FIFA World Cup

Mexico have impressed in their opening two fixtures, first beating Germany 1-0 and then beating Korea Republic 2-1. The six points Mexico have see them sit at the top of Group F with one game to go and a point against Sweden will see them progress to the knockout stages.

This should be an intriguing fixture because both teams can still qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Round of 16. Korea Republic have to win and hope that Sweden lose to group leaders Mexico, while Germany have to match Sweden’s result if they want to avoid being eliminated at the group stage for the first time in their history.

Iceland’s players and manager have said their team has nothing to lose going into their third and final Group D match against Croatia. There is everything to lose, however, because they must beat Croatia and hope Nigeria slip up against Argentina to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

Nigeria know that a point against out of sorts Argentina should be enough to see them reach the Round of 16. A draw may not be enough if Iceland manage to beat Croatia by more than two clear goals, but that is unlikely on current form.

What should have been a highly entertaining game could turn out to be a damp squib because Denmark only need a point to be certain of qualifying for the next round and France are already safely through.

The Fisht Stadium witnessed plenty of drama last weekend when germany came from behind to beat Sweden 2-1 in injury time. Australia will be hoping to be on the right side of their own dramatics when they take on Peru in a game they simply have to win.

The Spanish have all but qualified for the Round of 16 and have their destiny in their own hands. A win would definitely seal Spain’s passage to the last 16, but a draw could also be enough if Iran fail to beat Portugal in the other Group B game.

The Iranians have shown they can defend well against some of the best forwards in the world and they will come up against another one of those in the shape of Cristiano Ronaldo. A lack of goals may turn out to be a problem for Iran, although Portugal have only managed to keep one clean sheet in their last six World Cup games so they do give away plenty of chances.

Both of these teams are flying home after this game regardless of the result and both will be bitterly disappointed to have not performed anywhere near how they know they can. Saudi Arabia have been awful, particularly in their opening game against Russia when they lost 5-0. The Saudi’s were marginally better against Uruguay but still fell to another defeat.