Brasilia, June 21: The 2014 Fifa World Cup is entering an interesting phase now. The final group matches will begin on Monday and the top two teams from each group will advance to the Round of 16. Those teams placed at an advantageous position will look to bag the top place in the group so that they can avoid the best team from another group in the next round.

There will no second chance in the Round of 16 which is a knock-out phase.

Now let us look at the current situation in Groups A to D where the teams have already played two of their three scheduled matches.

Group A

This group has been reduced to three teams after Cameroon's elimination. Brazil and Mexico have four points each but the former is currently the group topper owing to a better goal difference (plus 2). Mexico have scored only one goal in their two matches and haven't conceded any. That game between Mexico and Croatia will be a play-off with the winner advancing to the second stage.

The Italy versus Uruguay game will be the biggest attraction of the WC next week

Croatia have shown a better scoring ability (5 goals in two matches) than the Mexicans, who have displayed a better defence. Brazil look favourites to top this group unless Cameroon do a miracle in their remaining match. Mexico or Croatia can also top the group if they beat the opponent and Brazil either draw or lose.

Remaining matches: Brazil vs Cameroon, Mexico vs Croatia

Group A: Current standings:

Teams W L D GF GA +/- Pts

Brazil 1 0 1 3 1 +2 4
Mexico 1 0 1 1 0 +1 4
Croatia 1 1 0 5 3 +2 3
Cameroon 0 2 0 0 5 -5

Group B

Of all the groups, the scenario is clearest in Group B. The Netherlands and Chile have already advanced to the second round from this group after winning two straight games, knocking out defenders Spain and Australia in the process. The only interest left with this group is to see who emerges the group winners. Both the Dutch and Chileans will look to top the group for that will help them avoid Brazil in the second round. The hosts are likely to top Group A. The Dutch have a better goal difference than Chile.

Teams W L D GF GA +/- Pts

Holland 2 0 0 8 3 +5 6
Chile 2 0 0 5 1 +4 6
Aust 2 0 3 6 -3 0
Spain 2 0 1 7 -6 0

Remaining matches: Netherlands vs Chile, Spain vs Australia

Group C

Colombia have already made it to the second round and that leaves Ivory Coast, Japan and Greece competing for the second spot.
The Ivory Coast are the best-placed team to make the cut for it will take on Greece, the lowest -placed team in the group while Japan face an uphill task of beating top-placed Colombia in their final match. Greece can advance to the second round only if it beat Ivory Coast. A draw will also not help them.

Team W L D GF GA +/- Pts

Col 2 0 0 5 1 +4 6
IC 1 1 0 3 3 0 3
Jap 1 1 1 2 -1 1
Grc 1 1 0 3 -3 1

Remaining matches: Colombia vs Japan, Ivory Coast vs Greece

Group D

The Italy-Uruguay match will be the biggest attraction of the World Cup in the coming week. The unexpected victories of Costa Rica against former champions Uruguay and Italy have rattled all calculations in the group of death. Costa Rica have already advanced to the second round while Italy and Uruguay will fight for the second spot.

Costa Rica look all set to top this group and even if they loose, the winner of the Italy-Uruguay match need to better the goal difference figure drastically to overtake the central Americans. England have been eliminated.

Teams W L D GF GA +/- Pts

CRC 2 0 0 4 1 +3 6
Italy 1 1 0 2 2 0 3
U'guay 1 1 0 3 4 -1 3
Eng 2 0 2 4 -2 0

Remaining matches: Costa Rica vs England, Uruguay vs Italy

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