It’s a story of two World Cup teams on Sunday: Group A is sort of completely undecided by means of two video games and Group H is below agency management after a win by Germany, one of the highly effective groups within the discipline.
The angst is palpable all through Group A. There are a number of situations by which any of the 4 groups may advance, and subsequently a number of situations by which any of the 4 sees its World Cup come to an abrupt finish. In fact, profitable is the best resolution. However below some circumstances even that isn’t sufficient.
Norway vs. Philippines
This isn’t 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 sport that led to a scoreless draw. These outcomes have left the Norwegians sitting on the backside of Group A, a gaggle they have been anticipating to win.
And if they’re to get by means of, they’ll have to take action with out Hegerberg, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner, who was dominated out for the group’s third sport, 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 situations are difficult.
A romp might be simpler stated 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 most of the highs and lows of a world match condensed within the first week of this World Cup. The Soccer Ferns kicked off their marketing campaign with a shocking 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 situations are black-and-white (or in our case, pink-and-green): win and advance, lose and go dwelling. There may be restricted potential for a draw to be sufficient, however that will depend upon the result of Norway’s matchup with the Philippines.
Switzerland presently leads Group A, with a win over the Philippines and a draw with Norway. Except the Swiss lose to New Zealand and Norway handily defeats the Philippines by a big margin, Switzerland would advance.
Germany vs. Colombia
Whereas Group A battle it out till the ultimate whistle, Germany is comfortably profitable Group H after trouncing Morocco, 6-0, in its opening match. Having reached the quarterfinals each earlier match, this 12 months appears to be like to be no totally different due to a good draw.
Colombia is capping off a powerful 12 months of worldwide competitors after a runner-up end in final summer season’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. Whereas 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.
Colombia in its remaining sport faces Morocco, which beat South Korea on Sunday, 1-0.