The Associated Press
The United States tied Italy 1-1 on Saturday night in its second World Cup match. Italy leads Group E with four points, while the Czech Republic and Ghana each have three. The United States is last in the group with one point. On Thursday, all four teams will play their last match of the first round. The United States faces Ghana while, at the same time, Italy plays the Czechs. Only the top two teams in the group will advance to the second round.
For the U.S. team to advance, it must defeat Ghana in its last game. In addition to beating Ghana, the United States 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.
