Messi Starts on Bench for Argentina's Final Group J Match as Jordan Exit World Cup

Q: In the direct showdown for qualification, will Algeria or Austria punch their ticket to the Round of 32?

Austria is in the stronger position, but both Algeria and Austria could still reach the Round of 32. Going into the final Group J match, both teams have three points. Austria sits second on goal difference and advances automatically with either a win or a draw against Algeria. Algeria needs a win to take the second automatic spot. If the match ends level, Austria would stay ahead in the group and qualify directly, while Algeria would almost certainly remain alive as one of the better third-placed teams. The broader tournament picture matters here: in the 48-team format, eight third-placed sides advance, and four points are effectively enough to go through. That makes a draw a very favorable result for both. So in the direct head-to-head, Austria controls its own path more comfortably because it can qualify with two results. Algeria’s route is narrower if it wants certainty, because only a win guarantees second place. Still, Algeria is not in a must-win situation for overall survival, since a draw would likely be enough to send it through as well. The short answer is that Austria is more likely to punch its ticket from this showdown, but the most plausible scenario for both teams advancing is a draw.

Q: Will World Cup winner Cannavaro guide debutant Uzbekistan to a historic win and a chance at the knockout stage?

Uzbekistan can still earn a historic first World Cup win, but its chances of reaching the knockout stage are extremely slim. Fabio Cannavaro is in charge of the tournament debutants, and the final Group K match against DR Congo is their last chance to avoid leaving without a point. Uzbekistan have lost both of their opening games and sit bottom of the group on zero points, with a damaging goal difference after defeats to Colombia and Portugal. That leaves them needing a win just to have any possibility of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams. The problem is that three points may not be enough. In the expanded 48-team format, eight third-placed teams go through, but goal difference is critical for teams stuck on three points. Uzbekistan’s heavy losses have left them in a very weak position compared with other third-placed sides already on stronger totals or better goal difference. Some projections put their chance of advancing at only around 1 percent. So Cannavaro can still guide Uzbekistan to a landmark result on the night, and that would be significant for a country making its World Cup debut after years of near-misses. But a win over DR Congo would likely only keep their hopes alive briefly rather than put qualification in their own hands. To reach the Round of 32, Uzbekistan would need both a victory and substantial help from results elsewhere.

3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jun 27

Lionel Messi was left on the bench for Argentina's last Group J game against Jordan, with Argentina closing out the World Cup group stage against an already-eliminated opponent.
Group J attention shifts to Algeria versus Austria, where the second automatic qualifying place — and possibly a third-place route — remains at stake.
The match comes on the final day of group-stage play, with several teams still chasing position: Portugal face Colombia for top spot in Group K, while England try to finish first in Group L.

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In the direct showdown for qualification, will Algeria or Austria punch their ticket to the Round of 32?

Can Ronaldo overcome a hostile Miami crowd to lead Portugal past group leaders Colombia for the top spot?

Will World Cup winner Cannavaro guide debutant Uzbekistan to a historic win and a chance at the knockout stage?

Messi Starts on Bench for Argentina's Final Group J Match as Jordan Exit World Cup

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