Yes but a tie for first, still makes you first. Also considering that had Spain won, they and Australia would still be mathematically in competition, it rests on Spain's shoulders IMO.
One more could join today: Japan or Greece On a side note - number of teams eliminated by second round in various years (since the current format): 2010 - 2 teams 2006 - 7 teams 2002 - 5 teams 1998 - 5 teams
The lack of draws this time is going to increase the number of teams eliminated by the end of the second round. It's going to make the third less interesting, unfortunately.
so due to Colombia's 2-1 win over Ivory Coast, only Japan can be eliminated tonight, should they lose to Greece, as Greece and Ivory Coast still play each other, so Greece would not be statistically eliminated.
No one eliminated yesterday, but we could see a couple go today: - England will be eliminated if Italy do not defeat Costa Rica. - in Group E: should Switzerland & France draw, the loser of Honduras v Ecuador will go. Otherwise, should France win, Ecuador will be eliminated if they lose Honduras, but not the other way around. Likewise, if Switzerland beat France, then Hondruas will be eliminated should they lose to Ecuador...
I wonder if the fact that a second Costa Rican goal would leave needing a win against Uruguay played at all on their minds?
If CR would have scored a 2nd goal, Uruguay would have been needing only a draw to go through, as they would have the same GD as Italy, but with one more goal than Italy, which is the 3rd tie-breaker. In any case, Suarez is back and very hungry to score.......
Italy needs to keep a tight defense... so as to not give anything for Suarez to sink his teeth into.... Anyhoo... France's win over Switzerland means the only way we're going to have another elimination tonight is if Honduras beat Ecuador.
UEFA leading the race to the bottom with 3 out of 5 teams out by the second round. Portugal and Algeria last two teams on the chopping block.
Absolutely !! they probably played way too conservative as to not concede the 2nd CR goal. Fact of the matter Buffon said they knew ahead of the game that win lose or draw really made no difference to Italy, not trying to explain the utter stupid display by Italy ! The only difference this game would have made is that if CR won by 2 goals !!