Top the group

We use the verbal phrase “to top the group” to describe the team that finishes first in each of the groups. If a team tops the group then in the next round they will face a team that finished second in another group – a group runner-up. So, for example, Brazil topped Group A and will face the runners-up from Group B, Chile, in the last sixteen.

• Example: Despite only drawing with ten-man Ecuador, France comfortably topped Group F.
• Example: Costa Rica surprised many fans and pundits when they topped Group D ahead of former World champions Italy, Uruguay and England.