World Cup Day 30: Alvarez Magic and Bellingham Brilliance Set Up Blockbuster Semi-Final

The quarter-finals delivered drama, controversy, and moments of individual genius as two heavyweight ties booked their places in the last four. Argentina overcame a spirited Switzerland after extra time in sweltering Kansas City, while England came from behind to edge Norway in the Miami heat. The semi-final is now set — reigning champions Argentina will face England in a mouth-watering clash.
Argentina 3-1 Switzerland (AET)
Holders Argentina looked set to cruise when Alexis Mac Allister flicked home Lionel Messi's corner at the near post with just 10 minutes gone. But they failed to press their advantage, and Switzerland grew into the contest before Dan Ndoye struck after 67 minutes, cutting in from the left, playing a one-two with Ricardo Rodriguez, and tucking his finish through the legs of Emiliano Martinez. The match then turned on controversy: just five minutes later, Breel Embolo was shown a second yellow card for diving following a VAR review, with the replay revealing he had simulated contact after a challenge from Leandro Paredes. Reduced to 10 men, Switzerland defended valiantly — but Julian Alvarez settled it with a moment of brilliance, curling an unstoppable 25-yard effort past Gregor Kobel in extra time. Lautaro Martinez then slotted home on the counter deep in stoppage time to keep Argentina's bid for back-to-back World Cups alive.
Norway 1-2 England (AET)
Thomas Tuchel's side rode their luck in a tense quarter-final played in fierce heat and humidity, but Jude Bellingham was once again the talisman to send England into their third semi-final since 1966. Norway went ahead after 36 minutes when Andreas Schjelderup's dipping effort deceived Jordan Pickford, but Bellingham provided an instant response in first-half stoppage time, taking Anthony Gordon's pass in his stride to beat Orjan Nyland. Norway threatened after the break — a Torbjorn Heggem goal was ruled out for Erling Haaland's shove on Elliot Anderson, and David Moller Wolfe headed against the bar — but a subdued Haaland was withdrawn at the extra-time break. Three minutes into extra time, Bellingham struck again, pouncing after Nyland could only parry a Morgan Rogers effort. England now stand one win from their first men's World Cup final since 1966, hoping to reverse their fortunes after semi-final losses to West Germany in 1990 and Croatia in 2018.
Argentina and England will meet in a blockbuster semi-final, with eight teams now whittled down to four in the hunt for World Cup glory.
 
Upcoming Matches for July 15 (all times ET):
3PM ET — France vs Spain, Dallas Stadium, Dallas