Argentina and England advanced to the 2026 World Cup semifinals after dramatic extra-time victories over Switzerland and Norway, respectively, setting up a historic clash between the top-ranked teams in the tournament. Argentina defeated the 10-man Swiss side 3-1 in Kansas City, while England edged out Norway 2-1 in Miami, securing their first-ever semifinal meeting in a rivalry renewed after 36 years.
The match between Argentina and Switzerland was a tense tactical battle where the Swiss held the defending champions to a 1-1 draw through goals by Alexis Mac Allister and Dan Ndoye.
The game swung dramatically when Breel Embolo was sent off for a second yellow card following a VAR review for simulation, leaving Switzerland to defend for over 50 minutes. Julián Álvarez broke the deadlock in the 112th minute with a stunning long-range strike, and Lautaro Martínez added a late rebound in stoppage time to seal the 3-1 win, extending Argentina’s unbeaten streak in World Cup matches to 12.
In the earlier quarterfinal, England faced a resilient Norway side that opened the scoring through Andreas Schjelderup before halftime.
Jude Bellingham leveled the score with a precise slice just before the break and delivered the winner in extra time, completing a brace that kept England’s hopes alive for their first title since 1966. Manager Thomas Tuchel criticized his team’s sloppy performance despite the win, while the victory marked only England’s fourth appearance in a World Cup semifinal.
The two teams will meet in the semifinals on July 15 in Atlanta, where they will face off for the first time in a World Cup knockout stage since the 1990 quarterfinals. This matchup ensures that the final four consists of the top four ranked teams globally, with France and Spain set to face each other in the other semifinal on July 14.
The England-Argentina clash carries significant historical weight, tracing back to the 1986 "Hand of God" incident, now adding a new chapter to one of football’s most storied rivalries.