Well... I've been thinking about this...

And yes, there are scenarios in which a team can have played two games and have their fate resting on the third match.

The easiest one to explain, in which ‘an arrangement’ could be reached, is if the first two matches have ended 0-0 and the teams in the final game know that a scoring draw sends them both through.

But I’m not sure that this is much different to the final games in four team groups when two teams often know that a particular result will send them both through (eg if two teams have four points each and the other two have one).

There are plenty of final group games in four-team groups that just peter out as teams settle for a result.

I agree it’s not perfect – however in 1982 they had three-team groups in the second round which all (as I understand it) passed off without controversy. Whereas, ironically, it was in the earlier four-team first round groups that the notorious ‘anschluss’ game between West Germany and Austria took place.

Posted By: norway on January 10th 2017 at 15:21:17

Message Thread

RIP the World Cup (n/m) (Other Football) - Charles21, Jan 10, 12:31:04
- I'm not keen (Other Football) - Jester, Jan 10, 16:32:42
- Scotland rejoicing. They may even qualify for something. (n/m) (Other Football) - Pixelman, Jan 10, 13:37:01
- Actually... I'm kind of ok with it (Other Football) - norway, Jan 10, 13:09:55
  - 3 teams in a group means that each last match can be a biscotto (Other Football) - Dave in France, Jan 10, 14:08:09
    - Well... I've been thinking about this... (Other Football) - norway, Jan 10, 15:21:17
      - Nil points for draw or coin toss for the points (Other Football) - CWC, Jan 10, 20:36:35
      - In '82, only one team from each 3 team group went through? (Other Football) - Tricky Hawes, Jan 10, 17:32:06
        
        An excellent and depressingly thorough point (Other Football) - norway, Jan 10, 19:29:58
  - You say it's still football and it'll be ok (Other Football) - Charles21, Jan 10, 13:22:05
    - Because at club level there are more important competitions than the FA Cup (Other Football) - mr carra, Jan 10, 14:20:36
      - Why are there more important competitions? (Other Football) - Charles21, Jan 10, 14:29:06
        
        The later stages will still be the same (n/m) (Other Football) - mr carra, Jan 10, 14:31:38
    - Disagreed (Other Football) - norway, Jan 10, 13:30:51
- Panini must be pleased. (n/m) (Other Football) - bird table, Jan 10, 12:40:43
  - Haha (n/m) (Other Football) - yellowman, Jan 10, 12:42:09

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