How to advance? A draw could be enough for Argentina. Saudi Arabia needs to win

David Pávek

Argentina has a clear pathway to the round of 16Profimedia

Argentina, Denmark, Poland, but also Saudi Arabia and Tunisia. All of them will be fighting for a place in the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar on Wednesday. For example, Messi and co. will be sent through with a win, but under certain circumstances a draw may be enough.

What is the mathematics of Wednesday's championship programme according to whowillqualify.com?

GROUP C

Poland will advance if it...

does not lose to Argentina,

loses to Argentina and, if Mexico wins, has a better score than Mexico. If it is the same, the number of goals scored or far play points will decide.

Loses to Argentina by a maximum of two goals and if Mexico draws with Saudi Arabia, will have a better score than Saudi Arabia.

Argentina will advance if it...

beats Poland,

draws with Poland and Mexico draws with Saudi Arabia,

draws with Poland, Mexico wins against Saudi Arabia and Argentina has a better score.

Saudi Arabia advances if it...

wins against Mexico,

draws with Mexico and Poland beats Argentina,

draws with Mexico, Argentina beats Poland and the Saudis have a better score than Poland.

Mexico advances if it...

wins against Saudi Arabia and Poland beats Argentina,

wins against Saudi Arabia, Poland draws with Argentina and Mexico has a better score than Argentina,

wins against Saudi Arabia, Argentina beats Poland and Mexico has a better score than Poland.

GROUP D

France is already assured of qualification.

Tunisia will advance if it...

wins against France and Australia draws with Denmark.

wins against France, but if Denmark wins, it will have a better score.

wins against France, but if Denmark wins and the score is the same, they will have more goals scored or fair play points.

Denmark will advance if it...

wins against Australia and Tunisia doesn't beat France,

wins against Australia and has a better score if Tunisia wins against France.

wins against Australia and will have more goals scored or fair play points if Tunisia wins against France and the score is identical.

Australia will advance if it...

wins against Denmark,

draws with Denmark and Tunisia fails to beat France,

draws with Denmark and has a better score than Tunisia if Tunisia wins.

Note: In the event of a tie, FIFA regulations state that 1) the goal difference, 2) the higher number of goals scored, 3) the result of their group match (in the case of more than one team, the points from all their matches), 4) fair play (number of yellow and red cards, etc.), 5) the draw.

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FootballWorld ChampionshipArgentinaPolandMexicoSaudi ArabiaDenmarkAustraliaTunisia