Group C's and Group D's fates to be sealed today
At 1pm, Costa Rica take on an already knocked-out England, having a draw advantage toward Group D lead
This Tuesday (June 24), teams at Groups C and D will play their final group matches. At 1pm, Costa Rica play the England squad (knocked out) in Belo Horizonte, needing only a draw to secure a lead over Group D. Another concurrent match will decide the runner-up between Italy and Uruguay at Arena das Dunas, Natal. The two teams are even with three points each, but Italy have the draw advantage based on goal difference.
In Group C, Colombia, which have already secured their place in the playoffs, take on Japan in Cuiabá at 5pm. While the South Americans need only a draw to complete the group phase in first place, the Japanese will have more intricate calculations to work out – they will have to win and hope that Côte d'Ivoire do not beat Greece in the other group match which takes place meanwhile at Arena Castelão in Fortaleza.
Côte d'Ivoire play Greece at 5pm, looking to a victory to move on to the playoffs
The African team could untangle its fate by securing a win to finish second. In case of a draw, qualification will depend on a victory of Colombia over Japan. Greece have not scored a single goal in the competition and, with the worst goal difference among all Group D teams, they will have a great deal to improve on their past performance when they take to the field today.
All match times are given as Brasília times (UTC-3).
Translated by Mayra Borges
Fonte: Group C's and Group D's fates to be sealed today
