The World Cup group stage uses a simple points system: 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, and 0 for a loss. If teams finish level on points, FIFA then uses tiebreakers such as goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head results, fair play points, and, in the rarest case, a drawing of lots.

Why a tied score can still mean a loss

A match can end tied after regulation time, but that does not always mean the teams are equally advanced in the tournament. In the 2026 World Cup, Germany’s match with Paraguay ended 1-1 after 120 minutes, but Paraguay won 4-3 in the penalty shootout, so Paraguay advanced and Germany was eliminated.

Points vs. knockout games

This is the key difference:

  • Group stage: the scoreline only affects points and tiebreakers across the group.
  • Knockout stage: if the match is tied after extra time, penalties decide who wins the round, and the losing team is out.

So if you saw “they tied in score,” that likely referred to the match finishing level in regular play, not the final result of the knockout game.

Simple example

If Team A and Team B draw 1-1 in a group match, both get 1 point.

If they draw 1-1 in a knockout match, the game can still be settled by extra time and penalties, and one team can lose despite the level score.

How to read the standings

The easiest way to think about it is:

  1. Points decide the table first.
  1. Tiebreakers decide who ranks higher if points are equal.
  1. In knockout games, penalties decide who survives if the score is still tied after extra time.

TL;DR: a tied score does not always mean a tied outcome. In group play, teams split points; in knockout play, penalties can turn a draw into a win-and-loss result.