No Emirate’s Front on Sunday, but here’s what Sunday’s action leaves us in terms of who needs what in Groups E and F.
GROUP E:
Spain: Needs just a draw against Japan to advance. A win will see them win the group. Elimination will occur if they lose and Costa Rica defeats Germany.
Japan: A win definitely sees them advance. A draw will be enough if Costa Rica and Germany draw, but not if Costa Rica win outright or Germany win by 2+ goals. Defeat will see them eliminated regardless of outcome of the other match.
Costa Rica: A win will see them advance while a draw will only be enough if Spain defeat Japan. Otherwise, it will likely not be enough due to the Ticos’ inferior goal difference.
Germany: They need to defeat Costa Rica and most likely need Spain to defeat Japan to advance. If Spain-Japan ends in a draw, then Germany would just need to win by 2+ goals to advance. A Japan will would likely see Germany out due to their inferior goal difference (0 to +7 for Spain).
GROUP F:
Croatia: All they need to do is to avoid defeat against Belgium to advance. A win will most likely give them the group. Defeat to Belgium will eliminate Croatia unless Canada defeat Morocco by a sufficient margin.
Morocco: The Atlas Lions also just need to avoid defeat to advance. Belgium failing to defeat Croatia will also suffice unless Morocco’s defeat to Canada is heavy enough to wipe out their goal difference advantage.
Belgium: The simplest path to the Round of 16 is to defeat Croatia. A draw will only be enough if Canada inflict a significant enough defeat on Morocco that makes up the goal difference.
Canada: Canada was eliminated from contention following their 4-1 defeat to Croatia.
