IRENE: Egypt’s stunning 1-0 victory over World Cup champions Italy means that both Brazil and Italy are in danger of being eliminated in the Group Stage of the Confederations Cup.
Defending Confederations Cup champion Brazil currently leads Group B with six points. Italy and Egypt both have three points, and the United States has zero points. Brazil will play Italy on Sunday, and Egypt will play the United States.
A victory against Italy will guarantee Brazil a place in the semifinals.
However, if Italy wins and Egypt defeats the United States, Brazil, Italy, and Egypt will all have six points. In that event, tiebreakers will be determined first based upon goal differentials, followed by goals scored.
Brazil currently has a four-goal difference and seven goals scored. Italy is in second place with a one-goal difference and three goals scored, while Egypt has a zero-goal difference and four goals scored.
A loss to Italy by at least two goals and an Egyptian victory over the United States by at least three goals will eliminate the Brazilians.
Italy will advance to the semifinals by posting a better margin of victory than the Egyptians, or by beating Brazil by at least two goals.
If Italy loses to Brazil and Egypt defeats the United States, Brazil and Egypt will advance to the semifinals. A victory over the Brazilians by less than two goals, coupled with an Egyptian victory by a better goal differential, will also eliminate Italy.
If both matches end in a tie, Brazil and Italy will advance. If Brazil and Italy draw and Egypt wins, Brazil and Egypt will advance.
Egypt has surprised many with its successful run at this year’s Confederations Cup. The Egyptian team was narrowly defeated by Brazil 4-3 in the Group opener, as Brazil’s Kaka scored the winning goal with a last-minute penalty kick.
The team’s underdog victory against Italy was highly unexpected, and kept Egypt’s hopes alive in advancing to the next round. -AP and agencies
