The World Cup Day 9

In addition to los Ticos 1-0 victory over Italy, France rolled over Switzerland 5-2 and Ecuador beat Honduras 2-1.

The standings after nine days (teams which have clinched moving on to the knockout round are in italics):

Group A: Brazil (4), Mexico (4), Croatia (3), Cameroon (0)
Group B: Netherlands (6), Chile (6), Australia (0), Spain (0),
Group C: Columbia (6), Ivory Coast (3), Japan (1), Greece (1)
Group D: Costa Rica (6), Italy (3), Uruguay (3), England (0)
Group E: France (6),  Ecuador (3), Switzerland (3), Honduras (0)
Group F: Argentina (3), Iran (1), Nigeria (1), Bosnia-Herzegovina (0)
Group G: Germany (3), United States (3), Ghana (0), Portugal (0)
Group H: Belgium (3), Russia (1), South Korea (1), Algeria (0)

As noted in the previous post, with Costa Rica's victory over Italy they clinch an advance to the round of 16 and the winner of the Italy v. Uruguay game will advance with them. If it's a draw, then Italy will advance.

As for Group E, just about nothing is settled but France, with a 6 GD lead over Ecuador and an 8 GD lead over Switzerland, has all but clinched a spot in the knockout round. Switzerland would need a win over Honduras to have any chance of advancing and then would also need France to beat or draw with Ecuador.

So, how am I doing? Not too good if the truth must be told. Of the four teams guaranteed to advance, I picked only 2. Two of my picks, Spain and England, have been eliminated, and things don't look too good for Greece or Uruguay either, but we'll see.