Does losing a game mean you’re out of the World Cup? Group stage defeats explained

When it comes to competitive football, all the preparation in the world does not guarantee success. They drew all three of their group games — against Italy, Austria and Cameroon — and managed to beat the latter two nations to second place in Group B. Chile were ultimately beaten by Brazil in the last-16 in 1998 Four years later, there were four teams who made into the knockout stage having accumulated four points. In South Africa in 2010, it was similar to the 2002 World Cup as four teams made it into the last 16 with four points. At the last World Cup, in Russia, two teams picked up four points and progressed. Average amount of points won by group winners: 1998 World Cup : 7 points 2002 World Cup : 7.25 points 2006 World Cup : 8 points 2010 World Cup : 6.75 points 2014 World Cup : 8 points 2018 World Cup : 7.25 points Total average in 32-team World Cups: 7.38 points Average amount of points won by group runners-up: 1998 World Cup : 5.13 points 2002 World Cup : 4.5 points 2006 World Cup : 5.38 points 2010 World Cup : 4.75 points 2014 World Cup : 5.13 points 2018 World Cup : 5.13 points Total average in 32-team World Cups: 5 points With Chile’s three-point campaign in 1998 being the exception, history suggests that at least four points are required to progress from the group stage.