While France and Denmark were playing out their 0-0 draw that saw both through, already eliminated Peru gained some pride by beating
23. Australia

Two evening games, and I believe Croatia's 2-1 defeat of
22. Iceland
was completed first, at which time
21. Nigeria
could still have survived with a late equaliser. This was, of course, not forthcoming and half the second round is now fixed.

Three more drop off today, just one tomorrow to leave us with the final 16.

The match between Mexico and Sweden finished first this evening, and only a Mexico win could keep
20. South Korea from getting knocked out.

Meanwhile, as the game is coming to an end, Mexico fans are more interested in what is happening in the other game, with celebrations starting once the first goal was confirmed. #WunderVAR

And so, South Korea score again and it is
19. Germany

Needing to beat Brazil to go through, so now suprise that it is
18. Serbia

Serbia robbed by the shocking lack of penalty and utter failure of VAR against the Swiss.

And the last of the teams to fall at the group stage, the first time the disciplinary record has been used as a tie-break, so its too many bookings for
17. Senegal

Senegal had 6 bookings, Japan only four.

I think you have got the hang of it by now.
16. Argentina
15. Portugal
14. Spain
13. Denmark
12. Mexico
11. Japan
10. Switzerland
9. Colombia
8. Uruguay
7. Brazil
6. Sweden

....and then there were five

5. Russia - then there were four !!

Not being funny and, for all I know, he doesn't mind - but I think this is Leo's thread and he did all the donkey work right from the start so it's only fitting that he should be allowed to complete the project?

I don't really care! Just felt the last few numbers should be added - and then we can start again next year

Sounds like a challenge. Who can update before Leo? Will anyone have the guts to call a result and update before the final whistle - with the risk of egg on face and elimination from the game.

If "1." and "England" come together, I don't think anybody will care. About anything.

Calling it early.

1. England

As there is a third/fourth play-off, no one is actually knocked out (of the competition) at the semi-final stage.
Number 4 is not the loser tomorrow, but the loser of the 3/4 play-off.

So, to paraphrase: "if you're gonna do it, at least do it right"?

But in fact

4. England
3. Belgium

I am hoping for a Croatia win today, but expecting a French one.
A Croatia win removes some of the criticism that England were in the easy half of the draw.

Interestingly, England now play Croatia in the upcoming Nations League, so we meet them twice more this year.

It's a shame this was never finished off. I don't have OCD as such but it would bug me if I got down to 3 but didn't and 2 and 1

I still have flashbacks of Kane missing the sitter to put us 2-0 up in the semi. If we don’t win the WC in my lifetime that miss will haunt me to my grave alongside Bob Taylor.