Numpty >> monday november 28 - 14:21, Edited tuesday november 29 - 17:44

Qualifiers after 2 matches played.

Group A

Netherlands look to be safely through. A draw will be enough against Qatar and even a freak small loss would probably be enough so the likely qualifiers are Netherlands and either Ecuador - need a draw - or Senegal - need to win.

Group B

England are almost certainly though unless they suffer a humiliating big defeat against Wales, which seems pretty unlikely. Iran liklely need a draw against the USA, who need to beat Iran to go through instead. Wales chances are very slim which relies on them beating England and the other match being a draw.

Group C

Lots of permutations here, all teams still have a chance. Mexico need to win, others might go through with a draw.

Group D

France are though. Denmark have to beat Australia. Tunisia have to beat France by more goals than Denmark win by - or for the other match to be a draw. Australia only need a draw if France don't lose against Tunisia. 

Group E

Spain are almost certainly through unless they have a very heavy defeat against Japan - or both Spain and Germany lose which would bizarrely see them both go out. 

Assuming that Germany win their match then the Spain-Japan result is the crucial one.

Germany need to beat Costa Rica and hope Japan don't beat Spain. If the Japan-Spain match is a draw then Germany probably need to win by 2 clear goals. Whereas Costa Rica need to draw as long as Spain wins their match.  

Group F

Canada are out. Morocco are probably through as even a small loss against Canada would likely be enough, depending on the other result.

Belgium have to beat Croatia, as a draw will probably not be enough. Croatia need a draw. 

Group G

Brazil are through. Cameroon are probably out, they need to beat Brazil and hope for the result from the other match to do them a favour as well. 

Switzerland need at least a draw against Serbia. Serbia need to win and hope Cameroon don't beat Brazil by at least the same number of goals. 

Group H

Portugal are through. South Korea have to beat Portugal and hope the result from the other match helps them. 

Ghana need at least a draw against Uruguay. Uruguay need to win and hope that South Korea don't beat Portugal. 

holt >> friday december 2 - 18:00

What a rollercoaster this tournament has been. If only we had the RS prediction tournament up and running.

Ar4ers >> saturday december 3 - 07:13

England vs France quarterfinal will be final before final

Spain vs Brasil maybe too

Numpty >> saturday december 3 - 11:28, Edited saturday december 3 - 11:29

Yes, quite a few unexpected results in the group stage. 

I guess the biggest surprises are Germany and Belgium going home early. 

No team has won all 3 matches.

Netherlands, England and Morocco have the best records with 2 wins and a draw, with USA and Croatia also undefeated. 

England have the best goal difference with +7, and Spain also scoring 9 goals mainly due to their big win against Costa Rica. 

Qatar and Canada are officially the worst teams having lost all 3 matches, with Qatar just edging it as a result of their -6 goal difference.

For me Japan get the record for the most inconsistent team, by beating both Spain and Germany, but losing to Costa Rica. 

siege >> saturday december 3 - 15:31

the final will be argentina vs portugal.. 

holt >> sunday december 4 - 05:21

What I find interesting is the number of matches won by the team in possession, there was a stat that should how almost half of the bottom 8 teams in possesion made it through to the quarterfinals, including Japan and Morocco.

PLAN shandong - CV17 >> sunday december 4 - 09:18

Brazil   

holt >> monday december 5 - 17:38

Brazil, in truth, is a country.

Numpty >> monday december 5 - 21:44, Edited monday december 5 - 21:50

I don't understand why Brazil didn't score at least 8 ... bet they were a bit disappointed. :D

All results are updated on the first page. 

holt >> tuesday december 6 - 14:33

Brazil played brilliantly, by far the best performance so far in the world cup. Top notch vintage Brazil chemistry was on display in the first half.

Numpty >> thursday december 8 - 12:11

Countries to have played in at least 2 World Cup quarter-finals.

• Brazil (14)
• Germany (14)

• England (9)

• Argentina (7)
• France (7)

• Italy (6)

• Czechoslovakia (5)
• Hungary (5)
• Spain (5)
• Sweden (5)
• Uruguay (5)

• Netherlands (4)
• USSR (4) [plus Russia (1)]
• Yugoslavia (4) [7 including Croatia]

• Belgium (3)
• Switzerland (3)
• Croatia (3)
• Portugal (3)

• Austria (2)
• Mexico (2)

siege >> thursday december 8 - 12:30

the final is still argentina vs portugal..am just waiting for it

Sale >> thursday december 8 - 13:31

@siege

I doubt you will see it, but you can always hope for it to happen

siege >> thursday december 8 - 17:29

still am waiting for the biggest finale agrentina vs portugal and to end the debate of messi vs ronaldo

Joey Zyla >> thursday december 8 - 18:38, Edited saturday december 10 - 21:37

Even if the final is Argentina vs. Portugal, I don't see that debate ending any time soon. :)

I'm hoping the Netherlands will win, or at the very least anyone but Brazil or England...