The World Cup is the most-watched sporting event in the world, and it’s nearing the final stage with the semifinals starting on Tuesday.
The United States is out of the World Cup after losing 4-1 in the Round of 16 on July 6 against Belgium. It was the United States’ fourth Round of 16 appearance since 2000, with only one trip to the quarterfinals.
But what’s going on with the rest of the World Cup? The tournament is down to the most important games for bettors, fans and interested viewers looking to learn more about the beautiful game.
The World Cup quarterfinals were incredible, with three of the four games being either decided by one goal or in extra time. That set up what looks like an incredible semifinals with Argentina, France, Spain and England. This group includes three of the last four World Cup champions, and the four teams have won a combined seven World Cups. Argentina is looking to become the first back-to-back champion since Brazil in 1958 and 1962
Every couple of days, there has been a non-USA World Cup roundup recapping the tournament. This is the 10th and final installment of that series since there are only four games left in the tournament.
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
What happened: France came into this game as the favorites with better-known stars, and its top star, Kylian Mbappé, made his impact early. He nearly scored with a shot that was saved at the left post. Later in the first half, Mbappé dribbled into the left side of the 18-yard box and was taken down for a penalty kick. But the French superstar couldn’t convert and his penalty kick was saved in the 28th minute as it was a 0-0 score at the half.
Morocco hung in there as long as it could, despite France dominating the chances. However, Mbappé made up for his missed penalty kick with the first goal of the game in the 60th minute. The superstar forward got the ball just inside the box, curled his shot around his defender and into the right corner of the goal for the 1-0 lead.
About five minutes later, France showed off another one of its superstar offensive players. Ousmane Dembélé dribbled on the right side and fired a goal into the lower left corner from about 20 yards out for the 2-0 lead. It was the appropriate score after France had an 8-1 shots-on-goal advantage against Morocco.
Ramifications: France advanced to its third consecutive semifinals, and it will play Spain on Tuesday. Morocco’s fantastic tournament is over, and there are no more African teams remaining.
Where: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
What happened: Spain were the favorites and struck first in the 30th minute. Spanish phenom Lamine Yamal fired a shot from the right side of the box, and it was saved, but not covered by the keeper. Fabián Ruiz was there to finish the rebound from close range for the 1-0 lead for Spain.
Belgium became the first team to score on Spain in this World Cup in the 41st minute. Belgium’s aging star midfielder, Kevin De Bruyne, played a cross in from the right side, and Charles De Ketelaere headed it home with a Spanish defender on him from close range for the equalizer.
The game looked like it was heading for extra time until Spain found the game-winner in the 88th minute. A long shot was saved by Belgium’s keeper, but Mikel Merino was there to finish the rebound from close range for the 2-1 lead.
Ramifications: Spain advanced to its first semifinals since it won the World Cup in 2010. It will play France in the semifinals on Tuesday. Belgium’s World Cup is over, and it’s likely the last World Cup for its trio of stars, De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois.
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
What happened: Norway had been one of the tournament’s darlings, and it struck first in the 36th minute with a spectacular goal. Andreas Schjelderup got the ball on the left side of the box, shot from a low angle and hit the ball over the keeper and into the top right corner of the goal. Norway led 1-0.
It looked like Norway was going to lead 1-0 at the half, but England’s Jude Bellingham changed that. He received a pass at the top of the box, took the right angle past the Norwegian defender and finished the goal into the lower left corner in stoppage time at the end of the first half for the equalizer.
Norway looked like it had its second goal early in the second half. A chaotic sequence off a corner looked like it led to a goal in the 55th minute, but the referees ruled after replay review that Norway’s star forward, Erling Haaland, pushed his defender off the ball, and the goal was overturned.
In extra time, Bellingham emerged once again as the hero. An English player took a shot from distance, and Bellingham was there to finish the rebound for the 2-1 lead in the 93rd minute. England hung on for the rest of the 27 minutes of extra time for the victory.
Ramifications: England advanced to its first semifinal since 2018. It will play Argentina in the semifinals on Wednesday. Norway’s fantastic run is over.
Where: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
What happened: Argentina was clearly the more accomplished team, and the South American country showed it early in the first half. Soccer legend Lionel Messi played a corner kick in from the left side, and Alexis Mac Allister headed it home in the 10th minute for the 1-0 Argentina lead.
The South American squad took that lead into the second half, and like in Argentina’s previous games, its opponent made it interesting. Switzerland equalized in the 67th minute when Dan Ndoye finished into the lower right corner from close range.
Only five minutes later, Switzerland went a man down when Breel Embolo received a red card. Argentina capitalized in extra time. Julián Álvarez scored in the 112th minute when he struck the perfect shot from about 22 yards out that ended in the top right corner. Later in extra time, Lautaro Martínez sealed the Argentine victory when he followed up a Swiss save with a finish into the lower right corner in the 121st minute.
Ramifications: Argentina keeps its hopes of repeating as champions alive after advancing to the semifinals to play England on Wednesday. Switzerland’s World Cup is over.