Spain suffers but eventually overcomes Belgium 2-1 and joins France in the semifinals, for a thrilling match that truly feels like a pre-match final. Spain took the lead through Fabian Ruiz, then Atalanta's De Keteleare equalized with a header, and finally, just minutes from time, Merino scored the winner, having already defeated Portugal in the 91st minute in the previous round. The Spain-France semifinal will be played next Tuesday at 9:00 PM Italian time at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.
The last two quarter-finals will be played on Saturday 11th July. The day will open with England-Norway, on stage at Miami Stadium (Hard Rock Stadium) with kick-off at 23.00 Italian. To follow, at 3.00 Italian of the night between Saturday and Sunday, it will be the turn of Argentina-Switzerland, which will be played at Kansas City StadiumA place in the semifinal, which will be played on Wednesday, is up for grabs.
Thomas Tuchel's England arrive at the meeting after having eliminated first DR Congo and then Mexico, while Norway surprised everyone by ousting Brazil and Ivory Coast thanks to the talent of Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard. The Three Lions are expected to line up with Pickford in goal; Walker, Stones, Guéhi, and Shaw in defense; Rice and Bellingham in midfield; Saka, Foden, and Gordon behind Kane. Ståle Solbakken will line up with Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Møller Wolfe; Berge, Patrick Berg, Ødegaard; Nusa, Sørloth, and Haaland. In previous competitive meetings, England have a clear record, unbeaten in their last seven meetings against the Scandinavians.
Argentina and Switzerland will face off tonight. The Albiceleste, led by Julián Álvarez and Enzo Fernández, eliminated Egypt and Cape Verde; the Swiss, meanwhile, overcame Algeria and Colombia, the latter on penalties. Lionel Scaloni should confirm the 4-3-3 with Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister; Messi, Julián Álvarez, and Garnacho. Switzerland responds with Kobel; Widmer, Akanji, Elvedi, Rodríguez; Freuler, Xhaka, Aebischer; Vargas, Embolo, and Ndoye. There have been five previous meetings between the two national teams: two Argentine wins, two draws, and one Swiss victory, with the last knockout meeting dating back to the 2014 World Cup round of 16, decided by Ángel Di María in extra time.
