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Backheel Breakfast: Fun with Canada’s World Cup disaster scenarios
It’s very possible that Canada could finish third in their World Cup group. This tournament would suddenly get really fun.
Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Canada plays their final World Cup group stage game on Monday, and they’re going to be in some serious trouble if they lose to the Netherlands, which is an entirely plausible scenario. It would likely result in them dropping down to third place in Group A, which could have varying consequences depending on what happens in other groups.
The ultimate disaster scenario is that Canada doesn’t even make the knockout stages. This is not impossible, but highly unlikely. There will probably be two or more third place teams that do not match Canada’s four points.
But the realistic disaster scenarios? Well, those are bad enough. Depending on where they fall in the third place pecking order, Canada would face a Round of 16 match with either Germany or Japan.
Of course, if Canada wins, they have a simple path to the semifinal. The United States, Germany and France are all likely to be in the other half of the bracket, and their semi-opponent would probably be Japan or Brazil.
In the news
Check out this insane Jack Wilshere goal for England. (/r/soccer)
The Faroe Islands’ celebration after beating Greece was awesome. (Faroe Islands FA)
FIFA’s audit and compliance committee chairman had to remind Sepp Blatter he should go away.
Aston Villa are going to ask Jack Grealish if he was really passed out in the street in Tenerife. (BBC)
The Swiss attorney general will make a statement on their FIFA investigation on Wednesday. (Guardian)
Schalke have named Andre Breitenreiter as their new manager. (Bundesliga)
You should be reading
Various writers on six things we learned from Euro 2016 qualifiers. (Guardian)
Nick Ames on what we learned from AFCON qualifiers. (ESPN FC)
Vadim Furmanov on the power shift in Ukrainian football. (Futbolgrad)
Fun with transfer rumors
The section in which nothing should be taken seriously. It’s rumor season, so this section will be expanded, and as the summer rolls on, it will probably be bigger than the actual news section.
Roma want to replace Gervinho with Iago Falque. (Football Italia)
They could also sign Carlos Bacca. (Mail)
A new candidate to replace David De Gea has emerged: Jasper Cillessen. (Telegraph)
West Ham are after Charlie Austin ... but QPR want £15m. (Standard)
Everton are sniffing around Lukas Podolski. (Star)
Wolfsburg are after Mario Mandzukic. (AS)
Tom Huddlestone could find a new home at Aston Villa. (Mirror)
This weekend’s games
Brazil are your super early World Cup favorites.
Colombia beat France in the biggest women’s World Cup upset ever.
The Baby Yanks exited the U-20 World Cup on penalties. (Stars and Stripes FC)
Scotland held off Ireland in an important Euro qualifier.
Jamaica lost their Copa America opener, but Darren Mattocks impressed.
Greece lost to the Faroe Islands, but don’t celebrate just yet.
Costa Rica are loving playing spoiler at the World Cup.
Lionel Messi starred for Argentina, but he could have done more.
Colombia lost and need to stop accommodating Falcao.
Neymar set up a stoppage time Brazil winner with his best pass ever.
What to watch on Monday (click for listings, all times ET)
Ivory Coast vs. Norway (4 p.m.) - Utterly noncompetitive game No. 1.
Thailand vs. Germany (4 p.m.) - Utterly noncompetitive game No. 2.
Ecuador vs. Bolivia (5 p.m.) - Both teams will feel like they have to win.
Chile vs. Mexico (7:30 p.m.) - Mexico looked bad in their opener, and will probably lose.
Netherlands vs. Canada (7:30 p.m.) - Canucks will be biting their nails.
China vs. New Zealand (7:30 p.m.) - The Ferns have been good in their first two games, but only have one point. They need a win.
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