Red cards blighted the final matches of Groups A & B, tilting the balance of some key matches. The result is that Colombia, France, Germany and USA are the four teams from those groups to make the second round so far:
Today we see how the next two groups go. England are already through, but who will join them in Group C? And in Group D Italy are in big trouble but have a plausible escape route.
Group C
Two 2-0 wins sees England through with a game to spare. Egypt beat Peru, who shared an atrocious 0-0 draw with Belgium:
It means that Egypt are in pole position going into the final game. Peru are mathematically alive, but need a good win over the top seeds to have a chance of going through. Assuming that that doesn't happen, it's all down to Belgium vs Egypt, with the European side needing a win to make it through.
Team news: England vs Peru
England swap out most of their team, with just Liverpool duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fabinho remaining from the opening two games. Jefferson Farfán pays the price for Peru's two blanks so far, with Christofer Gonzáles coming back into the side.
Team news: England vs Peru
England swap out most of their team, with just Liverpool duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fabinho remaining from the opening two games. Jefferson Farfán pays the price for Peru's two blanks so far, with Christofer Gonzáles coming back into the side.
Team news: Belgium vs Egypt
Despite a struggling campaign, Belgium keep the same XI players for the third game in a row. Egypt are also unchanged.
Despite a struggling campaign, Belgium keep the same XI players for the third game in a row. Egypt are also unchanged.
ENGvPER (8 mins): It's a dominant start from England, with the two Liverpool full backs putting in plenty of crosses, and picking up the resulting clearances to keep the pressure on. There's a close-range header from Jack Grealish that Angelo Campos spectacularly saves, and a couple of Aymeric Laporte headers at corners which go close.
BELvEGY (13 mins): After an Egypt attack breaks down, Belgium neatly build up from the back, with Eden Hazard and Faitout Maouassa heavily involved. They get upfield and Hans Vanaken picks Maouassa out, and he nods it first-time to Hazard. He immediately bursts into the space between Ahmed Elmohamady and Badr Benoun, gets it onto his right foot and curls it past Mohamed El Shenawy! That's a stunning goal, and Belgium's draft pick has finally turned up to the party!
ENGvPER (30 mins): Peru are holding on, and England's chances are becoming slightly less frequent. From Bernardo Silva's low whipped cross Heung-Min Son has a very good chance, but he can't glance his volley past Campos. There's another wayward Laporte header from the corner. A couple of minutes later a Peruvian clearance goes as far as Fabinho, who lets fly first time, only just missing the far corner!
BELvEGY (37 mins): Belgium nearly had an immediate second, as Paul Onuachu's header from a corner is only kept out by a combination of El Shenawy and Ayman Ashraf. Egypt are carrying their own threat, with the closest they've come a header from Ramadan Sobhi that Simon Mignolet was able to hold.
ENGvPER (half time): It's sixteen shots to zero, but it's also nil-nil. Campos is having a great game, but crucially England haven't created any clear-cut chances. Peru still harbour hopes of a sucker-punch at the other end to get in the qualification conversation.
BELvEGY (half time): There's little excitement but for that one moment of Belgian brilliance. It is deservedly the difference between the two sides, and Egypt need to find a different gear to chase this game.
BELvEGY (48 mins): It's nearly the fast start Egypt would like, as Benoun hits the bar with a header from a corner, and from the rebound Mohamed Elneny forces not one, but two good stops from Mignolet.
ENGvPER (67 mins): England still can't find a breakthrough, and are forced to replace Raheem Sterling after he takes a clattering. Romelu Lukaku comes on to provide a focal point against Peru's packed defence. As it stands, a single Peru goal would see them go dead level with Belgium, with the drawing of lots a realistic prospect just now.
BELvEGY (75 mins): Egypt have perhaps been a little stronger this half, but haven't forced any clear chances. Fortunately, Belgium give them a helping hand - under very little pressure Maouassa plays a suicidal towards Mignolet, allowing Mohamed Sherif to nip in and equalise!
ENGvPER (80 mins): Still nothing. England begin to push higher and higher to find a breakthrough, whilst Peru also realise this is the time they need to try a bit more at the other end.
BELvEGY (90+1 mins): Belgium try and rally, but to be honest they're quite flat. However, in added time they win a free kick 25 yards out. Substitute Sergio Gómez takes... it's a great effort but it hits the top of the bar! It spirals high into the air, El Shenawy is on the ground and it's between Charles de Ketelaere and Elneny... the Egyptian can't reach it and de Ketelaere slams it home to surely put Belgium in the next round! Oh it's heartbreak for Egypt!
ENGvPER (90+3 mins): Belgium will be pleased to know England haven't let up the intensity, and aren't allowing Peru to get near their goal. Peru try and push up, and eventually Silva is able to release Lukaku behind Peru's defence. Campos comes out, but Lukaku rounds him and puts it away! It's all over for Peru now! And a minute later, the match is over too.
BELvEGY (90+8 mins): It's absolute carnage here, Jeff! Firstly, Belgium go down to 10 men when Gómez goes off injured. There is then a fright for Belgium as another bad defensive pass creates an opening for Egypt. Belgium recover well and only concede a corner. El Shenawy comes up for it, but the cross is cleared by Wesley Hoedt. Elmohamady picks it up, drives to the byline and powers a low cross, where Sherif reacts quickest. But under pressure Sherif can only hit the post from point blank range! It flies across the box, where Egyptian sub Percy Tau is completely free. It's an empty net, but somehow Mignolet leaps across goal to make the block! But he can't hold it, and Tau forces it over the line at the second attempt!!! WHAT THE FUCHS IS GOING ON!?
BELvEGY (90+9 mins): Belgium win a free kick, but before they can take it the final whistle goes! Egypt are through in the most ludicrous way possible!
Post-match: England 1-0 Peru
Player of the match: Bernardo Silva (ENG)
Peru can hardly complain about the score, even if it was delivered in the cruellest manner. I've seen five-goal wins with closer xGs. England won't be too worried about the profligacy of their back-up front line.
Player of the match: Bernardo Silva (ENG)
Peru can hardly complain about the score, even if it was delivered in the cruellest manner. I've seen five-goal wins with closer xGs. England won't be too worried about the profligacy of their back-up front line.
Post-match: Belgium 2-2 Egypt
Player of the match: Percy Tau (EGY)
I... don't know what to say. I thought the remarkable thing of this match was going to be Maouassa managing an assist at both ends, and then that happens? Belgium lose the lead twice, and I've lost my sanity.
Player of the match: Percy Tau (EGY)
I... don't know what to say. I thought the remarkable thing of this match was going to be Maouassa managing an assist at both ends, and then that happens? Belgium lose the lead twice, and I've lost my sanity.
Egypt are the first African side to qualify for the knockout stages this year:
Group D
After an opening set of matches where Italy outplayed Portugal but could only draw, followed by Portugal beating Thailand, there was nothing to suggest this group wouldn't just see the two favoured European teams through. But a shock Italian loss to Tunisia has left everything up in the air:
For the final games, the key thing to know is that only Portugal can go through with a draw - although a win would ensure they win the group and avoid England. For everybody else, a win is likely to be necessary.
Team news: Italy vs Thailand
Italy are without the suspended Nicolo Barella, and so Paulo Dybala comes in - a change that may have happened anyway. Juan Cuadrado also makes way for Giovanni Di Lorenzo. Thailand have Ayub Masika available again, and he comes in at the expense of Vander.
Team news: Italy vs Thailand
Italy are without the suspended Nicolo Barella, and so Paulo Dybala comes in - a change that may have happened anyway. Juan Cuadrado also makes way for Giovanni Di Lorenzo. Thailand have Ayub Masika available again, and he comes in at the expense of Vander.
Team news: Portugal vs Tunisia
Portugal are hit with the blow that Otávio will likely miss the rest of the tournament with a groin strain. After a second match-turning contribution, Darwin Núnez finally earns a Portugal start. Julian Weigl also comes into the starting XI, with Rafa and Matheus Nunes making way. Unsurprisingly, Tunisia don't change the team that beat Italy.
Portugal are hit with the blow that Otávio will likely miss the rest of the tournament with a groin strain. After a second match-turning contribution, Darwin Núnez finally earns a Portugal start. Julian Weigl also comes into the starting XI, with Rafa and Matheus Nunes making way. Unsurprisingly, Tunisia don't change the team that beat Italy.
PORvTUN (6 mins): Nicolás Otamendi rattles the crossbar with a header from a corner. It loops towards Cristiano Ronaldo, but somehow he puts the rebound wide in front of a virtually open goal! Portugal get another set piece opportunity, this time a wide free kick. Pablo Sarabia crosses it in, and Joao Palhinha heads it past Farouk Ben Mustapha! Just the start Portugal wanted!
ITAvTHA (10 mins): Thailand's job is to frustrate Italy, they won't be focusing on winning unless Tunisia come back in the other game. Obviously the longer they keep the score level, the more worried Italy will be. Ciro Immobile, who has had a poor tournament, has a big early chance but shoots straight at Michael Falkesgaard, who then denies Milan Skriniar's header from the corner.
ITAvTHA (17 mins): Dybala beats Falkesgaard with a lovely dipping long-range effort, but it grazes the top of the bar. As Italy look to build another attack, Masika nicks the ball away from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and plays it through to Diogo. He should be stopped by one of Italy's centre backs, but they both leave it to each other, allowing Thailand's striker through. Out comes Samir Handanovic, but Diogo coldly chips it over him, and Thailand lead! What a goal!
PORvTUN (34 mins): Tunisia aren't out of this game, with set pieces their main threat. From a corner Anayo Iwuala wriggles into some space and gets a good shot away, but it hits the bar!
ITAvTHA (40 mins): Italy's players are starting to show the stress of their situation, and they are not creating much. There's a Lautaro Martínez shot that sails harmlessly over the bar, and that's about it. If fact, Thailand could well have doubled their lead, as Diogo again breaks free, but this time Handanovic makes the save.
PORvTUN (half time): Just before the break Portugal build an attack. Ronaldo comes deep to receive the ball, quickly turns and fires a pass into the path of Núnez, who puts it away first-time! A lovely direct goal, and Portugal are almost there!
ITAvTHA (half time): Well, well, well. Italy need two goals to avoid a repeat of last year's humiliation. And a telling-off from Giuseppe Santini further upsets his fragile players. Italy's narrow formation is being gobbled up by Thailand, so Immobile makes way for Federico Chiesa as Italy try a 4-3-3 shape.
ITAvTHA (48 mins): Chiesa is immediately through on goal thanks to a wonder pass from Jorginho, but he tamely hits the shot straight at Falkesgaard, oh what a chance!
PORvTUN (56 mins): Tunisia bring on Hamdi Harbaoui to join Wissam Ben Yedder up front, whilst Portugal take off Palhinha and Álex Grimaldo as they are a yellow away from suspension. Tunisia are managing a good job of putting Portugal under pressure, and Harbaoui makes an impact as he heads Ilyes Chetti's cross in to bring Tunisia back into contention!
ITAvTHA (71 mins): It is now firmly a game of attack vs defence, and defence is firmly winning. Chiesa fires over the bar from the edge of the box in Italy's only real chance of note.
PORvTUN (73 mins): Núnez has a couple of headed chances go close, whilst Mohamed Ali Yacoubi nearly stuns Portugal with a long shot that Antonio Adán doesn't save convincingly.
ITAvTHA (87 mins): It really doesn't look like happening for Italy. Thailand even put a bit of pressure on at the other end with a corner, but Italy clear and Chiesa runs down the left and fires in a cross. It hits Digao, wrong-foots Falkesgaard but goes over! Even with Thailand helping out, Italy still can't score. And then it gets worse, as Martínez goes off injured with all substitutes used.
PORvTUN (90+4 mins): A single goal would be enough for Tunisia should Italy equalise. And they nearly hold up their end of the bargain when Harbaoui gets a close-range chance, but it's smothered by Portugal's defence. It's job done for Portugal, who are through with relative comfort.
ITAvTHA (90+5 mins): A man down, Italy can't even retrieve the ball well from Thailand now. They limp to the end, nearly conceding another as substitute David Rochela curls one just wide. It's over, Thailand have secured one of the biggest upsets in DWC history and Italy... yep.
Post-match: Portugal 2-1 Tunisia
Player of the match: Pablo Sarabia (POR)
A hard-fought tie that could have gone either way, but ultimately there's no shock here. Portugal's back three were very effective in denying a top striker in Ben Yedder anything. Tunisia can hold their heads up high though, they've performed well in every match this year.
Player of the match: Pablo Sarabia (POR)
A hard-fought tie that could have gone either way, but ultimately there's no shock here. Portugal's back three were very effective in denying a top striker in Ben Yedder anything. Tunisia can hold their heads up high though, they've performed well in every match this year.
Post-match: Italy 0-1 Thailand
Player of the match: Michael Falkesgaard (THA)
Obviously, it's utterly embarrassing. Last year, Iraq, this year Thailand. This is the combined Serie A team! At least they were close last year, this time round they finish with one point! But let's also recognise how well Thailand did their job - a really well-taken goal and solid defending has lead to the result of the tournament.
Player of the match: Michael Falkesgaard (THA)
Obviously, it's utterly embarrassing. Last year, Iraq, this year Thailand. This is the combined Serie A team! At least they were close last year, this time round they finish with one point! But let's also recognise how well Thailand did their job - a really well-taken goal and solid defending has lead to the result of the tournament.
What a crazy group. Ultimately, Portugal win it with Thailand securing a magical second place:
So England will face the new story of the tournament, Thailand, in the next round. Surely that will be a bridge too far for the Asian side? Speaking of which, that result means every continent except Oceania has a team in the next round now. The other tie will be Portugal versus Egypt, which may be another match for the purists.
Our next two groups, C & D, don't have any sides confirmed through to the next round, so will be see drama anything like this crazy episode?
Our next two groups, C & D, don't have any sides confirmed through to the next round, so will be see drama anything like this crazy episode?