Before diving into the details, it’s crucial to keep your focus here, as the scenarios can get quite intricate.
To break it down, here’s a clear guide on how each team in Group H can move forward to the knockout stages.
Spain is poised to advance to the last-32 as one of the top two teams if they manage to avoid a loss in their upcoming clash against Uruguay.
In a scenario where Spain falls to defeat, they will still maintain a top-two position unless Cape Verde triumphs over Saudi Arabia. Even if that happens, Spain would secure third place with four points, which should be sufficient for progression.
Essentially, as long as everything goes relatively smoothly, Spain is set to advance.
Now, Uruguay.
Should they beat Spain they will be through, but if they draw tonight, a top-two finish is only possible if Cape Verde also draw.
If Uruguay and Cape Verde both win their games they will be tied for top spot, or if they draw for second spot. Given they drew their match-up, goal difference becomes the differential – which is level at zero.
If goal difference remains identical – which it would in case of a draw – positions will be decided first by the better disciplinary record (Cape Verde -3, Uruguay -2) and then by Fifa world ranking, which Uruguay hold.
Still with me?