Four groups down, and defending champions France are through, joined by Germany and England on 100% records. But one notable absence is Italy, who crashed out after somehow losing to Thailand:
Four to go, and today we have two intriguingly-poised groups. Group E looks all over, but the final fixtures opens leaves scope for a comeback. And in Group F we might be barrelling towards a three-way tie.
Group E
After two draws in the opening round of games, wins for Spain and Senegal have given them clear daylight between them and Paraguay and Poland:
But with Senegal still to play Spain, there is real hope for whoever wins between Paraguay and Poland. Even though Poland lost heavily to Spain, Senegal could easily do the same.
Team news: Spain vs Senegal
After things finally clicked in their last match, Spain make no changes, and neither do Senegal.
Team news: Spain vs Senegal
After things finally clicked in their last match, Spain make no changes, and neither do Senegal.
Team news: Paraguay vs Poland
Paraguay lose Víctor Salazar to suspension, so Alberto Espínola comes in. Despite a number of players struggling so far this tournament, there are no other changes. Poland have Ivi López available again, a huge boost after his excellent performance in the opener. He replaces Joao Amaral.
Paraguay lose Víctor Salazar to suspension, so Alberto Espínola comes in. Despite a number of players struggling so far this tournament, there are no other changes. Poland have Ivi López available again, a huge boost after his excellent performance in the opener. He replaces Joao Amaral.
ESPvSEN (9 mins): Senegal fashion the game's first chance, a header from Henri Saivet. Jan Oblak fails to hold, but it's hacked away by his Atlético teammate José Giménez. Senegal later earn a corner, Amara Baby pops it in the box and Yaya Sané gets to it to put Senegal ahead! It's a third goal of the tournament for the centre back!
ESPvSEN (14 mins): Spain respond well, and easily breeze through Senegal's midfield. Antoine Griezmann has an effort blocked for a corner, and from that corner Giménez is left in acres of space at the far post. He gets a good header away, but it's straight at Lamine Gassama on the line! Straight after Vinícius Júnior fires over after Senegal give it away.
PARvPOL (21 mins): It's a very nervy quiet start here, perhaps unsurprisingly. As with the other game, set pieces reign supreme as Paraguay have several chances from a single free kick. They're all blocked though by a dogged Polish defence.
PARvPOL (36 mins): Paraguay have had much less of the ball, but when they do have it they progress it nicely through Poland's midfield. One such move allows Claudio Aquino - who has been incredible this tournament - to break into the box. He goes down under the challenge of Bartosz Salamon, and the referee points to the spot! VAR concurs, so Alejandro Silva has the chance to give Paraguay the lead... and sends Dusan Kuciak the wrong way!
ESPvSEN (half time): Spain had another chance from a corner, this time a short routine that leads to a Griezmann header over. But then the chances just completely dry up. Great stuff from Senegal, a side all about keeping it tight and dominating set pieces, but surely Spain can find an extra gear? Senegal go further into their bunker as Dame N'Doye is replaced by Madické Kane.
PARvPOL (half time): Ivi López has a free kick just before the break that hits the woodwork, hits the back of Martín Silva, but bobbles to safety. So Paraguay keep their lead in a match with very few (6) shots. But one was a penalty. It's currently not enough for Paraguay to go through, but they'll be hopeful of a Spanish comeback. Or alternatively, two more goals sees them overtake Spain.
ESPvSEN (57 mins): The second half continues as the first one ended, with not much happening. But then Spain get a free kick, José Gaya crosses for Vinícius to flick on, and David Alaba fires it into the bottom corner! Not the most obvious way for Spain to equalise, but equalise they have! Senegal are back in danger now...
PARvPOL (63 mins): It remains a very stilted game here. Paraguay create a couple of openings with simple balls for Walter González to run onto, but Poland's defence is able to get back and make the necessary blocks.
ESPvSEN (69 mins): Spain get a free kick in a similar position to the previous one. This time Toni Kroos clips it to his midfield partner Luka Modric. He's allowed to turn, and again it's put past Diallo at his near post! Spain have completed the turnaround, now what do Senegal do? As it stands, they remain ahead of Paraguay on goals scored.
PARvPOL (72 mins): Poland have barely created a jot this match to be honest. Paraguay would love Spain to score a third, meaning they don't need a second. Currently they're happy to hold onto their lead, but if no Spanish goal is forthcoming, they'll need to attack too. Surely this game will come to life eventually?
PARvPOL (83 mins): Aquino is withdrawn for the more defensive Robert Piris da Motta, but the substitute shows he can be a creative force too, as he dribbles into space and plays a lovely ball through for González. He's too fast for Salamon, he goes to the side of Kuciak and fires it home! Paraguay are in the qualification spots, but a goal from either Senegal or Poland will change that...
ESPvSEN (90+4 mins): After going ahead, Spain have held back a bit, and just kept the ball. Senegal just don't the ability to win the ball and put Spain under pressure. And so it's a stalemate, and we glide to the final whistle. Spain are through, Senegal are going out... but I'm hearing there's some news in the other game?
PARvPOL (90+4 mins): Yes, thanks Me, there is! Poland have been raising the tempo slightly, with a Laurent Koscielny header their best chance. But in added time sub Pedro Tiba slips a ball through for Mikael Ishak. He's not quick enough however, and when he shoots Williams Riveros is there to make the block. Ishak gets to the rebound, plays it to López. He shoots, Martín Silva takes but it looks set to drop to another Polish sub, Dawid Kownacki, on the line. But he goes down instead under the challenge of Saúl Salcedo and the referee points to the spot! Obviously you don't go down there if you're not fouled, and VAR agrees!
Astonishingly, there's no punishment for Salcedo. Kownacki gets up to take the kick. It's too late for Poland, but can he scupper Paraguay's chances? His body language reads anxious... he drills it down the middle, Silva holds his ground and parries it! Kownacki gets to the rebound but it's an impossible angle and he can only hit the post! The final whistle goes just a couple of seconds later, and Paraguay are indeed through to the second round in the most thrilling way!
Astonishingly, there's no punishment for Salcedo. Kownacki gets up to take the kick. It's too late for Poland, but can he scupper Paraguay's chances? His body language reads anxious... he drills it down the middle, Silva holds his ground and parries it! Kownacki gets to the rebound but it's an impossible angle and he can only hit the post! The final whistle goes just a couple of seconds later, and Paraguay are indeed through to the second round in the most thrilling way!
Post-match: Spain 2-1 Senegal
Player of the match: Luka Modric (ESP)
You know what, Senegal are very unlucky in this game, let alone in the group overall. They focus on set pieces and duly scored one, then restricted Spain to under 1 xG. There's many multiverses where Senegal hold on. But as it is, they are out by the narrowest margins.
Player of the match: Luka Modric (ESP)
You know what, Senegal are very unlucky in this game, let alone in the group overall. They focus on set pieces and duly scored one, then restricted Spain to under 1 xG. There's many multiverses where Senegal hold on. But as it is, they are out by the narrowest margins.
Post-match: Paraguay 2-0 Poland
Player of the match: Martín Silva (PAR)
I told you this would eventually come to life. Poland deserved the nothing they got from this match, but Paraguay are lucky to get through. I guess they missed out on a debut DWC last year in a way that was so unlucky it lead to a rule change this year, so they were due a stroke of luck. But bloody hell.
Player of the match: Martín Silva (PAR)
I told you this would eventually come to life. Poland deserved the nothing they got from this match, but Paraguay are lucky to get through. I guess they missed out on a debut DWC last year in a way that was so unlucky it lead to a rule change this year, so they were due a stroke of luck. But bloody hell.
To be clear, had that penalty or its rebound gone in, then Senegal and Paraguay would have been exactly tied. Head-to-head is not a factor, so it would have been the drawing of lots! That eventuality has still yet to occur, but we've been getting closer and closer, and it feels like it'll happen one of these days. Remember, in the last proper World Cup Senegal themselves missed out on the number of yellow cards received.
Group F
Speaking of the drawing of lots, it's very much a possibility in this group, as everyone has beaten Jamaica but drawn between themselves:
Should Scotland and Switzerland draw and Argentina win, then there's every chance the South Americans will end with an identical record to one of the two European teams. A draw is all Scotland need to go through, although a win guarantees they avoid Spain. Switzerland and Argentina both need wins to be certain of going through.
Team news: Argentina vs Jamaica
Julián Álvarez has failed to impose himself on either game so far, and so the more physical Darío Benedetto takes his place. Argentina also bring in Mateo Musacchio, Milton Casco and Agustín Palavecino in, largely in an effort to make the team more attacking. Lanca Laing is suspended for Jamaica, so Leonard Rankine comes in as the side shifts formation to 4-1-3-2.
Team news: Argentina vs Jamaica
Julián Álvarez has failed to impose himself on either game so far, and so the more physical Darío Benedetto takes his place. Argentina also bring in Mateo Musacchio, Milton Casco and Agustín Palavecino in, largely in an effort to make the team more attacking. Lanca Laing is suspended for Jamaica, so Leonard Rankine comes in as the side shifts formation to 4-1-3-2.
Team news: Scotland vs Switzerland
Scotland are missing just one player, but it's their best one - draft star Kieran Tierney. Borna Barisic replaces him. Christian Fassnacht, two-goal hero against Jamaica, is available for Switzerland again, and so he comes back into the side for Jordan Siebatcheu.
Scotland are missing just one player, but it's their best one - draft star Kieran Tierney. Borna Barisic replaces him. Christian Fassnacht, two-goal hero against Jamaica, is available for Switzerland again, and so he comes back into the side for Jordan Siebatcheu.
SCOvSUI (2 mins): Scotland scored after barely any time had elapsed against Jamaica, and they're nearly at it again. It was Aaron Ramsey who scored then, and in the first minute here he tries to turn Barisic's shot at goal, only for it to be blocked. A minute later and Alfredo Morelos has a sight of goal too, but he fires at Heinz Lindler from a tough angle.
SCOvSUI (10 mins): This match continues to be lively. Fassnacht continues where he left off with a far post header held by Craig Gordon, whilst Callum McGregor has a long shot tipped wide by Lindler, and Filip Helander clips the crossbar from the resulting corner.
ARGvJAM (13 mins): Argentina should have scored almost immediately as Benedetto got through one-on-one, but blazed well over. He also fired a further chance over, as did Ezequiel Barco.
SCOvSUI (20 mins): That Fassnacht header remains Switzerland's only shot, whilst Scotland continue to rack up chances, with some very fluid play proving very hard to contain. And they eventually get their reward when Barisic's corner is headed home by Connor Goldson!
ARGvJAM (35 mins): If Switzerland can't find a way back, they're banking on Jamaica holding out against Argentina, and so far they are doing exactly that. They even go close at the other end, as Jamoi Topey heads just over from a free kick.
SCOvSUI (38 mins): After scoring Scotland have slowed down a bit, but Switzerland still are unable to create anything. And it could well have been two when Ramsey slips it through to Jota, but he shoots straight at Lindler. It doesn't matter though, as Scotland score from the corner again! This time Barisic picks out Helander, whose header squeezes past Numa Lavanchy on the line! Two-nil!
ARGvJAM (42 mins): Jamaica are beginning to look more confident - I guess not going behind immediately does that for you. They build a good move, passing it around in Argentina's half with their midfield quad working well together. Vishinul Harris plays it up to Jerome Sinclair who lays it off to Leon Bailey. He shoots from the edge of the box and finds the bottom corner! However the flag is immediately up. VAR has a look... and deems the goal legal! Jamaica lead!
SCOvSUI (45 mins): Switzerland's second shot is also a Fassnacht far post header. It really has been a game of headers, because Scotland then score their third headed goal! Again, it's a set piece. It's a free kick this time, and again Barisic puts in a pinpoint cross towards his centre backs. Helander meets it, and it loops over Lindler and in! Surely it's game over now?
ARGvJAM (half time): The last action of the half is an Argentine corner, which Benedetto heads over. It's been a really solid performance from Jamaica, even if they've rode their luck a little bit with some sloppy finishing from their opponents. Did Argentina come into this too complacent about victory?
SCOvSUI (half time): Switzerland are an absolute mess. If Argentina do turn this round, they need four goals in the second half, and they've mustered three shots so far. Scotland replace James Tavernier with Cameron Carter-Vickers, moving Goldson to RB where he can combat Fassnacht in the air. And Switzerland take off Fabian Lustenberger for Siebatcheu as they move to a 4-2-4 formation.
ARGvJAM (50 mins): Argentina have a free kick out wide, but the cross is cleared. They come again, and Marcos Rojo has it out wide. He shows all the skills that made Manchester United think he was a left back by wriggling past Danny Simpson and blasting a low cross across goal to give Ángel Correa the easiest of tap-ins! Just the start to the half Argentina wanted!
ARGvJAM (57 mins): From a corner Benedetto gets a strong header on the cross, but Amal Knight gets a hand to it, enough to tip it onto the bar. It's cleared, but Argentina come again. Milton Casco fires in a low cross, Benedetto gets to it but Andre Wisdom and Knight smother the shot. Alas, it squirts to the far post where Barco is unmarked and rolls it into the empty goal! Argentina are finally ahead and into the qualification spots!
SCOvSUI (70 mins): It's an exciting opening to the half, with Lindler nearly spilling a cross straight to Alfredo Morelos, and Moumi Ngamaleu going on a solo run and drawing a save from Gordon. But after that it all dies down. But eventually, Remo Freuler picks out Siebatcheu on the edge of the box, and he curls a fantastic shot past Gordon and in! Is there hope yet? Even if Argentina score another one, then 3-3 will be enough for Switzerland to go through.
SCOvSUI (76 mins): For their efforts in getting a goal back, Swiss hearts may have sunk when Scotland get a corner, and Barisic swings it in towards Helander again. But he doesn't reach it... but only because he's been pushed! It's a Scottish penalty, and despite Jim Donnelly calling for Barisic to take it, Helander is given the chance to be the first CB to score a DWC hat trick... he goes to his left, but so does Lindler and it's a great save! Hard to blame Helander there, it was a well-struck kick!
ARGvJAM (88 mins): Jamaica continue to defend manfully, as Argentina try and kill the game off. With Switzerland running out of time, it looks like 2-1 will be enough for Argentina. But with time running out, Jamaica get upfield thanks to some dogged work by Jerome Sinclair - who has put in a real shift today, being asked to drop into midfield and hassle Argentina. Harris gets the ball outside the Argentine box and quickly turns and plays it to Bailey. He runs into the box and blasts a great shot past Gabriel Arias and in! This time, the lino gives the goal, but VAR still has a look... and again it overrules the referee! To be fair, Bailey was miles offside, I don't now how they missed that. Relief for Argentina, and disappointment for Switzerland.
SCOvSUI (90+3 mins): Despite going all-out, Switzerland are just bereft of ideas, and Scotland deal with anything they can muster very well. And so we reach the final whistle, confirming Scotland's qualification! Switzerland look out, but will they be bailed (Baileyed?) out?
ARGvJAM (90+5 mins): Sadly for Switzerland, no. Jamaica don't muster anything else and there's no further late drama.
Post match: Scotland 3-1 Switzerland
Player of the match: Borna Barisic (SCO)
A thoroughly deserved Scottish win, and a thoroughly deserved Swiss defeat. Even beyond the set piece bombardment, Scotland created plenty of other chances. There appears to be a glitch on the xG graph below, as it misses out Scotland's penalty. Therefore, the actual xG tally was 2.53 to 0.89.
Player of the match: Borna Barisic (SCO)
A thoroughly deserved Scottish win, and a thoroughly deserved Swiss defeat. Even beyond the set piece bombardment, Scotland created plenty of other chances. There appears to be a glitch on the xG graph below, as it misses out Scotland's penalty. Therefore, the actual xG tally was 2.53 to 0.89.
Post-match: Argentina 2-1 Jamaica
Player of the match: Ezequiel Barco (ARG)
Jamaica, aided by their star draft player, nearly pulled off a textbook underdog performance. But by the numbers, they were lucky to be in the game, as Argentina did their job perfectly well. So again, it's no points for Jamaica, but that was the kind of performance they'd been trying to execute and they can hold their heads up high.
Player of the match: Ezequiel Barco (ARG)
Jamaica, aided by their star draft player, nearly pulled off a textbook underdog performance. But by the numbers, they were lucky to be in the game, as Argentina did their job perfectly well. So again, it's no points for Jamaica, but that was the kind of performance they'd been trying to execute and they can hold their heads up high.
So here is the final table. Scotland deservedly win the group - they've been excellent in all three games - and Argentina scrape in second, just avoiding a hat trick of draws:
That's both groups today where it looked like a late goal had changed the fate of the group, only for it not to be! These final group games have been superb for late drama. Going into the next round Scotland and Paraguay will face each other, a draw both teams will see as winnable. Meanwhile, we'll have another clash between two top seeds, as Spain will have to face Argentina.
Will the final two groups provide us with more drama? They are both tantalisingly poised, so we'll find out next time!
Will the final two groups provide us with more drama? They are both tantalisingly poised, so we'll find out next time!