World Cup Group Stage Round Two: All to Play For

​With the second round of group stage coming to an end, it meant qualification for some teams and the end of the road for others. France, Germany, Italy, England, the Netherlands, Canada, Sweden, Japan and the United States have all advanced to the Round of 16 with one match left to play. The best four third-placed teams out of all the groups will also advance to the Round of 16.

​Any side to finish third in their group with four points or more are sure to move on, but for the third-place teams with three points or less will have a nervous scare after the group stage matches are completed. Even moving on as a third-place team will mean having to face a group winner in the last 16. The most exciting match coming from the second round was no doubt the comeback made by the Aussies against Brazil. Down 2-0 heading into the second half Australia surged with three unanswered goals to stun the Brazilians and snatch a win. Italy versus Jamaica was a very dull match, to say the least. With the Italians ending a 30-year drought by making it to the knockout phase, it was easily accomplished with a commanding 5-0 win over the Jamaicans.

​With the third and final stage of group matches approaching on Monday, there will be all to play for. Whether it’s for qualification into the next round or a placement for better seeding, the last round of group stage will for sure have everyone glued to their televisions.