The first groups have been decided. Yesterday, Switzerland secured the group victory with a deserved 2:1 against Canada and heads into the playoffs with momentum. Today, the German team faces their third and final group match against Ecuador, just before the intense phase of the World Cup begins next week. Another 90 minutes – then it will be knockout football for certain.
What if …?
In this section, we take a purely hypothetical look at the knockout phase. Since the possible playoff matchups are changing almost daily, a complete tournament bracket only makes limited sense. Therefore, today we focus on the first two possible knockout matches of the DACH teams – assuming the group stage were to end right now.
Germany would face Paraguay in the Round of 32. After that, it could lead to a blockbuster against France – provided the French overcome Sweden first.
Austria would initially take on Spain and, if successful, would meet the winner of the match between Portugal and Ghana.
Switzerland would currently face Jordan. After that, it could set up a duel with the winner from Colombia against Croatia.
Group B: Switzerland vs. Canada 2:1
Switzerland secured group victory with a 2:1 win against co-host Canada. After a scoreless first half, Rubén Vargas scored immediately after the restart, followed by Johan Manzambi to take a deserved lead. Canada did pull one back through substitute Promise David to make it 1:2, but that was all they could muster.The “Nati” finished the group stage with seven points in first place. Canada advances to the playoffs as well, thanks to a better goal difference ahead of Bosnia and Herzegovina despite the loss.
Group B: Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Qatar 3:1
Bosnia-Herzegovina secured their spot in the playoffs with a 3:1 win against Qatar. After a strong first half, the Bosnians led 2:0 but conceded a late first-half goal. Qatar pushed for the equalizer after halftime, but Sergej Barbarez’s team defended their lead solidly and secured the win with a late 3:1 goal. Qatar’s World Cup journey, on the other hand, is over.
Group C: Scotland vs. Brazil 0:3
Brazil secured group victory with a commanding performance, impressively underscoring their title ambitions. Led by an outstanding Vinícius Júnior, who scored twice, the Seleção dominated the match from the outset. Matheus Cunha added to the score after halftime before Neymar made his long-awaited World Cup comeback in the closing stages. Scotland fought hard but was ultimately outmatched by Brazil’s individual class and must now hope to advance as one of the best third-place teams. It could be tight for the country where I – thanks to the series “Outlander” – am pretty sure I spent my first life.
Group C: Morocco vs. Haiti 4:2
Morocco secured their place in the knockout round with an entertaining 4:2 win against Haiti. The underdogs surprised with two beautiful goals and made life difficult for the favorites for a long time. It was only in the second half that the superior quality of the North Africans shone through. Especially pleasing from my perspective: My 4:2 prediction was a bull’s-eye. Sometimes this World Cup diary works surprisingly well.
Group A: Czech Republic vs. Mexico 0:3
Mexico won their third group match convincingly, marching into the Round of 32 with three victories, no goals conceded, and a group win. Against the largely harmless Czechs, three goals after halftime established clear conditions. It became particularly emotional when cult goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa was substituted in for his last World Cup appearance to great applause. For the Czech Republic, the World Cup journey is over already at the group stage.
Group A: South Africa vs. South Korea 1:0
South Africa made history with a surprising 1:0 victory against South Korea, making it into the knockout round of a World Cup for the first time. The “Bafana Bafana” were the better team for long stretches and were rewarded with the decisive goal from Thapelo Maseko after well over an hour. South Korea, on the other hand, struggled to find their footing and must now rely on help as the third-place team. Currently, it seems that the team led by superstar Heung-min Son might just scrape through.
Upcoming Matches (Today 6 Matches)
Group E: Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast – 10:00 PM
It’s all or nothing for both teams. Curaçao has surprisingly good chances of making it to the knockout round after their historic point gain against Ecuador. The Ivory Coast, on the other hand, must win. I believe the larger quality will prevail in the end. My prediction: Curaçao – Ivory Coast 1:2.
Group E: Ecuador vs. Germany – 10:00 PM
Germany has already secured their knockout phase and could even withstand a loss. Ecuador must win to advance on their own merit. This should be an exciting match. However, I believe the DFB team will confirm their good form. After all, players from the second line will also want to show themselves for additional playing time. My prediction: Ecuador – Germany 1:3.
Group F: Japan vs. Sweden – 1:00 AM
Japan has already secured their spot in the Round of 32 and is still vying for group victory. For Sweden, it’s about advancing to the knockout round. The Scandinavians must not afford any missteps against the skillful Japanese. I expect an intense match on equal footing. My prediction: Japan – Sweden 2:2.
Group F: Tunisia vs. Netherlands – 1:00 AM
Tunisia is only playing for a dignified farewell, while the Netherlands wants to secure the group win with a victory. Anything less than success for the “Oranje” would be a surprise for me. My prediction: Tunisia – Netherlands 0:3.
Group D: Turkey vs. USA – 4:00 AM
The USA has already secured the group win, while Turkey has nothing to lose – and that makes them dangerous. The Turks will do everything they can to part from this World Cup with a victory and at least provide their disappointed fans back home with a consolation prize. The USA might rest a player or two. That’s why I believe in a small upset. My prediction: Turkey – USA 3:2.
Group D: Paraguay vs. Australia – 4:00 AM
This is probably the most exciting match of the day. Paraguay and Australia are battling directly for second place and thus a secure spot in the playoffs. The winner gets to celebrate, while the loser must hope to sneak through as one of the best third-placed teams. There’s really no more knockout phase before the knockout phase. My prediction: Paraguay – Australia 2:2.
Group B: Switzerland vs. Canada 2:1
Switzerland secured group victory with a 2:1 win against co-host Canada. After a scoreless first half, Rubén Vargas scored immediately after the restart, followed by Johan Manzambi to take a deserved lead. Canada did pull one back through substitute Promise David to make it 1:2, but that was all they could muster.The “Nati” finished the group stage with seven points in first place. Canada advances to the playoffs as well, thanks to a better goal difference ahead of Bosnia and Herzegovina despite the loss.Group B: Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Qatar 3:1
Bosnia-Herzegovina secured their spot in the playoffs with a 3:1 win against Qatar. After a strong first half, the Bosnians led 2:0 but conceded a late first-half goal. Qatar pushed for the equalizer after halftime, but Sergej Barbarez’s team defended their lead solidly and secured the win with a late 3:1 goal. Qatar’s World Cup journey, on the other hand, is over.Group C: Scotland vs. Brazil 0:3
Brazil secured group victory with a commanding performance, impressively underscoring their title ambitions. Led by an outstanding Vinícius Júnior, who scored twice, the Seleção dominated the match from the outset. Matheus Cunha added to the score after halftime before Neymar made his long-awaited World Cup comeback in the closing stages. Scotland fought hard but was ultimately outmatched by Brazil’s individual class and must now hope to advance as one of the best third-place teams. It could be tight for the country where I – thanks to the series “Outlander” – am pretty sure I spent my first life.Group C: Morocco vs. Haiti 4:2
Morocco secured their place in the knockout round with an entertaining 4:2 win against Haiti. The underdogs surprised with two beautiful goals and made life difficult for the favorites for a long time. It was only in the second half that the superior quality of the North Africans shone through. Especially pleasing from my perspective: My 4:2 prediction was a bull’s-eye. Sometimes this World Cup diary works surprisingly well.Group A: Czech Republic vs. Mexico 0:3
Mexico won their third group match convincingly, marching into the Round of 32 with three victories, no goals conceded, and a group win. Against the largely harmless Czechs, three goals after halftime established clear conditions. It became particularly emotional when cult goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa was substituted in for his last World Cup appearance to great applause. For the Czech Republic, the World Cup journey is over already at the group stage.Group A: South Africa vs. South Korea 1:0
South Africa made history with a surprising 1:0 victory against South Korea, making it into the knockout round of a World Cup for the first time. The “Bafana Bafana” were the better team for long stretches and were rewarded with the decisive goal from Thapelo Maseko after well over an hour. South Korea, on the other hand, struggled to find their footing and must now rely on help as the third-place team. Currently, it seems that the team led by superstar Heung-min Son might just scrape through.