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‘Grumpy’ Pep Guardiola wants Bernardo Silva to stay at Manchester City for life  Pep Guardiola said on Friday he was “grumpy” with Bernardo Silva, admitting he was in the dark over the future of his Manchester City captain.The Portugal midfielder is in the final year of his contract at the Etihad and his future has been the subject of intense speculation.City’s assistant manager Pep Lijnders appeared to confirm the 31-year-old’s likely departure while carrying out media duties on behalf of manager Guardiola after last week’s 4-0 FA Cup win over Liverpool.“Every good story comes to an end, and I hope he enjoys the last months – because there are only six weeks – and has a good farewell,” he said.But Guardiola, speaking to reporters ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash at Chelsea, said he was unaware of Silva’s plans.“I’m so grumpy with Bernardo because a month ago I said, ‘If you make a decision, I have to be the first to (know)’,” said the City boss.“And he didn’t say to me anything yet, so I think the proper one must be Bernardo…. He didn’t tell me, so I don’t know what’s going on,” he added.ALSO READ | Champions League is Barcelona’s priority, but derby remains crucial: Hansi FlickSilva has made 450 appearances for City since joining from Monaco in 2017, winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League.“I would love it if he could stay and finish his career here,” said Guardiola.“I don’t know. He’s going to decide what he’s going to decide, announce to the club, I think, announce to all of you – the media, the fans and everyone. It’s his decision. But it has been an incredible, incredible signing. The numbers, the minutes, and the titles. Especially in bad moments. I justify, and I define the players in the bad moments when everything is difficult, how they always make a step up and say ‘I’m here to help’,” he added.City, chasing a domestic treble after winning the League Cup last month, is second in the Premier League, nine points behind leader Arsenal with a game in hand.The top two face each other in Manchester on April 19 in a potential title decider.“We need to win a lot of points. We were not consistent enough during the season. We dropped points that we should have taken and that’s why we’re in the position that now we cannot do it differently, Guardiola concluded.Published on Apr 10, 2026  #Grumpy #Pep #Guardiola #Bernardo #Silva #stay #Manchester #City #life

‘Grumpy’ Pep Guardiola wants Bernardo Silva to stay at Manchester City for life

Pep Guardiola said on Friday he was “grumpy” with Bernardo Silva, admitting he was in the dark over the future of his Manchester City captain.

The Portugal midfielder is in the final year of his contract at the Etihad and his future has been the subject of intense speculation.

City’s assistant manager Pep Lijnders appeared to confirm the 31-year-old’s likely departure while carrying out media duties on behalf of manager Guardiola after last week’s 4-0 FA Cup win over Liverpool.

“Every good story comes to an end, and I hope he enjoys the last months – because there are only six weeks – and has a good farewell,” he said.

But Guardiola, speaking to reporters ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash at Chelsea, said he was unaware of Silva’s plans.

“I’m so grumpy with Bernardo because a month ago I said, ‘If you make a decision, I have to be the first to (know)’,” said the City boss.

“And he didn’t say to me anything yet, so I think the proper one must be Bernardo…. He didn’t tell me, so I don’t know what’s going on,” he added.

ALSO READ | Champions League is Barcelona’s priority, but derby remains crucial: Hansi Flick

Silva has made 450 appearances for City since joining from Monaco in 2017, winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League.

“I would love it if he could stay and finish his career here,” said Guardiola.

“I don’t know. He’s going to decide what he’s going to decide, announce to the club, I think, announce to all of you – the media, the fans and everyone. It’s his decision. But it has been an incredible, incredible signing. The numbers, the minutes, and the titles. Especially in bad moments. I justify, and I define the players in the bad moments when everything is difficult, how they always make a step up and say ‘I’m here to help’,” he added.

City, chasing a domestic treble after winning the League Cup last month, is second in the Premier League, nine points behind leader Arsenal with a game in hand.

The top two face each other in Manchester on April 19 in a potential title decider.

“We need to win a lot of points. We were not consistent enough during the season. We dropped points that we should have taken and that’s why we’re in the position that now we cannot do it differently, Guardiola concluded.

Published on Apr 10, 2026

#Grumpy #Pep #Guardiola #Bernardo #Silva #stay #Manchester #City #life

Pep Guardiola said on Friday he was “grumpy” with Bernardo Silva, admitting he was in the dark over the future of his Manchester City captain.

The Portugal midfielder is in the final year of his contract at the Etihad and his future has been the subject of intense speculation.

City’s assistant manager Pep Lijnders appeared to confirm the 31-year-old’s likely departure while carrying out media duties on behalf of manager Guardiola after last week’s 4-0 FA Cup win over Liverpool.

“Every good story comes to an end, and I hope he enjoys the last months – because there are only six weeks – and has a good farewell,” he said.

But Guardiola, speaking to reporters ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash at Chelsea, said he was unaware of Silva’s plans.

“I’m so grumpy with Bernardo because a month ago I said, ‘If you make a decision, I have to be the first to (know)’,” said the City boss.

“And he didn’t say to me anything yet, so I think the proper one must be Bernardo…. He didn’t tell me, so I don’t know what’s going on,” he added.

ALSO READ | Champions League is Barcelona’s priority, but derby remains crucial: Hansi Flick

Silva has made 450 appearances for City since joining from Monaco in 2017, winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League.

“I would love it if he could stay and finish his career here,” said Guardiola.

“I don’t know. He’s going to decide what he’s going to decide, announce to the club, I think, announce to all of you – the media, the fans and everyone. It’s his decision. But it has been an incredible, incredible signing. The numbers, the minutes, and the titles. Especially in bad moments. I justify, and I define the players in the bad moments when everything is difficult, how they always make a step up and say ‘I’m here to help’,” he added.

City, chasing a domestic treble after winning the League Cup last month, is second in the Premier League, nine points behind leader Arsenal with a game in hand.

The top two face each other in Manchester on April 19 in a potential title decider.

“We need to win a lot of points. We were not consistent enough during the season. We dropped points that we should have taken and that’s why we’re in the position that now we cannot do it differently, Guardiola concluded.

Published on Apr 10, 2026

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#Grumpy #Pep #Guardiola #Bernardo #Silva #stay #Manchester #City #life

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Deadspin | Kevin Durant scores 29 as Rockets hold off 76ers for 8th straight win <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-900/28695013.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28695013.jpg" alt="NBA: Philadelphia 76ers at Houston Rockets" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 9, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) shoots against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images <!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Kevin Durant scored a game-high 29 points and drilled a critical late 3-pointer that helped the host Houston Rockets fend off the hard-charging Philadelphia 76ers 113-102 on Thursday.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>The Rockets extended their winning streak to eight games but had to sweat out the final minutes. The 76ers (43-37) shaved a 28-point third-quarter deficit to 107-102 when VJ Edgecombe followed a pair of missed free throws by Durant with a short jumper with 1:36 to play.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>However, Durant nailed a 3-pointer on the next possession to settle the game for the Rockets (51-29) once and for all.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson added 19 points apiece for Houston while Tari Eason added 15 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Alperen Sengun (12) and Josh Okogie (10) combined for 22 rebounds.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>The 76ers played without Joel Embiid, who underwent an emergency appendectomy earlier on Thursday. Tyrese Maxey paced Philadelphia with 23 points while Edgecombe added 21 points, six rebounds and a game-high eight assists. Andre Drummond grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-6"> <p>The 76ers have dropped three straight games and four of six.</p> </section> <section id="section-7"> <p>Eason sank a 3-pointer with 2:44 remaining in the third that pushed the Rockets to a 96-68 lead. But the 76ers, behind reserve Quentin Grimes (20 points), engineered a stunning rally in the fourth, starting with a 16-0 run that included the Rockets going scoreless for more than four minutes.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>After turning a 9-0 spurt into a 17-10 lead, Houston added a 13-3 blitz capped by a Thompson dunk that pushed the margin to 33-20. The 76ers committed three turnovers during the second Houston run and had six total in the opening period that the Rockets converted into 12 points.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>The Rockets entered the second with a 35-26 advantage and continued to extend that margin. Reed Sheppard sandwiched a pair of 3-pointers around a Durant field goal that lifted Houston to a 65-47 lead with 3:47 left in the half, and the Rockets opened a 23-point cushion before Maxey caught fire.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Maxey, held scoreless in the first quarter, tallied 15 points in the second, including the final eight for the 76ers in the half. His consecutive treys down the stretch cut the deficit to 73-56 entering halftime.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Kevin #Durant #scores #Rockets #hold #76ers #8th #straight #win

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कटनी में अवैध शराब के खिलाफ बजरंग दल का प्रदर्शन: तहसील कार्यालय में नारेबाजी, कहा- एक हफ्ते में दुकानें नहीं हटी तो आंदोलन करेंगे – Katni News

Deadspin | Canada’s Alphonso Davies expected to make 2026 World Cup debut vs. Switzerland  Canada’s Alphonso Davies before a match against Qatar on June 18, 2026.   Canada coach Jesse Marsch said he does not expect Alphonso Davies to start against Switzerland on Wednesday, but he does expect the star left back to play in their final Group B match.  It would mark the 2026 World Cup debut for Davies, who has not played since sustaining a left hamstring injury while playing for Bayern Munich in the second leg of a Champions League semifinal on May 6. Bayern and Canada worked on a recovery plan for Davies, who was included on the World Cup roster and has been striving to get fit.  Davies teased during the pre-World Cup training camp that he might be ready in time for the team’s June 12 opener, but it appears Wednesday is the time he finally will make his tournament debut.  “We will evaluate what we need of him in the game,” Marsch told reporters on Tuesday. “I would like to get him into the match, for sure. And I think that he can have a big impact, both on us physically and football-wise, but also mentally, psychologically, to have our captain back, our best player back in the team. I think this is a big factor.”  Davies has scored 15 goals in 58 career caps with Canada, including the country’s first-ever goal at a World Cup at the 2022 tournament in Qatar. He is a two-time CONCACAF Player of the Year (2021, 2022).  However, he has not played for Canada since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament during the Nations League third-place game in March 2025. He has dealt with multiple injuries since.   Davies’ return would provide a boost for a Canada team that lost midfielder Ismael Kone to a fractured leg against Qatar on June 18 that will sideline him for the remainder of the World Cup.  “It’s so much more than just what (Davies) brings on the pitch — it’s what he represents to us,” Marsch said. “So, the good news is he’s looking great, he’s in training, he looks great, he looks fit, he looks ready to go, excited. So, let’s see how things go, but I expect him to play.”  Should Canada win or tie with the Swiss, they would move on to the round of 32. They are currently ahead of Switzerland with a plus-6 goal differential, compared to plus-3 for their counterparts.  Canada center back Alfie Jones likely will miss his third consecutive game as he recovers from an ankle injury.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Canadas #Alphonso #Davies #expected #World #Cup #debut #SwitzerlandCanada’s Alphonso Davies before a match against Qatar on June 18, 2026.

Canada coach Jesse Marsch said he does not expect Alphonso Davies to start against Switzerland on Wednesday, but he does expect the star left back to play in their final Group B match.

It would mark the 2026 World Cup debut for Davies, who has not played since sustaining a left hamstring injury while playing for Bayern Munich in the second leg of a Champions League semifinal on May 6. Bayern and Canada worked on a recovery plan for Davies, who was included on the World Cup roster and has been striving to get fit.

Davies teased during the pre-World Cup training camp that he might be ready in time for the team’s June 12 opener, but it appears Wednesday is the time he finally will make his tournament debut.

“We will evaluate what we need of him in the game,” Marsch told reporters on Tuesday. “I would like to get him into the match, for sure. And I think that he can have a big impact, both on us physically and football-wise, but also mentally, psychologically, to have our captain back, our best player back in the team. I think this is a big factor.”

Davies has scored 15 goals in 58 career caps with Canada, including the country’s first-ever goal at a World Cup at the 2022 tournament in Qatar. He is a two-time CONCACAF Player of the Year (2021, 2022).


However, he has not played for Canada since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament during the Nations League third-place game in March 2025. He has dealt with multiple injuries since.

Davies’ return would provide a boost for a Canada team that lost midfielder Ismael Kone to a fractured leg against Qatar on June 18 that will sideline him for the remainder of the World Cup.

“It’s so much more than just what (Davies) brings on the pitch — it’s what he represents to us,” Marsch said. “So, the good news is he’s looking great, he’s in training, he looks great, he looks fit, he looks ready to go, excited. So, let’s see how things go, but I expect him to play.”

Should Canada win or tie with the Swiss, they would move on to the round of 32. They are currently ahead of Switzerland with a plus-6 goal differential, compared to plus-3 for their counterparts.

Canada center back Alfie Jones likely will miss his third consecutive game as he recovers from an ankle injury.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Canadas #Alphonso #Davies #expected #World #Cup #debut #Switzerland">Deadspin | Canada’s Alphonso Davies expected to make 2026 World Cup debut vs. Switzerland  Canada’s Alphonso Davies before a match against Qatar on June 18, 2026.   Canada coach Jesse Marsch said he does not expect Alphonso Davies to start against Switzerland on Wednesday, but he does expect the star left back to play in their final Group B match.  It would mark the 2026 World Cup debut for Davies, who has not played since sustaining a left hamstring injury while playing for Bayern Munich in the second leg of a Champions League semifinal on May 6. Bayern and Canada worked on a recovery plan for Davies, who was included on the World Cup roster and has been striving to get fit.  Davies teased during the pre-World Cup training camp that he might be ready in time for the team’s June 12 opener, but it appears Wednesday is the time he finally will make his tournament debut.  “We will evaluate what we need of him in the game,” Marsch told reporters on Tuesday. “I would like to get him into the match, for sure. And I think that he can have a big impact, both on us physically and football-wise, but also mentally, psychologically, to have our captain back, our best player back in the team. I think this is a big factor.”  Davies has scored 15 goals in 58 career caps with Canada, including the country’s first-ever goal at a World Cup at the 2022 tournament in Qatar. He is a two-time CONCACAF Player of the Year (2021, 2022).  However, he has not played for Canada since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament during the Nations League third-place game in March 2025. He has dealt with multiple injuries since.   Davies’ return would provide a boost for a Canada team that lost midfielder Ismael Kone to a fractured leg against Qatar on June 18 that will sideline him for the remainder of the World Cup.  “It’s so much more than just what (Davies) brings on the pitch — it’s what he represents to us,” Marsch said. “So, the good news is he’s looking great, he’s in training, he looks great, he looks fit, he looks ready to go, excited. So, let’s see how things go, but I expect him to play.”  Should Canada win or tie with the Swiss, they would move on to the round of 32. They are currently ahead of Switzerland with a plus-6 goal differential, compared to plus-3 for their counterparts.  Canada center back Alfie Jones likely will miss his third consecutive game as he recovers from an ankle injury.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Canadas #Alphonso #Davies #expected #World #Cup #debut #Switzerland

Group L and Group K round out the second set of matches in group play on Tuesday.

And in Group L, England and Ghana square off in a match that could not only see a winner clinch a spot in the knockout round, but also win Group L entirely.

Then in the other match between Panama and Croatia, a loser could see dreams of a World Cup title shattered early.

Here are the scenarios for Group L ahead of the second set of matches.

Update: Following the 0-0 draw between Ghana and England, both teams are closer to clinching a spot in the Round of 32, but nothing has been finalized. In addition, the winner of Group L will come down to the final day of group play.

Regarding Croatia-Panama later tonight, if that match does have a loser, the losing team will be eliminated.

Update (Tuesday night): With Croatia’s 1-0 win over Panama, Panama has been eliminated.

What are the Group L standings?

Ahead of the matches set for Tuesday, June 23, here are the standings in Group L.

Team

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

Points

England11042+24
Ghana11010+14
Croatia10134-13
Panama00204-20

What are the next matches in Group L?

Here are the remaining matches in Group L, starting with the two matches set for Tuesday, June 23. All times listed are Eastern.

England 0, Ghana, 0
Croatia 1, Panama 0

Panama vs. England, 5:00 p.m.
Croatia vs. Ghana, 5:00 p.m.

What are the scenarios in Group L?

Ahead of the matches set for Tuesday, June 23, here are the scenarios in Group L.

Fresh off a command performance against Croatia, England can clinch a spot in the Round of 32, and potentially Group L, on Tuesday. With a win against Ghana, England is through to the Round of 32. In addition, if England beats Ghana, and Panama loses or draws against Croatia, England will win Group L. More on that in a moment.

A draw against Ghana does not clinch a spot in the knockout round for England.

Along the same lines, the Black Stars can also book a spot in the knockout round and potentially win Group L on Tuesday. With a win against England, they will clinch a spot in the Round of 32 as one of the top two teams in the group. With a win, Ghana will win Group L provided Croatia loses or draws against Panama.

A draw against England does not clinch a spot in the knockout round for Ghana.

Croatia can be eliminated on Tuesday with a loss to Panama, provided Ghana draws or wins against England.

Panama can be eliminated on Tuesday with a loss to Croatia, provided England draws or wins against Ghana.

What about tiebreakers in Group L?

Now we get to the tiebreaker scenarios that come into play with Group L, starting with the matches set for Tuesday, June 23.

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.

Now we can turn to how these tiebreakers impact Group L, using England as an example. As noted above, England can win Group L on Tuesday with a win over Ghana, provided Panama loses or draws against Croatia.

Why is this the case? Because of that first tiebreaker. A win for England against Ghana moves the Three Lions to six points in group play. But if Panama beats Croatia, Panama would have three points, and a chance to still win the group when England plays Panama on the final day of matches in Group L. A Panama win in that match would see Panama finish with six points, just like England, and win the group thanks to the head-to-head win.

That same scenario applies to Ghana, and is why they will win the group with a win against England plus a Croatia loss or draw against Panama, as Ghana and Croatia play on the final day of matches in Group L.

#World #Cup #knockout #scenarios #England #Group">World Cup 2026: What are the knockout round scenarios for England and Group L?  Group L and Group K round out the second set of matches in group play on Tuesday.And in Group L, England and Ghana square off in a match that could not only see a winner clinch a spot in the knockout round, but also win Group L entirely.Then in the other match between Panama and Croatia, a loser could see dreams of a World Cup title shattered early.Here are the scenarios for Group L ahead of the second set of matches.Update: Following the 0-0 draw between Ghana and England, both teams are closer to clinching a spot in the Round of 32, but nothing has been finalized. In addition, the winner of Group L will come down to the final day of group play.Regarding Croatia-Panama later tonight, if that match does have a loser, the losing team will be eliminated.Update (Tuesday night): With Croatia’s 1-0 win over Panama, Panama has been eliminated.What are the Group L standings?Ahead of the matches set for Tuesday, June 23, here are the standings in Group L.TeamWDLGFGAGDPointsEngland11042+24Ghana11010+14Croatia10134-13Panama00204-20What are the next matches in Group L?Here are the remaining matches in Group L, starting with the two matches set for Tuesday, June 23. All times listed are Eastern.England 0, Ghana, 0Croatia 1, Panama 0Panama vs. England, 5:00 p.m.Croatia vs. Ghana, 5:00 p.m.What are the scenarios in Group L?Ahead of the matches set for Tuesday, June 23, here are the scenarios in Group L.Fresh off a command performance against Croatia, England can clinch a spot in the Round of 32, and potentially Group L, on Tuesday. With a win against Ghana, England is through to the Round of 32. In addition, if England beats Ghana, and Panama loses or draws against Croatia, England will win Group L. More on that in a moment.A draw against Ghana does not clinch a spot in the knockout round for England.Along the same lines, the Black Stars can also book a spot in the knockout round and potentially win Group L on Tuesday. With a win against England, they will clinch a spot in the Round of 32 as one of the top two teams in the group. With a win, Ghana will win Group L provided Croatia loses or draws against Panama.A draw against England does not clinch a spot in the knockout round for Ghana.Croatia can be eliminated on Tuesday with a loss to Panama, provided Ghana draws or wins against England.Panama can be eliminated on Tuesday with a loss to Croatia, provided England draws or wins against Ghana.What about tiebreakers in Group L?Now we get to the tiebreaker scenarios that come into play with Group L, starting with the matches set for Tuesday, June 23.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.Now we can turn to how these tiebreakers impact Group L, using England as an example. As noted above, England can win Group L on Tuesday with a win over Ghana, provided Panama loses or draws against Croatia.Why is this the case? Because of that first tiebreaker. A win for England against Ghana moves the Three Lions to six points in group play. But if Panama beats Croatia, Panama would have three points, and a chance to still win the group when England plays Panama on the final day of matches in Group L. A Panama win in that match would see Panama finish with six points, just like England, and win the group thanks to the head-to-head win.That same scenario applies to Ghana, and is why they will win the group with a win against England plus a Croatia loss or draw against Panama, as Ghana and Croatia play on the final day of matches in Group L.  #World #Cup #knockout #scenarios #England #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.

Now we can turn to how these tiebreakers impact Group L, using England as an example. As noted above, England can win Group L on Tuesday with a win over Ghana, provided Panama loses or draws against Croatia.

Why is this the case? Because of that first tiebreaker. A win for England against Ghana moves the Three Lions to six points in group play. But if Panama beats Croatia, Panama would have three points, and a chance to still win the group when England plays Panama on the final day of matches in Group L. A Panama win in that match would see Panama finish with six points, just like England, and win the group thanks to the head-to-head win.

That same scenario applies to Ghana, and is why they will win the group with a win against England plus a Croatia loss or draw against Panama, as Ghana and Croatia play on the final day of matches in Group L.

#World #Cup #knockout #scenarios #England #Group">World Cup 2026: What are the knockout round scenarios for England and Group L?

Group L and Group K round out the second set of matches in group play on Tuesday.

And in Group L, England and Ghana square off in a match that could not only see a winner clinch a spot in the knockout round, but also win Group L entirely.

Then in the other match between Panama and Croatia, a loser could see dreams of a World Cup title shattered early.

Here are the scenarios for Group L ahead of the second set of matches.

Update: Following the 0-0 draw between Ghana and England, both teams are closer to clinching a spot in the Round of 32, but nothing has been finalized. In addition, the winner of Group L will come down to the final day of group play.

Regarding Croatia-Panama later tonight, if that match does have a loser, the losing team will be eliminated.

Update (Tuesday night): With Croatia’s 1-0 win over Panama, Panama has been eliminated.

What are the Group L standings?

Ahead of the matches set for Tuesday, June 23, here are the standings in Group L.

Team

W

D

L

GF

GA

GD

Points

England11042+24
Ghana11010+14
Croatia10134-13
Panama00204-20

What are the next matches in Group L?

Here are the remaining matches in Group L, starting with the two matches set for Tuesday, June 23. All times listed are Eastern.

England 0, Ghana, 0
Croatia 1, Panama 0

Panama vs. England, 5:00 p.m.
Croatia vs. Ghana, 5:00 p.m.

What are the scenarios in Group L?

Ahead of the matches set for Tuesday, June 23, here are the scenarios in Group L.

Fresh off a command performance against Croatia, England can clinch a spot in the Round of 32, and potentially Group L, on Tuesday. With a win against Ghana, England is through to the Round of 32. In addition, if England beats Ghana, and Panama loses or draws against Croatia, England will win Group L. More on that in a moment.

A draw against Ghana does not clinch a spot in the knockout round for England.

Along the same lines, the Black Stars can also book a spot in the knockout round and potentially win Group L on Tuesday. With a win against England, they will clinch a spot in the Round of 32 as one of the top two teams in the group. With a win, Ghana will win Group L provided Croatia loses or draws against Panama.

A draw against England does not clinch a spot in the knockout round for Ghana.

Croatia can be eliminated on Tuesday with a loss to Panama, provided Ghana draws or wins against England.

Panama can be eliminated on Tuesday with a loss to Croatia, provided England draws or wins against Ghana.

What about tiebreakers in Group L?

Now we get to the tiebreaker scenarios that come into play with Group L, starting with the matches set for Tuesday, June 23.

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.

Now we can turn to how these tiebreakers impact Group L, using England as an example. As noted above, England can win Group L on Tuesday with a win over Ghana, provided Panama loses or draws against Croatia.

Why is this the case? Because of that first tiebreaker. A win for England against Ghana moves the Three Lions to six points in group play. But if Panama beats Croatia, Panama would have three points, and a chance to still win the group when England plays Panama on the final day of matches in Group L. A Panama win in that match would see Panama finish with six points, just like England, and win the group thanks to the head-to-head win.

That same scenario applies to Ghana, and is why they will win the group with a win against England plus a Croatia loss or draw against Panama, as Ghana and Croatia play on the final day of matches in Group L.

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