2014 World Cup - Business Time in Brazil!

The group stages of the 2014 World Cup are set to draw to an exciting close - as if things weren't exciting enough already what with all the goals, shocks and action that we've already seen so far.

It's been quite a memorable World Cup so far - hopefully the knockout stages doesn't mean the end of the attacking football that we've seen so far. Given the quality of the defending so far, I think we're in for a pretty entertaining business end of this tournament.

The final round robin of matches sees all teams in each group play simultaneously - to prevent a repeat of the scandalous game at the 1982 World Cup between West Germany and Austria where both sides played out a tame 1-0 win to the Germans so that both would go through at the expense of Algeria and Chile.

So here are all the permutations for all the teams to make the 2nd round.

Group A

It's still up for grabs with only Cameroon (0 points) out of contention.

Brazil (4, goal diff +2) - beat Cameroon and they go through as group winners. A win to Mexico or Croatia will also see the hosts through to the 2nd round regardless of what happens, although a shock draw or loss would see the hosts finish 2nd in the group and enter the other side of the draw - to the horror of possibly Argentina and the Netherlands.

Mexico (4, goal diff +1) - a win or draw with Croatia will see Mexico through to the next round. If Brazil draw or Cameroon beat Brazil, Mexico will win the group.

Croatia (3, goal diff +2) - must win to make the 2nd round. If Brazil draw or Cameroon beat Brazil, unbelievably, Croatia will win the group.

Group B

As we all know, Spain and Australia (both 0 points) are out of contention so they're really just fighting for pride and preparing for the future in their last match.

Netherlands (6) - a draw against Chile ensures they win the group and if Brazil wins Group A, they will avoid the hosts in the 2nd round.

Chile (6) - will need a win against the Netherlands to win the group given their inferior goal difference. With Brazil playing later, they're free to go for the result.

Group C

Colombia (6, +4) - already through to the 2nd round and also have one foot on first place in the group thanks to their goal difference. Only just need to avoid a thrashing by 4 goals by Japan - quite unlikely really.

Cote d'Ivoire (3, 0) - still in control of their fate despite defeat to Colombia. Draw against Greece will be enough to finally give Drogba et. al 2nd round football at the third time asking, as long as Japan don't beat Colombia by 2 goals. Win by 4 against Greece and Colombia defeat, and they could finish top of the group.

Japan (1, -1) - need a win by 2 goals against Colombia and Cote d'Ivoire to lose badly against Greece to go through. Tough ask really.

Greece (1, -3) - need to beat Cote d'Ivoire and Colombia to beat Japan to go through. If Japan win, Greece need to win by 4 goals. Again, tough ask.

Group D

The group of death has lived up to its billing. Incredibly, it's England (0 points) who are out of contention after Costa Rica's shock 1-0 win over Italy.

Costa Rica (6, +3) - the group lead is theirs for the taking with only already eliminated England stopping them. Even defeat to England and a draw by Italy and Uruguay will be enough to see Los Ticos finish as shock group winners - only a handsome win by Italy in the event of a defeat to England will cost them the group lead.

Italy (3, 0) - they've been there, done that, got the t-shirt many times. Italy just need a draw against Uruguay to go through and they're the masters at that. Defeat to Uruguay and they're gone. Beat Uruguay by 3 and an England win, and Italy could steal the lead of Group D at the end.

Uruguay (3,-1) - need a win against Italy to go through and continue the party, given their inferior goal difference. Full stop.

Group E

Honduras are the only side out of contention on 0 points.

France (6, +6) - Les Bleus are the form team of the tournament and have one foot in the 2nd round thanks to their healthy goal difference. Even defeat to Ecuador will be enough for them to go through to the next round bar an unlikely 6 goal thrashing.

Ecuador (3, 0) - Bounced back from their dramatic last gasp defeat to Switzerland to find themselves with destiny back in their own hands albeit they face in-form France next. Beat France and they go through, and a draw will be enough as long as it's a draw in the other game too.

Switzerland (3, -2) - Deja vu for the Swiss who find themselves on the brink of elimination despite a first up win. That hiding to France has done significant damage but they do face Honduras in their last game, and a win against them, and Ecuador only drawing with France will see the Swiss through to the 2nd round - the lead of the group is probably out of the question though given their terrible goal difference.  

Group F

Debutants, Bosnia-Herzegovina are out of contention (unluckily in some people's view) (0 points)

Argentina (6, +2) - Unimpressive so far but they're through to the 2nd round nevertheless and that was the minimum goal for Lionel Messi's men. Beat or draw with Nigeria and they're group winners.

Nigeria (4, +1) - That win against Bosnia was invaluable and has set them well on course for a place in the 2nd round. Even defeat against Argentina and Iran's failure to beat Bosnia would see them through. Beat Argentina, and they will be group winners.

Iran (1, -1) - Must beat Bosnia by 2 goals to have any hope of making the 2nd round for the first time - and they need Nigeria to lose to Argentina too.

Group G

The most riveting scenario in the group stages with all teams still in the hunt for knockout football.

Germany (4, +4) - The Germans as expected have the upper hand in this group but face the USA in their final game and a former coach who knows the German style very well. Germany have never lost to the USA in the World Cup finals but have been run close by the Yanks. A draw will see them and the USA through. Defeat to the USA and they will fall to 2nd place, and a thrashing by 4 goals with Portugal or Ghana winning could see them knocked out of the World Cup.

USA (4, +1) - The Americans were only seconds away from booking their place in the 2nd round only to concede a late goal to Portugal and must now face Germany to secure their place in the 2nd round for the 2nd World Cup Finals in a row. Draw and they and Germany are through, a win will put them top of the group, defeat and Portugal or Ghana could capitalize.

Ghana (1, -1) - A critical 2-2 draw with Germany has given the Ghanaians a chance of a third appearance in the knockouts in a row. They must beat Portugal to make the 2nd round and hope that the USA loses to Germany. Otherwise, they're going home earlier than they've ever done.

Portugal (1, -4) - Only seconds from elimination, Ronaldo and Portugal snatch a draw to break US hearts and give themselves salvation. Ghana is up next and the Portuguese must win and win handsomely - and hope the USA lose to Germany. Otherwise, no more Ronaldo at this World Cup.

Group H

Belgium (6, +2) - In control of the group, the Belgians will go through even with defeat against South Korea in their last match. A point is enough to guarantee top spot in the group.

Algeria (4, +2) - A stunning performance against the Koreans has given the chance to make the 2nd round for the first time ever on their fourth attempt. They face a stoic Russia in their last game - a draw and point will be enough to see them through. Defeat will still see them go through but it'll have to be by less than 2 goals.

Russia (1, -1) - Very much on the cusp of elimination. Only a handsome win against Algeria goals by at least 2 goals will do now. Anything else and Russia are going home again.

South Korea (1, -2) - Still have hope of 2nd round football but will need to beat Belgium, and beat them handsomely to go through. Anything else, and they're gone.