×
RCB’s success down to Kohli trusting batting line-up more: Sanjay Manjrekar  Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s has started its title defence strongly, winning four of its first six matches as it looks to become the first team to win back-to-back IPL titles.Leading the way with the bat once again for Rajat Patidar’s men is Virat Kohli, who is the team’s leading run-scorer with 247 runs from six innings at an average of 49.40 and a strike-rate of 157.32. However, former India international Sanjay Manjrekar believes that a large part of the RCB’s recent success can be attributed to the side shedding its dependence on Kohli.“I believe that what has changed in the last two years, apart from Virat Kohli’s strike rate going up, is that he has stopped believing that he is the one batter who’s got to do it for RCB, and has taken a little bit of a backseat and delegated,” Manjrekar said on        Sportstar’s Inside Edge podcast. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMAhdMSSKzg[/embed]“Earlier, when AB and Virat were the two big batters, by accident or by design, they were consuming a lot of balls per RCB innings,” Manjrekar said. “If you see now with RCB, people like Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, and Tim David are providing a lot of useful contributions from down the order because they are getting the opportunity to come in and spend time in the middle.” “I’d like to believe that the reason RCB won the title and is looking really good this season is because Virat Kohli, who bats at the top of the order, is just not putting as huge a prize on his wicket and has started trusting the batters to come a little more.” Manjrekar noted that Kohli’s improved strike-rate had dovetailed well with the pyrotechnics coming from the rest of the RCB batting line-up, saying, “Earlier, he was happy to go at a strike-rate of 120-130. Also, I think he was going into bat and thinking about a milestone, which not too many people think. But I can understand the pressure of a big brand wanting to get those 50s and showing that he’s contributing. ALSO READ: Kolkata Knight Riders’ issues from poor auction and captaincy choice, says Sanjay Manjrekar“But I believe where things have changed is that Virat Kohli now realises that he cannot bat at a strike-rate of 130. Things have moved on. He is batting at a strike-rate of 150 generally. But interestingly, down the order, people are going at 180-200 and that is why RCB is playing so well.Fitness focusManjrekar also praised Kohli for his fitness, noting that it was one of the important reasons behind the 37-year-old’s continued impressive form. “The amount of time he spends just wanting to be this very, very fit cricketer. So when you’re aging and if you’re not really supremely fit, T20 cricket is about hand-eye coordination and running hard between the wickets, and you just have to be young in body. If your eyes can keep pace with it, that’s fine. “Virat Kohli doesn’t let his age come in the way too much. It does, in Test cricket you saw that. But his fitness is never going to actually make things even more difficult for him. And we’re seeing that in his T20 batting both last season, and this season as well.”He further pointed out that this was in line with how Kohli had achieved success across his career. “Virat has achieved greatness, reached exceptional heights. He wasn’t as gifted as Tendulkar with batting ability or you’ll see his technique let him down in Test cricket,” Manjrekar. “But he willed himself to those heights by sheer fitness, and wanting to be at his best every time he stepped onto the field, just like Tendulkar. And that is what sets him apart.”Published on Apr 23, 2026  #RCBs #success #Kohli #trusting #batting #lineup #Sanjay #Manjrekar

RCB’s success down to Kohli trusting batting line-up more: Sanjay Manjrekar

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s has started its title defence strongly, winning four of its first six matches as it looks to become the first team to win back-to-back IPL titles.

Leading the way with the bat once again for Rajat Patidar’s men is Virat Kohli, who is the team’s leading run-scorer with 247 runs from six innings at an average of 49.40 and a strike-rate of 157.32. 

However, former India international Sanjay Manjrekar believes that a large part of the RCB’s recent success can be attributed to the side shedding its dependence on Kohli.

“I believe that what has changed in the last two years, apart from Virat Kohli’s strike rate going up, is that he has stopped believing that he is the one batter who’s got to do it for RCB, and has taken a little bit of a backseat and delegated,” Manjrekar said on Sportstar’s Inside Edge podcast

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMAhdMSSKzg[/embed]

“Earlier, when AB and Virat were the two big batters, by accident or by design, they were consuming a lot of balls per RCB innings,” Manjrekar said. “If you see now with RCB, people like Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, and Tim David are providing a lot of useful contributions from down the order because they are getting the opportunity to come in and spend time in the middle.” 

“I’d like to believe that the reason RCB won the title and is looking really good this season is because Virat Kohli, who bats at the top of the order, is just not putting as huge a prize on his wicket and has started trusting the batters to come a little more.” 

Manjrekar noted that Kohli’s improved strike-rate had dovetailed well with the pyrotechnics coming from the rest of the RCB batting line-up, saying, “Earlier, he was happy to go at a strike-rate of 120-130. Also, I think he was going into bat and thinking about a milestone, which not too many people think. But I can understand the pressure of a big brand wanting to get those 50s and showing that he’s contributing. 

ALSO READ: Kolkata Knight Riders’ issues from poor auction and captaincy choice, says Sanjay Manjrekar

“But I believe where things have changed is that Virat Kohli now realises that he cannot bat at a strike-rate of 130. Things have moved on. He is batting at a strike-rate of 150 generally. But interestingly, down the order, people are going at 180-200 and that is why RCB is playing so well.

Fitness focus

Manjrekar also praised Kohli for his fitness, noting that it was one of the important reasons behind the 37-year-old’s continued impressive form. 

“The amount of time he spends just wanting to be this very, very fit cricketer. So when you’re aging and if you’re not really supremely fit, T20 cricket is about hand-eye coordination and running hard between the wickets, and you just have to be young in body. If your eyes can keep pace with it, that’s fine. 

“Virat Kohli doesn’t let his age come in the way too much. It does, in Test cricket you saw that. But his fitness is never going to actually make things even more difficult for him. And we’re seeing that in his T20 batting both last season, and this season as well.”

He further pointed out that this was in line with how Kohli had achieved success across his career. 

“Virat has achieved greatness, reached exceptional heights. He wasn’t as gifted as Tendulkar with batting ability or you’ll see his technique let him down in Test cricket,” Manjrekar. “But he willed himself to those heights by sheer fitness, and wanting to be at his best every time he stepped onto the field, just like Tendulkar. And that is what sets him apart.”

Published on Apr 23, 2026

#RCBs #success #Kohli #trusting #batting #lineup #Sanjay #Manjrekar

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s has started its title defence strongly, winning four of its first six matches as it looks to become the first team to win back-to-back IPL titles.

Leading the way with the bat once again for Rajat Patidar’s men is Virat Kohli, who is the team’s leading run-scorer with 247 runs from six innings at an average of 49.40 and a strike-rate of 157.32. 

However, former India international Sanjay Manjrekar believes that a large part of the RCB’s recent success can be attributed to the side shedding its dependence on Kohli.

“I believe that what has changed in the last two years, apart from Virat Kohli’s strike rate going up, is that he has stopped believing that he is the one batter who’s got to do it for RCB, and has taken a little bit of a backseat and delegated,” Manjrekar said on Sportstar’s Inside Edge podcast

“Earlier, when AB and Virat were the two big batters, by accident or by design, they were consuming a lot of balls per RCB innings,” Manjrekar said. “If you see now with RCB, people like Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, and Tim David are providing a lot of useful contributions from down the order because they are getting the opportunity to come in and spend time in the middle.” 

“I’d like to believe that the reason RCB won the title and is looking really good this season is because Virat Kohli, who bats at the top of the order, is just not putting as huge a prize on his wicket and has started trusting the batters to come a little more.” 

Manjrekar noted that Kohli’s improved strike-rate had dovetailed well with the pyrotechnics coming from the rest of the RCB batting line-up, saying, “Earlier, he was happy to go at a strike-rate of 120-130. Also, I think he was going into bat and thinking about a milestone, which not too many people think. But I can understand the pressure of a big brand wanting to get those 50s and showing that he’s contributing. 

ALSO READ: Kolkata Knight Riders’ issues from poor auction and captaincy choice, says Sanjay Manjrekar

“But I believe where things have changed is that Virat Kohli now realises that he cannot bat at a strike-rate of 130. Things have moved on. He is batting at a strike-rate of 150 generally. But interestingly, down the order, people are going at 180-200 and that is why RCB is playing so well.

Fitness focus

Manjrekar also praised Kohli for his fitness, noting that it was one of the important reasons behind the 37-year-old’s continued impressive form. 

“The amount of time he spends just wanting to be this very, very fit cricketer. So when you’re aging and if you’re not really supremely fit, T20 cricket is about hand-eye coordination and running hard between the wickets, and you just have to be young in body. If your eyes can keep pace with it, that’s fine. 

“Virat Kohli doesn’t let his age come in the way too much. It does, in Test cricket you saw that. But his fitness is never going to actually make things even more difficult for him. And we’re seeing that in his T20 batting both last season, and this season as well.”

He further pointed out that this was in line with how Kohli had achieved success across his career. 

“Virat has achieved greatness, reached exceptional heights. He wasn’t as gifted as Tendulkar with batting ability or you’ll see his technique let him down in Test cricket,” Manjrekar. “But he willed himself to those heights by sheer fitness, and wanting to be at his best every time he stepped onto the field, just like Tendulkar. And that is what sets him apart.”

Published on Apr 23, 2026

Source link
#RCBs #success #Kohli #trusting #batting #lineup #Sanjay #Manjrekar

Previous post

Deadspin | Earthquakes score 5 second-half goals to beat Austin FC <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28790583.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28790583.jpg" alt="MLS: Austin FC at San Jose Earthquakes" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 22, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; San Jose Earthquakes forward Timo Werner (11) celebrates scoring the team’s second goal against Austin FC in the second half at PayPal Park. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Timo Werner scored the tiebreaking goal on a penalty kick in the 78th minute and the MLS-best San Jose Earthquakes erupted for five second-half goals in a 5-1 victory over visiting Austin FC on Wednesday night.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Preston Judd recorded his second career brace while Jack Jasinksi and Ousseni Bouda also scored goals as San Jose (8-1-0, 24 points) continued its franchise-best start. The Earthquakes scored four of their goals in a 12-minute stretch late in the second half while notching their fifth consecutive victory.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>San Jose dominated the contest with a 37-6 edge in shots. The Earthquakes put 16 shots on target compared to Austin’s two.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Joseph Rosales scored for Austin FC (1-4-4, 7 points) and Brad Stuver allowed his club to hold the lead most of the game with 11 saves, some of them spectacular stops.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Austin is winless in its last seven MLS matches (0-4-3).</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>The go-ahead sequence began when San Jose was awarded a penalty kick when Austin’s Nicolas Dubersarsky knocked down Jamar Ricketts in the box in the 77th minute.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>One minute later, Werner stood at the spot and placed a right-footed shot into the lower left corner of the net to give the Earthquakes their first lead.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>San Jose tacked off another tally in the 83rd minute when Paul Marie fed Judd for a right-footed running shot past Stuver.</p> </section> <section id="section-9"> <p>Two minutes later, Bouda stole the ball from Austin’s Jon Bell and sent a left-footed shot that caromed off Stuver and into the net to give the Quakes a 4-1 edge.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>The onslaught continued in the 89th minute when Marie sent a pass to Judd, who headed it into the net.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Earlier, San Jose knotted the score at 1 in the 58th minute when Jasinksi, a rookie, made good on his second header attempt in two minutes.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>On the first one, Jasinki’s header clanked off the near goalpost. Chance No. 2 came off Niko Tsakiris’ corner kick and he rose up and snapped a header past Stuver for his first MLS goal.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Austin’s goal in the ninth minute came after a wayward San Jose pass in its own end was scooped up by Rosales.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>Rosales dribbled in and delivered a hard left-footed shot that caromed off the leg of Daniel and into the net.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Austin nearly struck again in the 17th minute but Facundo Torres’ hard left-foot shot was stopped for Daniel’s lone save of the match. Daniel then used his right hand to slap the ball to the side and out of harm’s way.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-16"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Earthquakes #score #secondhalf #goals #beat #Austin

Next post

5 Books About Mary Bennet, the Sidelined Sister in ‘Pride and Prejudice’

On Thursday night, Mexico became the first team to clinch a spot in the knockout round at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

On Saturday, there is a chance for a team in Group E to join them.

Entering Saturday’s two group stage matches, both Germany and the Ivory Coast have a chance to book a spot in the Round of 32. And, as the scheduling gods would have it, those two sides will meet in Toronto Saturday afternoon.

Here are the clinching scenarios for Group E.

Update: Deniz Undav’s goal in stoppage time for Germany broke a 1-1 tie against the Ivory Coast, and booked a spot in the Round of 32 with Germany’s 2-1 win. Germany will win Group E if Ecuador draws or loses to Curaçao later tonight.

Update (Saturday night): With the draw between Ecuador and Curaçao, Germany has won Group E. Ivory Coast, Ecuador, and Curaçao can all still advance.

What are the Group E standings?

Here are the current standings in Group E after Ivory Coast-Germany:

Team

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

Points

Germany20092+76
Ivory Coast1012203
Ecuador01101-11
Curaçao01117-61

What are the next Group E matches?

Four matches remain in Group E, starting with a pair on Saturday, June 20. All times listed are Eastern.

Germany 2, Ivory Coast 1
Ecuador 0, Curaçao 0

Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast, 4:00 p.m.
Ecuador vs. Germany, 4:00 p.m.

What are the current scenarios for Group E?

Here is what you need to know entering the matches on Saturday, June 20, starting with the tilt between Germany and the Ivory Coast.

Germany can book a spot in the Round of 32 with a win, and could win the group with a win and some help. If Germany beats the Ivory Coast, they will book a spot in the Round of 32 as one of the top two teams in the group.

However, if they win, they will clinch the group if Ecuador draws or loses to Curaçao. More on this when we discuss the tiebreaker scenarios. The winner of Group E will play a third-place team from Groups A, B, C, D or F in the Round of 32.

The Ivory Coast has a similar path to winning the group on Saturday. If they win on Saturday, they are into the Round of 32 as they are guaranteed to finish in the top two of the group. If they beat Germany, then they will clinch Group E and take on a third-place team from Groups A, B, C, D or F provided Curaçao does not beat Ecuador.

On the other side of the coin, Curaçao can be eliminated on Saturday with a loss to Ecuador, and an Ivory Coast win or draw against Germany.

Ecuador also faces elimination on Saturday. If they lose to Curaçao, and Germany wins or draws against the Ivory Coast, then Ecuador is eliminated.

Now we get to the tiebreaker scenarios that come into play with Group E, starting on Saturday, June 20.

Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year. If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.

In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.

If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.

If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.

That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.

That brings us to the scenarios entering play on June 20, and we will use Germany as the first example. As noted above, Germany clinches Group E with a win against the Ivory Coast, provided Ecuador does not beat Curaçao. With a win against the Ivory Coast, Germany would move to six points in Group E play.

But if Ecuador beats Curaçao, they would have three points, and since Germany and Ecuador play in the final match of Group E play, under these tiebreakers Ecuador could still win the group. In this scenario, if Ecuador goes on to beat Germany, both teams would have six points in group play, but Ecuador would have the “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned,” and would win the group. But if Ecuador loses or ties against Curaçao, then this tiebreaker cannot come into play.

This is also why the Ivory Coast needs a win, plus a Curaçao loss or tie, to clinch Group E.

#World #Cup #Germany #clinched #Group #scenarios #remain">World Cup 2026: How Germany clinched Group E and what scenarios remain  On Thursday night, Mexico became the first team to clinch a spot in the knockout round at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.On Saturday, there is a chance for a team in Group E to join them.Entering Saturday’s two group stage matches, both Germany and the Ivory Coast have a chance to book a spot in the Round of 32. And, as the scheduling gods would have it, those two sides will meet in Toronto Saturday afternoon.Here are the clinching scenarios for Group E.Update: Deniz Undav’s goal in stoppage time for Germany broke a 1-1 tie against the Ivory Coast, and booked a spot in the Round of 32 with Germany’s 2-1 win. Germany will win Group E if Ecuador draws or loses to Curaçao later tonight.Update (Saturday night): With the draw between Ecuador and Curaçao, Germany has won Group E. Ivory Coast, Ecuador, and Curaçao can all still advance.What are the Group E standings?Here are the current standings in Group E after Ivory Coast-Germany:TeamWDLGFGAGDPointsGermany20092+76Ivory Coast1012203Ecuador01101-11Curaçao01117-61What are the next Group E matches?Four matches remain in Group E, starting with a pair on Saturday, June 20. All times listed are Eastern.Germany 2, Ivory Coast 1Ecuador 0, Curaçao 0Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast, 4:00 p.m.Ecuador vs. Germany, 4:00 p.m.What are the current scenarios for Group E?Here is what you need to know entering the matches on Saturday, June 20, starting with the tilt between Germany and the Ivory Coast.Germany can book a spot in the Round of 32 with a win, and could win the group with a win and some help. If Germany beats the Ivory Coast, they will book a spot in the Round of 32 as one of the top two teams in the group.However, if they win, they will clinch the group if Ecuador draws or loses to Curaçao. More on this when we discuss the tiebreaker scenarios. The winner of Group E will play a third-place team from Groups A, B, C, D or F in the Round of 32.The Ivory Coast has a similar path to winning the group on Saturday. If they win on Saturday, they are into the Round of 32 as they are guaranteed to finish in the top two of the group. If they beat Germany, then they will clinch Group E and take on a third-place team from Groups A, B, C, D or F provided Curaçao does not beat Ecuador.On the other side of the coin, Curaçao can be eliminated on Saturday with a loss to Ecuador, and an Ivory Coast win or draw against Germany.Ecuador also faces elimination on Saturday. If they lose to Curaçao, and Germany wins or draws against the Ivory Coast, then Ecuador is eliminated.Now we get to the tiebreaker scenarios that come into play with Group E, starting on Saturday, June 20.Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year. If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.That brings us to the scenarios entering play on June 20, and we will use Germany as the first example. As noted above, Germany clinches Group E with a win against the Ivory Coast, provided Ecuador does not beat Curaçao. With a win against the Ivory Coast, Germany would move to six points in Group E play.But if Ecuador beats Curaçao, they would have three points, and since Germany and Ecuador play in the final match of Group E play, under these tiebreakers Ecuador could still win the group. In this scenario, if Ecuador goes on to beat Germany, both teams would have six points in group play, but Ecuador would have the “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned,” and would win the group. But if Ecuador loses or ties against Curaçao, then this tiebreaker cannot come into play.This is also why the Ivory Coast needs a win, plus a Curaçao loss or tie, to clinch Group E.  #World #Cup #Germany #clinched #Group #scenarios #remain

first team to clinch a spot in the knockout round at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

On Saturday, there is a chance for a team in Group E to join them.

Entering Saturday’s two group stage matches, both Germany and the Ivory Coast have a chance to book a spot in the Round of 32. And, as the scheduling gods would have it, those two sides will meet in Toronto Saturday afternoon.

Here are the clinching scenarios for Group E.

Update: Deniz Undav’s goal in stoppage time for Germany broke a 1-1 tie against the Ivory Coast, and booked a spot in the Round of 32 with Germany’s 2-1 win. Germany will win Group E if Ecuador draws or loses to Curaçao later tonight.

Update (Saturday night): With the draw between Ecuador and Curaçao, Germany has won Group E. Ivory Coast, Ecuador, and Curaçao can all still advance.

What are the Group E standings?

Here are the current standings in Group E after Ivory Coast-Germany:

Team

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

Points

Germany20092+76
Ivory Coast1012203
Ecuador01101-11
Curaçao01117-61

What are the next Group E matches?

Four matches remain in Group E, starting with a pair on Saturday, June 20. All times listed are Eastern.

Germany 2, Ivory Coast 1
Ecuador 0, Curaçao 0

Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast, 4:00 p.m.
Ecuador vs. Germany, 4:00 p.m.

What are the current scenarios for Group E?

Here is what you need to know entering the matches on Saturday, June 20, starting with the tilt between Germany and the Ivory Coast.

Germany can book a spot in the Round of 32 with a win, and could win the group with a win and some help. If Germany beats the Ivory Coast, they will book a spot in the Round of 32 as one of the top two teams in the group.

However, if they win, they will clinch the group if Ecuador draws or loses to Curaçao. More on this when we discuss the tiebreaker scenarios. The winner of Group E will play a third-place team from Groups A, B, C, D or F in the Round of 32.

The Ivory Coast has a similar path to winning the group on Saturday. If they win on Saturday, they are into the Round of 32 as they are guaranteed to finish in the top two of the group. If they beat Germany, then they will clinch Group E and take on a third-place team from Groups A, B, C, D or F provided Curaçao does not beat Ecuador.

On the other side of the coin, Curaçao can be eliminated on Saturday with a loss to Ecuador, and an Ivory Coast win or draw against Germany.

Ecuador also faces elimination on Saturday. If they lose to Curaçao, and Germany wins or draws against the Ivory Coast, then Ecuador is eliminated.

Now we get to the tiebreaker scenarios that come into play with Group E, starting on Saturday, June 20.

Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year. If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.

In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.

If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.

If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.

That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.

That brings us to the scenarios entering play on June 20, and we will use Germany as the first example. As noted above, Germany clinches Group E with a win against the Ivory Coast, provided Ecuador does not beat Curaçao. With a win against the Ivory Coast, Germany would move to six points in Group E play.

But if Ecuador beats Curaçao, they would have three points, and since Germany and Ecuador play in the final match of Group E play, under these tiebreakers Ecuador could still win the group. In this scenario, if Ecuador goes on to beat Germany, both teams would have six points in group play, but Ecuador would have the “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned,” and would win the group. But if Ecuador loses or ties against Curaçao, then this tiebreaker cannot come into play.

This is also why the Ivory Coast needs a win, plus a Curaçao loss or tie, to clinch Group E.

#World #Cup #Germany #clinched #Group #scenarios #remain">World Cup 2026: How Germany clinched Group E and what scenarios remain

On Thursday night, Mexico became the first team to clinch a spot in the knockout round at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

On Saturday, there is a chance for a team in Group E to join them.

Entering Saturday’s two group stage matches, both Germany and the Ivory Coast have a chance to book a spot in the Round of 32. And, as the scheduling gods would have it, those two sides will meet in Toronto Saturday afternoon.

Here are the clinching scenarios for Group E.

Update: Deniz Undav’s goal in stoppage time for Germany broke a 1-1 tie against the Ivory Coast, and booked a spot in the Round of 32 with Germany’s 2-1 win. Germany will win Group E if Ecuador draws or loses to Curaçao later tonight.

Update (Saturday night): With the draw between Ecuador and Curaçao, Germany has won Group E. Ivory Coast, Ecuador, and Curaçao can all still advance.

What are the Group E standings?

Here are the current standings in Group E after Ivory Coast-Germany:

Team

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

Points

Germany20092+76
Ivory Coast1012203
Ecuador01101-11
Curaçao01117-61

What are the next Group E matches?

Four matches remain in Group E, starting with a pair on Saturday, June 20. All times listed are Eastern.

Germany 2, Ivory Coast 1
Ecuador 0, Curaçao 0

Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast, 4:00 p.m.
Ecuador vs. Germany, 4:00 p.m.

What are the current scenarios for Group E?

Here is what you need to know entering the matches on Saturday, June 20, starting with the tilt between Germany and the Ivory Coast.

Germany can book a spot in the Round of 32 with a win, and could win the group with a win and some help. If Germany beats the Ivory Coast, they will book a spot in the Round of 32 as one of the top two teams in the group.

However, if they win, they will clinch the group if Ecuador draws or loses to Curaçao. More on this when we discuss the tiebreaker scenarios. The winner of Group E will play a third-place team from Groups A, B, C, D or F in the Round of 32.

The Ivory Coast has a similar path to winning the group on Saturday. If they win on Saturday, they are into the Round of 32 as they are guaranteed to finish in the top two of the group. If they beat Germany, then they will clinch Group E and take on a third-place team from Groups A, B, C, D or F provided Curaçao does not beat Ecuador.

On the other side of the coin, Curaçao can be eliminated on Saturday with a loss to Ecuador, and an Ivory Coast win or draw against Germany.

Ecuador also faces elimination on Saturday. If they lose to Curaçao, and Germany wins or draws against the Ivory Coast, then Ecuador is eliminated.

Now we get to the tiebreaker scenarios that come into play with Group E, starting on Saturday, June 20.

Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year. If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.

In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.

If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.

If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.

That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.

That brings us to the scenarios entering play on June 20, and we will use Germany as the first example. As noted above, Germany clinches Group E with a win against the Ivory Coast, provided Ecuador does not beat Curaçao. With a win against the Ivory Coast, Germany would move to six points in Group E play.

But if Ecuador beats Curaçao, they would have three points, and since Germany and Ecuador play in the final match of Group E play, under these tiebreakers Ecuador could still win the group. In this scenario, if Ecuador goes on to beat Germany, both teams would have six points in group play, but Ecuador would have the “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned,” and would win the group. But if Ecuador loses or ties against Curaçao, then this tiebreaker cannot come into play.

This is also why the Ivory Coast needs a win, plus a Curaçao loss or tie, to clinch Group E.

#World #Cup #Germany #clinched #Group #scenarios #remain

Post Comment