Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images The second round of group-stage fixtures at the FIFA World Cup will be completed on Sunday, with the race to qualify from Group H in focus. After winning their opening matches, Japan and Senegal square off with a chance to take control of the group. Meanwhile, both Poland and Colombia's hopes are in the balance, as they lost their first outings and meet knowing another loss would surely send them home. Group G's second round of games is also rounded off on Sunday, as England look to join Belgium on six points at the top of the table. The Three Lions meet Panama, who are in search of their first World Cup goal and point. Sunday Fixtures (Time BST—group, match, prediction) 1 p.m.—Group G, England vs. Panama, 3-0 Video Play Button Videos you might like 4 p.m.—Group H, Japan vs. Senegal, 1-2 7 p.m.—Group H, Poland vs. Colombia, 1-3 Standings (Games played, goal difference, points) Group G 1. Belgium: 2, +6, 6 2. England: 1, +1, 3 3. Panama: 1, -3, 0 4. Tunisia: 2, -4, 0 Group H 1. Japan 1, +1, 3 2. Senegal 1, +1, 3 3. Poland 1, -1, 0 4. Colombia 1, -1, 0 Sunday Preview Matthias Hangst/Getty Images After watching Belgium swat aside Tunisia 5-2 on Saturday, England will be out to respond against Panama and pull level with the Red Devils at the top of Group G. The Three Lions' first match ended in dramatic fashion, as Harry Kane netted a stoppage-time winner against Tunisia. It was a performance of functionality rather than fluidity from Gareth Southgate's men, and he will be keen to see more in the final third against the minnows. With Kane, England do have the potential to do some damage in front of goal. As James Gheerbrant of the Times relayed, the Tottenham Hotspur man has been so potent this season: If England do click into gear in the final third, then you do worry for Panama; there is a clear chasm in class between the two outfits. The same cannot be said about either of the Group H matches, as this group is undoubtedly the most even of the eight in Russia. It's brilliantly poised too. JACK GUEZ/Getty Images Both Japan and Senegal had to dig deep to come through their opening matches against opponents who were arguably stronger player for player. The former benefitted from an early red card for Colombia, whereas the latter were much stronger against a Poland team way below their best. As 90min highlighted, Senegal appear to be making the most of their World Cup experience: Their mood will be improved further if they can get the better of Japan and move on to six points. A win for the Lions of Teranga or the Blue Samurai could put them into the knockout stages. Colombia, quarter-finalists four years ago, need to produce a performance against Poland if they are to replicate that effort. In their first game against Japan, they were without talisman James Rodriguez from the start because of injury. Per Kris Voakes of Goal, the Bayern Munich loanee will be ready for this one: Despite losing to Japan, Colombia can take some heart from the way they operated with 10 men for long spells. Meanwhile, there were few positives for Poland to cling on to from their encounter with Senegal, as they made sloppy errors at the back and struggled to get the most from attacking superstar Robert Lewandowski. If they don't improve, it's tough to see them overcoming Los Cafeteros.<doc-sep>As we enter the final matches of the group stage, here is how each group could shake out. The group stage of the 2018 World Cup has entered its final phase. With each team having played two matches, the outline of the knockout stage is coming into focus. As teams prepare to play their third matches of the group stage, we analyzed the advancement scenarios for every group. Some groups may come down to tiebreakers like goal differential or even fair play rules. For a complete breakdown of tiebreakers, click here. All times below ET. Group A Standings after two matches: Russia (6 points, +7 goal differential) Uruguay (6 points, +2) Egypt (0 points, -3) Saudi Arabia (0 points, -6) Russia and Uruguay have advanced. Egypt and SaudiArabia are eliminated. The final game between Uruguay and Russia will determine who wins the group; if the two teams draw, Russia will claim the top spot by virtue of their superior goal differential. Still to Play: Uruguay vs. Russia, June 25, 10 a.m. Egypt vs. Saudi Arabia, June 25, 10 a.m. UPDATE, Monday, Noon ET: Uruguay beat Russia 3–0 to win Group A; Russia qualified for the knockout stage in second place. Egypt and Saudi Arabia are eliminated. In Russia, a World Cup Surprise Party Celebration Group B Standings after two matches: Spain (4 points, +1) Portugal (4 points, +1) Iran (3 points, 0) Morocco (0 points, -2) Spain and Portugal lead the group with four points apiece, but Iran is just a point behind. If Iran defeats Portugal in its final game, it will advance. A draw would require Spain to lose by at least two goals for Iran to advance. The most likely scenario is that Portugal and Spain advance. Spain will advance with at least a draw against Morocco, and could potentially advance with a loss. Portugal will advance with a win or a draw. If Portugal beats Iran, then Spain is through no matter what. If both Portugal and Spain win, the winner of the group comes down to goal differential. Entering the final matchday, both teams are +1, so whichever team's margin of victory is higher would win Group B. If the goal differentials are identical, then it comes down to goals scored in group play—entering the final matchday, both teams are level. Morocco has been eliminated. Still to Play: Iran vs. Portugal, June 25, 2 p.m. Spain vs. Morocco, June 25, 2 p.m. UPDATE, Monday, 4 p.m. ET: Spain drew Morocco 2–2, and Iran drew Portugal 1–1. The result is that Spain and Portugal advance to the round of 16, with Spain winning the group. Spain Stable but Still Finding Footing at World Cup Under Band-Aid Manager Hierro Group C Standings after two matches: France (6 points, +2) Denmark (4 points, +1) Australia (1 point, -1) Peru (0 points, -2) With six points, France has clinched a spot in the knockout stage. Denmark holds a three-point lead over Australia, meaning a win or draw against France would put Denmark through. Australia still has a shot, though. Denmark holds a two-goal advantage over the Socceroos in goal differential, but the two teams have scored two goals each. If Australia wins and finishes with a better goal differential than Denmark, the Aussies advance. If they make up the goal differential but don’t swing the advantage to their side, they will need to score more goals against Peru than Denmark does against France, thus giving Australia the edge in goals scored. Peru is out no matter what. France will win the group with a win or draw. Still to Play: Denmark vs. France, June 26, 10 a.m. Australia vs. Peru, June 26, 10 a.m. Update, Tuesday Noon ET: France and Denmark advanced after drawing 0–0. Australia lost to Peru. Argentina Has Plenty of Blame to Go Around as Its World Cup Spirals Out of Control Group D Standings after two matches: Croatia (6 points, +5) Nigeria (3 points, 0) Iceland (1 point, -2) Argentina (1 point, -3) Croatia has clinched a spot in the knockout stage after victories over both Iceland and Argentina. They will win the group with either a win or a draw. As they currently lead Nigeria in goal differential by five goals, Croatia could lose and win the group as long as Nigeria either doesn’t win, or if Nigeria’s margin of victory plus Croatia’s margin of defeat doesn’t add to five or more. Nigeria enters its last game with three points—plus a goal differential two higher than Iceland—and needs a result to advance. Nigeria advances with a win, and could win the group as outlined above. They could advance with a draw if Iceland does not win by three or more goals. If Nigeria draws and Iceland wins by two goals, it would come down to goals scored, which Nigeria currently leads 2–1. If they have the same amount of goals scored, Nigeria would advance due to its head-to-head victory over Iceland. Iceland sits on one point entering the final match with group-leader Croatia. Iceland cannot win the group, but it's possible the country could advance with a win, although that hinges on the result of Nigeria–Argentina. If Iceland wins and Nigeria and Argentina draw, then Iceland would be tied with Nigeria on four points, and it would come to tiebreakers. If Iceland and Argentina both win, then they would be tied on points. Iceland currently has a one-goal advantage over Argentina in goal differential, so Iceland would advance as long as they win by the same or greater margin than Argentina. If Nigeria wins, than no matter the result of Iceland’s match, the World Cup's least populous country would be heading home. Despite sitting last in the group with just one point, Argentina has a clear path to the knockouts. Argentina will advance with a win over Nigeria, as long as Iceland either does not win, or wins by two fewer goals than Argentina does. If Argentina wins by one goal more than Iceland does (ex: Argentina wins 3-0 while Iceland wins 3-1), they would have the same goal differential. Both teams currently have the same number of goals scored, so whichever team scores more goals in this scenario would advance. If they are still tied after goals scored, because they drew in their head-to-head matchup the next tie breaker would be Fair Play Points—which comes down to yellow and red cards—and if they are tied in Fair Play points, the drawing of lots would determine which team advances. Still to Play: Nigeria vs. Argentina, June 26, 2 p.m. Croatia vs. Iceland, June 26, 2 p.m. Update, Tuesday 4 p.m. ET: Argentina beat Nigeria 2–1 to qualify for the knockout stage in second place, knocking out Nigeria. Iceland was eliminated after losing to Croatia 2–1. Croatia Meeting Its World Cup Potential As Chronic Chaos Subsides Group E Standings after two matches: Brazil (4 points, +2) Switzerland (4 points, +1) Serbia (3 points, 0) Costa Rica (0, -3) Brazil sits atop Group E with four points and a goal differential of +2, one higher than that of second place Switzerland. Brazil will advance with either a win or a draw. A Brazil loss, coupled either with Switzerland picking up points in their match or losing by a margin two goals less than Brazil does, is the only way for Brazil to be eliminated. Brazil will win the group with a win, as long as Switzerland does not win by more goals than Brazil does. Brazil also wins the group with a draw, as long as the Switzerland–Costa Rica game is a draw as well. Switzerland is currently in second in the group with four points and a +1 goal differential. Switzerland would advance with a win or a draw, as Brazil and Serbia cannot simultaneously reach five points. Switzerland could win the group with a win. It would require a Serbia victory; a Serbia and Brazil tie; or that Switzerland wins by two goals more than Brazil does. Switzerland would advance in second place with a loss if Brazil wins. A Switzerland loss by one goal, coupled with a Serbia-Brazil draw, would see Switzerland and Serbia each on four points with an even goal differential. Switzerland currently has one more goal scored than Serbia, and goals for is the next tiebreaker. If Switzerland and Brazil both win, with Switzerland winning by one goal more than Brazil does, the teams would be tied for first place in the group on goal differential. If both lose, with Switzerland losing by one goal less than Brazil does, they would be tied on goal differential for second place in the group. Both teams currently have three goals for, which is the next tiebreaker. If they also finish tied in goals for, then FIFA Fair Play points will be used as the tiebreaker. If they remain tied in Fair Play points, then lots will be drawn. Serbia currently has three points, one point behind both Brazil and Switzerland. Serbia would advance with a win, and would win the group with a win as long as Switzerland loses or draws. Serbia would advance in second place with a draw if Switzerland loses by at least two goals. If Serbia draws and Switzerland loses by one, the two teams would be tied on goal differential. Serbia currently has two goals scored compared to Switzerland’s three, and goals for is the next tiebreaker. Serbia would be eliminated with a loss, or a draw and a Switzerland win or draw. Costa Rica cannot reach the round of 16. Still to Play: Brazil vs. Serbia, June 27, 2 p.m. Switzerland vs. Costa Rica, June 27, 2 p.m. Update, Wednesday 4 p.m. ET: Brazil beat Serbia to win the group, while Switzerland drew Costa Rica and advanced to the knockout stage. Brazil Secures Its Win, but Neymar's Actions Remain a Lightning Rod Group F Standings after two matches: Mexico (6 points, +2) Germany (3 points, 0) Sweden (3 points, 0) South Korea (0 points, -2) Mexico currently has a three-point advantage at the top of Group F, but the team hasn't clinched a post in the knockout stage quite yet. They'll win the group by winning or drawing against Sweden in their final game. Mexico will also advance if Germany does not pick up all three points against South Korea. If Mexico loses to Sweden by more than one goal, Sweden will finish ahead of Mexico in the group, with Sweden winning the group and Mexico coming in second if Germany do not win against South Korea. If Mexico loses to Sweden, and Germany wins by at least two goals, then Germany and Sweden will advance on goal differential and head-to-head, respectively. Mexico will also be eliminated if they lose by multiple goals and Germany beats South Korea. Sweden is currently tied with Germany on three points and an equal goal differential. Sweden advances with a win, as a win means they will come out ahead of Mexico no matter what tiebreaker is used. They will win the group with a win as long as Germany does not also win. If both Sweden and Germany win, tiebreakers would be used to determine which wins the group. Sweden can advance in second with a draw, as long as Germany loses. If both Sweden and Germany draw, then whichever team scores more in their final match will advance. If they each draw with the same scoreline, Germany will advance in second due to the head-to-head victory over Sweden. If Sweden loses, they can still advance, but it would require Germany losing as well—and then it would come down to goal differential, with South Korea also in the mix. Germany will win the group with a multi-goal victory as long as Sweden wins. Germany will automatically advance with a win as long as Sweden and Mexico draw, or Sweden loses. If Germany and Sweden draw, goals for will be used as a tiebreaker; if that's not enough, Germany would advance on its win over Sweden. If Germany loses to South Korea, it can still advance as long as Sweden loses. If South Korea beats Germany by multiple goals, South Korea would advance on goal differential.<doc-sep>
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Group H confirmed its place as the 2018 FIFA World Cup's Group of Death on Monday, when the two teams much less fancied to advance, Japan and Senegal, won against Colombia and Poland, respectively. Form books went out of the window in Russia, as Senegal looked the better side by a surprising margin in their 2-1 victory over world No. 8 Poland. Japan, meanwhile, were slightly more fortunate to best 10-man Colombia by the same scoreline. The first batch of results flipped an already enticing Group H on its head. ESPN FC illustrated how the stakes have changed in the aftermath: The four teams return to play on Sunday to bring the second round of group fixtures to a close, with Poland and Colombia under pressure to bounce back when they face off at the Kazan Arena. Senegal are sitting pretty, but even a win over Japan wouldn't assure them of a spot in the round of 16. Everything is still to play for in Group H, more so than any other group at this summer's World Cup. Here we look ahead to the Group of Death's next instalment, complete with predictions and projected standings. Group H: Matchday 1 Results Video Play Button Videos you might like Colombia 1-2 Japan Poland 1-2 Senegal Group H: Matchday 2 Predictions Japan 0-2 Senegal, 8 p.m. local time/4 p.m. BST/11 a.m. ET Poland 1-3 Colombia, 9 p.m. local time/7 p.m. BST/2 p.m. ET Projected Group H Standings 1. Senegal: 6 (+3) 2. Colombia: 3 (+1) 3. Japan: 3 (-1) 4. Poland: 0 (-3) Senegal Set to Soar; Colombia Get Off the Mark With no outright heavyweight of international football therein, Group H was always bound to be close. But even those expecting a frantic fight to advance couldn't have predicted Japan's opening triumph over Jose Pekerman's Colombia. Star man James Rodriguez didn't start the clash, and Carlos Sanchez's concession of a penalty and sending off in the third minute didn't help matters, but Japan ran out deserved victors after a stern comeback attempt from Los Cafeteros. But the worst thing Colombia could do is feel all is lost in a group that's bound to throw up a few more surprises. Press Association data analyst Ben Mayhew showed they have still got the best chance of any Group H team to win the World Cup: That's not to say Colombia have the best shot at advancing from the group. Pekerman can still stabilise the ship with victory over Poland, and his side have reacted swiftly to try to correct their course, per The Independent: Poland were limp against Senegal and looked undeserving of their Pot 1 place, so given how encouraging Colombia were with 10 men for 87 minutes against Japan, a win for the South Americans looks plausible. In an odd turn of events, Sunday opponents Japan and Senegal—level on points, goals scored and goals conceded—look the favourites to go through. However, speaker Jonathan Hickman told of how that can all change once again: The Samurai Blue were somewhat fortunate that Sanchez stuck out an arm to earn himself a red card in their opener, but they're not guaranteed the same fortunate hand when they take on Senegal. Aliou Cisse's side were scintillating at times against Poland and can push past their peers as long as they don't get ahead of themselves. They were the only African nation to win in the first round of group games and are becoming a favourite of neutrals. Granted, Thiago Cionek's own-goal and M'Baye Niang's game-sealing strike each had a tint of luck, but this is a team that's lost only once in their past 11 matches, keeping clean sheets in six of those. With Kalidou Koulibaly marshalling at the back and the likes of Sadio Mane, Niang and Ismaila Sarr causing a stir further upfield, Senegal should take a second win from two games when they face Akira Nishino's Japan.