\n<\/p>\n
There are two main knock-on effects.<\/p>\n
The first is a greater chance of teams not only advancing but winning the group before matchday three. <\/p>\n
The other is that teams can be eliminated after two matches – this would not be possible if goal difference was used first.<\/p>\n
Under the old format, a team would need to be four points clear of second to secure top spot after two games.<\/p>\n
That was rare because it required the other two fixtures of the first two rounds in the group to both be draws.<\/p>\n
Now it is possible to be three points clear and have first place in the bag.<\/p>\n
It can happen in a few ways. <\/p>\n
It requires either two draws, or first place to have beaten the team(s) on three points.<\/p>\n
We have already seen it in Group A and Group D.<\/p>\n
Mexico won their first two games and sit on six points – three points clear of South Korea, with the Czech Republic and South Africa on one point.<\/p>\n
As Mexico have already beaten South Korea they cannot be overtaken if both countries end on six points. So Mexico have won the group.<\/p>\n
They know they will play a last-32 tie in Mexico City against a third-placed team.<\/p>\n
The same applies to the United States, who are three points ahead of Australia and Paraguay but have beaten both teams<\/p>\n
Thus, the US have won the group and will head to Santa Clara to play a third-placed team.<\/p>\n
There’s a knock-on effect, too.<\/p>\n
Mexico effectively have nothing to play for when they meet the Czech Republic next Wednesday, and could opt to rest players. <\/p>\n
And that creates an imbalance the Czech Republic could benefit from, though they can only qualify automatically if South Korea lose to South Africa.<\/p>\n
But in a tournament where the best third-placed teams go through, it could be important. <\/p>\n
The system is also used at the European Championship, where the best third-placed teams advance.<\/p>\n
It also impacts the other end of the table.<\/p>\n
Haiti, three points behind Scotland, are out because they lost to Steve Clarke’s men.<\/p>\n
Similarly, Turkey are bottom and three points behind Australia and Paraguay. As they lost to both of those countries they are eliminated.<\/p>\n
It means that Turkey v United States in Inglewood on Wednesday is a dead rubber for both teams.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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