Everybody thinks that the only issue in Group G is whether Brazil or Portugal will be in first place after the games this afternoon. But here are the standings:
| Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
 Brazil | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 6 |
 Portugal | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 4 |
 Côte d'Ivoire | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
 Korea DPR | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 0 |
Yes, it's unlikely that the standings will change much, but given how helpless North Korea was against Portugal, and given how explosive the Ivory Coast can be, and given that the last time Brazil and Portugal played, Brazil won 6-2, it would not be completely and utterly miraculous (it would not be like a fifth set in tennis that goes to 70-68!) for the Ivory Coast to still qualify.
Let's say Brazil beats Portugal 3-0 (which is not an extreme result). Then the Ivory Coast has to win 6-0 (which is extreme, but as I said, not utterly unlikely, given NK's weakness and IC's offensive potential). That would put IC and P in a tie, and they would have to draw lots. So any nine-goal swing, with B and IC winning, makes it possible for IC to advance (7-1 for IC and 3-0 for Brazil would have IC advancing on goals scored, for example).
I do not, repeat DO NOT, think this is what's going to happen, but I thought I'd go on the record with it, just in case it does happen, so that I can pat myself on the back about it. :-)
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