Winning First Two Games and Going Out

[Satchmo Distel]

Given that some teams have won their first games without looking good, I was wondering if a team has ever won its first two and not gone through?

[N est à?]

Don't think anyone has been knocked out like that, but Belgium won their first two in 94 and finished third- but went through as a best third place team

[N est à?]

Should definitely be bonus twatball points for any team that manages this

[Southport Zeb]

Two teams have won their first two group games but failed to advance - Chile in 1930 and Yugoslavia in 1950. However on both occasions only the group winners qualified for the next round.

Since the format has allowed multiple sides to qualify from a group there have been three occasions on which three sides in the same group have won two games. In 1994 the format allowed third placed sides Argentina and Belgium to continue. This leaves Algeria in 1982 who were infamously knocked out after Austria 0-1 West Germany. However Algeria won their first and third games, losing the middle game to Austria.

[N est à?]

Oh yeah, argentina in 94 as well of course

[Satchmo Distel]

Those third games in 1994 were really dead rubbers then which would not be the case now, and the 1982 game led to simultaneous kick-offs IIRC, although it's possible they would still have risked playing out the 1-0, which would have left Algeria needing to beat Chile by a three goal margin.

The scheduling in 1982 is bizarre in hindsight. The last group games were not even played on the same day.

[tee rex]

Gonna happen now?

[Ek weet nie]

Son’s 90th minute goal has made it slightly more possible. Two one nil wins in the final matches leaves Germany, Sweden and Mexico tied on points, goals scored and conceded. I think Mexico go out in the head to head record for fewer goals scored in that scenario.

[G-Man]

If MEX, SWE and GER finish level on goals and points, it will be a head to head table.

In that case, the table presently is:

Germany Pl 2 GD 2-2 Pts 3
Mexico Pl 1 GD 1-0 Pts 3
Sweden Pl 1 GD 1-2 Pts 0

It then would depend on the numbers of goals scored in Sweden's +1 goal victory. A 3-2 (presuming Germany also win 3-2 to achieve the three-way parity) would see SWE and MEX go through.

If there's nothing to separate the three teams, Fair Play points kick in.

Basically, Germany will want to beat South Korea by at least two goals.