---
title: "Group A: Standings and scenarios for the last 16"
description: "This about as straightforward as it’s going to get. The qualifiers are decided and all that’s up for grabs is who tops the group. For Russia, a win will be enough to make that happen."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "#Russia2018"
author: "Antoinette Muller"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/antoinettemuller/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2018-06-24-group-a-standings-and-scenarios-for-the-last-16/"
published: "2018-06-24T23:31:51"
updated: "2018-06-25T16:51:09"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 321
---

# Group A: Standings and scenarios for the last 16

> This about as straightforward as it’s going to get. The qualifiers are decided and all that’s up for grabs is who tops the group. For Russia, a win will be enough to make that happen.

By Antoinette Muller · Published 25 June 2018, 01:31 SAST · Updated 25 June 2018, 18:51 SAST

## Content

*Stay up to date with all the latest news from Russia with*[*Daily Maverick‘s dedicated World Cup 2018 section*](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/section/worldcup2018/#.WyTgkaf-g2w)*.*

*Read our [guide to group scenarios and an explanation of tie-breakers here](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2018-06-24-a-full-guide-to-which-teams-can-qualify-for-the-last-16-and-how/#.WzCQd6f-g2x).*

**Fixtures and kick off times**

Uruguay vs Russia
Saudi Arabia vs Egypt

Both matches kick off at 16:00.

**Group A live standings**

*These standings are live and will update throughout the final group games.*

[Media](https://www.sofascore.com/tournament/3954/15586/standings/tables/embed)

Standings provided by [Sofascore LiveScore](https://www.sofascore.com/)

**Qualified**: Russia and Uruguay
**Eliminated:** Egypt and Saudi Arabia

**How the group shapes up**

This one is easy. Russia and Uruguay are through, the only thing left to decide is who tops the group – and that’s easy as well. The winner of the match between the two sides will finish first. A draw will see Russia remain in pole position.

**What to expect**

Uruguay go into the game yet to concede a goal at Russia 2018, while Russia have run riot at the tournament so far. Remarkably, the two sides have played each other just once before - in a friendly back in 2012. That ended 1-1.

Russia were written off before the tournament started, but have dazzled with some wonderful football.

Considering they had only ever won nine World Cup matches before they demolished Saudi Arabia 5-0, it’s pretty good going.

**What the players are saying**

"Our confidence grows with each victory. We'll try to get the most points in the group. (Jose) Gimenez not being in the starting line-up won't affect them too much. I'm sure another player with similar qualities will substitute in for him. That's a problem for Uruguay's coach. We've got our own objectives,” Russia forward Fedor Smolov told *FifaTV*.

**Who awaits in the next round**

Group A’s winners will face the runners-up from Group B, while the second-placed side in Group A play the Group B winners. That could be Spain, Portugal or Iran for either side. **DM**