!!
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7 minutes added time. Germany will be desperate for Spain to score!! If they do, both heavyweights will go through to the next round.
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Almost a goal for Spain as an Asensio curler was saved by the Japanese goalie and cleared by the defender. Olmo triesw next and itt's staright at the goalkeeper again!!!
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Germany have just scored in the CRC match. Now they'll look to Spain to at least equalize!!! Both have 4 points now. But ESP lead on GD.
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Spain trying to build and build with small passes. Asensio gets a bit of room and plays in Fati who tries a cross but the ball is out for a goal kick.
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Rodri surges ahaed but thought better than shooting. Plays a pass wide. Alba puts the ball in the middle and Japan clear it out!! Spain will have to build again.
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And Germany have equalized in the other match and the group table shifts again!!! Spain are second again!! It's all happening now. A ball is lofted by Spain into the JPN box but it is cleared away.
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Huge chance for Japan and they have sqaundered it. In the other match, Costa Rica have scored again and lead Germany!!! As things stand, if Spain do not win this one, they are going out along with Germany.
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Spain are desperate for an equalizer as they bring on Alba and Fati. Tomiyasu comes in for Japan. An offensive change countered by a defensive one.
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It's all Japan at the moment, finding spaces everywhere as Spain press on for the equalizer. Remember if CRC win against Germany, they'll leapfrog Spain with 6 points.
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We are hearing that Germany have conceded to Costa Rica. Now CRC and ESP are on level terms in case of points but Spain just edges them out through GD.
Meanwhile, in the match, Ferran Torres and Asensio replaces Morata and Williams.
Japan are top of the pool now, Spain ahead of Germany on goal difference. Time to get calculators out
And that's another one in!!! Tanaka thought he had scored and was wheeling away in celebration. VAR now checking if the ball had remained in play. It's still being checked. And it stands!!! Japan are 2 goals to the good now.
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Japan's coach has been under scrutiny for his team selections. After his subs worked wonders in the second half against Germany, they were left on bench vs Costa Rica. While he left his key players out once again, coach Moriyasu got his subs spot on once again with Ritsu Doan find the back of the net almost immediately after coming on, just like he did vs Germany.
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We are back for the second half. Japan kicks us off. Let's see if anything changes or if it remains the same. As of now, Spain and Germany are going through but 45 mins is a very long time.
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