Portugal

Germany (1-0) USA

Win and They’re In. Lose…and They’re In? (UPDATE: US and Germany In)

By Andrew Palczewski   |


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Can the US win the match...and the group?

UPDATE: Sure enough, even though Germany beat the US 1-0, both teams advance to the Round of 16 – the US moves on thanks to Portugal’s 2-1 win over Ghana.

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Group G isn’t just the so-called “Group of Death” – it’s also emerged as the group with the most interesting, convoluted advancement scenarios. For Germany and the USA, the easiest way to advance is to win, or to tie (in which case both teams would move forward).

But if either team loses, they could still move forward, depending on how many goals are scored in this match at the Ghana/Portugal match. Germany, for instance, could lose by up to two goals and still advance if Portugal beats Ghana. The US, meanwhile, could lose and still advance if Ghana and Portugal play to a draw.

Needless to say, US and German fans will be closely watching both of these matches today when they kick off at 12 PM ET (4 PM UTC).

For play-by-play, minute-by-minute coverage of every ball touch, throw-in, direct kick, indirect kick, yellow card, red card, corner kick, goal kick and every other possible football feat in every World Cup match, tap into VOA’s multilingual, multinational analysis.

Click here to follow the action live, or follow along on Facebook, or on Twitter with #WorldCupVOA.

And for even more exclusive VOA coverage with a special focus on Africa’s national teams, check out VOA’s Francophone blog.

Portugal (2-1) Ghana

Portugal Praying for a Blowout (UPDATE: 2-1 Win Not Enough)

By Andrew Palczewski   |


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Ronaldo's hopes hang on the scoreboard.

UPDATE: Portugal needed some big scores differentials to advance, either in their match or the US/Germany match. Unfortunately for them, it didn’t happen: Portugal won 2-1, Germany won 1-0, and Portugal and Ghana are sent home.

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The advancement scenarios for the US and Germany are confusing for sure. But the scenarios for Portugal and Ghana are on a whole new level. Ghana needs to beat Portugal and hope the US either loses or runs up a big score against Germany. Portugal, meanwhile, needs to beat Ghana by a wide margin, and hope that whoever wins the Germany/US match also wins in a blowout.

For play-by-play, minute-by-minute coverage of every ball touch, throw-in, direct kick, indirect kick, yellow card, red card, corner kick, goal kick and every other possible football feat in every World Cup match, tap into VOA’s multilingual, multinational analysis.

Click here to follow the action live, or follow along on Facebook, or on Twitter with #WorldCupVOA.

And for even more exclusive VOA coverage with a special focus on Africa’s national teams, check out VOA’s Francophone blog.

Every Single Scenario, Visualized

See Who Advances in Group G

By Andrew Palczewski   |

As any good World Cup fan knows, it’s not just your team’s performance that matters – two other teams in an entirely different city can make or break your chances of advancing.

This is especially true for Group G, where every single team still has a chance to advance…and just about every team’s fate depends on how the other group members play.

Needless to say, there are numerous scenarios where different Group G teams advance. But why describe them all when you can see them all? Via Deadspin, here are all of the Group G advancement scenarios, visualized:

GroupGScenarios

 

Photo of the Day

World Cup Photo of the Day: June 23, 2014

By Andrew Palczewski   |
US fans react after a late goal by Portugal leads to a 2-2 draw.

A Fan of the U.S. national soccer team reacts with frustration after Portugal scored the second goal at the end of the live telecast of the group G World Cup match between United States and Portugal, inside the FIFA Fan Fest area on Copacabana beach, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, June 22, 2014. Portugal managed to score to tie the Americans 2-2 in the last minutes of the game. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

USA (2-2) Portugal

USA vs. Portugal: Keeping Momentum vs. Changing Course (UPDATE: A Stunning Draw)

By Andrew Palczewski   |


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John Brooks of the USA scores against Ghana.

UPDATE: In a last-second goal (that was nearly in the last second of play), Portugal scored and tied the match at 2-2. With the win, Portugal fends off elimination, and the US must face Germany on Thursday for a spot in the Round of 16.

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After a 2-1 win over long-time rival Ghana, the US is hoping to keep their momentum going. Portugal, meanwhile, is hoping to score its first goal of the 2014 World Cup after a disastrous 4-0 loss to Germany in their first match. Can the US earn their second win? Can Portugal change course? Find out when the teams face off at 6 PM ET (10 PM UTC).

For play-by-play, minute-by-minute coverage of every ball touch, throw-in, direct kick, indirect kick, yellow card, red card, corner kick, goal kick and every other possible football feat in every World Cup match, tap into VOA’s multilingual, multinational analysis.

Click here to follow the action live, or follow along on Facebook, or on Twitter with #WorldCupVOA.

And for even more exclusive VOA coverage with a special focus on Africa’s national teams, check out VOA’s Francophone blog.