Following the 2-2 draw between Japan and Senegal and Colombia’s 3-0 win over Poland, the Colombians control their own World Cup destiny. If Los Cafeteros win their final group stage match, they’re in the World Cup knockout stage. It’s that simple. If they draw, things get complicated. They can’t afford a loss.
How can Colombia qualify for the knockout round?
Colombia is through to the knockout round with a win in its next match. A draw is more complicated.
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
First, here’s the Group H table after two rounds of play.
Japan — 4 points, +1 GD
Senegal — 4 points, +1 GD
Colombia — 3 points, +2 GD
Poland — 0 points, -4 GD
Colombia plays Senegal on the final day, while Poland plays Japan. Here are the scenarios.
If Colombia beats Senegal
- They advance. Simple.
If Colombia draws Senegal
- They need Poland to beat Japan by any score. With a draw or Japan win, they’d be out.
If Colombia loses to Senegal
- They’re out.
Coming into the day, it looked like there were going to be a lot of weird scenarios at play on the final day. But thanks to Colombia’s three-goal win over Poland, it’s a lot more simple now.
In the event that the group ends with teams even on both points and goal differential — which is looking pretty likely! — it goes to all the other tiebreakers, which you can read about in our handy tiebreaker guide.
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