SOC: Group Stage Results

Group A: Uruguay has defeated Russia, 2-0, in the final Group Stage match for both teams. Even though they both already clinched a spot in the Knockout Round, this game was important for who finished in first place, and it was clear early that Uruguay was better. Suarez scored on a set piece in the 10th minute and then an own goal by Russia was added to the score by the 23rd minute. Cavani also connected on his first goal of the tournament in the 90th minute. Uruguay improves to 3-0-0 and finish at the top of Group A with nine points and a +5 goal differential. Russia finishes in second, which is a major improvement from 2014, and they will now look to advance further on their home field. Uruguay will likely face Portugal or Iran.

1. Uruguay (3-0-0, 9 Pts)

2. Russia (2-0-1, 6 Pts)

3. Saudi Arabia (1-0-2, 3 Pts)

4. Egypt (0-0-3, 0 Pts)

Group B: Spain was on the brink of not even reaching the Knockout Round after they fell down 2-1 in the 81st minute against Morocco. But then Aspas scored 10 minutes later and on a beautiful corner and sent Spain on. At about the same time, in the Portugal versus Iran match, Iran also scored in stoppage time to bring that to a 1-1 draw. Because of the tie, Portugal went from first place to second. And while Portugal still advances, which is obviously the most important part, they now have a much more difficult path as they have to face Uruguay instead of Russia. Portugal finishes the Group Stage with a 1-2-0 record as Ronaldo stands tie for second in goals scored with four. Spain is also 1-2-0, and they'll face Russia on Sunday in the Round of 16.

1. Spain (1-2-0, 5 Pts)

2. Portugal (1-2-0, 5 Pts)

3. Iran (1-1-1, 4 Pts)

4. Morocco (0-1-2, 1 Pt)

Group C: France and Denmark were aware that they would be heading to the Knockout Round early enough in the game that neither team decided to try and score very often. In all, it was an extremely slow paced game that only had a handful of moments that got you out of your seat. France had already advanced after winning their first two games, 2-1 against Australia and 1-0 against Peru. Meanwhile, Denmark defeated Peru and tied versus Australia so all they needed to do was win or draw and they'd advance as well. Well, in the other Group C match, Peru jumped out to a 1-0 lead and word traveled to Denmark so they played a cautious game. France will face Argentina in the Round of 16, while Denmark gets to face Croatia.

1. France (2-1-0, 7 Pts)

2. Denmark (1-2-0, 5 Pts)

3. Peru (1-0-2, 3 Pts)

4. Australia (0-1-2, 1 Pt)

Group D: Argentina hasn't been playing up to expectations this World Cup, as they finished with a 1-1-1 record in group play. They started with a surprising tie with Iceland as they were expected to win the game. Messi missed a penalty kick which could have put them up, then in their second game, they got embarrassed by Croatia 3-0 and had to win their next game against Nigeria. It was a hard fought game until a goal in the 86th minute put them up 2-1 which barely advanced them. Argentina will have a hard time against France. On the other hand, Croatia is playing phenomenally and went through and just dominated. They look flawless and are playing cohesively. Croatia is a force to be reckoned with and will face Denmark.

1. Croatia (3-0-0, 9 Pts)

2. Argentina (1-1-1, 4 Pts)

3. Nigeria (1-0-2, 3 Pts)

4. Iceland (0-1-2, 1 Pt)

Group E: Mexico was seemingly in a great spot to reach the Knockout Round, as they came into the day in first place with six points and a 2-0-0 record. Thankfully for Mexico, they barely avoided elimination. But it wasn't thanks to their own doing. If Mexico would have won, they wouldn't have had to nervously check on the Germany versus Sweden match, but they lost 3-0 to Sweden. The win for Sweden meant they'd move on, with a pair of victories. So the final spot was left up to either Germany or Mexico. All Germany had to do was win against South Korea, who was 0-0-2 coming into the match. Somehow, South Korea took out the defending champions, and helped out Mexico. In the crazy group thus far, Sweden (6) and Mexico (6) advance.

1. Sweden (2-0-1, 6 Pts)

2. Mexico (2-0-1, 6 Pts)

3. South Korea (1-0-2, 3 Pts)

4. Germany (1-0-2, 3 Pts)

Group F: Brazil and Switzerland were clearly the two best teams in the group and it didn't take long for them to jump out to 1-0 leads in their third matches. Brazil led 1-0 at halftime against Serbia, who came into the game with three points and an outside chance of making the Knockout Round. However, Brazil shut that down and finished the game with a 2-0 victory, their second consecutive clean sheet. In the other match, Switzerland led 1-0 and 2-1, but Ruiz's late penalty goal for Costa Rica tied the game and Switzerland finished with a draw. Brazil ends the group on top with a 2-1-0 record, and seven points. The Swiss went 1-2-0 and had five points. Neymar and Co. will face Mexico in the Round of 16. While Switzerland gets Sweden.

1. Brazil (2-1-0, 7 Pts)

2. Switzerland (1-2-0, 5 Pts)

3. Serbia (1-0-2, 3 Pts)

4. Costa Rica (0-1-2, 1 Pt)

Group G: Belgium was clearly going to make it out of this group, and it didn't take long for the other team to announce themselves as the second best team from the four. Belgium wasted no time showing just how great they truly can be when they're playing up to their potential, and it resulted in three straight wins. The other team to advance was England. Even though they aren't quite as powerful as they once were, England is very dangerous with guys like Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, and many others. It wasn't enough to beat Belgium in the third and final Group Stage match, but six points was by far enough to vault them into the Round of 16. Belgium will get Japan while England faces Colombia in the Knockout Round.

1. Belgium (3-0-0, 9 Pts)

2. England (2-0-1, 6 Pts)

3. Tunisia (1-0-2, 3 Pts)

4. Panama (0-0-3, 0 Pts)

Group H: Colombia looked as though they might not even make it out of the group, and that was the case if they were to lose against Senegal on the final day of opening round matches. But by the end of the 90 minutes, they somehow won the entire group with six points. It took a Poland victory over Japan, despite previously being winless in the tournament. The win for Poland was simply a moot point because they only had three points, but it helped Colombia as they won their second straight clean sheet. So either Japan or Senegal were going to go on, which meant it came down to tiebreakers as they each had four points. Both teams were equal in points, goal differential, goals scored and for, and so it came down to yellow cards. Japan moved on.

1. Colombia (2-0-1, 6 Pts)

2. Japan (1-1-1, 4 Pts)

3. Senegal (1-1-1, 4 Pts)

4. Poland (1-0-2, 3 Pts)

Photo Credit: Sporting News.