Can Uruguay still qualify for knockout round of FIFA World Cup 2022?

The South American nation are one of the dark horses for the tournament

The groups have started to take shape in Qatar and a lot of scenarios have already come into action. But the possible group of death as deemed by many saw Portugal ease through Group H after convincing victories against Ghana and Uruguay.

This means that the La Celeste will have to scrape their way through and defeat Ghana going into the final set of fixtures of the group stage and depend on favourable result from the match against Portugal vs South Korea. Though the chances are seemingly odd and there is little ray of hope for the Uruguayans with just a solitary point on board after two games, a victory might just see them go through as runners up of this group.

Ghana lost their opening group stage game against Portugal by a narrow margin and turned the tide of the group in Matchday 2 against South Korea after they recorded a heroic 3-2 win. Uruguay on the other hand were held to an unlikely draw by South Korea in their first group stage game only to succumb to a resurgent Portuguese side last night which has left them stranded at the bottom of Group H.

As it stands, Ghana have a respectively upper hand over South Korea and Uruguay. This group promises a lot of drama in the final matchday, so let's have a look at how the group might pan out as it remains evenly poised at this stage.

How Portugal can finish as group toppers?

After making it through to the Round of 16 convincingly with victories against Ghana and Uruguay, their destiny to finish as group toppers and to have a comparatively easier opponent in the Round of 16 solely rests on their own hands. A victory over South Korea will see them progress as group winners and end the hopes of the Koreans of making it to the knockout stage.

How South Korea can make it to the Round of 16?

South Korea will have to pull off the seemingly impossible and defeat the Portuguese in order to register 4 points on board and hope that the match between Ghana and Uruguay goes in their favour. If Uruguay defeat Ghana in the other game, it will come down to a better goal difference between Uruguay and South Korea as both these teams drew against each other in the opening match day. Whereas if Ghana and Uruguay draw against each other, and South Korea do the unthinkable against Portugal. The Koreans will have to out run the Ghanayans in goal difference in order to go through.

How South Korea might get eliminated?

A loss or a draw against the Portuguese will surely see them heading home. The other group stage match between Ghana and Uruguay will become inconsequential for them eventually.

How Ghana can make it to the Round of 16?

Ghana currently stand on 3 points in the group after defeating South Korea last night. A victory against Uruguay in the final group game assures their place in the knockouts.

How Ghana might get eliminated?

All they have to do is avoid defeat against the Uruguayans in the final group game to end any chance of progression for the Uruguayans and even if they draw against Uruguay, they will have to hope that if South Korea best the likes of Portugal that does not happen by more than two goal margin.

How Uruguay can make it to the Round of 16?

The exit door is looming large for the Uruguayans as they are stranded at the bottom of Group H. A victory is a must for the Uruguayans against Ghana if they are to keep any hopes of progression into the knockouts. Any result other than that will prove to be inconsequential. Even if they defeat Ghana on the final matchday. They will surely look forward to the goal difference factor and look to score more keeping in account the possibility that South Korea defeats the Portuguese.