Direct comparison or goal difference?

What counts at the 2022 World Cup in the event of a tie

Created: 01/12/2022 05:05

By: Alexander Kaindl

The 2022 World Cup is underway, the teams are currently fighting for a place in the round of 16.

But what happens when two teams are tied on points?

We clarify.

Doha – Germany got off to a bad start at the 2022 World Cup.

The DFB team lost 2-1 to Japan and were under a lot of pressure early on.

Germany conceded bankruptcy at the start of the World Cup against Japan

Particularly bitter: The German national team led 1-0 at the break and then had a number of chances for a second or third goal.

In the final phase, two Bundesliga pros punished them coldly: Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano scored late - thanks to a weak DFB defense.

There was a lot of criticism for Borussia Dortmund's defender Nico Schlotterbeck - both from teammate Ilkay Gündogan and the fans on the net.

The second group game against Spain on Sunday ended 1-1 (0-0).

Niclas Füllkrug saved the DFB team a point in the 83rd minute with his joker goal.

Good for the Germans: Japan lost to Costa Rica at midday, so elimination on Sunday was no longer possible, even if they lost.

Here you can find out how the DFB-Elf gets into the round of 16.

World Cup 2022: What happens if there is a tie in the group phase?

Ultimately, there are still a few constellations at the moment that leave one question unanswered after the third matchday in Group E: what counts if there is a tie?

Direct comparison or goal difference?

FIFA, which has recently been heavily criticized for banning the "One Love" armband, has set clear guidelines that determine the final position in the World Cup preliminary round groups.

These are as follows:

World Cup 2022: FIFA rules in the event of a tie - First goal difference and goals scored, then direct comparison

• Highest Score

• goal difference

• Goals scored

• Points from the group matches between the teams concerned

• Goal difference from matches involving the teams concerned

• Number of goals scored in matches between the teams involved

• fair play points

• Draw by FIFA

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Germany was under pressure in the second World Cup game against Spain

So that means: The goal difference or the goal difference is clearly higher than the direct comparison.

For Germany, this scenario means: After the third matchday, if there is a tie on points, it needs a better goal difference than the competition has.

National coach Hansi Flick is already under pressure with the DFB team at the World Cup.

© Robert Michael/dpa

On Thursday, a win by two goals against Costa Rica will suffice for Germany if Japan are to draw against Spain.

If Spain beat Japan, Germany simply needs to beat Costa Rica to go through to the last 16 with four points - the goal difference would then not matter as Japan and Costa Rica would only have three points each.

A Bundesliga star meanwhile celebrates a tit-for-tat return from the Croatians – "They showed who fucked who ****".