The World Cup group action over the next few days will decide who advances to the knockout stages and who goes home.
Every nation has played two games in Qatar with only France, Brazil and Portugal securing their spots in the last 16 with the luxury of a game to spare. Instead the majority go into their final fixture needing to avoid defeat or win and hope that other teams do them a favour if they want to extend their campaign.
Some countries know the odds are stacked against them with a potential upset or two on the cards. Wins may not be enough where the likes of Wales are concerned as they also need a notable goal difference swing, which puts the impetus on them to attack. We take a look at what can happen in each group ahead of the final round of games.
Group A
Hosts Qatar became the first team to get dumped out of the World Cup after they lost for the second successive game against Senegal . The Netherlands and Ecuador are both in the driving sit with four points and if they win their games both will advance. Top spot would depend on who has the better goal difference if they both got three points. The Dutch take on Qatar - and will expect to win. It places further importance on Senegal's clash with Ecuador - the African nation need a win whilst their opponents can afford to draw and still progress.
Group B
England are in pole position and will qualify provided they don't lose 4-0 to Wales . Gareth Bale and co will need the performance of a lifetime if they are to hammer their neighbours and overturn the goal difference swing, which currently stands at six goals. In the other game it is very much a winner takes all situation - Iran can afford to draw due to being sat on three points. USA meanwhile, who have two points, must secure all three points if they want to progress.
Group C
Argentina 's win over Mexico on Saturday keeps their hopes firmly alive, but defeat to Poland , who lead the group, could spell the end for Lionel Messi and his colleagues. Whoever wins the crunch clash will advance, whilst the loser leaves themselves in danger of an early exit. Mexico and Saudi Arabia play each other and are waiting in the wings. A Saudi win would send them through regardless of other results. Mexico can advance if they win and Poland beat Argentina. A draw between Poland and Argentina, coupled with a Saudi win, would see Poland and Saudi Arabia advance.
Group D
France are one of only three teams to have already qualified for the last 16. It looks very much like a shootout between Denmark and Australia for second spot in the group. The Aussies can afford to draw and go through whilst their opponents must win. Tunisia would need an upset win over France and hope that Australia draw or lose, but then they would need to surpass Denmark's goal difference.
Group E
Spain currently sit pretty ahead of their clash with Japan and will go through provided they avoid defeat. Japan need a win to guarantee their last 16 spot - anything less would open the door for Germany or Costa Rica . The 2014 winners need to win if they are to leapfrog Japan. If the Japanese draw then Germany would need to win by two goals as both teams would be on four points. Costa Rica could draw and usurp Japan if they were to lose to Spain.
Group F
Canada have been eliminated from the World Cup meaning it is two from three with Belgium , Croatia and Morocco battling it out. The two fancied sides - Croatia and Belgium - play each other, which may open the door for Morocco, who face Canada. If the African nation win they will go through regardless.
Now it gets complicated - if they draw and Belgium beat Croatia then they and the Croatians are level on points, so it will go down to goal difference. Croatia can qualify if they lose by one goal and Morocco aren't involved in a high-scoring draw. If Belgium don't win, they are almost certainly out. A draw for the Belgians and a heavy loss for Morocco could yet save the European nation though.
Group G
Brazil 's two opening wins mean they are through. Switzerland , who sit second, play Serbia , where a win will take them through. Defeat could see them go out, but Serbia would then need to win by a bigger margin than Cameroon , who face Brazil. A draw between the Swiss and Serbia would open the door for Cameroon, but they'd need to beat Brazil by two goals to jump into second spot.
Group H
Portugal 's win over Uruguay on Monday night means they are through. It is now three teams eyeing one space. Uruguay, who sit bottom of the group, face Ghana and must win and hope that South Korea don't beat Portugal. If South Korea want to qualify they must win by at least two goals and hope that Ghana don't win. The African nation will look to pick up three points, but a draw would still be good enough if South Korea lose or only enjoy a low-scoring win.
