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Deadspin | Cardinals complete comeback vs. Guardians in extra-inning thriller  Apr 14, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Iván Herrera (48) tags out Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo (9) during the fourth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images   Nathan Church brought home Thomas Saggese with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th inning as the host St. Louis Cardinals came from behind to beat the Cleveland Guardians 6-5 on Tuesday.  Cardinals rookie JJ Wetherholt hit a pair of home runs and drove in three runs to set up the rubber game of the series on Wednesday.  After the Cardinals tied the game in the bottom of the eighth with an unearned run, Saggese was the free runner at second to start the 10th.  He went to third on a wild pitch and scored on Church’s drive to right, beating Angel Martinez’s throw to the plate.  Riley O’Brien (2-0, 0.00 ERA) picked up the win after throwing a scoreless 10th.  Tim Herrin (0-1, 0.00 ERA) took the loss for Cleveland.  The Guardians broke the game open in the top of the eighth with four straight hits to bring home three runs.  After Jojo Romero retired Chase DeLauter, Ryne Stanek came on to face Jose Ramirez.  Ramirez and Kyle Manzardo promptly singled to put runners at first and third.  George Valera brought Ramirez home with a double and Angel Martinez brought in Manzardo and pinch-runner Juan Brito with a double to right to give Cleveland a three-run lead.  Wetherholt helped the Cardinals climb back in the game when he hit his second home run, a two-run opposite-field shot to left, in the bottom of the inning.   The Cardinals tied it in the ninth when Masyn Winn’s two-out grounder went through Brito’s legs.  Winn went to second on a wild pitch and scored on a double by Yohel Pozo.  Cardinals starter Michael McGreevy went five innings, giving up four hits and two earned runs.  The right-hander walked one and struck out two on 87 pitches.  Guardians starter Joey Cantillo went six innings. The southpaw gave up five hits and two earned runs.  He walked two and struck out four on 82 pitches.  The teams traded solo home runs in the early innings.  Ramirez hit one with two outs in the first and Daniel Schneemann hit one with two outs in the second.  The Cardinals matched them with Ivan Herrera hitting one in the first and Wetherholt hitting a two-out shot in the third.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Cardinals #complete #comeback #Guardians #extrainning #thriller

Deadspin | Cardinals complete comeback vs. Guardians in extra-inning thriller
Deadspin | Cardinals complete comeback vs. Guardians in extra-inning thriller  Apr 14, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Iván Herrera (48) tags out Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo (9) during the fourth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images   Nathan Church brought home Thomas Saggese with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th inning as the host St. Louis Cardinals came from behind to beat the Cleveland Guardians 6-5 on Tuesday.  Cardinals rookie JJ Wetherholt hit a pair of home runs and drove in three runs to set up the rubber game of the series on Wednesday.  After the Cardinals tied the game in the bottom of the eighth with an unearned run, Saggese was the free runner at second to start the 10th.  He went to third on a wild pitch and scored on Church’s drive to right, beating Angel Martinez’s throw to the plate.  Riley O’Brien (2-0, 0.00 ERA) picked up the win after throwing a scoreless 10th.  Tim Herrin (0-1, 0.00 ERA) took the loss for Cleveland.  The Guardians broke the game open in the top of the eighth with four straight hits to bring home three runs.  After Jojo Romero retired Chase DeLauter, Ryne Stanek came on to face Jose Ramirez.  Ramirez and Kyle Manzardo promptly singled to put runners at first and third.  George Valera brought Ramirez home with a double and Angel Martinez brought in Manzardo and pinch-runner Juan Brito with a double to right to give Cleveland a three-run lead.  Wetherholt helped the Cardinals climb back in the game when he hit his second home run, a two-run opposite-field shot to left, in the bottom of the inning.   The Cardinals tied it in the ninth when Masyn Winn’s two-out grounder went through Brito’s legs.  Winn went to second on a wild pitch and scored on a double by Yohel Pozo.  Cardinals starter Michael McGreevy went five innings, giving up four hits and two earned runs.  The right-hander walked one and struck out two on 87 pitches.  Guardians starter Joey Cantillo went six innings. The southpaw gave up five hits and two earned runs.  He walked two and struck out four on 82 pitches.  The teams traded solo home runs in the early innings.  Ramirez hit one with two outs in the first and Daniel Schneemann hit one with two outs in the second.  The Cardinals matched them with Ivan Herrera hitting one in the first and Wetherholt hitting a two-out shot in the third.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Cardinals #complete #comeback #Guardians #extrainning #thrillerApr 14, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Iván Herrera (48) tags out Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo (9) during the fourth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

Nathan Church brought home Thomas Saggese with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th inning as the host St. Louis Cardinals came from behind to beat the Cleveland Guardians 6-5 on Tuesday.

Cardinals rookie JJ Wetherholt hit a pair of home runs and drove in three runs to set up the rubber game of the series on Wednesday.

After the Cardinals tied the game in the bottom of the eighth with an unearned run, Saggese was the free runner at second to start the 10th.

He went to third on a wild pitch and scored on Church’s drive to right, beating Angel Martinez’s throw to the plate.

Riley O’Brien (2-0, 0.00 ERA) picked up the win after throwing a scoreless 10th.

Tim Herrin (0-1, 0.00 ERA) took the loss for Cleveland.

The Guardians broke the game open in the top of the eighth with four straight hits to bring home three runs.

After Jojo Romero retired Chase DeLauter, Ryne Stanek came on to face Jose Ramirez.

Ramirez and Kyle Manzardo promptly singled to put runners at first and third.

George Valera brought Ramirez home with a double and Angel Martinez brought in Manzardo and pinch-runner Juan Brito with a double to right to give Cleveland a three-run lead.


Wetherholt helped the Cardinals climb back in the game when he hit his second home run, a two-run opposite-field shot to left, in the bottom of the inning.

The Cardinals tied it in the ninth when Masyn Winn’s two-out grounder went through Brito’s legs.

Winn went to second on a wild pitch and scored on a double by Yohel Pozo.

Cardinals starter Michael McGreevy went five innings, giving up four hits and two earned runs.

The right-hander walked one and struck out two on 87 pitches.

Guardians starter Joey Cantillo went six innings. The southpaw gave up five hits and two earned runs.

He walked two and struck out four on 82 pitches.

The teams traded solo home runs in the early innings.

Ramirez hit one with two outs in the first and Daniel Schneemann hit one with two outs in the second.

The Cardinals matched them with Ivan Herrera hitting one in the first and Wetherholt hitting a two-out shot in the third.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Cardinals #complete #comeback #Guardians #extrainning #thriller

Apr 14, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Iván Herrera (48) tags out Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo (9) during the fourth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

Nathan Church brought home Thomas Saggese with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th inning as the host St. Louis Cardinals came from behind to beat the Cleveland Guardians 6-5 on Tuesday.

Cardinals rookie JJ Wetherholt hit a pair of home runs and drove in three runs to set up the rubber game of the series on Wednesday.

After the Cardinals tied the game in the bottom of the eighth with an unearned run, Saggese was the free runner at second to start the 10th.

He went to third on a wild pitch and scored on Church’s drive to right, beating Angel Martinez’s throw to the plate.

Riley O’Brien (2-0, 0.00 ERA) picked up the win after throwing a scoreless 10th.

Tim Herrin (0-1, 0.00 ERA) took the loss for Cleveland.

The Guardians broke the game open in the top of the eighth with four straight hits to bring home three runs.

After Jojo Romero retired Chase DeLauter, Ryne Stanek came on to face Jose Ramirez.

Ramirez and Kyle Manzardo promptly singled to put runners at first and third.

George Valera brought Ramirez home with a double and Angel Martinez brought in Manzardo and pinch-runner Juan Brito with a double to right to give Cleveland a three-run lead.

Wetherholt helped the Cardinals climb back in the game when he hit his second home run, a two-run opposite-field shot to left, in the bottom of the inning.

The Cardinals tied it in the ninth when Masyn Winn’s two-out grounder went through Brito’s legs.

Winn went to second on a wild pitch and scored on a double by Yohel Pozo.

Cardinals starter Michael McGreevy went five innings, giving up four hits and two earned runs.

The right-hander walked one and struck out two on 87 pitches.

Guardians starter Joey Cantillo went six innings. The southpaw gave up five hits and two earned runs.

He walked two and struck out four on 82 pitches.

The teams traded solo home runs in the early innings.

Ramirez hit one with two outs in the first and Daniel Schneemann hit one with two outs in the second.

The Cardinals matched them with Ivan Herrera hitting one in the first and Wetherholt hitting a two-out shot in the third.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Cardinals #complete #comeback #Guardians #extrainning #thriller

Deadspin | Reports: Wolves deal Julius Randle to Nets in 3-team trade  May 6, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) dribbles against San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) in the first half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images   The Brooklyn Nets reportedly added former All-Star forward Julius Randle and moved up five spots in the first round of the draft in a three-team trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls on Monday, the night before the draft.  According to multiple media outlets, Minnesota dealt Randle and the 28th overall pick in the Tuesday draft to the Nets for the 33rd overall selection.  Brooklyn sent center Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, who in turn shipped forward Mouhamadou Gueye to Minnesota. The Timberwolves reportedly will waive Gueye.  Randle, 31, is due to make .3 million in the upcoming season, and he has a player option for .8 million for 2027-28.  The three-time All-Star averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists last season. In a 12-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers (2014-15 to 2017-18), the New Orleans Pelicans (2018-19), the New York Knicks (2019-20 to 2023-24) and Minnesota (2024-25 to 2025-26), he has averaged 19.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists.   Randle was selected the NBA’s most improved player in 2020-21.  Claxton, 27, has spent each of his seven NBA seasons in Brooklyn. He put up 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest in 69 games (68 starts) last season. His career norms are 10.6, 7.6 and 2.1, respectively.  He is signed for .3 million in 2026-27 and .1 million in 2027-28.  Gueye, 27, made his NBA debut in 2023-24 for the Toronto Raptors, appearing in 11 games off the bench. He got into two games as a reserve for Chicago last season. Overall, he has averaged 3.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 12.7 minutes.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Reports #Wolves #deal #Julius #Randle #Nets #3team #tradeMay 6, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) dribbles against San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) in the first half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

The Brooklyn Nets reportedly added former All-Star forward Julius Randle and moved up five spots in the first round of the draft in a three-team trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls on Monday, the night before the draft.

According to multiple media outlets, Minnesota dealt Randle and the 28th overall pick in the Tuesday draft to the Nets for the 33rd overall selection.

Brooklyn sent center Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, who in turn shipped forward Mouhamadou Gueye to Minnesota. The Timberwolves reportedly will waive Gueye.

Randle, 31, is due to make $33.3 million in the upcoming season, and he has a player option for $35.8 million for 2027-28.


The three-time All-Star averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists last season. In a 12-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers (2014-15 to 2017-18), the New Orleans Pelicans (2018-19), the New York Knicks (2019-20 to 2023-24) and Minnesota (2024-25 to 2025-26), he has averaged 19.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists.

Randle was selected the NBA’s most improved player in 2020-21.

Claxton, 27, has spent each of his seven NBA seasons in Brooklyn. He put up 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest in 69 games (68 starts) last season. His career norms are 10.6, 7.6 and 2.1, respectively.

He is signed for $23.3 million in 2026-27 and $21.1 million in 2027-28.

Gueye, 27, made his NBA debut in 2023-24 for the Toronto Raptors, appearing in 11 games off the bench. He got into two games as a reserve for Chicago last season. Overall, he has averaged 3.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 12.7 minutes.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Reports #Wolves #deal #Julius #Randle #Nets #3team #trade">Deadspin | Reports: Wolves deal Julius Randle to Nets in 3-team trade  May 6, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) dribbles against San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) in the first half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images   The Brooklyn Nets reportedly added former All-Star forward Julius Randle and moved up five spots in the first round of the draft in a three-team trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls on Monday, the night before the draft.  According to multiple media outlets, Minnesota dealt Randle and the 28th overall pick in the Tuesday draft to the Nets for the 33rd overall selection.  Brooklyn sent center Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, who in turn shipped forward Mouhamadou Gueye to Minnesota. The Timberwolves reportedly will waive Gueye.  Randle, 31, is due to make .3 million in the upcoming season, and he has a player option for .8 million for 2027-28.  The three-time All-Star averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists last season. In a 12-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers (2014-15 to 2017-18), the New Orleans Pelicans (2018-19), the New York Knicks (2019-20 to 2023-24) and Minnesota (2024-25 to 2025-26), he has averaged 19.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists.   Randle was selected the NBA’s most improved player in 2020-21.  Claxton, 27, has spent each of his seven NBA seasons in Brooklyn. He put up 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest in 69 games (68 starts) last season. His career norms are 10.6, 7.6 and 2.1, respectively.  He is signed for .3 million in 2026-27 and .1 million in 2027-28.  Gueye, 27, made his NBA debut in 2023-24 for the Toronto Raptors, appearing in 11 games off the bench. He got into two games as a reserve for Chicago last season. Overall, he has averaged 3.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 12.7 minutes.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Reports #Wolves #deal #Julius #Randle #Nets #3team #trade

Both France and Norway won their opening matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Those two teams can book a spot in the knockout rounds on Monday, but it is possible that the winner of Group I comes down to the heavyweight bout between those two side in the final match of group play.

Here are the scenarios in Group I ahead of the second set of matches in group play at the 2026 World Cup.

Update: With the win over Iraq, France has clinched a spot in the knockout round.

Update: With the win over Senegal, Norway has clinched a spot in the knockout round.

What are the Group I standings?

Here are the standings in Group I after the two matches scheduled for Monday, June 22.

Team

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

Points

France20061+56
Norway20073+46
Senegal00236-30
Iraq00117-60

What are the next Group I matches?

Here is the schedule for the remaining matches in Group I play. All times listed are Eastern.

France 3, Iraq 1
Norway 3, Senegal 2

Norway vs. France, 3:00 p.m.
Senegal vs. Iraq, 3:00 p.m.

What are the Group I scenarios?

Here are the scenarios in Group I, ahead of the two matches set for June 22. Note, the winner of Group I likely comes down to the match between Norway and France on June 26.

France clinches a spot in the Round of 32 with a win over Iraq, provided Senegal does not beat Norway.

Norway clinches a spot in the Round of 32 with a win over Senegal, provided Iraq does not beat France.

Neither side can clinch the knockout round this week, nor can either side be eliminated. These two teams play each other in the final match of group play, and a win for either team would keep them in the running for a spot in the Round of 32 as a third-place team.

Now we get to the tiebreaker scenarios that come into play with Group I.

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 leads us to why Norway nor France can clinch the group on Monday. With those two teams playing each other in the final set of matches, there is still a path for both teams to win the group. Let’s use this hypothetical: Norway beats Senegal, but Iraq shocks the world and beats France. In that scenario Norway would have six points, and both Iraq and France would have three. Iraq would own the tiebreaker over France due to the head-to-head win.

But then in the final set of matches, France beats Norway, and Senegal beats Iraq. France and Norway would each have six points, but France would win the group because of the head-to-head tiebreaker with Norway given the win over them.

That is why the winner of Group I very likely comes down to the final set of matches.

Also, at the moment Norway leads the group ahead of France, due to goal differential.

#World #Cup #Knockout #scenarios #France #Norway #Group">World Cup 2026: Knockout round scenarios for France, Norway, and Group I  Both France and Norway won their opening matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Those two teams can book a spot in the knockout rounds on Monday, but it is possible that the winner of Group I comes down to the heavyweight bout between those two side in the final match of group play.Here are the scenarios in Group I ahead of the second set of matches in group play at the 2026 World Cup.Update: With the win over Iraq, France has clinched a spot in the knockout round.Update: With the win over Senegal, Norway has clinched a spot in the knockout round.What are the Group I standings?Here are the standings in Group I after the two matches scheduled for Monday, June 22.TeamWDLGFGAGDPointsFrance20061+56Norway20073+46Senegal00236-30Iraq00117-60What are the next Group I matches?Here is the schedule for the remaining matches in Group I play. All times listed are Eastern.France 3, Iraq 1Norway 3, Senegal 2Norway vs. France, 3:00 p.m.Senegal vs. Iraq, 3:00 p.m.What are the Group I scenarios?Here are the scenarios in Group I, ahead of the two matches set for June 22. Note, the winner of Group I likely comes down to the match between Norway and France on June 26.France clinches a spot in the Round of 32 with a win over Iraq, provided Senegal does not beat Norway.Norway clinches a spot in the Round of 32 with a win over Senegal, provided Iraq does not beat France.Neither side can clinch the knockout round this week, nor can either side be eliminated. These two teams play each other in the final match of group play, and a win for either team would keep them in the running for a spot in the Round of 32 as a third-place team.Now we get to the tiebreaker scenarios that come into play with Group I.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 leads us to why Norway nor France can clinch the group on Monday. With those two teams playing each other in the final set of matches, there is still a path for both teams to win the group. Let’s use this hypothetical: Norway beats Senegal, but Iraq shocks the world and beats France. In that scenario Norway would have six points, and both Iraq and France would have three. Iraq would own the tiebreaker over France due to the head-to-head win.But then in the final set of matches, France beats Norway, and Senegal beats Iraq. France and Norway would each have six points, but France would win the group because of the head-to-head tiebreaker with Norway given the win over them.That is why the winner of Group I very likely comes down to the final set of matches.Also, at the moment Norway leads the group ahead of France, due to goal differential.  #World #Cup #Knockout #scenarios #France #Norway #Group

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 leads us to why Norway nor France can clinch the group on Monday. With those two teams playing each other in the final set of matches, there is still a path for both teams to win the group. Let’s use this hypothetical: Norway beats Senegal, but Iraq shocks the world and beats France. In that scenario Norway would have six points, and both Iraq and France would have three. Iraq would own the tiebreaker over France due to the head-to-head win.

But then in the final set of matches, France beats Norway, and Senegal beats Iraq. France and Norway would each have six points, but France would win the group because of the head-to-head tiebreaker with Norway given the win over them.

That is why the winner of Group I very likely comes down to the final set of matches.

Also, at the moment Norway leads the group ahead of France, due to goal differential.

#World #Cup #Knockout #scenarios #France #Norway #Group">World Cup 2026: Knockout round scenarios for France, Norway, and Group I

Both France and Norway won their opening matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Those two teams can book a spot in the knockout rounds on Monday, but it is possible that the winner of Group I comes down to the heavyweight bout between those two side in the final match of group play.

Here are the scenarios in Group I ahead of the second set of matches in group play at the 2026 World Cup.

Update: With the win over Iraq, France has clinched a spot in the knockout round.

Update: With the win over Senegal, Norway has clinched a spot in the knockout round.

What are the Group I standings?

Here are the standings in Group I after the two matches scheduled for Monday, June 22.

Team

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

Points

France20061+56
Norway20073+46
Senegal00236-30
Iraq00117-60

What are the next Group I matches?

Here is the schedule for the remaining matches in Group I play. All times listed are Eastern.

France 3, Iraq 1
Norway 3, Senegal 2

Norway vs. France, 3:00 p.m.
Senegal vs. Iraq, 3:00 p.m.

What are the Group I scenarios?

Here are the scenarios in Group I, ahead of the two matches set for June 22. Note, the winner of Group I likely comes down to the match between Norway and France on June 26.

France clinches a spot in the Round of 32 with a win over Iraq, provided Senegal does not beat Norway.

Norway clinches a spot in the Round of 32 with a win over Senegal, provided Iraq does not beat France.

Neither side can clinch the knockout round this week, nor can either side be eliminated. These two teams play each other in the final match of group play, and a win for either team would keep them in the running for a spot in the Round of 32 as a third-place team.

Now we get to the tiebreaker scenarios that come into play with Group I.

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 leads us to why Norway nor France can clinch the group on Monday. With those two teams playing each other in the final set of matches, there is still a path for both teams to win the group. Let’s use this hypothetical: Norway beats Senegal, but Iraq shocks the world and beats France. In that scenario Norway would have six points, and both Iraq and France would have three. Iraq would own the tiebreaker over France due to the head-to-head win.

But then in the final set of matches, France beats Norway, and Senegal beats Iraq. France and Norway would each have six points, but France would win the group because of the head-to-head tiebreaker with Norway given the win over them.

That is why the winner of Group I very likely comes down to the final set of matches.

Also, at the moment Norway leads the group ahead of France, due to goal differential.

#World #Cup #Knockout #scenarios #France #Norway #Group

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