Sports fans! World Cup Soccer is finally back—it’s been exciting as ever. There may have been some slight stadium failures, but the football quality seems to have more than made up for any issues there! As we near the end of the end of the group stage, here are the Benchwarmers’ predictions for who will advance from each group to the round of 16.
Group A: 1) Brazil 2) Mexico
Brazil is not only absolutely stacked, they are also the hosting country. With a convincing, come-from-behind 3-1 win over Croatia in their opener and solid play in their draw against adversary Mexico, if they stay on their game they should not have a problem getting 3 points against Cameroon in their final group-stage game to possibly win the group. Mexico is currently tied with Brazil atop the group with 4 points apiece. Again, they will need to win their final game against Croatia in order to advance, which will certainly be trickier than edging out Cameroon 1-0. Nevertheless, Mexico is strong and will likely finish second in this group.
Group B: 1) Netherlands 2) Chile
It’s already certain that these two will emerge from this group after Spain managed to vanish. The only thing that remains to be determined is the finishing order. These two teams face off in the next Group B match and the winner wins the group. Expect the more experienced Netherlands to come out on top, though Chile will likely give them quite a run for their money (after all they did beat defending Champions Spain 2-0).
Group C: 1) Columbia 2) Ivory Coast
Columbia has won both of their matches thus far and will likely conquer struggling Japan to secure the lead in this group. Ivory Coast faces the worse-struggling Greece in their final group match and will likely be able to win that one bar any huge surprises. However Greece and Japan are not out of it yet. They each have a point as it stands so if the Ivory Coast manages to lose against Greece, Greece could still go through. Regardless of the outcome against Japan, Columbia will finish second in this group at worst.
Group D: 1) Costa Rica 2) Uruguay
Costa Rica has been the North American surprise of the tournament, pulling out victories against two very strong soccer nations in Italy and Uruguay. Their final match against a disappointing English side should be easy if they stay on top of their game. What remains to be seen is who will emerge between South American powerhouse Uruguay and infamous yet always dangerous European Italy. Italy struggled mightily against Costa Rica, and up to that point, had never lost a soccer match to a North American team. The Italians’ ego may be their undoing: If they do not play as desperately as Uruguay in their final group match, they will be eliminated. Uruguay a bit of a home advantage, not being too far from Brazil, and will be extra motivated to beat the Italians, particularly after a convincing win over England. Expect them to come out hungry in their final match.
Group E: 1) France 2) Switzerland
After two solid victories, France will advance for certain. If they continue to keep up their solid play, beating Ecuador in their final match should not be too much of an issue, allowing them to come out on top in this group. As it stands, Ecuador and Switzerland are tied in second with 3 points each. Switzerland faces off against Honduras in their final match. Though Honduras has been known to surprise, they will not advance regardless of the outcome of this match, so if Switzerland can put together a good performance, they have a much greater likelihood of advancing than Ecuador who will need to beat group leader France to advance.
Group F: 1) Argentina 2) Nigeria
Argentina has already secured a spot in the round of 16 and will likely beat Nigeria in their final match to win the group. Not much excitement in this one. Unless Iran manages to score two or more goals in their final match against Bosnia, and Nigeria scores none against Argentina, their chances of advancing are slim.
Group G: 1) Germany 2) Ghana
Ghana gave Germany a fantastic run for their money in their second match, a thrilling 2-2 draw that they arguably could have won. Though Ghana did lose to the United States, it was a bit of a heartbreaker for them and really that one could have gone either way. If Ghana can repeat their performance against Germany in their final match against Portugal, they will likely go through to the round of 16. Powerhouse, locked and loaded Germany should win this group if they fuel off their energy at the end of their second match against Ghana to beat the United States. However, this group could look quite different if Ronaldo and the rest of the Portuguese squad decide to make things interesting by winning their next match against the United States. Keep an eye on this group; it’s going to be a close one.
Group H: 1) Belgium 2) Korea Republic
Belgium has already punched their ticket to the round of 16 with a last-minute 1-0 win over Russia in what was mostly a snore of a game. The rest of this group is more or less up in the air, with the Korea Republic, Russia and Algeria still in the mix. Nevertheless, Russia will have to win their final match against Algeria in order to advance, whereas Korea Republic can probably gain at least a draw against Belgium and potentially beat Nigeria, and are hence more likely to advance than the Russians.
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