The Road to the Semifinals
After a thrilling Round of 16, only eight teams remain in the pursuit of the World Cup trophy. Following a brief break in the schedule, the tournament resumes on Thursday with a series of high-stakes matches. Here is a look at the four quarterfinal fixtures.
4. Argentina vs. Switzerland
Switzerland enters the quarterfinals for the first time since 1954 after a hard-fought victory against Colombia. While they are clearly a disciplined side, they face a monumental task against the defending champions. Argentina has established itself as the «kings of drama,» consistently delivering intense, high-stakes performances in the knockout rounds. While the Swiss are expected to adopt a defensive posture, banking on a late-game surge against an experienced Argentine squad could prove to be a difficult strategy to execute.
3. Belgium vs. Spain
The clash between Belgium and Spain presents a tactical puzzle. Belgium’s dominant performance against the United States raises questions: was it a breakthrough for Rudi Costa’s side, or merely a reflection of defensive gaps in the American squad? With uncertainty surrounding the fitness of stars like Kevin De Bruyne and tactical rotations involving Jeremy Doku and Romelu Lukaku, Belgium remains a wildcard.
Spain, conversely, has shown steady improvement throughout the tournament. Although they struggled to break down a resilient Portugal defense, their fluid ball movement will be a major challenge for a Belgian midfield currently missing Amadou Onana due to a knee injury.
2. France vs. Morocco
This match is a repeat of a previous World Cup semifinal, and it remains one of the most compelling games on the docket. Morocco has demonstrated incredible attacking prowess, netting 10 goals in five matches—a stark contrast to their 2022 campaign. However, they face a French side that is arguably more dangerous offensively than it was four years ago.
With Kylian Mbappé in stellar form and supported by dynamic attackers like Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele, France possesses immense firepower. Yet, both sides have shown slight vulnerabilities in their defensive structures, making this arguably the most challenging test for France thus far.
1. England vs. Norway
The headline matchup of the round features a legitimate collision of title contenders. Erling Haaland has been nothing short of phenomenal in his debut World Cup, tallying seven goals already. His ability to act as a "wrecking ball" for the Norwegian attack is well-documented.
England’s defense will rely on their internal knowledge of the striker, as many of the Three Lions' center backs play alongside or against Haaland in the Premier League. Beyond the personnel, this match presents a physical challenge: England must contend with a difficult transition from the altitude of Mexico City to the humidity of Miami, following an exhausting game where they played with ten men. Given Norway's confidence after a strong showing against Brazil, this encounter promises to be a battle of attrition and tactical brilliance.