Former champions fill World Cup semifinals after tense quarterfinals

Argentina, England, France and Spain reached the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinals, leaving the tournament with four former champions in the last four for the first time since 1990. Al Jazeera reported that each winner punished key mistakes or tactical shortcomings by opponents with less World Cup pedigree.

The quarterfinals delivered narrow margins in three matches and a more controlled win for France, which beat Morocco 2-0 in Boston. Didier Deschamps’s side survived an early penalty miss by Kylian Mbappe, saved by Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou after a long VAR check, before Mbappe later scored with a dipping right-footed shot.

France handle Morocco’s striker-less plan

Al Jazeera said Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi started without a recognised striker, a move that left his side short of threat. Deschamps said after the match that he was surprised by the selection and tried to understand why Morocco had begun with “no real forwards.”

Morocco were missing injured forward Ismael Saibari, who had impressed earlier in the tournament, according to Al Jazeera. The squad still included other attacking options, including Soufiane Rahimi, who came on in the 60th minute, shortly after Mbappe’s opener.

Spain edge Belgium with late rebound

Spain beat Belgium 2-1 in Los Angeles after Mikel Merino scored in the 88th minute. Al Jazeera reported that 19-year-old defender Pau Cubarsi drove forward and shot from nearly 30 metres, forcing reserve goalkeeper Senne Lammens into a spill that Merino turned in from close range.

Belgium had lost first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to injury, leaving Lammens in goal for the decisive moment. Belgium also became the first team to score against Spain in the tournament, according to Al Jazeera.

Cubarsi had difficult spells against Belgium but was not troubled by substitute Romelu Lukaku, Al Jazeera reported. The outlet said Spain’s defensive strength rests heavily on keeping possession, a style familiar to the Barcelona centre back.

Merino has become a quick-impact substitute for Spain. Al Jazeera noted that he scored two minutes after entering against Belgium and five minutes after coming on in Spain’s 1-0 last-16 win over Portugal.

England survive Norway in extra time

England defeated Norway 2-1 in Miami, with Jude Bellingham scoring the winner in the third minute of extra time. Al Jazeera reported that Bellingham converted after Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland pushed away a Harry Kane chip and Morgan Rogers followed with a shot that rebounded into Bellingham’s path.

Norway had a goal ruled out after VAR judged that Erling Haaland shoved Elliot Anderson. Al Jazeera also reported that Norway failed to make the most of a late first-half 2-on-1, when Alexander Sorloth did not square the ball to Haaland and was stopped by John Stones.

England equalised before halftime after a Nyland goal kick appeared to change path, prompting Norway coach Stale Solbakken to complain to officials about a possible TV camera cable. Al Jazeera said FIFA’s connected ball indicated there had been no contact with a cable.

England coach Thomas Tuchel said his team got “lucky,” according to Al Jazeera. Norway had one late chance after a collision involving Jordan Pickford and a defender, but referee Clement Turpin stopped play and booked Kristoffer Ajer for dissent.

Argentina punish Swiss red card

Defending champions Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 in Kansas City. Lionel Messi did not score, but Al Jazeera reported that he assisted the opening goal in the 10th minute with a corner that Alexis Mac Allister headed in.

The match swung when Embolo was sent off after a VAR review. Referee Joao Pinheiro first booked Leandro Paredes, then changed the decision to a yellow card for Embolo for simulation; because Embolo had already been cautioned, he was dismissed.

Al Jazeera said the official explanation was “mistaken identity,” citing a VAR directive that allows intervention over a potential red card. It was Embolo’s first red card for Switzerland and his first at senior level since a 2015-16 Europa League match with FC Basel, according to the report.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.