The United States and Germany both have four points and are atop Group G over Ghana and Portugal who have one point each. In the group stage of the World Cup, wins are worth three points, and draws are worth one point. All four teams have one game remaining.
Germany and the US will play on Thursday in Recife, and Ghana and Portugal will kick off at the same time in Brasilia.
Here are the scenarios:
-If the US wins: They are through to the next round as the winners of Group G and will play the second place team from Group H. (Belgium currently leads Group H, followed by Algeria, Russia and South Korea)
Germany would finish second unless Ghana or Portugal won and passed Germany on goal differential. Germany currently is plus 4, Ghana is minus 1 and Portugal is minus 4. The second place finisher plays the winner of Group H.
-If Germany wins: Germany wins the group.
The US would finish second unless Ghana or Portugal won and passed the U.S. on goal differential. The US is plus 1, Ghana is minus 1 and Portugal is minus 4. So, if the U.S. loses to Germany, they will be rooting for Portugal, because it's less likely that Portugal could pass the US on goal differential.
-If Germany and the US draw: Germany wins the group and the U.S. finishes second. The result of the other game is meaningless.
-If Ghana and Portugal draw: The US and Germany advance. Germany wins the group unless the US defeats them.
-Other tiebreakers: In any of these scenarios involving goal differential, if two teams are tied on points and goal differential, the next tiebreaker is total goals scored. Germany has six goals, the U.S. has four, Ghana has there and Portugal has two.
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