For the Americans to advance, they must defeat Ghana. In addition to beating Ghana, the U.S. team needs one of these scenarios to take place:
1. Italy defeats the Czech Republic.
2. Italy ties the Czech Republic 0-0 or 1-1 AND the United States beats Ghana by at least four goals.
3. Italy ties the Czech Republic 2-2 or with a higher score AND the United States beats Ghana by five or more goals.
4. Italy ties the Czech Republic 2-2 or with a higher score AND the United States beats Ghana by four goals AND the U.S. team scores at least three goals more than the Czechs do in their tie.
5. The Czech Republic beats Italy AND the total combined margin of victory for the Americans and Czechs is six or more.
6. The Czech Republic beats Italy AND the total combined margin of victory for the Americans and Czechs is five AND the U.S. team scores at least three goals more than the Italians do in their loss.
7. The Czech Republic beats Italy AND the total combined margin of victory for the Americans and Czechs is five AND the U.S. team scores exactly two more goals than the Italians do in their loss AND the Americans win a drawing of lots by FIFA.
The following scenarios assure the US advance:
(1) US win AND Italy win.
(2) US win by 5 or more AND the Czechs draw 2-2, or 3-3.
(3) US win by 4 or more AND the Czechs draw 1-1 or win 1-0, 2-1, 3-1, or 4-2.
(4) US win by 3 or more AND the Czechs win 2-0, 3-0, or 4-1.
(5) US win by 2 or more AND the Czechs win 4-0, or 5-1.
(6) US win by 1 or more AND the Czechs win 5-0.
In the following scenarios the US would have to draw lots to advance:
(1) US wins 2-1 AND the Czechs win 4-0.
(2) US wins 2-0 AND the Czechs win 3-0.
(3) US wins 3-0 AND the Czechs win 3-1.
(4) US wins 4-0 AND the Czechs win 3-2.
-A8
That was an unbelievable game! Great spirit and fire!
If only we had a bit more skill... But it will come
I think Italy can defeat Czechs (they definitely have a motivation not to see Brazilians too soon) and US can defeat Ghana. All 4 teams fighting for a win: that I call a group of death!