2014 FIFA World Cup: What to Know in Matchday 11
US can secure spot in the knockout stage with a win against Portugal.
ByABC News
June 22, 2014, 11:18 AM
— -- Top Things To Know
- Germany and Ghana drew 2-2, as Miroslav Klose scored the final equalizer, tying Ronaldo’s World Cup scoring record with his 15th career goal.
- The draw means that the United States will advance to the knockout round with a win against Portugal on Sunday. Draws in both remaining games would also put the U.S. through, as would a win against Germany in the group finale. The U.S. seeks to reach consecutive World Cup knockout rounds for the first time.
- Lionel Messi scored in the first minute of second-half stoppage time to give Argentina a 1-0 win over Iran. He became the second Argentine with 40 international goals, and Argentina became the fifth team to advance to the Round of 16.
- The only debutant at this World Cup, Bosnia-Herzegovina, was eliminated with a 1-0 loss to Nigeria.
United States Future Scenarios Depending on Sunday Result
- Win vs. Portugal
- Advance to Round of 16
- Draw vs. Portugal
- Advance with win OR draw vs. Germany
- Advance with loss to Germany AND Ghana-Portugal draw.
- Advance with loss to Germany AND IF U.S. holds tiebreaker over Ghana-Portugal winner.
- Lose vs. Portugal
- Advance with win vs. Germany
- Advance with draw vs. Germany AND Portugal-Ghana draw AND IF U.S. holds tiebreaker over Portugal
- Advance with draw vs. Germany AND Ghana win over Portugal AND IF U.S. holds tiebreaker with Ghana-Portugal.
U.S. advancement scenarios provided by Paul Carr and ESPN's World Cup research team
Big Game
Injuries have been the dominant subplot in the buildup to today’s U.S.-Portugal match, but while both teams will be without important players, each squad’s leader is expected to play. Clint Dempsey, the U.S. captain, sustained a broken nose Monday in a victory over Ghana but should start against Portugal. Dempsey has the option to wear a protective mask, as players in many sports have done, but is said to be leaning against doing so.