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World Cup: Power Rankings after the group stage

By Orri Benatar

KALININGRAD, RUSSIA - JUNE 28: General view as Belgium and England players line up for national anthems prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group G match between England and Belgium at Kaliningrad Stadium on June 28, 2018 in Kaliningrad, Russia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
KALININGRAD, RUSSIA - JUNE 28: General view as Belgium and England players line up for national anthems prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group G match between England and Belgium at Kaliningrad Stadium on June 28, 2018 in Kaliningrad, Russia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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Last Result: T 2-2 vs. Switzerland

Group Placement: 4th place (1 pt, 2 goals, 5 conceded)

Costa Rica was the last team to score at the World Cup and their single point was thanks to physics. They played much better against Switzerland in a meaningless game. Joel Campbell should have started and played every minute because he was the best player for Los Ticos.

https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1012061609374593024

Last Result: L 0-2 vs. Brazil

Group Placement: 3rd place (3 pts, 2 goals, 4 conceded)

Started off strong and just couldn’t keep it up. In most World Cups, one last-minute goal can change how you play the rest of the tournament. In 2014, the U.S. gave up a stoppage-time equalizer to Portugal. They were never the same. Serbia was never the same after Shaqiri’s winner.

Last Result: T 1-1 vs. Portugal

Group Placement: 3rd place (4 pts, 2 goals, 2 conceded)

Iran did their nation proud in Russia. Team Melli was so close to knocking Portugal out and advancing to the Round of 16. A draw against Portugal and an unlucky loss to Spain were the highlights. The sad news for Iranian football continued with Sardar Azmoun announcing his international retirement at 23.

Last Result: L 0-2 vs. South Korea

Group Placement: 4th place (3 pts, 2 goals, 4 conceded)

Germany plummets to 21st from 6th in the power rankings. The simple explanation being this is their worst ever World Cup and they finished last in their group. The B team came to Russia last summer and won the Confederations Cup and that form did not translate at all for the World Cup. Out in the first round for the first time in 80 years and a horrible performance.

Last Result: W 1-0 vs. Japan

Group Placement: 4th place (3 pts, 2 goals, 5 conceded)

Poland stays right where they are as they were able to win a game at the World Cup. They were dreadful and looked nothing like they did in qualifying or at Euro 2016. Robert Lewandowski couldn’t do anything all tournament and Poland was a big disappointment. Their FIFA ranking is No.8 right now. That could go down to No.35.

Last Result: W 2-0 vs. Australia

Group Placement: 3rd place (3 pts, 2 goals, 2 conceded)

Peru is one of the three teams that were eliminated that I really would have liked to see more of. They played great in all three games and got a win to show for it. Their attack was impressive and Paolo Guerrero got to score at the World Cup. An incredible moment for him and every Peruvian.

Last Result: L 1-2 vs. Argentina

Group Placement: 3rd place (3 pts, 3 goals, 4 conceded)

The Super Eagles were minutes from progression until Marcos Rojo scored the winner to save Argentina. Nigeria improved massively after their 2-0 loss to Croatia. They got unlucky to be eliminated and will not be moving on at the World Cup.

Last Result: L 0-1 vs. Colombia

Group Placement: 3rd place (4 pts, 4 goals, 4 conceded, 6 yellow cards)

Senegal is clearly the best of the teams to be eliminated. They were knocked out because of two more yellows than Japan. They should have performed better against Colombia but beating Poland and having two leads against Japan was very impressive. Senegal was the best and last chance Africa had for a knockout team. The world was gutted for them.

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