This series looks at what happens when the FM17 Draft Mode is used to create a World Cup where each nation is represented by players who play in each country. For the full explanation of how this tournament will work, see our Introduction.
It’s been a marathon, but we are finally at the end of our qualification groups for the Draft World Cup! Our final group sees Brazil face Mexico and Uruguay (who have both beaten Brazil in major international tournament finals), whilst Austria will be flying the flag for Europe. Meanwhile, Western Africa and Southern Africa will hope to have a say.
It’s been a marathon, but we are finally at the end of our qualification groups for the Draft World Cup! Our final group sees Brazil face Mexico and Uruguay (who have both beaten Brazil in major international tournament finals), whilst Austria will be flying the flag for Europe. Meanwhile, Western Africa and Southern Africa will hope to have a say.
As usual, the top two in the group will progress, whilst the third-placed team will either enter the play-offs or automatically qualify depending on their record. That’s because the four best third-placed teams progress, and the current top four are shown below, with those already-qualified in italics:
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So, whoever finishes third today knows that they will have to overcome Bulgaria’s record to avoid the play-offs.
Each side has £200m to spend, so let’s see who they chose...
Brazil
Each side has £200m to spend, so let’s see who they chose...
Brazil
Brazil, famously, have never failed to qualify for a World Cup. Additionally, every top seed has qualified from their group in this tournament. So that creates a lot of pressure for Joao Brasil. His side are playing in an identifiably Brazilian way, with two rampaging full backs, and a midfield chock-full of creativity.
Unusually for Brazil, their defence is highly-regarded, with Zeca playing the Roberto Carlos role and Jonathan playing the Cafu role (note, this is different to Jonathan Cafu, who is a striker for Bulgaria). Renato and Jadson both have Champions League experience, and edge out former Man United player Anderson. There may be some creaky bones in attacking midfield, as Ronaldinho and Andres D’Alessandro have a combined age of 71, but there is still plenty of spark there. Up front Paolo Guerrero is an all-round solid striker, albeit not with the highest career goals ratio. He is partnered with Man City flop Jo. Their striking back-up is Colin Kazim-Richards, who was once won in a Coca Cola competition by Brighton. The squad also includes Vicinius Junior, a 16-year old who Real Madrid have signed for around £40m, although he only cost this side £150k for this team.
Mexico
Unusually for Brazil, their defence is highly-regarded, with Zeca playing the Roberto Carlos role and Jonathan playing the Cafu role (note, this is different to Jonathan Cafu, who is a striker for Bulgaria). Renato and Jadson both have Champions League experience, and edge out former Man United player Anderson. There may be some creaky bones in attacking midfield, as Ronaldinho and Andres D’Alessandro have a combined age of 71, but there is still plenty of spark there. Up front Paolo Guerrero is an all-round solid striker, albeit not with the highest career goals ratio. He is partnered with Man City flop Jo. Their striking back-up is Colin Kazim-Richards, who was once won in a Coca Cola competition by Brighton. The squad also includes Vicinius Junior, a 16-year old who Real Madrid have signed for around £40m, although he only cost this side £150k for this team.
Mexico
4-3-3 has had variable success this tournament. Portugal recorded the only perfect group performance with their’s, but notable failures have included the Middle East and Poland. This squad totals to the full £200m, so they should be looking to achieve automatic qualification, if not necessarily the same level of success as Portugal had.
At the back a 37-year old Rafa Marquez (two-time Champions League winner) is partnered with Paolo Goltz, an intelligent defender who has represented Argentina (once). In fact, this Mexican side relies heavily on experience, with the midfield trio of Montes, Salcido and Gargano having a combined 204 caps. Counterbalance is provided by 21-year old Hirving Lozano, a very exciting winger for Pachuca. Up front Oribe Peralta has a solid goalscoring record for Mexico, with 23 goals in 51 caps.
Austria
At the back a 37-year old Rafa Marquez (two-time Champions League winner) is partnered with Paolo Goltz, an intelligent defender who has represented Argentina (once). In fact, this Mexican side relies heavily on experience, with the midfield trio of Montes, Salcido and Gargano having a combined 204 caps. Counterbalance is provided by 21-year old Hirving Lozano, a very exciting winger for Pachuca. Up front Oribe Peralta has a solid goalscoring record for Mexico, with 23 goals in 51 caps.
Austria
The best-ever Austrian side was undoubtedly that of Matthais Sindelar’s great Wunderteam, and their two-at-the-back formation initially appears to be a return to 1930’s tactics. However, it really is just an aggressive diamond formation. With a squad value of £116m Austria are by no means guaranteed to qualify, but they would be disappointed should they fail to make at least the top three.
The side’s best players are Red Bull Salzburg’s forward pairing of Jonatan Soriano and Munas Dabbur, whilst Louis Schaub behind them is an energetic 21-year old. At the back Paulo Miranda and Christian Schultz will have to be on the ball to cover for potentially huge defensive gaps left by the wing-backs.
Uruguay
The side’s best players are Red Bull Salzburg’s forward pairing of Jonatan Soriano and Munas Dabbur, whilst Louis Schaub behind them is an energetic 21-year old. At the back Paulo Miranda and Christian Schultz will have to be on the ball to cover for potentially huge defensive gaps left by the wing-backs.
Uruguay
Uruguay are one of the World Cup’s greatest overachievers, their two titles backed up with showings such as their fourth-place finish in 2010. This side is worth a respectable £88m, and will play a 4-3-1-2 designed to be difficult to break down, but still able to get the ball up quickly to the strikers.
Nearly a decade separates the two strikers, as young Kevin Ramirez plays alongside the experienced Sebastian Fernandez. Nahitan Nandez, Santiago Romero and Alvaro Gonzalez are physical midfielders who the opposition won’t relish facing. At the back Jorge Fucile used to be a mainstay at FC Porto, whilst Carlos Valdez represented multiple sides in Serie A.
Southern Africa
Nearly a decade separates the two strikers, as young Kevin Ramirez plays alongside the experienced Sebastian Fernandez. Nahitan Nandez, Santiago Romero and Alvaro Gonzalez are physical midfielders who the opposition won’t relish facing. At the back Jorge Fucile used to be a mainstay at FC Porto, whilst Carlos Valdez represented multiple sides in Serie A.
Southern Africa
Slightly confusingly, Southern Africa doesn’t include players who play in South Africa, as they are represented separately in this tournament. Therefore, this team is primarily made of players from the clubs of Angola, with representatives of Zambia, Mozambique, Namibia and Malawi also present. Their use of the classic Christmas Tree formation may be susceptible to leaving the play congested in the centre of the park. A squad total of £69m is, in my opinion, inflated by a few players who don’t appear close to their £5m+ valuation.
In fact, the side’s outstanding player is the £3.5m-valued Job, who has a half-century of Angolan caps and is a classic tricky dribbler. On the bench is Chris Katongo, who was Zambia’s captain when they claimed their historic 2012 African Cup of Nations victory, whilst Ladji Keita has represented multiple Portuguese top-flight sides.
West Africa
In fact, the side’s outstanding player is the £3.5m-valued Job, who has a half-century of Angolan caps and is a classic tricky dribbler. On the bench is Chris Katongo, who was Zambia’s captain when they claimed their historic 2012 African Cup of Nations victory, whilst Ladji Keita has represented multiple Portuguese top-flight sides.
West Africa
Ghana, Mali, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Senegal are all very respectable footballing nations, but their domestic leagues are not where their talent lies. A squad value of £34m is probably on the optimistic side, and their 4-1-4-1 formation will try and protect a physically-gifted but defensively-prone back four.
Mohammed-Awal Issah is the side’s heartbeat in defensive midfield, with experience of playing for Red Star Belgrade and Rosenborg. Emmanuel Clottey up front is more adept as a number 10, but will still be a dangerous lone striker. He also had a 6-month loan spell in Austria a decade ago, so there's a slim chance he'll have useful inside knowledge for when the two sides meet.
Matches 1-5
We start with a bang at Uruguay’s Estadio Centenario, as they play out a humdinger of a match with Brazil. The first half was uneventful until the hosts took the lead in added time through Formiliano’s header. They doubled their lead ten minutes into the second half as Gonzalez side-footed home after a swift counterattack, but Caio immediately got Brazil back to within one when he met D’Alessandro’s corner. Fernandez restored Uruguay’s two goal lead when he beat Dede to a through-ball, and this became 4-1 when he set up Ramirez for a simple tap-in. Brazil hadn’t given up, though, and sub Anderson set up Jonathan to pull one back, and Ronaldinho poked home from a corner in the 90th minute to reduce the gap to one goal. However, Brazil couldn’t create any more chances, and they fell to a disappointing 4-3 defeat. There was also a shock in Abidjan as Kone’s towering header in added time gave Western Africa a 1-0 win over Mexico. Southern Africa would have fancied their chances of doing similar as they were 1-1 with Austria and matching their opponents blow-for-blow, but this time the added-time winner went against the African side, as Dabbur poked home from Soriano’s cross.
Southern Africa put in another good performance, this time in the imposing Maracana, but fell to a creditable 1-0 defeat after Kazim-Richards’ brilliant run and cross allowed Guerrero to spare Brazilian blushes. Mexico also recovered from their opening defeat with a 2-0 win over Uruguay in a tight match, which means that Western Africa took a shock lead in the group as they drew 1-1 in Vienna despite only having one shot on goal. It was some shot, though, as Issah’s long effort flew into the top corner.
Mohammed-Awal Issah is the side’s heartbeat in defensive midfield, with experience of playing for Red Star Belgrade and Rosenborg. Emmanuel Clottey up front is more adept as a number 10, but will still be a dangerous lone striker. He also had a 6-month loan spell in Austria a decade ago, so there's a slim chance he'll have useful inside knowledge for when the two sides meet.
Matches 1-5
We start with a bang at Uruguay’s Estadio Centenario, as they play out a humdinger of a match with Brazil. The first half was uneventful until the hosts took the lead in added time through Formiliano’s header. They doubled their lead ten minutes into the second half as Gonzalez side-footed home after a swift counterattack, but Caio immediately got Brazil back to within one when he met D’Alessandro’s corner. Fernandez restored Uruguay’s two goal lead when he beat Dede to a through-ball, and this became 4-1 when he set up Ramirez for a simple tap-in. Brazil hadn’t given up, though, and sub Anderson set up Jonathan to pull one back, and Ronaldinho poked home from a corner in the 90th minute to reduce the gap to one goal. However, Brazil couldn’t create any more chances, and they fell to a disappointing 4-3 defeat. There was also a shock in Abidjan as Kone’s towering header in added time gave Western Africa a 1-0 win over Mexico. Southern Africa would have fancied their chances of doing similar as they were 1-1 with Austria and matching their opponents blow-for-blow, but this time the added-time winner went against the African side, as Dabbur poked home from Soriano’s cross.
Southern Africa put in another good performance, this time in the imposing Maracana, but fell to a creditable 1-0 defeat after Kazim-Richards’ brilliant run and cross allowed Guerrero to spare Brazilian blushes. Mexico also recovered from their opening defeat with a 2-0 win over Uruguay in a tight match, which means that Western Africa took a shock lead in the group as they drew 1-1 in Vienna despite only having one shot on goal. It was some shot, though, as Issah’s long effort flew into the top corner.
Western Africa’s time at the top of the table was short-lived, as they met a Brazil side hitting their strike and succumbed 5-2. The match will be remembered not for Brazil’s fluent attacking play, though, but for a frankly ludicrous volleyed goal by Clottey, where he hit across his body into the top corner from outside the box. Austria slipped up at home again, this time losing 1-0 to Mexico thanks to Peralta’s early goal. Uruguay travelled to Maputo where they faced Southern Africa. The hosts took the lead through an incredible long free kick from Khan, but Uruguay will have been happy with how they came back to lead 2-1 through two Fernandez goals just before the hour mark. However, Fucile picked up his second yellow card, and despite Ramirez extending the lead to 3-1 Southern Africa came back to draw 3-3, first through Job, then in the 87th minute as Katongo poked home from three yards out.
Brazil continued their impressive form in winning 4-1 against Austria, Guerrero leading the way with a hat-trick. Southern Africa recorded yet another narrow defeat, this time in Mexico’s Estadio Azteca, Peralta once again the match-winner. Meanwhile, Uruguay cruised to a 3-0 home victory over Western Africa.
Western Africa repeated the trick, losing 3-0 in the Azteca, despite Mexico losing Gargano to a 10th-minute red card. Mexico’s fourth successive win moved them to the top of the table, but Brazil could join them on 12 points as they hosted Uruguay. However, fans of World Cup history will know that “Brazil vs. Uruguay at the Maracana” is no foregone conclusion, and it was 1950 all over again as Uruguay won 1-0, Ramirez being played clean through, holding Caio off long enough to slide the ball home. Valon Berisha scored the only goal in Vienna as Austria got a bit of momentum back into their faltering campaign.
Western Africa repeated the trick, losing 3-0 in the Azteca, despite Mexico losing Gargano to a 10th-minute red card. Mexico’s fourth successive win moved them to the top of the table, but Brazil could join them on 12 points as they hosted Uruguay. However, fans of World Cup history will know that “Brazil vs. Uruguay at the Maracana” is no foregone conclusion, and it was 1950 all over again as Uruguay won 1-0, Ramirez being played clean through, holding Caio off long enough to slide the ball home. Valon Berisha scored the only goal in Vienna as Austria got a bit of momentum back into their faltering campaign.
So at the halfway mark the table looked like this:
Due to the asymmetrical nature of the schedule, Brazil’s position is made even more precarious as they need to face Mexico twice in the next five games. As the African sides face each other twice in this period as well, if one of them won both matches they could force themselves into contention.
Squad changes
Brazil will be concerned with their position at this stage in the group, and so they change things a bit by axing Renato, as well as Kazim-Richards and Mina, to bring in Leandro Damiao, Diego Lugano and Douglas.
Uruguay will miss Ramirez for a few weeks, so they bring in Mauro Guevgeozian, as well as Nicolas Correa for added depth. Austria also add depth with Christopher Dibon.
Matches 6-9
Damiao has an immediate impact as he scores in his first match. Unfortunately, Brazil were already 3-0 down to Mexico at the time, and went on to lose 4-1. Austria and Uruguay played out a tense 1-1 draw in Vienna, Dabbur’s goal cancelled out by Liguera. This meant that with a 2-1 home victory over Southern Africa, Western Africa closed the gap to the teams in the qualification places.
Squad changes
Brazil will be concerned with their position at this stage in the group, and so they change things a bit by axing Renato, as well as Kazim-Richards and Mina, to bring in Leandro Damiao, Diego Lugano and Douglas.
Uruguay will miss Ramirez for a few weeks, so they bring in Mauro Guevgeozian, as well as Nicolas Correa for added depth. Austria also add depth with Christopher Dibon.
Matches 6-9
Damiao has an immediate impact as he scores in his first match. Unfortunately, Brazil were already 3-0 down to Mexico at the time, and went on to lose 4-1. Austria and Uruguay played out a tense 1-1 draw in Vienna, Dabbur’s goal cancelled out by Liguera. This meant that with a 2-1 home victory over Southern Africa, Western Africa closed the gap to the teams in the qualification places.
Southern Africa must have wondered if they were going to find a win anywhere, and they did with one of the biggest shocks of the qualification rounds as they overcame Brazil 1-0 in Maputo. Job had opened the scoring with 23 seconds, and some resolute defending kept it that way. This meant that Brazil slipped out of a qualification spot as Austria won 3-0 against Western Africa courtesy of a superb Dabbur brace. Mexico had the chance to extend their lead at the top of the table to 7 points as they travelled to Uruguay, and goals from Peralta and Uruguayan Gargano ensured they did.
This meant that Mexico would secure qualification if they could overcome Austria at the Azteca. Lozano and Peralta netted in the first half to give the Mexicans a commanding lead, and Almer’s spilled cross allowed Salcido to wrap the match up. This meant Brazil had a chance to climb back into the top three with an easy-looking home tie against Western Africa. Ronaldinho neatly teed up Damiao to open the scoring in the fifth minute, but three minutes later Clottey scored his second outrageious volley against this opposition to level things. Zeca’s cross allowed Damiao to restore Brazil’s lead, which they took into half time. Brazil continued to have chances, but their failure to put the game away cost them as Jonathan stretched to intercept a cross and poked it into his own net. Brazil kept dominating the match but couldn’t find an equaliser, and a 2-2 draw represented a full-blown crisis in Rio. Uruguay triumphed 3-1 over Southern Africa to put themselves in the best position to take the second qualification spot, a result which also eliminated their opponents.
Austria travelled to Montevideo needing at least a draw to stay in with a chance of finishing second, but within 30 seconds Fernandez had volleyed Uruguay ahead. By the 24th minute and he had a hat-trick and Uruguay were sitting pretty at 3-0 up. Schaub’s 54th-minute goal gave Austria some hope, but their second goal only came in the 92nd minute, by which time it was too late to prevent a defeat. Brazil, now fighting for third place, hosted Mexico needing a point to climb above Austria into third. However, they fell behind in the 67th minute as Gargano’s shot, heading wide, cannoned off Jonathan for the right-backs second own goal in as many games. Mexico had been largely outplayed, and keeping their lead became even more difficult as Goltz picked up his second yellow card with 15 minutes remaining. Brazil had been experts in failing to put teams away in this campaign, but this time they got out of jail in the 84th minute as Ronaldinho rolled back the years to slam a free kick into the top corner. As Brazil and Austria had failed to win, Western Africa could still sneak into contention if they got something away to Southern Africa. However, they fell to a 2-0 defeat to slip out of the competition.
So with one round to go, we have the following table:
It may appear that Western Africa are still in with a small chance of a third-placed finish, but Brazil and Austria will face each other, meaning there’s no way for both teams to lose. It also means that the fixture in Vienna is the only one which matters, a winner-takes-all tie to decide who scrapes into the play-offs. Southern Africa and Mexico will play out a dead rubber, as will Western Africa and Uruguay.
As neither team can get as many as 17 points, the table confirms that Bulgaria have automatically qualified as the fourth-best third-placed team.
Southern Africa vs. Mexico
This might be top vs. bottom, but Southern Africa have shown themselves to be dangerous opponents. Mexico take the lead in the 33rd minute through Pabon’s powerful finish, but 42 seconds later Job had equalised. Both sides had chances in an entertaining battle, but 1-1 was the final score.
Another creditable result for Southern Africa, but they never really threatened to qualify from a group where the bar was set pretty low. Mexico cruised to victory in this group without playing particularly brilliant football.
Western Africa vs. Uruguay
With little to play for, this match was not the most attacking. Western Africa took the lead in the first half when Tamen found space in the box. Uruguay failed to create clear chances, and slipped to defeat, even after Issah’s red card in the 63rd minute.
Western Africa will rue their defeat to Southern Africa in the previous round, which means this win is meaningless in terms of qualification, but it marks yet another solid performance. Whilst this result is disappointing for Uruguay, they will be delighted to have secured qualification with one game to go, from a group where they had only the fourth-most expensive squad.
Austria vs. Brazil
Austria have had chances to take advantage of a chaotic group, but defeat to Uruguay means they need a win here, nothing else will do. Brazil have been fairly terrible this campaign, a run of three straight wins has been followed by 2 points from a possible 15 to place them in an unlikely quagmire. However, they can give themselves a chance of qualification through the play-offs if they can avoid defeat here.
Austria have no-one playing terribly, but no-one other than Dabbur playing well. They don’t have any enforced changes to make, so they select an unchanged XI. No-one in Brazil’s midfield has particularly impressed, with the best-performing Ronaldinho averaging 7.02. However, the replacements are not particularly inspiring, so they choose to stick. A bigger worry is that Caio, the side’s best defender, is missing through suspension, with 35-year old Diego Lugano coming in to replace him.
As neither team can get as many as 17 points, the table confirms that Bulgaria have automatically qualified as the fourth-best third-placed team.
Southern Africa vs. Mexico
This might be top vs. bottom, but Southern Africa have shown themselves to be dangerous opponents. Mexico take the lead in the 33rd minute through Pabon’s powerful finish, but 42 seconds later Job had equalised. Both sides had chances in an entertaining battle, but 1-1 was the final score.
Another creditable result for Southern Africa, but they never really threatened to qualify from a group where the bar was set pretty low. Mexico cruised to victory in this group without playing particularly brilliant football.
Western Africa vs. Uruguay
With little to play for, this match was not the most attacking. Western Africa took the lead in the first half when Tamen found space in the box. Uruguay failed to create clear chances, and slipped to defeat, even after Issah’s red card in the 63rd minute.
Western Africa will rue their defeat to Southern Africa in the previous round, which means this win is meaningless in terms of qualification, but it marks yet another solid performance. Whilst this result is disappointing for Uruguay, they will be delighted to have secured qualification with one game to go, from a group where they had only the fourth-most expensive squad.
Austria vs. Brazil
Austria have had chances to take advantage of a chaotic group, but defeat to Uruguay means they need a win here, nothing else will do. Brazil have been fairly terrible this campaign, a run of three straight wins has been followed by 2 points from a possible 15 to place them in an unlikely quagmire. However, they can give themselves a chance of qualification through the play-offs if they can avoid defeat here.
Austria have no-one playing terribly, but no-one other than Dabbur playing well. They don’t have any enforced changes to make, so they select an unchanged XI. No-one in Brazil’s midfield has particularly impressed, with the best-performing Ronaldinho averaging 7.02. However, the replacements are not particularly inspiring, so they choose to stick. A bigger worry is that Caio, the side’s best defender, is missing through suspension, with 35-year old Diego Lugano coming in to replace him.
In the 12th minute Soriano takes it beyond Lugano, but skews a difficult shot well wide. Three minutes later and Soriano is once again too fast for Lugano, and this time the Uruguayan fells his opponent, and Austria have a penalty. It’s Soriano who picks himself up, and places it beyond Muralha for the opening goal. It’s clear that Brazil’s gung-ho full-backs are leaving them wildly exposed, so they are encouraged to sit further back. This doesn’t prevent Soriano, who is flying now, forcing a fine Muralha save with a powerful free kick. Brazil’s first shot comes in the 20th minute when Damiao decides that letting fly from 40 yards, when not even facing goal, is the best option. The ball dribbles out for a goal kick. Brazil nearly work Jonathan in, but the ball is cleared, and Lugano’s pace is yet again shown up as Dabbur nips in to make it 2-0. We reach half-time with Brazil in a world of trouble.
Joao Brasil decides to take a leaf from the book of Conte, and brings on CB Possignolo for Ronaldinho, moving to a 5-2-1-2, but only after laying into his side. It had little effect as Muralha flaps at a Schwegler long throw, and it fell to Miranda for the easiest of tap-ins for 3-0. Soon after, Almer flaps at a Jonathan cross, but Damiao can't force the ball in from a difficult angle, as Brazil’s chances slowly slip away. And by slowly, I mean rapidly and viciously, as from the clearance Dabbur is played through and he slams home a fourth. Brazil finally got on the scoresheet with 15 minutes remaining as Guerrero needed two chances to finish when put clean through. But it was never going to be enough, and the game fizzled out into a huge 4-1 victory for Austria.
Joao Brasil decides to take a leaf from the book of Conte, and brings on CB Possignolo for Ronaldinho, moving to a 5-2-1-2, but only after laying into his side. It had little effect as Muralha flaps at a Schwegler long throw, and it fell to Miranda for the easiest of tap-ins for 3-0. Soon after, Almer flaps at a Jonathan cross, but Damiao can't force the ball in from a difficult angle, as Brazil’s chances slowly slip away. And by slowly, I mean rapidly and viciously, as from the clearance Dabbur is played through and he slams home a fourth. Brazil finally got on the scoresheet with 15 minutes remaining as Guerrero needed two chances to finish when put clean through. But it was never going to be enough, and the game fizzled out into a huge 4-1 victory for Austria.
Austria may have secured a great victory, but they will still need to navigate a difficult play-off. As for Brazil, what can I say? Four defeats and two draws in their last six games means they are the only top seed to fail to qualify. This result is inexcusable, and I suspect that these players may look to soon move out of the country.
Final results
Final results
Qualified for the Draft World Cup: Yorkshire, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Greece, Ukraine, Central Africa, Spain, China, France, Germany, Central Asia, Portugal, Romania, England, South America, Argentina, South Africa, Russia, Scotland, USA, Netherlands, Mexico, Uruguay
3rd place (either automatic qualification or play-offs): Turkey (q), Peru (q), North Africa (q), Bulgaria (q), Hungary, South Korea, Slovakia, Austria, Former Yugoslavia, Norway, Chile, Mediterranean
Best average rating: Walter Gargano (MEX) 7.65; Rodolfo Pizarro (MEX) 7.61; Munas Dabbur (AUT) 7.47
Most goals: Sebastian Fernandez (URU), Munas Dabbur (AUT) 8; Paolo Guerrero (BRA) 6
Team of the group: Orozco (MEX); Pizarro (MEX), Goltz (MEX), Khan (SOA); Issah (WAF), Gargano (MEX), Montes (MEX), Salcido (MEX); Dabbur (AUT), Ramirez (URU), Fernandez (URU)
Match of the group: Southern Africa 1-0 Brazil
Goal of the group
There's an African theme to this episode's competition. You can view the candidates using the tabs below, and vote for your favourite.
3rd place (either automatic qualification or play-offs): Turkey (q), Peru (q), North Africa (q), Bulgaria (q), Hungary, South Korea, Slovakia, Austria, Former Yugoslavia, Norway, Chile, Mediterranean
Best average rating: Walter Gargano (MEX) 7.65; Rodolfo Pizarro (MEX) 7.61; Munas Dabbur (AUT) 7.47
Most goals: Sebastian Fernandez (URU), Munas Dabbur (AUT) 8; Paolo Guerrero (BRA) 6
Team of the group: Orozco (MEX); Pizarro (MEX), Goltz (MEX), Khan (SOA); Issah (WAF), Gargano (MEX), Montes (MEX), Salcido (MEX); Dabbur (AUT), Ramirez (URU), Fernandez (URU)
Match of the group: Southern Africa 1-0 Brazil
Goal of the group
There's an African theme to this episode's competition. You can view the candidates using the tabs below, and vote for your favourite.
Next time
It’s only the play-offs! We might not see the same level of drama as Henry vs. Ireland, but we certainly can expect to see an ugly scrap between teams in the last-chance saloon for qualification.
It’s only the play-offs! We might not see the same level of drama as Henry vs. Ireland, but we certainly can expect to see an ugly scrap between teams in the last-chance saloon for qualification.