FIFA World Cup 2018: All you need to know

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FIFA World Cup 2018: All you need to know

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(WebDesk) - Drama, stalemates, goals, screamers, fouls, fights, errors, surprise wins, and shock exits, the group stage of the FIFA World Cup 2018 being held in Russia, saw it all. The first few rounds of wear and tear are finally over as fans gear up for the more interesting stages of the entire competition; the knockout rounds.

Being provided with equal opportunity to book their places in the last 16 of the world cup, all 32 nations gave it their all but only the top two countries from the eight groups could progress to the next round.

Here we have a look at the teams that have managed to reach the business end of the cup and what chances do each of them hold to potentially lift the cup come 15th July.

Group A

As predicted by most analysts and fans, group giants Uruguay and hosts Russia were able to edge past both Saudi Arabia and Egypt and progress through to the last 16. The match between the top two, however, saw Uruguay triumph over the Russians to top Group A, maintaining a perfect record of three wins out of three.

Group B

Unexpectedly, group B turned out to be a bit of a surprise with Iran and Morocco giving 2010 world champions Spain and a Ronaldo-inspired Portugal a run for their money. Despite sparring with the two giants both the teams could not cause a huge upset as both Portugal and Spain eventually managed their way into the last 16. The opening match of Group B was a nail-biter as the two went head to head with a Cristiano Ronaldo hattrick eventually leading to a 3-3 draw.

Group C

The outcomes in group C were not much of a surprise as both France and Denmark topped the table to register a place in the next round of the competition. Both Peru and Australia played average football and were deservedly knocked out of the competition.

Group D

Eventually turned out be one of the more interesting groups, group D saw a set of very close matches featuring almost all the teams. Croatia maintained a perfect run of form as they topped the group winning all three of their matches, their special feature being the 3-0 thumping of Argentina. A Messi-led Argentinian outfit were against the ropes throughout the competition. Had it not been for the narrow 2-1 victory against Nigeria in their last match, they too would have joined Iceland on their way home.

Group E

Group E was not lacking any sort of drama either. Up until the last group encounter, Brazil, Switzerland and Serbia were still fighting for their place in the next round. A clinical Brazil eventually topped the group as they defeated Serbia 2-0 in their last match. A stubborn Switzerland followed next with five well-deserved points.

Group F

The surprise of the world cup 2018 so far took place in this group as fan-favorites and defending world champions, Germany, could not qualify for the next round and eventually ended up rock bottom below South Korea. Sweden and Mexico played positive football and managed to qualify leaving the mighty Germans apologizing to their fans for a sorry display of football.

Group G

The relatively easier group of the world cup saw Belgium top the table with three wins out of three and England coming in second after getting beaten 1-0 against the toppers in the final match of the group. The highlight of the group was Harry Kane’s five goals that also featured a hattrick against Panama; the team that eventually finished last.

Group H

The last group witnessed late late drama. The winners and the runners-up of the group had to be decided in the final round of the matches. Poland, having already been knocked out of the championship, beat Japan 1-0. A struggling Colombia side managed to scrape 1-0 past an inspired Senegal side. The results meant that the fate of both Japan and Senegal had to be decided on goal difference but since both the teams had the same goal difference, their places were eventually decided on fair play. Unluckily for the last remaining African side, Senegal, Colombia qualified on basis of fewer number yellow cards in the competition.
 

Now What Next?

Photo: Fox Sports

With the group stage done and dusted, the 16 remaining teams will battle it out to progress to the Quarterfinals of the world cup.

Given below is the list of the matches to be played in the round of 16:

France vs Argentina – Saturday June 30 – 7pm PST
Uruguay vs Portugal – Saturday June 30 – 11pm PST
Russia vs Spain – Sunday July 1 – 7pm PST
Croatia vs Denmark – Sunday July 1 – 11pm PST
Brazil vs Mexico – Monday July 2 – 7pm PST
Belgium vs Japan – Monday July 2 – 11pm PST
Sweden vs Switzerland – Tuesday July 3 – 7pm PST
Colombia vs England – Tuesday July 3 – 11pm PST

Written by: Raacikh Asghar