The last two quarterfinals are done, and the bracket has never looked more loaded — England, Argentina, France, and Spain are your final four, and every one of them has won this tournament before.
Yesterday's Results
England 2–1 Norway (AET) — Quarterfinal Jude Bellingham was the story, scoring twice to drag England past Erling Haaland and Norway in extra time. AP News reports that Bellingham's double lifted England into the semifinals, with Haaland — so viral, so hyped — largely anonymous on the night. Norway pushed hard enough to make it uncomfortable, but England held, and Bellingham's performance was the kind that gets remembered long after the tournament ends.
Argentina 3–1 Switzerland (AET) — Quarterfinal This one went the distance too, and it was Julián Álvarez — not Messi — who ultimately won it. ESPN FC notes that Argentina have now scored 3+ goals in four straight World Cup games, and that Álvarez has four of his five career World Cup goals in knockout matches — tying Diego Maradona for second-most by an Argentine in the knockouts, behind only Messi. Messi's own record nine-match scoring streak ended against Switzerland, but his 20 passes leading to shots on goal in this tournament is a record of its own. The defending champions are through, and they are not done yet.
Those results confirm the full semifinal picture: France vs. Morocco on one side, England vs. Argentina on the other — a bracket that reads like a dream draw for the neutral.
Today's Fixtures
There are no matches scheduled for today, July 12. The tournament takes a breath before the semifinals begin on Tuesday, July 14 (France vs. Morocco in Dallas) and Wednesday, July 15 (England vs. Argentina in Atlanta). Use the day to appreciate what's coming.
Around the Tournament
Spain are through — and Mikel Merino is the reason, again. Reuters reports that Merino came off the bench in the 88th minute of Spain's quarterfinal against Belgium and scored the winner — the second time this tournament he has been the late substitute who changes everything. Spain are in the semifinals, Lamine Yamal is still waiting for his signature moment, and Merino has become the most improbable hero of the competition.
South Africa's Jayden Adams has died at 25. BBC Sport reports that the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder, who featured for South Africa at this World Cup, passed away just weeks after the tournament. It is a devastating piece of news that has cast a shadow over the final week of the competition, and the football world has been quick to pay tribute.
Kylian Mbappé keeps France's greatest-ever comparisons on hold — for now. Reuters notes that Mbappé has been measured in deflecting questions about where he stands among France's all-time greats, with a semifinal still to come. His penalty against Paraguay in the Round of 16 was the only goal France needed that day; the question now is whether he can produce something more spectacular against Morocco, who arrive in Dallas with their own history to avenge from 2022.
The semifinals are set, and the bracket has delivered exactly what you'd want: two matches that could each be a final in their own right. England vs. Argentina in Atlanta is the one that will stop the world — Bellingham against Messi, the defending champions against the team that beat Norway's golden generation. Don't make any plans for Tuesday night.