The business end of the group stage and it is a win or go home scenario for a few teams. Going into the final round of group games only Brazil and Japan had already qualified for the knockout stage.
Group A
Results – Netherlands 1-1 Canada, China 2-2 New Zealand
- Canada 5
- China 4
- Netherlands 4
- New Zealand 2
Far from convincing but the hosts Canada get themselves through to the knockout stages as group winners. They will need to up their game though as tougher challenges lay ahead. China take the runners up spot after some excellent performances just ahead of the Netherlands who are one of the four best third placed teams. We say goodbye to New Zealand.
Group B
Results – Thailand 0-4 Germany, Cote D’Ivoire 1-3 Norway
- Germany 7
- Norway 7
- Thailand 3
- Cote D’Ivoire 0
No surprises from this group as the two Europeans qualify at a canter leaving Thailand and Cote D’Ivoire to travel home wondering what hit them. That is not entirely true for Thailand as they did pick up one win but the amount of goals they conceded meant that they were never in with a shout to qualify from third.
Group C
Results – Ecuador 0-1 Japan, Switzerland 1-2 Cameroon
- Japan 9
- Cameroon 6
- Switzerland 3
- Ecuador 0
The holders take the group with maximum points as many expected. It was always a race to see who would join them and it was a close run thing between the Swiss and Cameroon. A win for the Africans in the final game meant that Switzerland ended up third but still manage to get through. Ecuador make their way back home to South America as one of only two teams not to achieve a point.
Group D
Results – Nigeria 0-1 USA, Australia 1-1 Sweden
- USA 7
- Australia 4
- Sweden 3
- Nigeria 1
Billed as the group of death and the early suggested that it would be just that. Nigeria posed a threat to the other three teams but not enough as they find themselves heading home early. USA take the group ahead of Australia and Sweden who all move on to the knockout phase.
Group E
Results – Costa Rica 0-1 Brazil, Korea Republic 2-1 Spain
- Brazil 9
- Korea Republic 4
- Costa Rica 2
- Spain 1
Maximum points for Brazil who had little trouble disposing of their three challengers. A disappointing Spanish team end up bottom of the group and leave the competition along with Costa Rica who can count themselves unfortunate after some good performances. Korea Republic join the group winners in the next round.
Group F
Results – Mexico 0-5 France, England 2-1 Colombia
- France 6
- England 6
- Colombia 4
- Mexico 1
France got over their shock defeat to Colombia in style by handing out a lesson to the Mexicans in the final game. That was enough to win the group ahead of England who played well to beat Colombia into third. All three make the next round as Mexico leave the tournament.
Round of 16
- 20 June – Germany v Sweden, China v Cameroon
- 21 June – Brazil v Australia, France v Korea Republic, Canada v Switzerland
- 22 June – Norway v England, USA v Colombia
- 23 June – Japan v Netherlands
There are several interesting match-ups as the competition reaches the knockout stage. Favourites Germany and USA face Sweden and Colombia respectively. England have a tough game against fellow Europeans Norway.
Predictions – Germany, China, Brazil, France, Canada, Norway, USA and Japan to make it through.
Quarter Finals
The route to the final is now mapped out in terms of who will be likely to face who. England avoid the part of the draw that includes Germany and France but are in the same section as holders Japan and hosts Canada.
- China/Cameroon v USA/Colombia
- Germany/Sweden v France/Korea Republic
- Brazil/Australia v Japan/Netherlands
- Norway/England v Canada/Switzerland
You can enjoy all the action on either the BBC or Eurosport in the UK.
