Wednesday say Argentina and Nigeria advance from Group F at the World Cup, while France and Switzerland made it out of Group E.
Argentina had Lionel Mess to thank (who else?) as they overcame Nigeria 3-2, as Bosnia beat Iran to dash the Middle Eastern nations hopes of making the last 16. Elsewhere France and Ecuador drew 0-0 but the French still topped the group, while Switzerland hammered Honduras 3-0 thanks to a Xherdan Shaqiri hat trick.
[ MORE: How will U.S. line up vs. Germany ]
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Two more group finales are in store on Thursday, as the U.S. face Germany in their crucial Group G finale. The USA know that a win or draw would guarantee their spot in the last 16, but a defeat vs. Germany and a big win for either Portugal or Ghana in the other game could scupper the Americans’ chances. As for Group H, Belgium is already through, but will Algeria, Russia or Korea join them?
Everything is on the line.
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MATCH 45: Portugal vs, Ghana
Location: Estadio Nacional, Brasilia
Time: Noon ET
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Cheater’s Guide
Portugal and Ghana are both hoping they rack up a big win and that the USA loses heavily to Germany. If that happens the victor here will go through to the knockout stages. A draw is useless to either side. Expect a humdinger in Brasilia.
What they’re saying
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo on his teammates: “Maybe we’re an average team … We have a very limited team and we are not at the best level. This does not enable you to beat top teams. There are no miracles. We knew we would have a tough group, with perhaps teams better than us … I’m not a hypocrite, I never thought we could win the tournament.”
History
The two nations have never met.
Premier League Players
Portugal: Nani (Manchester United)
RELATED: World Cup news, analysis from Soccerly
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MATCH 46: USA vs. Germany
Location: Arena Pernambuco, Recife
Time: Noon ET
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Cheater’s guide
Both teams need just a point to seal qualification through to the last 16 of the World Cup. Simple... right?
What they’re saying
USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann on his team playing for the draw: “‘I don’t think that we are made for draws, really, except if it happens like tonight (vs. Portugal) - two late goals, last seconds. I think both teams go into this game and they want to win the group.’'
History
These two have met twice before at the World Cup. Germany won 2-0 in 1998, when Klinsmann scored the second, and infamously 1-0 in the 2002 quarterfinals.
Premier League players
United States: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa); Tim Howard (Everton); Geoff Cameron (Stoke City); Jozy Altidore (Sunderland
Germany: Per Mertesacker, Mesut Ozil, Lukas Podolski (All Arsenal), Andre Schurrle (Chelsea),
MLS players
United States: Michael Bradley (Toronto FC); Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo); Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy); Nick Rimando, Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake); Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes); Clint Dempsey, DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders); Matt Besler, Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas
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MATCH 47: Korea vs. Belgium
Location: Arena de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
Time: 4pm ET
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Cheater’s Guide
Belgium is already through to the knockout stages but has the chance to guarantee top spot with a point against Korea. As for Korea, they must win and hope Russia and Algeria play to a draw.
What they’re saying
Belgium coach Marc Wilmots on people criticizing his sides defensive play so far: “Pretty, pretty, pretty makes no one happy. We are tactically very disciplined and we have needed to be patient. It’s not about being beautiful - but about being effective.”
History
This will be the fourth time these sides have met, with Belgium winning two and drawing one of the last three. They met in the 1990 and 1998 World Cup finals, a 1-0 win for Belgium and 1-1 draw respectively.
Premier League players
Belgium: Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur), Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), Mousa Dembele (Tottenham Hotspur), Nacer Chadli (Tottenham Hotspur), Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea), Eden Hazard(Chelsea), Kevin Mirallas (Everton), Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United)
South Korea: Yun Suk-Young (Queens Park Rangers), Park Chu-Young (Arsenal).
RELATED: World Cup news, analysis from Soccerly
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MATCH 48: Algeria vs. Russia
Location: Arena da Baixada, Curitiba
Time: 4pm ET
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Cheater’s guide
Both teams have one point so far from the World Cup, however if they win here and Korea lose to Belgium, the victor will make it to the last 16.
What they’re saying
Algeria’s manager Vahid Halilhodzic after they beat Korea: “The fans never gave up on me, and it’s made me feel warm inside. But the press – the press lost confidence in Vahid. This is a gift for everyone except for you. I know you’re sad tonight but this is how it is. There are things that have provoked such animosity in Vahid. So many lies. You have attacked my own family. My pride, my honour, no one has the right to touch those things but I have not won a battle for myself. The Algerian people have never given up on me and have expended a lot of energy, and this is a small reward.”
History
They have only met once before, a 2-2 friendly draw in 1964.
Premier League players
Algeria: Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City), Nabil Bentaleb (Tottenham Hotspur)
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