World Cup: Power Rankings after two group games

Last Result: L 1-3 vs. Russia

Next Match: MON vs. Saudi Arabia (Volgograd)

Advancement Scenario: OUT of World Cup

Mo Salah’s incredible year had two sad conclusions. An injury and loss in the Champions League final and now a quick World Cup exit. Egypt was exposed as a one-man team and Russia didn’t allow Salah to touch the ball throughout the game. His penalty is little consolation as he is threatening to quit the national team. Everything went from bad to worse for Egypt with still a game left.

Last Result: L 1-2 vs. Switzerland

Next Match: WED vs. Brazil (Spartak – Moscow)

Advancement Scenario: Win vs. Brazil

Serbia was minutes away from earning a point against Switzerland until Xherdan Shaqiri’s winner and celebration angered the Serbian supporters. They can still advance but have a tougher task than Switzerland to go through to the Round of 16. Serbia will need to bring everything they have against Brazil. They didn’t bring that against Switzerland.

Last Result: L 0-1 vs. France

Next Match: WED vs. Australia (Sochi)

Advancement Scenario: OUT of World Cup

If only Peru was in Group A they would actually have a chance at advancing. Peru is out after two matches against much more talented European teams and not being able to score. They will try to spoil any chance for Australia to advance through Group C. Peru is the only South American team that has been eliminated through two games.

Last Result: L 0-2 vs. Nigeria

Next Match: WED vs. Croatia (Rostov)

Advancement Scenario: Win vs. Croatia AND Nigeria Loss/Draw

The Vikings lost for the first time ever in the group stage at a major tournament. Nigeria’s speed on the wings and the new line-up was too much for Iceland’s defense to handle. A missed penalty by Gylfi Sigurdsson makes life even harder for Iceland to advance. They must win and need an Argentina victory. After that, it comes down to goal difference.

Last Result: L 0-3 vs. Colombia

Next Match: THU vs. Japan (Volgograd)

Advancement Scenario: OUT of World Cup

The first top-seed to be eliminated from the 2018 World Cup is Poland. They were terrible. Robert Lewandowski saw that he wasn’t getting the ball in the final third and didn’t go get it when he wasn’t getting touches. The midfield was all defensive and they have created nothing in the first two games. They will look to rebound at Euro 2020 when they plummet down the FIFA rankings in July.

Last Result: T 1-1 vs. Australia

Next Match: WED vs. France (Luzhniki – Moscow)

Advancement Scenario: Win/Draw vs. France OR Peru Win/Draw

The Danes were outplayed by Australia and one goal from Christian Eriksen kept them from losing. Denmark cannot keep depending on Eriksen’s genius and Schmeichel’s saves if they want to get further in this tournament. Luckily, eight of the nine possible result combinations in Group C’s final games result in Denmark going through. It’s highly unlikely they won’t go to their first Round of 16 since 2002.

Last Result: T 2-2 vs. Senegal

Next Match: THU vs. Poland (Volgograd)

Advancement Scenario: Win/Draw vs. Poland

The highest mover in our power rankings is the Blue Samurai. Japan fought off two leads to draw Senegal 2-2 in a thrilling encounter. Keisuke Honda scored in his third straight World Cup and Japan was in control throughout the second-half. They are in a phenomenal position to advance with seven of the nine result combos putting Japan into their third Round of 16.

Last Result: W 3-1 vs. Egypt

Next Match: MON vs. Uruguay (Samara)

Advancement Scenario: IN Round of 16

The hosts are through and have looked great. Truthfully, they have played two very poor teams but they look like an upset candidate to make the quarterfinals. Denis Cheryshev and Aleksandr Golovin have looked deadly and both are making a name for themselves amongst the entire football world. Russia will finish in first if they don’t lose to Uruguay. I think they could.