Teams play each other just once during the FIFA World Cup knockout stage. The winner moves up to the next round. There are four rounds altogether: Round of 16, quarterfinals, semi-finals, and final, which will be played on December 18. There is also a third-place playoff between the losers of the semi-finals.
In any of these games, should the scores be tied at the conclusion of regular play, a 30-minute overtime is played in two periods of 15 minutes each. In the event that the score remains tied, a 5-penalty shootout is used to decide the winner.
Teams Qualified
Netherlands won Group A despite a 1-1 draw with Ecuador and advanced to the round of 16 with victories against the hosts Qatar and the African champions Senegal. The defending champions of Africa lost their opening match of the World Cup to the Netherlands, but they quickly turned things around with victories over Ecuador and Qatar (3-1 and 2-1, respectively).
After resounding victories over Wales and Iran and a scoreless draw with the United States in Group B, England secured the top spot in Group B and advanced directly to the knockout round with 7 points. After drawing with Wales and England and defeating Iran 1-0 in a game overshadowed by political unrest, the United States earned second place in Group B. Argentina regained first place in Group C after victories over Mexico and Poland following an unexpected setback to Saudi Arabia in the tournament’s opening match. Australia will be their next opponent on Saturday. Poland finished second in Group C, earning a ticket in the round of 16, after defeating Saudi Arabia, drawing with Mexico, and losing to Argentina. They cross paths.
In Group D, the defending champions France lived up to expectations and became the first team to advance to the round of 16 with victories over Australia and Denmark in quick succession before falling to Tunisia 1-0. Australia finished second in Group D with 6 points after victories over Tunisia and Denmark, earning a spot in the round of 16. The next match is against Argentina on Saturday. Japan unexpectedly won Group E after pulling off two incredible comeback victories over Germany and Spain. The Samurai Blue only dropped a match to Costa Rica. On Monday, they will play Croatia. Spain easily defeated Costa Rica before drawing with Germany and losing to Japan to secure its place in the round of 16. On Tuesday, they will meet with Morocco.
Group F leader Morocco will take on Spain on Tuesday after defeating Canada and Belgium and drawing 0-0 with Croatia. Croatia advanced to the round of 16 after defeating Canada 4-1, drawing 0-0 twice with Morocco, and 0-0 again with Belgium. On Monday, they have a match against Japan. Brazil advanced to the next round of the tournament with victories against Switzerland and Serbia before falling to Cameroon 1-0. On Monday, they will play South Korea. With victories over Serbia (3-2) and Cameroon (1-0), Switzerland finished second in Group G and will face Portugal on Tuesday.
Portugal lost to South Korea to end Group H, but they still finished first and will play Switzerland on Tuesday. Following a scoreless draw with Uruguay and a loss to Ghana, South Korea secured passage to the knockout stage with a last-second victory over already-qualified Portugal.
Date, Venue, Fixtures Of Knockout Stage
December 3: Netherlands vs. Khalifa, United States International Stadium
December 4: Argentina vs. Australia, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, France vs. Poland, Al Thumama Stadium
December 5: England vs. Senegal, Al Bayt Stadium; Japan vs. Croatia, Al Janoub Stadium,
December 6: Brazil vs. South Korea, Stadium 974; Morocco vs. Spain, Education City Stadium
December 7: Portugal vs. Switzerland, Lusail Iconic Stadium
December 9: Quarter-final 1, Lusail Iconic Stadium,
December 10: Quarter-final 2, Education City Stadium; Quarter-final 3, Al Bayt Stadium
December 11: Quarter-final 4, Al Thumama Stadium
December 14: Semi-final, Lusail Iconic Stadium
December 15: Semi-final 2, Al Bayt Stadium
December 17: Third place, Khalifa playoff International Stadium
December 18: Final, Lusail Iconic Stadium
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