The World Cup Group H 2010 is the last one to settle its standings today. Once World Cup Group H 2010 settles things, group play will be over for four years. As it turns out, these final standings have the potential to shake up the tournament, depending on what happens with Spain. The co-favorites got off to a horrific start, but, with a win today, they can easily make up for it. However, a loss will knock the Spanish out, and leave the round of 16 without another major contender. Either way, the World Cup Group H 2010 is bound to end the first round with a lot of chaos.
Heading into this last day of group play, it is Chile who leads the way with six points, instead of Spain. Although the Spanish slipped up against Switzerland, the Chileans did not suffer the same fate. Despite not winning a World Cup match for decades, they can now win three in a row and have a perfect first round.
Chile can win the World Cup Group H 2010 by defeating Spain today, which would knock the Spanish from the tournament. Even a tie might eliminate them, depending on what the Swiss do against Honduras. As of now, Spain controls its destiny, as it has the goal difference tiebreaker over Switzerland, despite losing to them last week.
The Spanish might also need to win World Cup Group H 2010 to avoid a matchup with Brazil in the knockout stage. A one-goal win over Chile would leave both nations even in goal difference, but the Spanish would have more goals and win that tiebreaker. If the Spanish and the Swiss each draw and finish with four points, Spain would get in via the goal difference tiebreaker.
Even if Chile doesn’t win, they can still get out of Group H and into the round of 16. A tie would lock them in, but, with a loss, they would need help from Honduras to knock the Swiss out. If the Chileans lose and the Swiss win, however, the goal and goal difference tiebreaks would go into effect – and would likely favor Switzerland.
Honduras still has slim hopes to advance, but they need the most breaks of all. They must beat Switzerland by two goals to overtake them, and then they need Spain to lose by two goals or more. Of course, a loss sends them home, leaving Chile, Spain and Switzerland to fight it out.
The World Cup Group H 2010 could become the true “Group of Death” in this tournament. If Spain and Switzerland win, both nations and Chile would be tied with six points each, although only two would advance. That would be a fittingly chaotic way to end the round, although it still could be very simple.
Group H, and the first round in general, wraps up starting at 2:30 p.m. est today.
Sources
FIFA.com- “Groups”
Football UK- “Group H Showdown – The Lowdown”
