The second round of group-stage matches is underway at the women’s World Cup, which means we can start thinking about qualification for the knockout round. Two teams, Japan and Spain, have already clinched spots in the round of 16.
How the United States can advance
After its 1-1 draw with the Netherlands, the United States still is in fairly good shape to advance to the knockout round: It needs only a win or draw in its group-stage finale against Portugal to advance, and could even advance with an upset loss. But the tie put the Netherlands — which has to face already-eliminated Vietnam — in slightly better shape to win Group E.