England to face Argentina in World Cup semi-final
USA exit World Cup after 4-1 defeat to Belgium in Seattle. Tillman equalised, but a Freese error made it 3-1, Pulisic quiet. Balogun’s red-card reinstatement row proved moot as he failed to impact.
Stale Solbakken weeps after Norway lose 2-1 AET to England. Bellingham nets twice after Schjelderup opener. Solbakken complains the equaliser dropped ‘straight from heaven’ despite FIFA’s ball-sensor denial.
WhoScored name their World Cup 2026 quarter-finals team, featuring Lionel Messi among the standout performers who delivered under pressure.
Erling Haaland reflects after Norway’s 2-1 AET loss to England, praising Bellingham and saying Norway ‘put on the map’ after 7 goals in the run, including vs Brazil. Subbed in extra-time due to Miami heat.
Switzerland’s Breel Embolo sent off via mistaken identity VAR for simulation, overturning a booking for Leandro Paredes in the Argentina quarter-final. A second yellow left the Swiss with 10 men.
Opinion on England’s 2-1 AET win over Norway: Bellingham scores both and carries a weary side in Miami heat, but midfield flaws and selection questions persist before the World Cup semi-final in Atlanta.
Despite Argentina’s semi-final berth to face England, Enzo Fernandez is criticised by Olé after a subdued display vs Switzerland. He scored the extra-time winner vs Egypt but was subbed for Thiago Almada.
Gianni Infantino says FIFA will examine expanding the World Cup to 64 teams by 2030, citing rising global quality and inclusion. 2026’s 48-team format deemed a ‘huge success’ with semi-finals now set.
Opta model tips France to win 2026 World Cup (34%). France 57.7% to beat Spain, Spain 23.4% to win overall. England 21.9% to win, slight edge vs Argentina (50.9%). Messi, Mbappé, Bellingham star in build-up.
Deschamps sticks with Maignan, Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne. Kone likely partners Rabiot with Tchouameni a doubt. Dembele, Olise, Doue support Mbappé. Thuram fit for bench ahead of Spain semi-final.
Argentina edge Switzerland 3-1 AET as Alvarez blasts a stunner and Lautaro Martinez adds late. Mac Allister scored, Ndoye equalised before Embolo’s VAR red. Laboured holders now meet England in the semi.
Crystal Palace join Celtic, Brighton and Brentford for Paraguay’s World Cup midfielder Damián Bobadilla. Zenit plan a €10m bid, but São Paulo want closer to €20m after his standout 2026 displays.
Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 AET in Kansas as Julian Alvarez hit a top-corner winner. Mac Allister and Lautaro Martinez also scored after Ndoye’s leveller and Embolo’s VAR red. England face them on 15 July.
