World Cup 2018: 3 twists that could happen in the final round of group stages

The third and final round of the World Cup 2018 is underway. While many teams have already qualified for the next round of the tournament, the fates of some other groups are yet to be decided.

The World Cup dreams of many will be over by the end of this round, but others will have their hopes alive as they go into the Round of 16 of the competition.

The first ten days of the contest was filled with surprises and the last round of the group stages could have some more in store for the lovers of the beautiful game.

Here are three twists that could happen in the final round of the group fixtures:

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#1 South Korea to upset Germany

Germany's World Cup could be over in the group stages

The last two World Cup Champions, Spain, and Italy, failed to qualify to the Round of 16 in their title defence campaign. Could Germany follow the same path?

Germany looked nothing like the team that won the competition last term when they faced a disappointing defeat against Mexico in their first game of the group stages.

Even Sweden looked like tying down the European side to a draw until Toni Kroos scored an injury-time stunner.

Going into the last round of the group stages, Mexico lead with six points, while Germany and Sweden are tied with three points.

Germany will face South Korea, and Sweden will face Mexico. The two European sides have equal points, goal difference and goals for.

Sweden could put up a fight against Mexico like they did against Germany and could even come out with a win. That would make the match against South Korea a must win for Germany.

Korea, already being eliminated from the tournament, will be playing with nothing to lose and could make things difficult for Die Mannschaft.

Even if Germany win their game, but Sweden win their game with the same scoreline, it will still knock Germany out of the tournament, as they have received one red card, while Sweden has none.

Germany is capable of easily qualifying to further stages of the tournament, but one cannot rule out the chances of them being eliminated in the first round.

#2 Iran to knock Portugal out

Ronaldo's efforts to go in vain?

Group B has been a talking point of the World Cup so far. The thrilling 3-3 draw between Spain and Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick, Iran's defending against Spain, Morocco's heart-winning performance and more.

After two matches, Spain and Portugal sit first and second on the points table with four points each. Asian side Iran is just behind with three points, while Morocco has been eliminated.

In the final group fixture, Portugal will be taking on Iran and the Cristiano Ronaldo-led team are expected to see it through to ensure a spot in the next round.

However, Euro 2016 winners could receive a setback from their opponents. A solid defence to keep Ronaldo and co silent and a scrambled goal would be enough for Iran to take Portugal's round of 16. And that will be a twist that no one saw coming.

#3 Switzerland and Serbia win their respective matches to send Brazil home

Brazil is one of the

favourites

to win the World Cup

Brazil is named by many as one of the favourites to win the World Cup at Russia this year, and the Canarinho sit first on their group table ahead of Switzerland, Serbia, and Costa Rica. However, that doesn't mean that the team has claimed a spot in the pre-quarters.

A draw against Serbia or at least a Switzerland defeat against Costa Rica, would be enough for the South American side to qualify. But what if both those results don't go Brazil's way?

If Serbia manages to get a win against the Selecao and Switzerland gets the three points against Costa Rica, who are yet to score a goal in the tournament, it will signal the end of Brazil's World Cup campaign.

Although the chances of this happening is too low, it could be one of the biggest upsets of this term's World Cup if it does occur.