World Cup 2022 | Round 3 Predicitons | Belgium to crash out at the Group Stages?

Brazil, Portugal and France are the only three teams who have already after confirmed their place in the last-16 after round two.

After a whirlwind two rounds of World Cup action, we’ve reached the third and final group stage matchday with a large majority of the nation’s fates yet to be decided.

In fact, only three nations have secured their qualification after the opening two rounds with thirteen places hanging in the balance ahead of the third round.

Here, each group will be discussed ahead of their final group game, where the results of each game will be predicted as well as the outcome of their group

See predictions in full below:

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Group A

Netherlands 3-0 Qatar

Ecuador 1-2 Senegal

Netherlands and Senegal progress to the last-16

Group A turned out to be much tighter than many predicted ahead of the tournament’s start.

The Netherlands haven’t looked their best in the opening two games but still managed to notch a win and a draw and will cruise to victory against Qatar, whose exit was confirmed after round two.

Meanwhile, the last qualification spot will be decided between Ecuador and Senegal in what’s set to be an intriguing game. Ecuador have surprised fans with their performances, especially the fight they showed to draw against the Netherlands where they arguably should have won. However, I think Senegal will just pip them in the end as they possess more quality in their squad and have the experience of playing in deciders such as the AFCON final this year.

Group B

England 2-0 Wales

Iran 1-2 USA

England and USA progress to the last-16

Had England put one past the USA on Friday, they would have been the first team to reach the knockout stages this year but will need to do so against Wales to ensure qualification. If England lose by four or more goals and either USA and Iran win, the Three Lions will be out but the chances of that occurring are extremely slim.

The other fixture sees Iran face USA with both sides more than likely vying for the final qualification spot. Iran left it very late against Wales to boost their chances of qualifying but the USA’s quality will be too much for them in the end and they’ll just miss out on a place.

Group C

Poland 0-1 Argentina

Saudi Arabia 2-2 Mexico

Argentina and Poland progress to the last-16

They might’ve made hard work of it, but Argentina will qualify for the last-16 this year. A shock loss against Saudi Arabia was followed by a late win against Mexico and they’ll make no mistake against Poland despite looking shaky throughout the tournament.

And a loss for Poland won’t spell out trouble for them if the remaining two sides draw which I believe will happen. Saudi Arabia have impressed this year and were unlucky against Poland but will just miss out on a place in the last-16, as will Mexico.

Group D

France 2-2 Tunisia

Australia 1-3 Denmark

France and Denmark progress to the last-16

France have already achieved qualification and will more than likely rest their star players ahead of their final group game. Tunisia, on the other hand, will be playing with their tournament hopes on the line but I don’t think their players will have enough to get the win but a draw against a weaker France side.

As for the second game, Denmark have looked completely off the boil this tournament and sit in third behind their opponents. I think they will realize the importance of the game and their quality will get them over the line and book a place in the last-16 at the Aussies expense.

Group E

Spain 2-0 Japan

Germany 2-0 Costa Rica

Spain and Germany progress to the last-16

Definitely one of the more chaotic groups this year, Group E will finally be decided in the coming days and the outcome will be what most predicted before the start.

Germany’s point against Spain will prove to be crucial towards their qualification as the two teams ahead of them sit on three. A win against Costa Rica will put them on four and if Spain can shut out Japan then two former World Cup winners will book their place in the last-16 which I believe will happen.

Group F

Croatia 1-1 Belgium

Morocco 2-2 Canada

Croatia and Morocco progress to the last-16

The biggest shock of the group stages which will Belgium’s failure to qualify which has looked likely from the start.

They were dominated against Canada yet somehow found a win and were exposed against Morocco. I do think they will still come away with a point against Croatia, but will face an early exit as Morocco sit on four points and a draw will be enough for them if Belgium fail to win.

Group G

Brazil 3-2 Cameroon

Switzerland 0-1 Serbia

Brazil and Serbia progress to the last-16

With a place already booked for Brazil, it leaves one space open for the remaining three.

As Brazil won’t necessarily be playing for much, I believe they’ll take their foot off the gas but not entirely, and Cameroon will come close to getting the better of them. A Brazil win would see Cameroon crash out and it will be down to two.

Switzerland and Serbia will be a huge clash with a place in the World Cup last-16 at stake. There’s plenty of history behind the two nations as well and the Swiss were victorious in their only ever match at the 2018 World Cup. However, I think Serbia have looked the better of the two and will earn their place in knockout stages.

Group H

Portugal 2-1 South Korea

Ghana 1-2 Uruguay

Portugal and Uruguay progress to the last-16

The final group of the tournament will hold potentially the most dramatic tie of the tournament so far.

Portugal have already booked their place in the last-16 and will get the better of South Korea who were unlucky not to get a point in their clash with Senegal. The result will leave South Korea with an early exit.

On the other hand, Ghana and Uruguay will battle for the last place in the last-16. With the history of the 2010 World Cup, where Luis Suarez handballed on the line to prevent a Ghanaian goal and they would subsequently miss the penalty, the African side will have their first chance of revenge and have looked better than the South Americans all tournament. However, I think Uruguay will get the better of them again but it will be a dramatic close to the group stages.