What do our Reds need to progress?

Wednesday 30 November 2022 17:36

The third and final round of 2022 World Cup group-stage games is under way, with Groups A and B reaching their denouements on Tuesday evening.

In terms of teams with United players, The Netherlands and England joined France, Brazil and Portugal in the knockout rounds, with the Oranje set to face the United States and the Three Lions playing Senegal in the last 16 this weekend.

The other Reds involved in the competition now know what they need to do ahead of the upcoming games, so here are the permutations for each group...

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GROUP A

Tyrell Malacia is yet to appear for the Netherlands at the tournament, although the Oranje finished top of the group with a comfortable victory over Qatar.

Senegal beat Ecuador in the other game to claim second spot. 

Results: Qatar 0 Ecuador 2, Senegal 0 Netherlands 2; Qatar 1 Senegal 3, Netherlands 1 Ecuador 1; Ecuador 1 Senegal 2, Netherlands 2 Qatar 0.

GROUP B

England’s 3-0 victory over Wales on Tuesday evening was sealed with the help of a brace from Marcus Rashford, who is now tied with three other players on three goals for this World Cup. Gareth Southgate's side topped the group at the tournament for the first time since 2006, while the United States came second.

Results: England 6 Iran 2, USA 1 Wales 1; Wales 0 Iran 2, England 0 USA 0; Wales 0 England 3, Iran 0 USA 1.

GROUP C

Lisandro Martinez played the full 90 minutes in Argentina’s key 2-0 win over Mexico at the weekend and another big performance is required from one of the pre-tournament favourites, as they take on Poland this Wednesday (19:00 GMT).

The Poles occupy pole position in the group and Argentina need to win to overtake them and be sure of qualifying. A draw for the Albiceleste could spell trouble, depending on the result of the Saudi Arabia v Mexico game. A Saudi Arabia win would eliminate Argentina, while a Mexico victory would bring goal difference into play.

A draw would leave everything as it is and mean Argentina finish second, potentially resulting in a clash with France in the first knockout round, but Argentina cannot qualify with a defeat.

Results so far: Argentina 1 Saudi Arabia 2, Mexico 0 Poland 0; Poland 2 Saudi Arabia 0, Argentina 2 Mexico 0.

GROUP D

Raphael Varane and France booked a spot in the last-16 by beating Denmark 2-1 on Saturday and finished top of the group despite losing 1-0 to Tunisia with a much-rotated side on Wednesday. Hannibal was an unused substitute in the historic win for the Eagles of Carthage, but Tunisia will exit the tournament.

That's because Australia beat Denmark 1-0 at the Al Janoub Stadium to secure second place in the pool, eliminating Christian Eriksen's Denmark in the process.

Results: Denmark 0 Tunisia 0, France 4 Australia 1; Tunisia 0 Australia 1, France 2 Denmark 1; Australia 1 Denmark 0, Tunisia 1 France 0.

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GROUP E

This is the first of the two groups with no current United involvement, but plenty is still at stake.

Niclas Fullkrug’s late equaliser against Spain on Sunday night prevented Germany from losing their opening two World Cup group games for the first time ever, but Hansi Flick’s side still have work to do.

They must beat Costa Rica in Al Khor on Thursday evening (19:00 GMT) to have any hopes of progressing, but even if they do it may not be enough – a Japan win against Spain in the other game would all but eliminate the 2014 champions, while a draw would leave it down to goal difference.

Results so far: Germany 1 Japan 2, Spain 7 Costa Rica 0; Japan 0 Costa Rica 1, Spain 1 Germany 1.

GROUP F

As with Group E, no present Reds are involved in this group but an exciting finish is expected on Thursday.

Canada have already been eliminated after losing their opening game, but Croatia, Morocco (both four points) and Belgium (three points) can all progress, either as the first or second-placed side.

Croatia face Belgium while Morocco take on Canada, with both games kicking off at 15:00 GMT.

Results so far: Morocco 0 Croatia 0, Belgium 1 Canada 0; Belgium 0 Morocco 2, Croatia 4 Canada 1.

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GROUP G

Antony, Casemiro, Fred and Alex Telles can look forward to the knockout rounds, with Casemiro's goal giving Brazil a 1-0 win over Switzerland on Monday and ensuring progress to the round of 16 with a game to spare.

The Selecao now only need a point against Cameroon to secure top spot. Even a defeat could be enough, with the second-placed Swiss - the only side that can catch Brazil - currently three points and three goals worse off in terms of goal difference.

Results so far: Switzerland 1 Cameroon 0, Brazil 2 Serbia 0; Cameroon 3 Serbia 3, Brazil 1 Switzerland 0.

GROUP H

Portugal are the most recent of the nations at the tournament to have booked their place in the round-of-16, following a 2-0 victory over Uruguay on Monday evening. A double from United's Bruno Fernandes was enough to ensure his, and fellow Red Diogo Dalot's, nation made it two wins from two in Group H. 

It leaves them top of the group heading into matchday three, needing just a point against South Korea on matchday three to be sure of finishing at the summit. They could lose and still finish first however, if Ghana fail to triumph in their final match against Uruguay or do not overhaul the goal-difference margin between the sides with a win.

Ghana currently occupy second spot with three points but know that they could be overtaken on the final matchday without victory. Facundo Pellistri's Uruguay will need to win that game to have any chance of progressing and the task at hand is the same for South Korea (both on one point), who face Portugal. Those fixtures take place at 15:00 GMT on Friday.

Results so far: Uruguay 0 South Korea 0, Portugal 3 Ghana 2; South Korea 2 Ghana 3, Portugal 2 Uruguay 0.

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