Group J, Group K, and Group L will be featured on Saturday as the group stage wraps up at the FIFA World Cup.
Let’s take a closer look at Saturday’s action and what’s at stake.
England try to secure top spot in Group L
England vs. Panama - 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT on TSN1/4, TSN.ca, and TSN App
England is looking to secure their place atop Group L. They are ahead of Ghana based on goal differential.
An England win, coupled with a Croatia win or draw against Ghana would mean England tops the group. England can still win Group L if they beat Panama and Ghana beats Croatia, though it would come down to goal differential.
After a convincing 4-2 win over Croatia in their opening match, England failed to capitalize on their opportunities in a goalless draw against Ghana.
England dominated possession against Ghana 78 per cent to 22 per cent. They outshot Ghana 19-2, including 4-1 in shots on target.
Reese James will not play against Panama. James appeared to injure his hamstring during England’s 0-0 draw against Ghana.
Declan Rice did not practice win England on Thursday. He left Boston Stadium with strapping on his left calf following the match.
Group L Standings
If England tops Group L, they will face the third-place team from one of Group E/I/J/K on July 1 at Atlanta stadium.
If England finishes second in Group L, they will face the runners-up from Group K, which would likely be either Colombia or Portugal, depending on the results of their Saturday match. That match would be played on July 2 at Toronto Stadium.
Panama has already been eliminated from knockout stage contention following losses to Ghana and Croatia.
Panama were minutes away from earning their first World Cup in their match against Ghana. Caleb Yirenkyi scored in stoppage time during the second half to give Ghana the 1-0 win.
Panama outshot Ghana 11-8, including 4-3 in shots on target. They held possession for 63 per cent of the game.
Panama held Croatia to a scoreless draw during the first half of their match. Ante Budimir scored in the 54th minute for Croatia, who won the 1-0.
This is Panama’s second appearance at the World Cup. They lost all three of their matches in their only other appearance in 2018.
Croatia vs. Ghana - 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT on TSN2, TSN.ca, and TSN App
Ghana would be guaranteed of a top-two finish in Group L with a draw against Croatia. Even with a loss, Ghana’s four points would likely be enough for them to advance to the knockout stage.
Ghana are one four countries who are yet to surrender a goal at the World Cup, along with Mexico, Spain, and Argentina.
Croatia rebounded from their loss against England in their opening match with a win over Panama. A win would secure their place in the knockout stage.
They would likely still advance with a draw, though it would depend on the results of other third-place teams. A loss would leave Croatia vulnerable to missing out on the knockout stage.
Croatia has had strong results in their previous two World Cup appearances. They were finalists in 2018 and finished third in 2022.
Portugal, Colombia fight for top spot in Group K
Colombia vs. Portugal - 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT on TSN1/4/5, TSN.ca, and TSN App
After a disappointing showing in Portugal’s first match against Congo DR, Cristiano Ronaldo bounced back against Uzbekistan.
Ronaldo scored the first of his two goals six minutes into the match a against Uzbekistan. In doing so, he became the first player to score at six different World Cups. He also snapped an 10-match goalless streak in major tournaments.
Ronaldo scored again in the 39th minute to become Portugal’s all-time leading goal scorer at the World Cup.
Ronaldo’s two goals helped Portugal to rebound from a 1-1 against Congo DR to beat Uzbekistan 5-0.
Ronaldo’s best result at the World Cup was in his debut with Portugal in 2006 when they finished fourth.
Group K Standings
Portugal needs to win to top Group K. A draw or loss would keep them second and set up a Round of 32 match against the second-place finisher in Group L.
The winner of Group K will face the best third-place finisher from Group D/E/I/J/L.
A draw would be enough for Colombia to top Group K. They have already secured their spot in the Round of 32 following wins in their first two matches against Congo DR and Uzbekistan.
Colombia locked up their place in the knockout stage with a 1-0 win against Congo DR. Daniel Muñoz broke a scoreless draw in the 76th minute. Muñoz also scored the opening goal for Colombia in their 3-1 win over Uzbekistan.
Colombia returned to the World Cup after not qualifying in 2022. The country’s best performance is a quarter-final appearance in 2014.
Congo DR vs. Uzbekistan - 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT on TSN2, TSN.ca, and TSN App
Congo DR has a slim chance to finish second in Group K. To do so, they would need Colombia to beat Portugal, while beating Uzbekistan by a large enough margin to overcome a six-goal deficit in differential.
While that is unlikely, Congo DR could still advance as on of the best third-place teams with a win over Uzbekistan.
Congo DR has relied heavily on the defence of Yoane Wissa after averaging 29.9 per cent possession through their first two matches. Wissa is the player to score for Congo DR at the World Cup.
The country’s only other appearance was in 1974, when they lost all three of their group-stage matches without scoring a goal. Congo DR’s opening draw against Portugal was the first point the country has earned at the World Cup.
Uzbekistan has not officially been eliminated from the knockout stage despite losing their first two matches. A win over Congo DR would give them three points, which could be enough to advance in third, though it’s unlikely.
Uzbekistan has only had four shots on targets across their first two matches. They were outshot 15-7 by Colombia and 16-7 by Portugal.
A draw would eliminate both countries from knockout stage contention.
Argentina already topped Group J
Jordan vs. Argentina - 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on TSN1/4/5, TSN.ca, and TSN App
Argentina has already secured the top spot in Group J following wins over Algeria and Austria. They did so without giving up a goal in their first two matches.
Argentina will play Cabo Verde as the runners up from Group H on July 3 at Miami Stadium.
Lionel Messi has looked as dominant as ever in his sixth World Cup. He has scored all five of Argentina’s goals so far. He is now the all-time leading goal-scorer at the World Cup with 18.
A goal against Jordan would make him the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup outings. However, he will not start against Jordan since Argentina has already locked up the top spot in Group J.
Cristian Romero has not been practising with Argentina after aggravating a right knee injury during their game against Austria.
Group J Standings
Argentina are the defending champions from 2022. It was the third time the country won the World Cup and the first time since 1986.
Jordan has already been eliminated from knockout stage contention following losses to Austria and Algeria.
This is the first time that Jordan has qualified for the World Cup. Ali Olwan scored the first ever World Cup for Jordan in their 3-1 loss against Austria.
Nizar Al-Rashdan scored the opening goal for Jordan in their match against Algeria. Jordan lead for over half an hour before Algeria tied the game in the 69th minute. Algeria scored again in the 82nd minute, ending Jordan’s hopes of a first World Cup point.
Algeria vs. Austria - 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on TSN2, TSN.ca, and TSN App
This is a matchup with a dramatic history.
At Algeria’s first World Cup in 1982, they beat West Germany and Chile, but lost to Austria in the group stage.
West Germany went into their final group-stage match against Austria in third. They needed a win to advance to the knockout. Austria, meanwhile, would still advance so long as they didn’t lose by three or more goals to West Germany.
Algeria had already played their final group-stage match the day before.
West Germany scored in the 10th minute. The match then became a stalemate. There were only two shots in the second half.
West Germany won 1-0 and Algeria was eliminated. It was called the “Disgrace of Gijón.”
Technically, the countries didn’t break any rules. However since then, the final group-stage games happen simultaneously.
Algeria and Austria are tied on points leading into their match on Saturday. Austria is ahead in the points based on a superior goal differential.
The winner of this match will face Spain as the winner of Group H in the Round of 32. In the event of a draw, Austria would finish second. Algeria could still advance to the knockout stage as one of the top third-place finishing teams.
