FIFA World Cup 2014: Uruguay or Italy?

2. Group C

1. Colombia 6
2. Ivory Coast 3
3. Japan 1
4. Greece 1

 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ Official Book

Last matches: Japan – Colombia, Greece – Ivory Coast.

Colombia has already advanced to the next round.

Ivory Coast will join Colombia if

a) they win over Greece, b) play a draw, hoping for Japan not to win, or win by a small margin. If Japan wins 1-0 or 2-1, the Africans will advance thanks to their better indicators in other parameters. If Japan wins 3-2, and Ivory Coast plays 0-0, then it is Japan that will advance.

Japan will have to win over Colombia and hope for a favourable outcome in the Greece - Ivory Coast match. It has to end in a) draw, and Japan will have to win by a margin of two goals or more. 0-0 (1-1, 2-2…) in the parallel match and a 3-2 (4-3, 5-4…) win will take Japan to the next round. 

b) Greece has to win by a margin of two or less. If Greeks win 3-0 and Japan wins 2-1, we will witness coin toss to decide the second participant of the next round from Group C. Japan will advance, if Greece wins 3-0 and they win by two goals or 3-2, 4-3, 5-4…. If Greece wins by a margin of four goals, Japan will have to win by a margin of two.

Greece will advance, if they win over Ivory Coast, while Japan doesn’t win over Colombia. If Japan wins, Greece will have to win by a margin which is two goals more than of Japan’s.

Group D

1. Costa Rica 6
2. Italy 3
3. Uruguay 3
4. England 0

Last matches: Italy – Uruguay, Costa Rica – England.

Costa Rica is already in ther next round.

Italy will need a positive result against Uruguay, where only a defeat can leave the Azzurri out of the tournament. To win the group and get better opportunities in the Play-off, Italy will need Costa Rica to lose in their match against England, and beat Uruguay. Cesare Prandelli’s team will additionally need to liquidate their three-goal difference in comparison with the current group leaders. An example of such a scenario is: Italy – Uruguay 2-0, Costa Rica - England 0-2 

Uruguay has also got three points, but a draw with Italy will not do. A win is enough to qualify for the next round. The first place can become a reality if England beats Costa Rica and the current four-goal difference between Uruguay and Costa Rica is cut. An example of scenario where Uruguay wins the group is: Italy – Uruguay 0-2, Costa Rica – England 0-3.

England has already lost all the chances to remain in Brazil after the group stage.

The Official 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ Fact Files