Round of 16 Qualification Scenarios: Group A

Now that we’re into the second round of group matches in each of the eight World Cup groups, we are starting to get a clearer picture of who will make up the 16 teams in the knockout phase of World Cup 2010. Here at WorldCupBlog, we love both football and math (that last part might just be me), so we will be going group by group, and giving you all the scenarios for the last round of matches, so you know what your team needs to advance.
First, Group A: France, Mexico, South Africa and Uruguay
Remaining matches: France vs. South Africa; Mexico vs. Uruguay
Uruguay – 4 points from 2 matches, +3 goal differential
In the drivers seat, one point from winning
* If Uruguay beat or draw Mexico, they will win group A
* If Uruguay lose to Mexico, and there is a winner between France and South Africa, then it will come to goal difference between Uruguay and that winner for second place in the group.
Mexico – 4 points from 2 matches, +2 goal differential
Master of their own fate
* If Mexico beat Uruguay, they will win group A
* If Mexico draw with Uruguay, they will finish second in group A
* If Mexico loses to Uruguay, and there is a winner between France and South Africa, then it will come to goal difference between Mexico and that winner for second place in the group.
France – 1 point from 2 matches, -2 goal differential
Needs a win and some help
* If Mexico and Uruguay draw, then France is eliminated.
* If France draws or loses to South Africa, they are eliminated.
* If France beats South Africa, and there is a winner between Uruguay and Mexico, then it will come to goal difference between France and the loser of that match for second place in the group.
South Africa – 1 point from 2 matches, -3 goal differential
Needs a win and some help
* If Mexico and Uruguay draw, then South Africa is eliminated.
* If South Africa draws or loses to France, they are eliminated.
* If South Africa beats France, and there is a winner between Uruguay and Mexico, then it will come to goal difference between South Africa and the loser of that match for second place in the group.