These final group games have just been incredible. Just last time we had a late penalty that was missed, which otherwise would have seen Paraguay & Senegal face lot-drawing, and a late disallowed goal that nearly saw Jamaica knock out Argentina and send Switzerland through. This is how the groups do look:
So we're down to the final two, and there's no reason we're not going to see more fireworks. Of the eight teams, only Cameroon's fate is known, as they can't qualify. So let's see who completes our line-up!
Group G
Arguably, the most stunning result of this DWC was Vietnam coming back to draw 1-1 with Turkey. However, Turkey had started with a minor upset of their own as they beat Ukraine to take command of the group. So it's all a bit messy and no team has been flawless.
Turkey and Ukraine will go through just with a draw, whilst Canada need a win to guarantee progression - for Vietnam's they need a win and other results to suit them.
Team news: Ukraine vs Vietnam
Ukraine kept faith with the XI that lost against Turkey, and they rewarded Dmytro Kosenko with a win over Canada - the same players start again. Similarly, Vietnam keep the team that put in a great performance against Turkey.
Team news: Ukraine vs Vietnam
Ukraine kept faith with the XI that lost against Turkey, and they rewarded Dmytro Kosenko with a win over Canada - the same players start again. Similarly, Vietnam keep the team that put in a great performance against Turkey.
Team news: Turkey vs Canada
Hakan Calhanoglu is suspended after two yellows in two matches. Souza comes in, as Turkey change to a 4-3-3 formation looking for the point needed for qualification. Canada are also missing a player through suspension - Florian Jungwirth - but worse, they are without Ryan Gauld, whose sprained ankle ligaments will see him miss the rest of the tournament. Tristan Blackmon and Caio Alexandre come in as Canada move to a 4-3-1-2 shape.
Hakan Calhanoglu is suspended after two yellows in two matches. Souza comes in, as Turkey change to a 4-3-3 formation looking for the point needed for qualification. Canada are also missing a player through suspension - Florian Jungwirth - but worse, they are without Ryan Gauld, whose sprained ankle ligaments will see him miss the rest of the tournament. Tristan Blackmon and Caio Alexandre come in as Canada move to a 4-3-1-2 shape.
UKRvVIE (2 mins): Vietnam kick off, and they win a throw in high up the pitch. Duro Zec chips the ball crossfield, Zé Paulo gets to it first to nod it to Joseph Cox, who lets fly from the edge of the box, forcing Heorhiy Bushchan into a good save. Rafaelson get to the rebound first, but the angle is tight and Bushchan is there again. An immediate notice for Ukraine that Vietnam aren't going to be pushovers!
UKRvVIE (9 mins): Ukraine respond strongly. Artem Dovbyk hits the bar with a header from a corner, with Oleksandr Zinchenko firing over just after. Manor Solomon also has an effort whiz just over a few minutes later.
TURvCAN (25 mins): Nothing has happened so far, bar a single blocked Lucas Cavallini shot.
UKRvVIE (29 mins): After that exciting start it's died down here. Zec has a hopeful 35-yard free kick easily held by Bushchan, followed by efforts from Dovbyk and Zinchenko that are comfortably wide.
TURvCAN (38 mins): It takes this long for Turkey to have their first shot of the game, and it's one they should score - a great cross from Lucas Lima is met by Bafétimbi Gomis at the near post, but his header is too close to Alex Bono who makes a good reaction save!
UKRvVIE (half time): We reach the break scoreless. A curious game, it's been pretty even. Ukraine mustering a few more shots but Vietnam are giving them food for thought at the other end.
TURvCAN (half time): On the stroke of half time Cavallini has a shot from the edge of the box that is just wide. So this game is also scoreless, which I guess is fine for Turkey.
TURvCAN (62 mins): It's more of the same. The only highlights from this half so far is another blocked Cavallini shot and a Gomis header that sailed safely over the bar. Can Canada do anything to mix things up?
UKRvVIE (75 mins): This is also a really poor game, with neither team able to get anywhere near the opposition goal. Ukraine bring on David Neres and Ismaily to see if they can change the game, and they nearly do - Ismaily's cross is met by Neres but his header is well over.
UKRvVIE (80 mins): Ukraine are slowly building a bit of pressure. Neres continues to look the brightest attacker, with a fine run into the box capped with a shot curled over Filip Nguyen but onto the bar.
TURvCAN (82 mins): Sigh. Canada at least are trying to win this, as they sacrifice their full backs and go with a 3-4-1-2 formation.
UKRvVIE (88 mins): It's a strange dynamic, as a draw is another outstanding result for Vietnam and an embarrassment for Ukraine, but ultimately it's Vietnam who need to score to go through. Ukraine are trying to break the deadlock, but they continue to hit a brick wall. Or to be accurate, head just over it repeatedly. What Ukraine's intent is doing is stopping Vietnam from building any sort of attack themselves.
UKRvVIE (90+3 mins): And that's it. A weird non-game, where Vietnam held out Ukraine but couldn't seriously threaten at the other end. It's enough for Ukraine but it's not impressive and it will encourage whoever they meet in the next round.
TURvCAN (90+4 mins): Canada still can't make anything happen. But they are given a free kick just on the corner of the box in added time. Romell Quioto's cross is glanced at goal by Erik Godoy, but Urugcan Cakir gets down low to make a stunning save! Bono comes up for the corner, Jonathan David has a shot blocked and it's all over!
Post-match: Ukraine 0-0 Vietnam
Player of the match: Filip Nguyen (VIE)
20 shots is a good total, but absolutely none of them were from clear chances. Vietnam might be disappointed that they weren't able to exploit Ukraine's attacking tactics, but ultimately it's a fantastic tournament for the lowest-ever ranked team at the DWC.
Player of the match: Filip Nguyen (VIE)
20 shots is a good total, but absolutely none of them were from clear chances. Vietnam might be disappointed that they weren't able to exploit Ukraine's attacking tactics, but ultimately it's a fantastic tournament for the lowest-ever ranked team at the DWC.
Post-match: Turkey 0-0 Canada
Player of the match: Alejandro Pozuelo (CAN)
Well at least we had that Ugurcan save at the end to be interested in, because otherwise this match was a big ol' pile of [fart noise, thumbs down gesture]. After a lovely performance in beating Ukraine, that's two very weak performances from Turkey, who somehow still win the group.
Player of the match: Alejandro Pozuelo (CAN)
Well at least we had that Ugurcan save at the end to be interested in, because otherwise this match was a big ol' pile of [fart noise, thumbs down gesture]. After a lovely performance in beating Ukraine, that's two very weak performances from Turkey, who somehow still win the group.
Retrospectively, I'm calling this the Group of Life, as the finish line was there for all four teams yet no-one seemed to want to cross it. Ultimately, the two favourites progress.
Group H
Surely this group will deliver? All of Brazil, Mexico and Denmark have impressed at times, but only two of them can go through:
Brazil should be fine - as long as they avoid defeat to Cameroon they'll be guaranteed to go through - even a defeat might not eliminate them. Which means the key match is Mexico vs Denmark. The European side need a win, whereas a draw will be enough for their opponents.
Team news: Brazil vs Cameroon
David Luiz is available again, and so he returns for Edenílson. Cameroon bring Jean-Marie Dongou in for Benjamin Moukandjo.
Team news: Brazil vs Cameroon
David Luiz is available again, and so he returns for Edenílson. Cameroon bring Jean-Marie Dongou in for Benjamin Moukandjo.
Team news: Denmark vs Mexico
After strong performances last time against Cameroon and Brazil respectively, neither team makes a change.
After strong performances last time against Cameroon and Brazil respectively, neither team makes a change.
BRAvCMR (1 min): It's nearly an immediate impact from the returning Luiz, as his header from a corner looks a certain goal, but for a foot stuck out by Mamoudou Hassana on the line!
BRAvCMR (9 mins): Cameroon have a throw high on the right. Hassana throws to Dongou and gets it back. His high cross catches Fágner ball-watching, and Franck Ohandza is behind him to head in! Cameroon have their first DWC goal, and furthermore it's knocked Brazil out of the qualification spots!
DENvMEX (13 mins): With both sides looking to play high-tempo attacking football, it's unsurprisingly a lively start. Ángel Mena shows his abilities with a nice dribble and a long shot that clips the top of the bar, and Guido Pizarro has a header held, as Mexico show slightly more incision.
BRAvCMR (17 mins): Hoping to make amends, Fágner goes on a marauding run down the right. He chooses to pass inside to Hulk, who goes down when Petrus Boumal makes a challenge, and the referee sides with the Brazilian - penalty! VAR agrees with the ref, and Gabriel Barbosa has the chance to level from the spot... which he does, firing into the bottom left corner!
BRAvCMR (21 mins): As Brazil attack again, Guilherme Arana has the ball on the edge of the Cameroon box. The referee deems him to be fouled by Dongou, but it's not clear if the foul was inside or outside the box. VAR has a look... and says it was inside the box! Brazil and Gabriel have their second penalty... he goes to his right this time, this time Apoula Edel guesses correctly but he can't get enough on it to stop it going in! Very handy for Brazil to get two penalties to help them get out of a sticky situation.
DENvMEX (24 mins): Mexico continue to edge this game, and when Florian Thauvin's pass exposes a poor offside trap from Denmark it puts André-Pierre Gignac clean through on goal, and the veteran striker makes no mistake, sliding it past Johnsson for a Mexican lead!
BRAvCMR (28 mins): Brazil are full of confidence now. Paulinho has a shot well saved by Edel, and following a succession of corners Thiago Silva hits the outside of the post with a low shot.
DENvMEX (half time): Mexico look very comfortable. As Denmark manage a few shots, none of them are on target. Denmark have a further blow as Evander has a thigh strain. He is replaced by Magnus Kofod at the break.
BRAvCMR (half time): Brazil continue to move the ball silkily around the pitch. Luiz has a long shot just over, whilst Gabriel is denied a hat trick by a good Edel stop. Cameroon are occasionally able to get into good positions but can't find the crucial pass. It's been a good game, although those two penalties are likely to ultimately be decisive.
BRAvCMR (57 mins): It's been a quieter start to the second half, with the first chance of any note a long Paulinho effort that flies wide. Brazil start thinking about replacing players to protect them from potential suspensions.
DENvMEX (59 mins): Denmark continue to fail in their attempt to trouble Esteban Andrada, but Mexico do suffer a blow. And it's a big one, their star player Thauvin is forced off injured. Ángel Romero comes on.
DENvMEX (62 mins): After a Danish free kick is dealt with, Mexico go on the attack. Romero finds Gignac with a low cross, but he can't get a shot away. And in fact, he goes down, and the referee points to the spot! Davit Khocholava was deemed to have pushed Gignac over, and it's the Frenchman who is to take the kick himself. Johnsson goes the right way, but the kick is right in the corner and Mexico lead by two!
BRAvCMR (68 mins): It remains all Brazil. And the game is surely killed off when Hulk picks up a loose ball, turns around Boumal and belts a low shot in the far bottom corner! What a wonderful strike!
DENvMEX (69 mins): It's virtually game over here, Denmark need something ASAP. And they get it - a pinpoint pass from Rasmus Falk picks out Pione Sisto running into the box, and his first-time shot nestles in the bottom corner! But VAR intervenes - Sisto was offside! It's a cruel blow for Denmark, and it that might be that now.
DENvMEX (70 mins): Barely 60 seconds after a goal is taken away from Denmark, one is scored against them. The ball breaks to Luis Romo, who has protected his defence excellently today, on the edge of the box and he dreamily curls it into the top corner!
DENvMEX (76 mins): It's absolutely not Denmark's day today. Nicolai Boilesen's cross hits the post, the rebound falls to Yussuf Poulsen, whose shot seems destined for the net only to hit Dória and ricochet into Andrada, who gathers the loose ball on the line!
DENvMEX (80 mins): Denmark have belatedly started playing their best stuff in this match, and some sharp passing sees Kofod combining with fellow sub Lucas Andersen. Andersen slips a ball in behind the defence and Poulsen gets to it to finish and pull one back!
BRAvCMR (90+4 mins): Brazil take their foot off the accelerator, Cameroon are a bit ragged by this point, and the game just fizzles out. Job done for Brazil, who played some gorgeous stuff there, even if they needed those penalties to get them going.
DENvMEX (90+5 mins): There's no real surge for a full Danish comeback, and Mexico comfortably see out the win!
Post-match: Brazil 3-1 Cameroon
Player of the match: Gabriel Barbosa (BRA)
Fears of a repeat of last year's embarrassment will have been raised when Cameroon took the lead, but ultimately Brazil are through. Cameroon will certainly look back at the two penalties and think they were fairly close to earning a first DWC point.
Player of the match: Gabriel Barbosa (BRA)
Fears of a repeat of last year's embarrassment will have been raised when Cameroon took the lead, but ultimately Brazil are through. Cameroon will certainly look back at the two penalties and think they were fairly close to earning a first DWC point.
Post-match: Denmark 1-3 Mexico
Player of the match: André-Pierre Gignac (MEX)
Just as with the Brazil game, Denmark can consider themselves unlucky to be on the losing side, but just as in that game they are punished for a poor start. The game was decided by the 7 minutes from the penalty to the third Mexican goal.
Player of the match: André-Pierre Gignac (MEX)
Just as with the Brazil game, Denmark can consider themselves unlucky to be on the losing side, but just as in that game they are punished for a poor start. The game was decided by the 7 minutes from the penalty to the third Mexican goal.
As you may have noticed, the lead in the group kept changing, with Poulsen's late goal enough to swing it Brazil's way. Mexico won't be too disappointed though, as they end a drought of 4 years since they made the DWC knockout rounds.
The quality in Group H was much higher than that in Group G, and both Brazil and Mexico will fancy their chances against Ukraine and Turkey respectively in the next round.
Anyway, that's the group stage concluded! 16 teams remain, and they go into the knockout rounds with dreams of glory. For some of the smaller teams, they have already achieved that by getting so far, but for the majority they will hope to be in for the long haul. Next time we will go through the first four knockout ties.
Anyway, that's the group stage concluded! 16 teams remain, and they go into the knockout rounds with dreams of glory. For some of the smaller teams, they have already achieved that by getting so far, but for the majority they will hope to be in for the long haul. Next time we will go through the first four knockout ties.