Portugal Has Qualified for the World Cup 2018

Portugal has defeated Switzerland to advance to the 2018 World Cup. Portugal was fighting with Switzerland to win Group B, and automatically advance to the 2018 World Cup. While Portugal was guaranteed to at least make the playoff, fans preferred to see Portugal avoid battling in the playoffs.

Portugal squared off with Switzerland in the final qualifying match before the eight-team playoff. Heading into the match, Portugal trailed Switzerland by three points in the standings.

Portugal tied Switzerland in the standings, but owned the advantage in goal differential so a win sent Portugal through. Switzerland now heads to the playoff where the remaining four spots will be determined.

A Portugal loss or draw would have sent them to the playoffs. Just how does the playoff work? It is a complicated process that BBC details below.

Eight of the nine European runners-up go into a two-legged play off for four places at next year’s finals. That means the runner-up with the fewest points misses out.

It is important to note that results against the bottom side in each group do not count in the final play-off standings.

The ranking of second-placed teams in the qualifying groups is determined by the highest number of points. If teams are equal on points, positions are decided by goal difference, goals scored, goals scored away from home and fair play points.

According to BBC, the draw for the playoff will be determined on October 17. Europe is split into nine groups. The winner of each group automatically heads to the World Cup. Europe has another four spots for Russia that will be determined by the playoff.

Here’s a look at the current Europe Group B standings.

Europe World Cup Qualifying Standings: Group B

Check out more World Cup 2018 coverage from Heavy.

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