WITH the third round of World Cup games being played – everyone now just wants to qualify for the last 16.
While the likes of France, England, Brazil and Argentina were considered favourites for the tournament, it has been a mixed bag so far.
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Lionel Messi’s side, who went into Qatar as favourites, suffered a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia on the first game, putting their place at risk – but Argentina won their second game.
They are yet to qualify, but let’s have a look at who has already made it into the next round with a game to spare.
Which teams have qualified for the last-16?
Group A
Nobody has made it out of Group A yet, with Netherlands and Ecuador sitting level on four points, and Senegal on three behind them.
Netherlands face Qatar, who are out of the tournament, on the last day of the group while Senegal take on Ecuador in a winner takes all clash.
Group B
While England lead the pack in Group B, nobody is through as of now.
The Three Lions sit top on four points, with Iran in second place on three while the USA are on two and Wales CAN still go through, but remain on one point.
Group C
Despite many backing Argentina to qualify from Group C with ease, Saudi Arabia handed them a defeat on the first game, but victory over Mexico saw them gain three points.
Poland sit top of the table with four points as Argentina and Saudi Arabia are on three and Mexico are on one with it all to play for in Group C.
- Poland vs Argentina (Wednesday, 7pm)
- Saudi Arabia vs Mexico (Wednesday, 7pm)
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Group D
France became the first nation into the next round, with the World Champions on route to reclaim their title in 2022.
Australia are surprisingly sitting second in the group, having beaten Tunisia, but will have to get a result against Denmark if they are to join France in the next round.
- Tunisia vs France (Wednesday, 3pm)
- Australia vs Denmark (Wednesday, 3pm)
Group E
It is all to play for going into the final match in Group E, with Germany surprisingly sitting bottom.
Defeat to Japan saw their World Cup dreams put into doubt but a draw with Spain and Costa Rica beating Japan means that they can still make it through, and Spain could still fall out of the group despite sitting top.
- Japan vs Spain (Thursday, 7pm)
- Costa Rica vs Germany (Thursday, 7pm)
Group F
No team has qualified for the last-16 from Group F but Canada are out.
Croatia sit top on four points, the same as Morocco, and they face Belgium, who are third on three points, on the final day.
If Morocco beat Canada, they will seal their place in the last-16 and Belgium must beat Croatia to go through.
- Croatia vs Belgium (Thursday, 3pm)
- Canada vs Morocco (Thursday, 3pm)
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Group G
Brazil are through after winning both their matches, picking up six points.
Switzerland remain in second on three points while Cameroon and Serbia could still qualify depending on the results.
- Cameroon vs Brazil (Friday, 7pm)
- Serbia vs Switzerland (Friday 7pm)
Group H
Bruno Fernandes’ brace saw Portugal seal their place in the next round, sitting top of Group H with six points.
Ghana are in second with three and face Uruguay on the final day as they seek qualification.
- South Korea vs Portugal (Friday, 3pm)
- Ghana vs Uruguay (Friday, 3pm)
Last 16 fixture dates
Last 16
Saturday, December 3
- Match 49: Winners Group A vs Runners-up Group B (3pm)
- Match 50: Winners Group C vs Runners-up Group D (7pm)
Sunday, December 4
- Match 52: Winners Group D vs Runners-up Group C (3pm)
- Match 51: Winners Group B vs Runners-up Group A (7pm)
Monday, December 5
- Match 53: Winners Group E vs Runners-up Group F (3pm)
- Match 54: Winners Group G vs Runners-up Group H (7pm)
Tuesday, December 6
- Match 55: Winners Group F vs Runners-up Group E (3pm)
- Match 56: Winners Group H vs Runners-up Group G (7pm)
Quarter-finals
Friday, December 9
- Match 58: Winners of Match 53 vs Winners of Match 54 (3pm)
- Match 57: Winners of Match 49 vs Winners of Match 50 (7pm)
Saturday, December 10
- Match 60: Winners of Match 55 vs Winners of Match 56 (3pm)
- Match 59: Winners of Match 51 vs Winners of Match 52 (7pm)
Semi-finals
Tuesday, December 13
- Match 61: Winners of Match 57 vs Winners of Match 58 (7pm)
Wednesday, December 14
- Match 62: Winners of Match 59 vs Winners of Match 60 (7pm)
- Third/Fourth place play-off
Saturday, December 17
- Losers of Match 61 vs Losers of Match 62 (3pm)
Final
Sunday, December 18
- Winners of Match 61 vs Winners of Match 62 (3pm)
What are the most important dates for the World Cup?
- The group stages got underway on Sunday, November 20.
- Round of 16 will be on December 3 – December 6.
- Quarter-final stages begin on December 9 – December 10.
- Semi-finals are taking place on December 13 – December 14.
- The World Cup final will be participated on Sunday, December 18.
