Can Ecuador and Japan qualify for Copa America quarter-finals, and does 3rd place progress?
ECUADOR face Japan in their final Copa America group game, with neither side impressing so far in the tournament.
The two sides suffered 4-0 defeats to Uruguay and Chile respectively in their opening games, before the invited Japanese team drew 2-2 with Uruguay in their second game and the Ecuadorians were beaten 2-1 by Chile.
But do the two teams still have a chance of going through, and will they have to finish second to make it?
Do third placed teams from each group reach the Copa America quarter finals?
The top two from all three groups will automatically qualify for the quarter-final stage.
Those that finish fourth will automatically be eliminated – but third place still has a chance to qualify.
The two best teams who finish in third position in each group will progress to the last eight.
What if teams are tied on points?
Should two teams, either in their group or for the best of the third placed teams, draw level on points – it could be decided by drawing lots.
Goal difference will be the next decider, before it goes to goals scored.
If sides are still level after that, a draw of lots will be determine who goes into the quarter-finals.
Can Japan and Ecuador qualify for the quarter-finals?
As Paraguay picked up just two points in finishing third in Group B, Japan and Ecuador can both save themselves from elimination with a win.
A draw, however, will knock both sides out.
If Ecuador win, they will head to Porto Alegre on Thursday night local time to take on hosts Brazil.
This will almost certainly be the case with Japan as well, should they win, but they could move into second with a victory if Uruguay lose to Chile with a whopping eight-goal swing.
In this event, the Uruguayans would face Brazil while Japan would take on Colombia in Sao Paulo on Friday.
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Copa America quarter-final fixtures
Most Copa America quarter-final fixtures have yet to be decided, but Argentina’s opponent is confirmed.
They will face Venezuela on Friday at the Maracana.
Full Copa America quarter-final fixtures are as follows (UK time):
- Friday, June 28 – Brazil vs Paraguay/Japan/Ecuador (1.30am)
- Friday, June 28 – Venezuela vs Argentina (8pm)
- Saturday, June 29 – Colombia vs Chile/Uruguay/Japan (12am)
- Saturday, June 29 – Chile/Uruguay vs Peru (8pm)