The lineup for the 2026 World Cup semifinals was finalized on Saturday following two intense quarterfinal matches: England staged a comeback against Norway, while Argentina required extra time to overcome Switzerland and keep their hopes alive of defending their title.
The hero of the match held at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium was Jude Bellingham, who led the Three Lions to a 2-1 victory over Norway with his two goals.
Norway, having reached the quarterfinals for the first time in their history after knocking out Brazil with an Erling Haaland double, initially took the lead. Andreas Schjelderup scored in the 36th minute with a shot that hit the post on its way in.
England equalized before halftime through Bellingham, and just when the match seemed to be heading to extra time, the midfielder seized a rebound during stoppage time to net the decisive goal, securing England's first semifinal appearance since 1990.
Argentina's Gritty Victory Over Switzerland
In Kansas City, the Arrowhead Stadium hosted a much more grueling battle for the Albiceleste.
Alexis Mac Allister put Argentina ahead, but Dan Ndoye's late equalizer for Switzerland pushed the match into extra time, showcasing a pattern of the defending champions who, despite not fully convincing, always find a way to prevail.
During extra time, Julián Álvarez broke the deadlock with a stunning goal in the 112th minute, and Lautaro Martínez sealed the 3-1 win with his last-gasp strike, sending Argentina back to the World Cup semifinals.
Switzerland, which had defeated Colombia in a penalty shootout in the previous round, achieved their best quarterfinal result since 1954, highlighting the Swiss team's impressive run despite their elimination.
Lionel Messi is currently tied with Kylian Mbappé at the top of the tournament's goal-scoring chart, adding another layer to the rivalry between the two stars in this World Cup.
Upcoming High-Stakes Semifinals
With the semifinalists set—France, Spain, England, and Argentina—the tournament is entering its final stretch with matches of intense competition.
France will face Spain on Tuesday, July 14, at Arlington's AT&T Stadium in Texas, while the much-anticipated clash between Argentina and England will take place on Wednesday, July 15, at 3:00 PM Cuba time at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This matchup carries a deep historical rivalry, tracing back to the Falklands War in 1982 and legendary games like the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, famously marked by Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" and the "Goal of the Century."
Key Insights into England and Argentina's Semifinal Journey
How did England secure their place in the semifinals?
England advanced to the semifinals by overcoming a deficit against Norway, with Jude Bellingham scoring twice, including a stoppage-time goal, to win 2-1.
What was key to Argentina's victory over Switzerland?
Argentina's victory was marked by a resilient performance in extra time, with Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez scoring crucial goals to secure a 3-1 victory.
Who are the top goal scorers in the tournament?
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé are currently tied as the top goal scorers in the tournament, intensifying their ongoing rivalry.