The night of 11–12 July delivered two World Cup 2026 quarter-finals, both decided in extra time. The WC 2026 match schedule (Kyiv time) had kick-offs at 00:00 and 03:00 Kyiv time — and both matches more than lived up to expectations. England beat Norway 2:1, Argentina defeated Switzerland 3:1 — and it is these two sides who will now meet in the semi-final in Atlanta.
Night's results
Norway — England 1:2 (after extra time)
The match at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami (kick-off 00:00 Kyiv time) started badly for England. Andreas Schjelderup opened the scoring on the 36th minute with a shot that deflected off the post and into the net. Bellingham restored parity in first-half stoppage time, converting a cross from Anthony Gordon. In the second half, the Norwegians thought they had taken the lead: Torbjørn Heggem tapped in after a corner, but VAR disallowed the goal for a foul by Haaland in the penalty area. Normal time ended 1:1. On 93 minutes (the third minute of extra time), Bellingham was first to react to a mistake by goalkeeper Nyland and poked the ball into the net — 2:1. Norway tried to respond, but coach Ståle Solbakken surprisingly substituted Erling Haaland for Jørgen Strand Larsen at half-time in extra time. England held on.
Man of the match — Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid): two goals, his sixth and seventh of the tournament. He drew level in goals with England teammate Harry Kane (6). Controversy of the night: before Bellingham's first goal, the ball appeared to touch the cable of an aerial camera above the pitch. FIFA issued a statement saying there was "no evidence" of any change in the ball's trajectory. For Norway — their deepest run in a World Cup knockout stage in the national team's history.
Argentina — Switzerland 3:1 (after extra time)
The second quarter-final at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City (kick-off 03:00 Kyiv time) was opened by Argentina as early as the 10th minute: Alexis Mac Allister headed home a Messi corner — 1:0. Switzerland levelled on 67 minutes: Dan Ndoye cut inside in the penalty area and curled the ball into the corner — 1:1. On 72 minutes, VAR spotted simulation by Breel Embolo — a second yellow card and a sending-off. Switzerland played with ten men for over 50 minutes but held on until the end of normal time. In extra time, on 112 minutes, Julián Álvarez fired from outside the box into the top corner — 2:1. In stoppage time of extra time, Lautaro Martínez tapped in the rebound after Almada's run — 3:1.
Messi failed to score for the first time in nine consecutive World Cup matches, but registered another assist and brought his total of World Cup assists to 10 — an all-time record among all players since 1966. For Switzerland — their best World Cup performance since 1954.
Tournament schedule
All four WC 2026 quarter-finals have been played. The semi-final line-up is confirmed:
- France — Spain — Tuesday, 14 July, 22:00 Kyiv time (AT&T Stadium, Dallas)
- England — Argentina — Wednesday, 15 July, 22:00 Kyiv time (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta)
All four semi-finalists are former world champions. This is only the third time in World Cup history that all four teams at the semi-final stage are previous winners of the tournament (after 1970 and 1990). Argentina are reaching the World Cup semi-finals for the third time in the last four tournaments.
Off the pitch
Camera cable controversy. FIFA officially responded to the dispute surrounding Bellingham's first goal: the governing body stated that the "connected ball" technology detected no change in the ball's trajectory following contact with the aerial camera cable, and the goal stood.
In memory of Jayden Adams. Before the Norway — England match at the stadium in Miami, a minute's silence was held in honour of 25-year-old South Africa midfielder Jayden Adams, whose death was announced on the same day.
Haaland without a goal. Erling Haaland (7 goals in the tournament) failed to score for the first time at this World Cup and was substituted at half-time in extra time. Norway's participation in the tournament is over — it was the deepest knockout-stage run in the national team's history.
Messi's streak ends. Lionel Messi did not score against Switzerland, ending a run of nine consecutive World Cup matches with a goal. Argentina nonetheless advanced to the semi-finals.
There are no WC 2026 matches today — the tournament takes a break ahead of the two semi-finals: France — Spain (Tuesday, 14 July, 22:00 Kyiv time) and England — Argentina (Wednesday, 15 July, 22:00 Kyiv time, Atlanta). The full WC 2026 match schedule (Kyiv time) is available on a dedicated schedule page.
See also: 48 WC 2026 teams: all tournament participants
Photo: Russell Lewis · Editorial (source)
