World Cup 2026–2027: Quarter-Finals Recap
Overview
The quarter-finals of the World Cup featured four intense clashes filled with drama and excitement, with France, Spain, England, and Argentina securing their places in the semi-finals.
France 2-0 Morocco
The quarter-finals opened with France facing Morocco, who entered the match hoping to continue their remarkable tournament run. The Atlas Lions held firm in the first half thanks to disciplined defending and tactical organization, but physical fatigue began to show in the second half, which France exploited.
In the 60th minute, Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring for France, before Ousmane Dembélé added a second just six minutes later. Morocco tried to fight back but couldn't break through the French defense, as Les Bleus secured a 2-0 victory and a semi-final spot. Despite the exit, Morocco ended their campaign with heads held high after a strong run that proved they can compete with football's elite.
Spain 2-1 Belgium
The second match saw Spain take on Belgium in an entertaining contest where both sides impressed. Spain relied on possession, short passing, and constant movement between the lines, while Belgium looked to counter quickly and exploit spaces.
Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring for Spain in the 30th minute, before Charles De Ketelaere equalized for Belgium in the 41st minute. The score remained level until the closing stages, when Mikel Merino snatched a winner for Spain in the 88th minute. The 2-1 victory sent Spain to the semi-finals, while Belgium exited after a strong and honorable campaign.
England 2-1 Norway (AET)
The third quarter-final saw England face Norway in one of the most thrilling matches of the round. Norway started strongly, with Andreas Schjelderup scoring a stunning long-range goal in the 36th minute to give his side the lead.
However, England struck back before half-time through Jude Bellingham, who scored the equalizer in stoppage time. The second half saw end-to-end action but neither side could find a winner, sending the match to extra time.
In extra time, Bellingham rose again, scoring his second of the match to give England a 2-1 victory and a place in the semi-finals. The Real Madrid star was undoubtedly man of the match, scoring both goals and proving his ability to make the difference in the biggest moments. Norway left the tournament with their heads held high after a remarkable run that made them one of the tournament's biggest surprises.
Argentina 3-1 Switzerland (AET)
The quarter-finals concluded with Argentina facing Switzerland in a tightly contested match. Switzerland showed excellent defensive organization and matched the Argentine side throughout regular time, with the 90 minutes ending goalless as neither side could break the deadlock.
In extra time, Argentina's experience and superior fitness told, as they scored twice to open up the lead and secure a 3-1 victory.
As always in big matches, Lionel Messi delivered a standout performance, using his experience and composure to guide his team to the semi-finals and keep their World Cup dream alive.
Semi-Finals Preview
The semi-final lineup was complete: France would face Spain, while England would take on Argentina — two blockbuster matchups promising power, drama, and excitement.