It’s a story of two World Cup teams on Sunday: Group A is sort of totally undecided by way of two video games and Group H is underneath agency management after a win by Germany, one of the vital highly effective groups within the subject.
The angst is palpable all through Group A. There are a number of eventualities wherein any of the 4 groups may advance, and due to this fact a number of eventualities wherein any of the 4 sees its World Cup come to an abrupt finish. Of course, successful is the simplest resolution. But underneath some circumstances even that isn’t sufficient.
Norway vs. Philippines
This shouldn’t be the World Cup that Norway had in thoughts. After being upset by New Zealand, 1-0, within the match opener, Norway misplaced its star, Ada Hegerberg, minutes earlier than kickoff towards Switzerland, a recreation that resulted in a scoreless draw. Those outcomes have left the Norwegians sitting on the backside of Group A, a gaggle they had been anticipating to win.
And if they’re to get by way of, they’ll have to take action with out Hegerberg, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner, who was dominated out for the crew’s third recreation, towards the Philippines.
Norway will wish to win and to attain fairly a bit to make it simpler to advance to the spherical of 16, though once more, the eventualities are difficult.
A romp might be simpler mentioned than performed — the Philippines are coming off its first objective and first win within the World Cup in its defeat of New Zealand.
Switzerland vs. New Zealand
New Zealand has skilled lots of the highs and lows of a world match condensed within the first week of this World Cup. The Football Ferns kicked off their marketing campaign with a surprising upset of Norway in entrance of a house crowd, solely to lose as favorites to the Philippines days later.
Now, New Zealand successfully should win towards Switzerland. The eventualities are black-and-white (or in our case, pink-and-green): win and advance, lose and go dwelling. There is restricted potential for a draw to be sufficient, however that may rely upon the result of Norway’s matchup with the Philippines.
Switzerland at the moment leads Group A, with a win over the Philippines and a draw with Norway. Unless the Swiss lose to New Zealand and Norway handily defeats the Philippines by a big margin, Switzerland would advance.
Germany vs. Colombia
While Group A battle it out till the ultimate whistle, Germany is comfortably successful Group H after trouncing Morocco, 6-0, in its opening match. Having reached the quarterfinals each earlier match, this yr appears to be no completely different because of a positive draw.
Colombia is capping off a robust yr of worldwide competitors after a runner-up end in final summer time’s Copa América, the place it misplaced the ultimate to Brazil. The Colombians additionally opened their World Cup with a win over South Korea, 2-0. While it’s unlikely they are going to be a match for the Germans, the Colombians are nonetheless in place to advance to the knockout rounds.
South Korea vs. Morocco
South Korea and Morocco are each trying to bounce again from opening losses. South Korea is the crew with extra expertise within the match, having certified thrice within the final twenty years whereas Morocco is making its debut. The South Koreans have made it to the spherical of 16 solely as soon as earlier than, in 2015. Advancement for these groups at the moment appears unlikely, however a dominant win for both aspect may change the outlook for Group H.
Source: www.nytimes.com