The expanded 48-team World Cup has boiled down to the final eight competitors following a round of 16 filled with dramatic turnarounds, heartbreak, and intense controversy. As the tournament enters its business end, the remaining heavyweights are now just three wins away from footballing immortality.
Defending champions Argentina provided the most spectacular fireworks of the knockout stage. Trailing Egypt 2-0 until the 78th minute, Lionel Scaloni’s side staged an astonishing late assault to secure a 3-2 victory. However, the post-match headlines have been dominated by refereeing decisions. Egypt have launched an official complaint against FIFA and the match officials, alleging bias over a disallowed Egyptian goal and an unpenalised foul in the build-up to Argentina’s match-winner.
Reigning European champions Spain also asserted their title credentials by overcoming Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in a tense 1-0 victory. They will face a formidable Belgium side, who comfortably dismantled co-hosts the United States 4-1 to secure their place in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, 2022 runners-up France booked a routine passage to the next stage with a 1-0 win over Paraguay. The French will face Morocco, who kept African ambitions alive by eliminating another co-host, Canada, in a comprehensive 3-0 victory.
England had to navigate a much tougher route to the last eight. Harry Kane’s squad silenced a hostile home crowd by defeating co-hosts Mexico 3-2. The Three Lions now face Norway, the authors of the tournament’s biggest upset so far. Powered by a brilliant brace from Erling Haaland, the Norwegians stunned five-time world champions Brazil with a 2-1 victory.
The final slot was decided in the least inspiring encounter of the round between Colombia and Switzerland. After a goalless 120 minutes of stalemate, the Swiss triumphed 4-3 in a tense penalty shootout, setting up a quarter-final clash with Argentina.
Quarter-Final Fixtures and Schedules
Thursday, 9 July
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Match: France vs Morocco
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Time: 02:00 BST (Friday, 10 July) / 02:00 Bangladesh Time
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Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
Friday, 10 July
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Match: Spain vs Belgium
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Time: 01:00 BST (Saturday, 11 July) / 01:00 Bangladesh Time
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Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
Saturday, 11 July
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Match: Norway vs England
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Time: 03:00 BST (Sunday, 12 July) / 03:00 Bangladesh Time
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Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Sunday, 12 July
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Match: Argentina vs Switzerland
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Time: 07:00 Bangladesh Time / 02:00 BST
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Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
