Women’s Football World Cup 2019: Matildas could land anywhere from first to last in their group

It’s not simply a matter of beating Jamaica. The Matildas are engaged in a tense battle where the stakes are high and everything from first to fourth in their group is on the table.

The Matildas could play any number of opponent in the round of 16 ... or not at all.

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While the win over Brazil relieved a lot of tension, the Matildas can’t make any round of 16 reservations just yet.

Although in an undeniably good place to progress through to the knockout rounds, where they finish in Group C, and ultimately their next destination, remains far from resolved.

The worst-case scenario is the Matildas boarding a plane back to Australia. That requires Jamaica to pull off an upset of epic proportions to relegate Australia to the bottom of the group.

The degree of opponent difficulty - and the amount of travel - in the round of 16 depends on not only their result but also what happens in the Italy v Brazil clash played at the same time.

Finish first (and that will take some doing and a lot of goals) and a clash with a third-place team awaits. Norway is lined up as the opponent if they finish second. If third, then hosts France, one of the tournament favourites, presents a formidable ask.

The Matildas could play any number of opponent in the round of 16 ... or not at all.

All in all, there are nine possibilities to keep an eye on.

1. Australia wins; Brazil wins

Italy, Australia, Brazil equal on six points — tie-breaker, goal difference

2. Australia wins; Italy wins

Italy top the group on nine points, Australia second on six points, Brazil third on three points

3. Australia wins; Italy and Brazil draw

Italy top the group on seven points, Australia second on six points, Brazil third on four points

4. Australia draws; Brazil wins

Brazil and Italy equal on six points — tie-breaker, goal difference; Australia third on four points

Beating Brazil has put the Matildas back in the hunt.

5. Australia draws; Italy wins

Italy top the group on nine points; Australia second on four points, Brazil third on three points

6. Australia draws; Italy and Brazil draw

Italy top the group on seven points, Australia and Brazil equal on four points — tie-breaker, goal difference

7. Australia loses; Brazil wins

Brazil and Italy equal on six points — tie-breaker, goal difference; Australia and Jamaica equal on three points — tie-breaker, goal difference

8. Australia loses, Italy wins

Italy top the group on nine points; Brazil, Australia and Jamaica equal on three points — tie-breaker, goal difference

9. Australia loses, Italy and Brazil draw

Italy top the group on seven points; Brazil second on four points; Australia and Jamaica equal on three points — tie-breaker, goal difference

Finish third and France likely awaits the Matildas.

Likely Opponents — Round of 16

1st — 3rd (A, B, F) (China, Nigeria, Chile) — Montpellier, 25 June (6pm)

2nd — 2nd Group A (Norway) — Nice, 22 June (9pm)

3rd (C, D, E) — 1st Group A (France) — Le Havre, 23 June (9pm)

3rd (A, C, D) — 1st Group B (Germany) — Grenoble, 22 June (530pm)

Likely Opponents — Quarter-Finals

1st — 1st Group E v 2nd Group D (Netherlands, Japan) — Valenciennes, 29 June (3pm)

2nd — 1st Group D v 3rd (B, E, F) (England) — Le Havre, 27 June (9pm)

3rd — any number of teams

Originally published as Women’s Football World Cup 2019: Matildas could land anywhere from first to last in their group