Fourteen teams have secured spots in the knockout stage at the World Cup, leaving just two more up for grabs on Thursday and a 1-2 finish to be sorted out in the final group. Here’s a look at who’s in, who’s out and possible scenarios.
Lights FC/Soccer
The Lights benched goalkeeper Ricardo Ferrino for the first time this season last Sunday against the Swope Park Rangers and started Rancho product Angel Alvarez instead.
Despite the loss, Mexico also advances as runner-up in the group thanks to South Korea’s surprising 2-0 over defending champion Germany.
The four-time champions lost to South Korea 2-0 Wednesday, allowing a pair of injury-time goals while knowing a 1-0 victory would have been enough to advance because of the result in the other group match.
Argentina sneaked past Nigeria and into the round of 16 with a late goal for a 2-1 win, and Croatia sent Iceland home with a bruising — and nose-bloodying — 2-1 defeat.
With half of the groups finished and the other four groups still playing, here’s a look at who’s in, who’s out and possible scenarios.
Messi scored an exquisite 14th-minute goal to give the two-time champions the lead Tuesday, but it wasn’t until Marcos Rojo’s 86th-minute strike that Argentina was assured of a place in the round of 16.
Mexico, which can clinch a spot in the round of 16 with a win or draw Wednesday against Sweden, was as high as 66-1 at CG Technology, which took a $500 wager to win $25,000 at 50-1 odds and a $250 bet to win $15,000 at 60-1 odds.
It was June 25, 2014, almost four years ago to the day. It was the day a columnist wrote about the U.S. becoming a force in World Cup soccer.
The Lights earned a penalty kick in stoppage time against the Swope Park Rangers on Sunday that could’ve tied the match, but Samuel Ochoa’s shot hit the post.
Costa Rica and Panama were overwhelmed at the World Cup, both going two and out. What does that say about the United States, which didn’t even make it to soccer’s showcase?
Review-Journal soccer reporter Ben Gotz previews key matches in the third round of the World Cup.
MOSCOW — Who’s in, who’s out and possible scenarios at the World Cup:
In humidity usually so debilitating for England, the goals flowed freely. A 6-1 rout of Panama on Sunday — led by Harry Kane’s hat trick — was the national team’s largest-ever victory margin at the World Cup.
The Mexican national team defeated South Korea 2-1 on Saturday to remain atop the World Cup standings of Group F. Mexico can win the group Wednesday with a victory or tie against Sweden.
