By Tony Becca - On The Boundary

WHEN the World Cup of football kicked off on May 31, France, Argentina, Italy, Portugal, Germany, and England were numbered among the favourites and one of them could still win the Cup.

For one of them to do so, however, one of them will have to make it to the second round, and right now they are all in trouble - particularly so defending champions France and top favourites Argentina.

With two of the three matches in the first round gone, with only one to come, France are one point, Argentina three, Italy three, Portugal three, Germany four, England four and none of them are safe.

In fact, in what would be something for the record books, they could all miss the second round.

Germany, playing in Group E, could be out if they lose to Cameroon and Ireland beat Saudi Arabia; Italy, playing in Group G, could be out if they draw with Mexico and Croatia beat Ecuador; Portugal could be out if they draw with South Korea in Group D and the United States draw with Poland; and in Group F, England could fail to make it if they lose to Nigeria and Argentina beat Sweden.

Although it would go down to goal difference, England could also fail to make it if they lose to Nigeria and Argentina draw with Sweden.

While a draw will definitely send Germany and England into the second round, however, while Italy could still draw and go through, and while Portugal could still draw and make it on goal difference if Poland defeat the USA, France and Argentina must win in order to advance. Any other result and they will be out.

After losing to Senegal in the opening round and then drawing with Uruguay in Group A, France, playing without ace mid-fielder Zinedine Zidane and still to score a goal, must defeat Denmark - and even then, with Denmark and Senegal on four points each, it will come down to goal difference.

It is the same story for Argentina who lost to England after defeating Nigeria and who now face Sweden.

With England and Sweden on four points each and England to play Nigeria, a draw would leave Argentina out in the cold. A draw would mean that their only chance of moving on would be if England lose to Nigeria - and even then their fate would depend on goal difference.

The World Cup is sizzling. It is so hot that when the first round comes to an end, goals scored and goals conceded, not points won, may decide some of the teams going into the second round.

In Group F, if Argentina defeat Sweden and England lose to Nigeria, Sweden and England will be tied for second place; and if Argentina and Sweden draw and England lose to Nigeria, Argentina and England will be tied for second place.

In Group E, if Germany and Cameroon draw and Ireland defeat Saudi Arabia all three teams would end up tied on five points each; and in Group G, if Italy defeat Mexico and Croatia defeat Ecuador, Italy, Mexico and Croatia would be tied on six points each.

The most interesting scenario, however, is in Group A.

Denmark and Senegal are on four points each, France and Uruguay are on one each. That means that if France defeat Denmark and Uruguay defeat Senegal all four teams will finish locked on four points each.

It also means that depending on goals scored and goals conceded in those two matches, France, now fighting for survival, could end up on top.