The end of the second round of group matches means we have reached the halfway point of the tournament! In fact, because I binned off the third-place play-off last year, we're beyond halfway.
Despite this, 29 of our 32 teams are still left in. But only 2 of those have already secured their passage to the knockout rounds:
Despite this, 29 of our 32 teams are still left in. But only 2 of those have already secured their passage to the knockout rounds:
It means that we could see some real drama in the final round of group games. Of the eight seeds, there's quite a few still in trouble and there's a good chance someone will find themselves eliminated.
Group A
Four matches, but just one win. And even then it was a scratchy 1-0 win for Colombia over Australia. That result gives the South American side control of the group:
Colombia just need a point from their match with Japan, or a win to secure top spot. Meanwhile France take on Australia knowing that any win will ensure they qualify - a draw would almost certainly be enough.
France and Japan currently have identical records - if their results are the same again then there may be the drawing of lots to determine their position. If they both draw by the same scoreline, then the drawing of lots will determine who goes through!
Team news: France vs Australia
France take out Marquinhos, who is a yellow away from suspension, for the more attacking Ángel Di María, as they move to a 4-2-3-1 formation in an attempt to recapture their form. Australia finally give Daniel Sturridge some support, in the form of Bruno Fornaroli. Nicolai Muller makes way as the formation shifts to 4-4-2.
France and Japan currently have identical records - if their results are the same again then there may be the drawing of lots to determine their position. If they both draw by the same scoreline, then the drawing of lots will determine who goes through!
Team news: France vs Australia
France take out Marquinhos, who is a yellow away from suspension, for the more attacking Ángel Di María, as they move to a 4-2-3-1 formation in an attempt to recapture their form. Australia finally give Daniel Sturridge some support, in the form of Bruno Fornaroli. Nicolai Muller makes way as the formation shifts to 4-4-2.
Team news: Colombia vs Japan
With a draw all that's needed, Colombia retreat to the 4-1-4-1 that held out France. Dorlan Pabón makes way for Felipe Román. Japan also make one change: Kyohei Noborizato in for Yuto Nagatomo.
With a draw all that's needed, Colombia retreat to the 4-1-4-1 that held out France. Dorlan Pabón makes way for Felipe Román. Japan also make one change: Kyohei Noborizato in for Yuto Nagatomo.
FRAvAUS (6 mins): Nuno Mendes picks up an early knock, being replaced by Zeki Celik. But it's still the start France wanted, as they take an early lead! Marco Verratti skips away from Jordon Mutch and slips in Neymar to coolly put it through Brad Jones' legs.
FRAvAUS (17 mins): I think it's going to be a long day for Australia, as Raphael Varane rises highest to nod in Ángel Di María's corner!
FRAvAUS (29 mins): France have a corner on the right. It's worked nicely to Lionel Messi, who cuts inside and whips a wonderful shot into the far top corner! A great goal! The defending champions are purring now.
COLvJPN (30 mins): By contrast, than an early hopeful shot from Japan, there hasn't been a single effort on goal in this match so far.
FRAvAUS (37 mins): Messi pops in a free kick and Di María heads it past Jones for France's fourth! This is as good a time as any to mention that the record win the DWC finals is 7-0, recorded by France in the final group game, against Saudi Arabia in 2018. Just sayin'.
COLvJPN (42 mins): There's finally a second shot, as Juan Pablo Vargas' header at a corner floats harmlessly over. The situation suits Colombia, and it gets even better for them when Tiago goes in two-footed on Teo Gutiérrez to pick up the tournament's first red card! Tiago is replaced by Emerson Santos in defence, with Dodi making way.
FRAvAUS (43 mins): France suffer another injury blow, this time to Di María. It doesn't seem serious but Dimitri Payet comes on anyway. And they have the ball in the net again - Verratti putting it through for Kylian Mbappé, who gets in on the act with a low finish. But there is a small mercy for Australia as VAR rules it out for offside.
COLvJPN (half time): Japan are in all sorts of trouble now, with their possession-heavy style of play pretty hard to execute against Colombia's mean defence, let alone with a numerical disadvantage. Will Colombia look to win this game now to ensure they win the group?
FRAvAUS (half time): There's more French threat - plus a single Australian - but the latter get to half time "just" 4-0 down. Obviously it's a case of damage limitation now, as Daniel Sturridge makes way for Rene Krhin.
COLvJPN (58 mins): Japan have been playing in a narrow 4-2-2-1 formation, which leaves the full backs very exposed. And it proves fatal when Marlon Piedrahita is given all the time in the world to launch a long pass into the huge gap between Emerson Santos and Hiroki Sakai for Luis Díaz to run onto. The Liverpool man keeps his composure to slot it home, and Colombia have more than a foot in the next round!
FRAvAUS (68 mins): Australia's tactical switch is keeping France at bay, but it's not a fun existence. And it's about to get tougher, because their star player Aaron Mooy gets a case of the Tiagos and lunges in on Neymar, picking up a red card - like London buses they are (red).
COLvJPN (77 mins): Japan are giving it a go. Andrés Iniesta curls a free kick just over, and also has a low shot saved by Sebastián Viera. From the resulting corner Emerson Santos' low header is cleared off the line by Colombian sub Leyvin Balanta!
FRAvAUS (82 mins): 10-man Australia continue to hold out (to their 4-goal deficit), but eventually Messi splits them open with a gorgeous pass to allow Neymar to notch his second. The lino initially rules it out, but VAR confirms that the goal is good!
COLvJPN (86 mins): Time is running out for Japan but they are plugging away. A swirling long pass from Iniesta gives Everaldo a sight of goal, but again Viera is equal.
FRAvAUS (90+2 mins): Australia actually have a proper chance, as sub Jamie Maclaren brings a long Jones clearance under control and muscles through on goal, but he can't beat Keylor Navas. Messi nearly crowns a magical game with a free kick, but Jones makes the save, and it's all over.
COLvJPN (90+3 mins): Once again Japan pay the price for leaving Piedrahita unmarked. A fantastic first-time pass by Christian Marrugo picks him out. Piedrahita shoots from a tight angle, Kim Seung-Gyu makes the save but can't stop Gutiérrez prodding in the rebound! All over now!
COLvJPN (90+4 mins): Japan surge forward again, and as Noborizato plays it in to Thiago Santana the referee deems the forward fouled by Felipe Aguilar! Everaldo to take... and sends Viera the wrong way! But it's merely a consolation as the final whistle goes shortly after the restart.
Post-match: France 5-0 Australia
Player of the match: Lionel Messi (FRA)
The France we know are back. A match of pure control, aided by a complete non-performance by Australia, who finish with no goals and (somehow) one point.
Player of the match: Lionel Messi (FRA)
The France we know are back. A match of pure control, aided by a complete non-performance by Australia, who finish with no goals and (somehow) one point.
Post-match: Colombia 2-1 Japan
Player of the match: Luis Díaz (COL)
A story of what-ifs for Japan - what if Tiago hadn't launched into that reckless challenge, and what if they had been able to keep their defensive discipline after the red card? Colombia secure group victory though, even if their 270+ minute clean sheet has finally been spoiled.
Player of the match: Luis Díaz (COL)
A story of what-ifs for Japan - what if Tiago hadn't launched into that reckless challenge, and what if they had been able to keep their defensive discipline after the red card? Colombia secure group victory though, even if their 270+ minute clean sheet has finally been spoiled.
Confirmation of the final table. Colombia win the group with three strong performances, belying the narrow scorelines. They will certainly be a stubborn team to remove from this tournament. Will France rue only finishing second?
Group B
In stark contrast to Group A, there haven't been any draws in Group B, and with every match going the way of the favourite, it's quite a simple situation:
Germany are already through, and just need a point to confirm first place, whilst Syria are already out. Which leaves USA and South Africa, who play each other in a virtual knockout match. USA have the advantage though, as their heavy win over Syria means they only need a draw.
Team news: Germany vs Syria
Already through, Germany make a raft of changes. Notably, Erling Haaland stays in the team as he sees a huge opportunity to add to his 5 goals this tournament. Syria make a few changes: Anas Balhous, Mostafa Juneid and Maher Daaboul for Youssef Al-Hamwi, Tamer Haj Mohamad and Wael Al-Rifae.
Team news: Germany vs Syria
Already through, Germany make a raft of changes. Notably, Erling Haaland stays in the team as he sees a huge opportunity to add to his 5 goals this tournament. Syria make a few changes: Anas Balhous, Mostafa Juneid and Maher Daaboul for Youssef Al-Hamwi, Tamer Haj Mohamad and Wael Al-Rifae.
Team news: USA vs South Africa
USA are unchanged, as are South Africa, although the latter do revert to the 4-3-3 shape that they used against Syria.
USA are unchanged, as are South Africa, although the latter do revert to the 4-3-3 shape that they used against Syria.
USAvRSA (14 mins): USA start the stronger, and have a good early chance when Carlos Vela runs through onto a pass, only denied by some dogged defending by Ricardo Nascimento. No matter, as he gets an almost-identical chance. Vela is picked out by Blaise Matuidi, and this time calmly tucks it in the near bottom corner for a USA lead!
GERvSYR (18 mins): Germany have racked up 11 shots so far in this game, almost none have forced Ibrahim Alma into any serious action. But then the 12th shot delivers the opening goal! It's nice and simple - a Raphael Guerrero corner and a Niklas Sule header.
USAvRSA (26 mins): USA attack down the left, Matuidi tries to pick out Josef Martínez but he's blocked by Abbubaker Mobara. The referee deems it illegal, and gives out a yellow card - Mobara's second of the match! Incredibly, after 32 matches with no red cards, we're 3 for 3 today! And salt is rubbed into the wound, because Xherdan Shaqiri steps up and bends a beautiful free kick into the top corner! This match, and group, may be all over already.
GERvSYR (27 mins): Another German corner, another Guerrero cross, another Sule header, another goal.
GERvSYR (33 mins): Dani Olmo and Guerrero pass the ball between each other to work it forwards down the left. Olmo then turns inside and floats a lovely cross to the far post, where Kingsley Coman is waiting to apply the finish! A very nice goal.
USAvRSA (36 mins): It is, unsurprisingly, even more all USA than before. Weston McKennie plays a nice ball through to Martínez, who unselfishly squares to Gonzalo Higuaín to tap into an empty goal... but VAR rules it out as Martínez had been offside.
GERvSYR (41 mins): It could be a hat trick for Sule! He heads yet another Guerrero corner at goal, but this time it hits the bar and away to safety.
USAvRSA (half time): Is there a way back for South Africa? USA's defence is not the most watertight so there may be a hope of a sucker punch somewhere, but the three goals they need?
GERvSYR (half time): Plain sailing for Germany, who have hit three goals for the third game in a row.
USAvRSA (50 mins): It's certainly game over now, as Nascimento passes the ball straight to Vela in his box. Vela makes no mistake, neatly putting it away in the far corner.
USAvRSA (59 mins): South Africa go for the spectacular, with a corner aimed at Themba Zwane, who shoots first time. Kristijan Kahlina parries it, but straight to Peter Shalulile virtually on the goal line, but somehow - and under pressure from Anton Tinnerholm - he can't force it over the line and Kahlina gathers!
GERvSYR (70 mins): The intensity of the game dies down, as Germany make a couple of changes (including Haaland coming off) and Syria go fully defensive. But then - out of nowhere - the ball comes to Kamel Koaeh, 30 yards from goal, and he belts a stunning shot over Manuer Neuer and in! Syria are going out but that may be claiming goal of the tournament!
USAvRSA (77 mins): It's four, as Vela's early cross is glanced in by Martínez!
USAvRSA (90+3 mins): And it's all over here. It just all went USA's way, emphatically.
GERvSYR (90+4 mins): André Silva nearly finishes the game with a goal, but Alma reacts well to his snapshot. But otherwise, very little excitement in the final part of this match.
Post-match: USA 4-0 South Africa
Player of the match: Carlos Vela (USA)
Remarkably, the two sides' xG were very similar. Almost entirely due to that Shalulile chance. And the shot count was only 19-10 in USA's favour. But hey kid, that's life.
Player of the match: Carlos Vela (USA)
Remarkably, the two sides' xG were very similar. Almost entirely due to that Shalulile chance. And the shot count was only 19-10 in USA's favour. But hey kid, that's life.
Post-match: Germany 3-1 Syria
Player of the match: Niklas Sule (GER)
In a way, the two early set piece goals added a lot of gloss to an otherwise meh performance from Germany. They only really created a couple of clear open play chances, but then it's a dead rubber and it was Germany's second string.
Player of the match: Niklas Sule (GER)
In a way, the two early set piece goals added a lot of gloss to an otherwise meh performance from Germany. They only really created a couple of clear open play chances, but then it's a dead rubber and it was Germany's second string.
So Group B finishes with no draws, and the teams in ranking order. A 100% start for Germany, can't complain.
We knew already that Germany were through, and they've been joined by Colombia, France and USA. Colombia and USA will take each other on in a match which should provide an interesting clash of styles, but the main match will be Germany versus France - the two 2-time DWC winners doing battle? Hook it to my veins!
Next time we're wrapping up Groups C & D. England are already through, but the fates of fellow top seeds Italy is very much still in the air.
Next time we're wrapping up Groups C & D. England are already through, but the fates of fellow top seeds Italy is very much still in the air.