The scores on Saturday: France 1 at Ireland 0 … Bosnia-Herzegovina 0 at Portugal 1 … Slovenia 1 at Russia 2 … Ukraine 0 at Greece 0.
And the advantages now lie with the four seeded teams — France, Portugal, Russia and Greece. In that order.
Here is why:
France won on the road, at Croke Park in Dublin. It wasn’t decisive, but a road victory is a very big deal for les bleus, who have struggled to beat anyone anywhere. But especially on the road. France now needs only a tie at Stade de France on Wednesday to secure passage to South Africa.
Portugal had a victory, at home, without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, which is nice, because all it needs now is a tie at Zenica on Wednesday. And that might be about all the Portuguese can hope for against the testy and talented Bosnians.
Russia also has a victory, but it is stained a bit by the “away” goal the Russians surrendered in the 87th minute. Slovenia has to win, yes, but it has a little wiggle room in types of victory. To wit: A 1-0 Slovenia victory (in Maribor) sends Slovenia to South Africa 2010 because of that “away” goal. No extra time (or eventual penalty shootout) needed. But Russia still has the upper hand. A tie will do, as will any defeat in which Russia scores two goals or more.
Greece … this isn’t much of an advantage. Ukraine now gets to play at home, and will be favored to win. The advantage to a scoreless tie at home is that “away” goal thing, again. Any tie that isn’t 0-0 sends Greece to South Africa. Ukraine has only one way into the finals that doesn’t call for a victory, and that would be another 0-0 tie … capped eventually by a shootout victory.
Africa had a wild day, but it was typical European order, Saturday. No victory by more than a goal, and everyone still with a shot to win on Wednesday.
