MX23RW : Thursday, January 30 16:06:23| >> :600:2253006:2253006:

World Cup Group H permutations: Who needs what to qualify for the last 16?

Sports Mole looks at what each Group H team needs to qualify for the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup.

Heading into the final matches in Group H, all four teams still have something to play for, with Portugal the only side assured of at least one more game.

The 2016 European champions have won both of their encounters and are in first place with six points as they will advance into the knockout stage for a second successive World Cup.

Ghana are in an ideal position to qualify, sitting second on three points, with South Korea and Uruguay still with an opportunity to progress despite each having only a single point heading into Friday's action.

La Celeste take on Ghana at Al Janoub Stadium on Friday in a quarter-final rematch from the 2010 World Cup, while the Portuguese face South Korea at the same time from Education City Stadium.

Here, Sports Mole looks at what each team needs to qualify for the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup.



PORTUGAL

Portugal's Joao Felix celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates Joao Cancelo and Bruno Fernandes on November 23, 2022© Reuters

After narrowly defeating Ghana 3-2 in their opening fixture, Portugal officially clinched a place in the knockout round thanks to a 2-0 triumph over Uruguay on Monday.

Fernando Santos and his side need only a draw or a win versus the Koreans to guarantee they top their World Cup group for the first time since 2010.

They could still finish first with a defeat as well, so long as they do not lose by more than three goals or Ghana do not win by that margin.

In 2002, they were eliminated by South Korea in their final group stage encounter of that World Cup, losing by a 1-0 score.



GHANA

Mohammed Kudus celebrates scoring for Ghana against South Korea on November 28, 2022© Reuters

The Ghanaians got their World Cup campaign going last time out, squandering a 2-0 lead to Korea but finding a winner in the 68th minute, their first victory at the finals since 2010.

Otto Addo's men can advance into the round of 16 with a win or draw and, in doing so, can exact revenge on Uruguay, who controversially defeated them on penalties at the 2010 World Cup.

There is an outside chance they could top this group, but seeing as they trail Portugal by three points, they would need them to lose and suffer a defeat by three or more goals or inflict that kind of result on Uruguay.

A Ghana defeat would officially eliminate them from the competition for the second time this century.



SOUTH KOREA

Cho Gue-sung celebrates scoring for South Korea against Ghana on November 28, 2022© Reuters

A massive second-half comeback for Paulo Bento's side was in vain as they conceded the winner to Ghana seven minutes after levelling that fixture at 2-2.

The Koreans have not advanced beyond the group stage of a World Cup since 2010, and they will need a victory versus the team Bento coached in 2014 to have a chance at moving on.

Korea not only need a victory, but they also need Ghana to either lose or draw in their final fixture against Uruguay.

If the Koreans win, and Ghana lose by a single goal, the Asians would advance, but should the Ghanaians draw, South Korea would need to win their match by at least two goals, thus overtaking the Africans for second place on goal difference.



URUGUAY

Uruguay's Luis Suarez reacts after missing a chance to score on November 23, 2022© Reuters

Uruguay are in danger of being knocked out at the group stage of a World Cup for the first time since 2002.

Following a 0-0 draw with South Korea in their opener, Diego Alonso's team failed to find the back of the net on Monday versus Portugal, losing 2-0.

Not since the 1974 finals have La Celeste been shut out of two group stage encounters, finishing bottom of that group which featured the Netherlands, Sweden and Bulgaria.

With a victory over Ghana, they would have four points and would advance if Portugal manage to defeat or draw against South Korea.

If the Koreans win, Uruguay would have to earn at least a two-goal victory in their final encounter to slot into second place on goal difference.


ID:500980:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6890:
Written by
Joel Lefevre
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Mohammed Kudus celebrates scoring for Ghana against South Korea on November 28, 2022
Read Next:
Barcelona director confirms club have been "tracking Mohammed Kudus"
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool22165154213353
2Arsenal23138244212347
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2313553327644
4Manchester CityMan City23125647301741
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle23125641271441
6Chelsea23117545301540
7Bournemouth23117541261540
8Aston Villa2310763435-137
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2381053531434
10Fulham238963431333
11Brentford2394104240231
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd2385102832-429
13Crystal Palace236982630-427
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2376102844-1627
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs2373134637924
16Everton225891928-923
17Leicester CityLeicester2345142549-2417
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2344153252-2016
19Ipswich TownIpswich2337132147-2616
20Southampton2313191653-376


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!