World Cup upsets pushing Germany, Brazil and Argentina towards the path of death
http://www.marca.com/en/world-cup/2018/ ... b45ce.htmlThe second round of group stage fixtures is almost over and a picture of the knockout rounds is beginning to develop, with the shocks so far creating a path of death down one side of the draw.
With Germany looking likely to finish second in Group F, they could well face Brazil in the last-16 if the South Americans see out their lead atop Group E.
If, as looks likely, Belgium win Group G, France hold out in Group C, and Uruguay topple Russia in Group A, all three teams would be funnelled down this path, which would also include Argentina and Portugal if they qualify as runners-up.
This would mean France facing Argentina and Uruguay facing Portugal in the last-16, the winners of which will meet in Nizhny Novgorod on July 6, while Belgium would take on Brazil or Germany in the other quarter-final.
Of course, this relies on the various favourites prevailing in their coming matches.
What this also means is a potential 'easier' route being created on the other half of the draw.
Spain seeing out Group B as winners sends them into a last-16 bout with the Group A runners-up and victory in that leads them to Croatia or Denmark, the latter still yet to finalise their qualification.
Also set to arrive on this path are Mexico, Switzerland or Serbia, the winner of Group H, and the Group G runner-up, currently England.
This side of the draw remains very tricky with in-form teams willing to dream of greater things but it is short of big names and La Roja have great incentive to win their group and avoid the path of death.
