Which team finished at the top of the pool after five rounds of matches?
Answer: C
The following table gives the distribution of games within each round:
(Note: There is an inconsistency in the question. In Round 4, only 4 teams have played while in Round 5, two teams (NZ and SA) have played 2 matches. This, as we will see later, causes an inconsistency in the question as well.)
The points table will be as follows:
Since, 4 teams are tied with the same number of points, the qualifying teams will be chosen based on their Goal Difference (GD).
The GFs and GAs for the first two rounds is already given. In the third round, the match of Germany versus Argentina was drawn. Hence, both their GFs and GAs will be equal (say, X). In the fourth round, Spain won the match against Argentina. Hence, if Spain’s score is (say) A:B, where A > B, then Argentina’s will be B:A.
Following along similar lines, we have the following table:
Hence,
GD for Pakistan = (2 + Y + 1 + 1) – (1 + Y + 0 + 0) = 3
GD for Germany = (3 + X + 0 + 3) – (1 + X + 1 + 0) = 4
GD for Argentina = (2 + X + B + 3) – (0 + X + A + 0) = 5 + (B – A)
Since B < A, hence (B – A) < 0
∴ GD for Argentina < 5
GD for Spain = (5 + Y + A + C) – (2 + Y + B + D) = 3 + (A – B) + (C – D)
Since A > B and C > D, hence (A − B) ≥ 1 and (C – D) ≥ 1
∴ GD for Spain ≥ 5
it is clear that Germany, Argentina, Spain and Pakistan are tied after 5 rounds, but only Spain’s GD ≥ 5.
Hence, option (c).