The fate of the United States’ game vs. Portugal on Sunday completely changed within the last 30 seconds. The U.S. was about to overcome a huge obstacle in the “Group of Death,” however, Portugal’s Silvestre Varela ended that clear sail with a header that tied the game up 2-2.
Although it was heartbreaking, have no fear, there is still a chance the USMNT can advance to the knockout stages.
Here are the scenarios:
- United States will advance with a win or draw vs. Germany
- If U.S. beats Germany, they will advances as winners of Group G and will play the second-place team from Group H, which includes Belgium, Algeria, Russia and South Korea)
- If U.S. ties Germany, Germany becomes winner of Group G and U.S. would finish second, unless Ghana or Portugal won and advanced based on goal differential (U.S. +1, Ghana -1 and Portugal -4). If US loses, they want Portugal to win because, it would be more difficult for Portugal to pass U.S. based on goal differential.
- If the U.S. loses and Ghana wins, Ghana would qualify if the game is decided on by a margin of two goals or more. So, if the U.S. loses to Germany by one goal, Ghana would need to win by two goals or higher (U.S. loses 1-0 then Ghana would need to win at least 2-1 to qualify).
Hopefully, the USMNT can pull this win out to advance, dispelling any belief that some people had prior to the 2014 World Cup.
Credit: 101GreatGoals| Telegraph| ABC
