I'm pleased to say I am on record saying 2-3 CONCACAF teams were in fair-good positions to advance after the second round. Granted, only one might get through, but Mexico is sure making it interesting, as I expected.
One more Argentina goal. . . and it will come down to fair play points. Which will not help Mexico unless Poland totally loses their shit in the last half hour. EDIT: Dammit sounders.... EDIT EDIT. Damn. Argentina...
So much peppier & upbeat than the US coverage who think of themselves as sober soccer scientists or something. The reporters sing songs with the fans.
It's on. 25 minutes plus stoppage time on pins and needles to see if goal difference or goals scored changes.
Perhaps we should have just had a World Cup Football exclusive thread. And a special rubber room rant for those who are not interested.
A straight red card for Poland would put Mexico up, I think. And a Mexican sent off would end their chances. Unless they scored another goal, of course.
It will always be this way in a 32 team format because there is simply too much depth in UEFA. This is the reason I really wouldn’t mind a 64 team WC with two group rounds. It would cut down on the qual fixtures and their interference with the club season. 16 groups of 4. 3 matches. Top 2 advance. Group 1 and Group 2 merge. Head to head results of first/second place teams from initial group carry over. So only two more matches to play to get to R16. The initial 16 groups of 4 would have some garbage at the bottom. But the 32 teams advancing to the second group stage play would be very high quality and the cream would rise.
1) Points in the group 2) Goal differential 3) Total goals 4) Who won the match between the two teams (0-0 for Mexico Poland, so no help there) 5) Fair play points. Can't remember the exact breakdown... - one for each yellow, and a straight red is -4, but I can't remember the other details.
Personally, I'd prefer "Shots on Target" ahead of fair play (to give points for attacking soccer), but I don't have enough money to bribe FIFA officials, so no one cares.