They finished last with the team in second-last position, Azerbaijan having six more points than them. How come a team that finished last and conceded 22 times over eight games has another shot at qualification?
Nigeria, on six maximum points from their first two matches, will all but seal a place in Russia if they snap up the three points on offer on Friday evening.
The operation reportedly lasted several hours, and eliminated six of the seven kidnappers. It was conducted by the Navy's elite SEALTeam 6 flown to the region by Air Force special operations.
Chelsea, on the other hand, will be hoping that their absence from European football will help them achieve back-to-back triumphs over their Big Six rivals.
However, if Arsenal are to mount a top four challenge their horrendous away record against the top six has to change, with their winless run on the road against the top six now extending to 23 matches following the defeat.
Alessandro Del Piero scored two second-half goals to help Juventus to a 2-0 win in Turin and condemn Newcastle to a third consecutive defeat on the big stage and pretty much seal their fate.
She has said this will be her last World Cup, and it's the final chance to seal her legacy on the international stage having never won a major trophy with Brazil.
While the advancing Navy team was recording, the TSSNL was also videoing the encounter, and at a point, the naval officials warned the Tantita team to vacate the area, saying it was under "restriction."