2022 World Cup Group Stage Standings: Which Teams Advanced to Last 16

Drama struck in the last few days of the group stage, as some surprise underdogs reached the last 16.

Marcus Krum | Nov 27, 2022

A World Cup that’s produced its fair share of upsets in the group stage produced more fireworks as groups cycle through their final matches.

On Tuesday, Senegal advanced with a 2–1 victory over Ecuador in which captain Kalidou Koulibaly scored the winner in the 70th minute, an immediate answer to a goal that would have dumped the Lions of Teranga out. In Group B, the U.S. hung on after Christian Pulisic’s first-half opener for a 1–0 win over Iran that sends the Americans back to the knockout stage.

A day later, Australia struck for a shock, edging Denmark to finish second in Group D behind France and secure a place in the knockout stage for the first time since 2006 and the second time in its history. That only served as the appetizer for what happened in Group C, when Poland and Mexico nearly had their fate determined by yellow cards, only for Saudi Arabia to score late and give Poland the edge on goal differential, following first-place Argentina into the knockout stage.

Thursday brought more drama, as Belgium drew with Croatia to finish outside the knockout stage spots in Group F. The team that reached the semifinals four years ago finished behind Croatia and Morocco, who beat Canada 2–1 to win the group. Chaos continued in the afternoon, as Japan took a second-half lead over Spain as Germany went down 2–1 to Costa Rica. While Germany produced a late comeback to win 4–2, the Samurai Blue held on to win Group E and set up a knockout round date with Croatia, sending the Germans home before the last 16 for the second straight World Cup.

Group H’s finale went down to the wire to start Friday. With Uruguay on top of Ghana 2–0, South Korea needed a win over Portugal to draw level with La Celeste on points and goal differential, but into second place in the group on goals scored. In the 91st minute, Son Heung-min sent through Hwang Hee-chan, who slotted home an iconic winning goal to send South Korea into the last 16.

Keeping in mind that the top two teams from each group go through, here’s a look at all eight groups and how the remaining unsorted quartets could play out.

Group A

Qualified

Netherlands: 7 points, 5 goals scored, 1 goal allowed, +4 goal differential

Will play the U.S. in the last 16.

Senegal: 6 points, 5 goals scored, 4 goals allowed, +1 goal differential

Will play England in the last 16.

Did not qualify

Ecuador: 4 points, 4 goals scored, 3 goal allowed, +1 goal differential

Qatar: 0 points, 1 goal scored, 7 goals allowed, -6 goal differential

Group B

Qualified

England: 7 points, 9 goals scored, 2 goals allowed, +7 goal differential

Will play Senegal in last 16.

U.S.: 5 points, 2 goals scored, 1 goal allowed, +1 goal differential

Will play the Netherlands in last 16.

Did not qualify

Iran: 3 points, 4 goals scored, 7 goals allowed, -3 goal differential

Wales: 1 point, 1 goal scored, 6 goals allowed, -5 goal differential

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Group C

Qualified

Argentina: 6 points, 5 goals scored, 2 goals allowed, +3 goal differential

Will play Australia in last 16.

Poland: 4 points, 2 goals scored, 2 goals allowed, 0 goal differential

Will play France in last 16.

Did not qualify

Mexico: 4 points, 2 goals scored, 3 goals allowed, -1 goal differential

Uruguay: 4 points, 2 goals scored, 2 goals allowed, 0 goal differential

Ghana: 3 points, 5 goals scored, 7 goals allowed, -2 goal differential

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Published Nov 27, 2022

MARCUS KRUM