I would just throw in that Spain (one of the best attacking teams in the world), won the last world cup with scores of 1 - 0 in the quarters, semis, and final. So yes, to a point, I think that a shutout can be "vital". Does that mean you don't play a 3rd string defender in a blow-out, no.
In the end, I just wish we had consistant tie-breakers across the board OR even better, let everyone in and seed everyone. Then the only thing that matters in a region is the championship, and not the order of finish.
