Just the score lines, along with summaries of the advancement scenarios for each group going into the final days of group play…
MATCH DAY 3
Group A
Canada 1, Colombia 0.
CAN Goal: Clarke (51′).
See Also: FIFA.com match page, ESPN3 replay.
Nigeria 11, Azerbaijan 0.
NGA Goals: Ihezuo (5′, 32′, 37′, 56′, 70′), Ayinde (8′, 24′), Biawho (20′, 74′), Yakubu (22′), Bokiri (68′).
See Also: FIFA.com match page, ESPN3 replay.
Advancement Scenarios: Azerbaijan is already eliminated. Canada needs a win against Azerbaijan to guarantee a spot in the knock-out round. Nigeria only needs a draw with Colombia to ensure advancement, while Colombia must win to stay alive.
Group B
France 1, North Korea 1.
FRA Goal: Diani (60′).
PRK Goal: Ri Un Sim (59′).
See Also: FIFA.com match page, ESPN3 replay.
United States 6, Gambia 0.
USA Goals: Green (25′ PK, 71′), Munerlyn (46′), own goal (61′)*, Stanton (83′), Payne (86′).
See Also: FIFA.com match page, ESPN3 replay, USA match report, USA quote sheet, USA reaction video.
*During the match, this was originally credited to Green, however the official FIFA report now lists it as an own goal by Amie Jarju.
Advancement Scenarios: Gambia is eliminated. The United States must win against North Korea in order to ensure a knock-out round spot. The USA could still advance with a draw as long as France does not defeat Gambia by more than 5 goals. North Korea only needs a draw with the USA to ensure advancement, as regardless of how big France may win, North Korea has a superior goal differential over the USA. France is in a must-win situation against Gambia and needs to score at least 7 goals to guarantee advancement. However, if the USA defeats North Korea, then France only requires a victory (by any margin) to advance.
MATCH DAY 4
Group C
Brazil 1, Mexico 0.
BRA Goal: Byanca (82′).
See Also: FIFA.com match page, ESPN3 replay.
Japan 3, New Zealand 0.
JPN Goals: Hasegawa (60′, 78′), Sumida (90’+3 PK).
See Also: FIFA.com match page, ESPN3 replay.
Advancement Scenarios: No team has been mathematically eliminated. Japan, with two wins, is in a strong position to advance as long as it does not lose big to Mexico and Brazil wins big over New Zealand. Mexico can advance with only draw against Japan if the other match, Brazil versus New Zealand, ends in a draw or a New Zealand win. If Mexico defeats Japan and Brazil wins, all three of those teams will be on 6 points, with only goal differential separating them. Currently, Japan is +8, Mexico is at 0 (zero), and Brazil has -4. New Zealand’s only chance of advancement is if Japan defeats Mexico and New Zealand can make up the goal difference between it (currently -4) and Mexico (currently at zero). E.g., if Mexico loses 2:0, then New Zealand only needs a 2:0 win, as the teams would be even on goal differential, but New Zealand would advance on goals scored (2 versus 1).
Group D
Germany 1, China 1.
GER Goal: Miao Siwen (12′).
CHN Goal: Kiessling (90’+4).
See Also: FIFA.com match page, ESPN3 replay.
(There were two controversial moments where penalty kicks could have been awarded to Germany. Both are shown in the FIFA.com highlight video.)
Ghana 5, Uruguay 0.
GHA Goals: Ayieyam (8′), Okyere (24′, 79′), Ahialey (45′), Alhassan (78′).
See Also: FIFA.com match page, ESPN3 replay.
Advancement Scenarios: Uruguay is eliminated. Germany only needs a draw against Uruguay to ensure advancement. Assuming Germany wins, China just requires a draw with Ghana to advance. Meanwhile, Ghana must defeat China in order to ensure a spot in the knock-out round.
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LOOKING AHEAD: Match Days 5 and 6
The following are the matches with the most at stake for both teams on the final days of group play:
- September 29th, 8:00 a.m. EDT: United States vs. North Korea (Group B)
- September 29th, 11:00 a.m. EDT: Colombia vs. Nigeria (Group A)
- September 30th, 5:00 a.m. EDT: New Zealand vs. Brazil (Group C)
- September 30th, 8:00 a.m. EDT: China vs. Ghana (Group D)
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