Whilst most of the group games have been completed in this year's Draft World Cup, we only know the identities of four teams that will be in the knockout stages, and four corresponding teams who have been eliminated:
For the remaining 24 teams, all their battling for points comes down to this, the final round of games. There's plenty of scope for drama and complicated permutations, which we'll cover on a group-by-group basis. So let's see what Groups A & B can deliver!
Group A
In the large part, the big dogs of the DWC world have had little worried, and this is epitomised by England, whose two wins have them qualified a game early:
Group A
In the large part, the big dogs of the DWC world have had little worried, and this is epitomised by England, whose two wins have them qualified a game early:
With Guatemala eliminated, this leaves Netherlands vs Algeria as a de facto knockout match. The Dutch are the ones who just need a draw, which gives them a big advantage.
Pre-match: England vs Guatemala
The only difficulty England have had so far is with their injury record, with Harry Kane and Rodri now joining Heung-Min Son on the treatment table. For this match there are wholesale changes, with only Bukayo Saka and Erling Haaland keeping their places. Guatemala make two changes, as Michel Rivera and Milciades Portillo comes in - no place for Wilfred Velásquez on his return from suspension.
Pre-match: England vs Guatemala
The only difficulty England have had so far is with their injury record, with Harry Kane and Rodri now joining Heung-Min Son on the treatment table. For this match there are wholesale changes, with only Bukayo Saka and Erling Haaland keeping their places. Guatemala make two changes, as Michel Rivera and Milciades Portillo comes in - no place for Wilfred Velásquez on his return from suspension.
Pre-match: Netherlands vs Algeria
A third match and a third shape for Netherlands, who replace Ibrahim Sangaré with Owen Wijndal as they look to double up on Algeria's Riyad Mahrez, whilst Yukinari Sugawara comes in for Lutsharel Geertriuda. Algeria are without the suspended Zakaria Draoui so Karim Azamoum starts, along with Chouaib Keddad who replaces Youcef Laouafi.
A third match and a third shape for Netherlands, who replace Ibrahim Sangaré with Owen Wijndal as they look to double up on Algeria's Riyad Mahrez, whilst Yukinari Sugawara comes in for Lutsharel Geertriuda. Algeria are without the suspended Zakaria Draoui so Karim Azamoum starts, along with Chouaib Keddad who replaces Youcef Laouafi.
Kick-off
NEDvALG (18 mins): With Algeria trying not to be too open, at least to begin with, it's a quiet start. Algeria get a half-decent chance at a free kick when it lands to Keddad, but his close-range volley is blocked over by his teammate Idriss Saadi.
NEDvALG (18 mins): With Algeria trying not to be too open, at least to begin with, it's a quiet start. Algeria get a half-decent chance at a free kick when it lands to Keddad, but his close-range volley is blocked over by his teammate Idriss Saadi.
ENGvGUA (26 mins): This match is even quieter, as England's new-look side struggles to gel and create anything beyond long-range pot shots. They do get one shot from close range as Raheem Sterling gets onto Haaland's flick-on, but he can't beat José Calderón from a tight angle.
NEDvALG (29 mins): Algeria have looked very solid in their own penalty area, with the only scare being a deflected Wijndal cross that hit the near post. But then they allow Netherlands too much space on the edge of the box, giving Gernot Trauner all the time he needs to shoot from the edge of the D, and he picks out the bottom corner! There's Netherlands' safety net!
NEDvALG (37 mins): Trauner nearly gets another with a close-range shot saved, and immediately after Dusan Tadic places one just over. Tadic then turns provider, as his free kick is headed just over by Steven Berghuis, as the Dutch turn the screw. But then out of nowhere Mahrez beats Trauner to a long ball from Mohamed Zemmamouche, and he heads it into the space vacated by the centre back for Saadi. He he fairly wide of goal, but his shot is very accurate and hits the post and goes in! Algeria level!
ENGvGUA (42 mins): With the result virtually irrelevant, England's main hope was to get through this match unscathed, but disaster strikes when Saka is forced off! They really are dropping like flies. Bernardo Silva comes on. There's no more action until the break.
NEDvALG (45+3 mins): There's a late scare for Algeria as Berghuis gets his head on another free kick, this time rattling the bar. But at the break Algeria remain within a goal of causing an upset.
Half time
Half time
NEDvALG (48 mins): No subs at the break, although Netherlands swap Memphis Depay and Tadic's positions. Algeria nearly start the half with the goal they need, as Mohamed Réda Halaimia's deep cross is met by Anayo Iwuala, but his header is agonisingly wide of the post.
ENGvGUA (52 mins): Finally England break the deadlock, in direct fashion. Reece James' long pass from just inside his half finds Haaland near the penalty spot and he blasts it past Calderón!
NEDvALG (70 mins): Netherlands start to look a little edgy, they would have hoped to have been safe by now. The substitutions start and Algeria's two combine to create a chance; Youcef Laouafi finds Abderrahmane Meziane in the box, but his shot is held by Walter Benítez. But it is a player who has been on the pitch the whole match who strikes the crucial blow - again Algeria are punished for failing to close down on the edge of their box, as Berghuis quickly turns and bends a wonderful shot into the top corner!
ENGvGUA (75 mins): Haaland's goal certainly didn't open the floodgates, as Guatemala continue to dig deep and keep the scoreline tight. England take Haaland off before he becomes their latest injury, although it means they have to bring Mo Salah on instead. But it's Bruno Fernandes who grabs his side's second goal. It's like the Dutch goals, he is given lots of space to fire from range, and it has enough to beat Calderón!
ENGvGUA (81 mins): Aymeric Laporte got one of those cop-out assists for Fernandes' goal for a simple sideways pass, but there's nothing unearned when he rises highest to head Andy Robertson's corner down and in for England's third!
ENGvGUA (90+3 mins): N'Golo Kanté shows some wonderful vision with a pass to pick out Chelsea teammate Sterling, who bends his shot around Calderón only to find the post. Despite no final flourish, it is job done for England, who now will wait to see the extent of their latest injury.
NEDvALG (90+5 mins): Netherlands are able to manage the game and largely deny Algeria the ball. Steven Bergwijn, off the bench, nearly adds a late third but Zemmamouche saves. Regardless, the Dutch see out the victory.
Final score: England 3-0 Guatemala
Player of the match: Aymeric Laporte (ENG)
Guatemala weren't terrible, and keeping the scoreline down to three is a reasonable achievement really. It could have been fewer in fact, as they really frustrated England in that first half. But they finally got a big chance for the big man up front, and from there it was plain sailing.
Player of the match: Aymeric Laporte (ENG)
Guatemala weren't terrible, and keeping the scoreline down to three is a reasonable achievement really. It could have been fewer in fact, as they really frustrated England in that first half. But they finally got a big chance for the big man up front, and from there it was plain sailing.
Final score: Netherlands 2-1 Algeria
Player of the match: Steven Berghuis (NED)
It was very even right up until Netherlands re-took the lead, at which point Algeria abandoned their defensive plan (as they had to) but couldn't plug the resulting gaps. As in previous matches Netherlands looked very good up until the final third, shown by the fact their goals were both long-range efforts.
Player of the match: Steven Berghuis (NED)
It was very even right up until Netherlands re-took the lead, at which point Algeria abandoned their defensive plan (as they had to) but couldn't plug the resulting gaps. As in previous matches Netherlands looked very good up until the final third, shown by the fact their goals were both long-range efforts.
Half the matches in Group A may have finished with a single goal between the teams, but ultimately it finishes with each team beating the sides ranked below them:
Group B
Like England, Italy won their opening two games. But because they face second-placed Japan, they are not mathematically through:
Like England, Italy won their opening two games. But because they face second-placed Japan, they are not mathematically through:
A draw would be enough for Italy to guarantee qualification and top spot. Venezuela need to better Japan's result, although if both lose then Czechia could be in the hunt depending on goal difference.
Pre-match: Italy vs Japan
Italy's only changes are to take out the two players a yellow away from suspension; Theo Hernández and Marcelo Brozovic are replaced by Federico Dimarco and Sandro Tonali. Speaking of suspensions, Japan are without their best two defenders: Takehiro Tomiyasu and Hiroki Sakai. Shinnosuke Hatanakta and Koki Anzai comes in.
Pre-match: Italy vs Japan
Italy's only changes are to take out the two players a yellow away from suspension; Theo Hernández and Marcelo Brozovic are replaced by Federico Dimarco and Sandro Tonali. Speaking of suspensions, Japan are without their best two defenders: Takehiro Tomiyasu and Hiroki Sakai. Shinnosuke Hatanakta and Koki Anzai comes in.
Pre-match: Czechia vs Venezuela
Czechia's debut tournament suffers yet another blow, as their draft star Patrik Schick is suspended after yellows in each of his first two games. Lukás Kalvach is also out for the same reason. Matej Vydra and David Pavelka are their replacements, whilst Marek Suchy and Ladislav Krejcí replace Asger Sorensen and Milan Havel. Venezuela for their part are without Edson Castillo, so Francisco Flores comes in.
Czechia's debut tournament suffers yet another blow, as their draft star Patrik Schick is suspended after yellows in each of his first two games. Lukás Kalvach is also out for the same reason. Matej Vydra and David Pavelka are their replacements, whilst Marek Suchy and Ladislav Krejcí replace Asger Sorensen and Milan Havel. Venezuela for their part are without Edson Castillo, so Francisco Flores comes in.
Kick off
ITAvJPN (5 mins): A draw might well be enough for Japan here, so their plan will be to keep things tight - they can go for a win later if they need to. Their plan was not to go down to 10 men within five minute, but that's what happens when Anzai marks his first start with a two-footed lunge on Rafael Leao! It also means David Moberg-Karlsson's game ends early as he is replaced by Yago Pikachu.
ITAvJPN (5 mins): A draw might well be enough for Japan here, so their plan will be to keep things tight - they can go for a win later if they need to. Their plan was not to go down to 10 men within five minute, but that's what happens when Anzai marks his first start with a two-footed lunge on Rafael Leao! It also means David Moberg-Karlsson's game ends early as he is replaced by Yago Pikachu.
CZEvVEN (12 mins): Francisco Flores takes three minutes to make an impact, as he heads a corner just over. Francisco Apaolaza does the same a few minutes later. And then from a free kick Carlos Rivero is left unmarked at the far post. His volley is saved but Apaolaza gets to the rebound and tees Rivero up for another go, and this it deflects off Suchy and in!
ITAvJPN (29 mins): Inevitably the red card means Italy control the match, but they can only carve out half-chances. Dimarco has a shot from the edge of the box saved, whilst Victor Osimhen heads over. But then just before the half hour mark the two combine to find the breakthrough; Dimarco's fizzing cross is flicked on by Osimhen at the near post and it bounces off the post and in!
ITAvJPN (33 mins): A weak clearance from Gotoku Sakai is picked up by Paulo Dybala. He dances away from two challenges, draws the defence out wide and fires a low cross into the centre where Sergej Milinkovic-Savic charges in to score Italy's second! It's all falling apart for Japan now!
CZEvVEN (45+2 mins): Despite needing a ton of goals to turn this around it's a miserable performance from Czechia. They are able to stop Venezuela creating chances as well, but that just leads to a very dull half. With Japan looking set to lose, it seems that only a Czech comeback will prevent Venezuela from making the knockout rounds.
Half time
Half time
ITAvJPN (46 mins): There are two notable changes at the break. Italy protect Osimhen by replacing him with Lautaro Martínez, whilst Andrés Iniesta's Japan career ends with him being hooked for Yuya Osako. Italy nearly strike immediately when Leao slides Dybala through, but his shot is parried by Mitchell Langerak.
ITAvJPN (57 mins): Dimarco again goes close with a free kick that Langarek has to fully extend to deny. But Italy don't have to wait long for their third, as Martínez plays in Dybala, who this time smartly curls his shot home!
ITAvJPN (59 mins): Out of nowhere, Japan have a penalty! A cross from Gotoku Sakai is easily caught by Mike Miagnan, but the referee saw a shove by Dimarco on Bryan Linssen! It's Yago Pikachu with the chance to score from the spot... and tucks it into the bottom corner! Pika pika!
CZEvVEN (61 mins): Czechia try and push up, moving to a 4-2-4, but it has little effect as they continue to blow little but hot air at Venezuela. And they eventually leave Ronaldo Rivas all the time in the world to wander upfield and slot a pass through to Yohandry Orozco. Suchy gets back to close him down, but Orozco pings it in the bottom corner! 2-0 now, and surely Venezuela are heading through now?
ITAvJPN (75 mins): Japan are level! Not on the scoresheet, sadly for them - but the match is now 10 vs 10 after Milan Skriniar needlessly - completely needlessly - launches into a terrible challenge on Osako! Surely this doesn't give Japan a route back into this?
CZEvVEN (76 mins): To their credit, Czechia have been putting Venezuela under quite a bit of pressure. Ladislav Krejcí twice has free kicks well saved by Yonatan Irrazábal, who also produces a great reaction stop to deny Srdan Plavsic.
ITAvJPN (85 mins): Japan have failed to turn their numerical equivalence into any chances, and Italy restore their three-goal lead when Giovanni Di Lorenzo's cross is deflected up in the air and perfectly into the path of Martínez for a simple finish!
CZEvVEN (90+4 mins): Peter Olayinka has a late header saved, but Czechia just cannot find a way back into the match, and a 2-0 final score is surely, surely enough for Venezuela!
ITAvJPN (90+4 mins): It is indeed enough - Japan would have needed three more goals to keep hold of second spot. But they can't prevent a defeat that felt inevitable since the fifth minute.
Final score: Italy 4-1 Japan
Player of the match: Paulo Dybala (ITA)
The perfect group stage for Italy after the horrors of the last two years. It's hard to say how this game would have gone without that early red card, but it's argue with the result when Italy scored more goals than Japan had shots.
Player of the match: Paulo Dybala (ITA)
The perfect group stage for Italy after the horrors of the last two years. It's hard to say how this game would have gone without that early red card, but it's argue with the result when Italy scored more goals than Japan had shots.
Final score: Czechia 0-2 Venezuela
Player of the match: Carlos Rivero (VEN)
The xG chart below shows a close match, but really Venezuela controlled the game after striking early on. They limited Czechia to less than 1xG even if their opponents created a few decent chances.
Player of the match: Carlos Rivero (VEN)
The xG chart below shows a close match, but really Venezuela controlled the game after striking early on. They limited Czechia to less than 1xG even if their opponents created a few decent chances.
So at the third time of asking, Venezuela are through to the knockout stages for the first time! A great moment for them, and they'll be joined by a somewhat relieved Italy:
So that's two groups sorted, and indeed two ties for the next round set. England will be heavy favourites against Venezuela despite their injury crisis, whilst Italy and Netherlands set up a tasty tie.
Ultimately neither group today went down to the wire, will Groups C & D deliver a little more drama?
Ultimately neither group today went down to the wire, will Groups C & D deliver a little more drama?