FIFA World Cup: Seven teams for three knockout stage spots

Rio De Janeiro: With some of the big teams including defending champion Spain, Italy and England out of the World Cup, seven teams are chasing three places in the knockout stage of the World Cup on Thursday. Here are the basic permutations:

  
GROUP G

   
United States vs Germany: Germany would win the group with at least a draw, and is likely to go through even with a loss because of its superior goal difference. The U.S. also only needs a draw to be sure of advancing, and would top the group with a win. The Americans would advance even with a loss if Ghana-Portugal is a draw.
  
Portugal vs Ghana: Both teams need a win coupled with a decisive result in the other game to have a chance of advancing on goal difference as it would leave two teams tied on four points. However, Portugal also has a minus-4 goal differential to make up, with Germany on plus 4, the U.S. on plus 1 and Ghana on minus 1.
   
GROUP H

South Korea vs Belgium: Belgium has already advanced with two victories and needs at least a draw to top the group. South Korea needs a victory to have a chance to go through and hope Algeria doesn't beat Russia to have a chance of advancing. If Russia wins or draws against Algeria, South Korea can finish second on goal difference -- although it currently trails both teams in that category. Algeria has three points, while Russia and South Korea both have one.
  
Algeria vs Russia: Algeria would advance with a victory and could even top the group if Belgium loses to South Korea. A draw would be enough for Algeria, as long as South Korea does not beat Belgium.