World Cup 2026: Belli Sinks Norway, VAR Sinks Switzerland, Merino Spanish Hero vs. Belgium

Withdrawal symptoms are already kicking in for football fanatics around the globe, seeing as the 2026 FIFA World Cup is entering the run-in to the final. There may not be multiple games a day on the docket anymore, but these are the games that count.

So, after this past weekend and plenty of hectic, controversy-filled action, only 4 teams remain standing in the semis - but how did they get there?

What Happened Between Spain And Belgium In Los Angeles?

On Friday, July 10, Spain edged Belgium 2-1 at Los Angeles Stadium to book their first World Cup semifinal since lifting the trophy in 2010. Fabian Ruiz hammered home the opener from a rebound before Charles De Ketelaere headed Belgium level in the 41st minute, ending a remarkable Spanish run of six straight matches without conceding, the longest such streak in World Cup history. Belgium's night unraveled through misfortune as much as anything, losing captain Youri Tielemans to injury in the warmup and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to a thigh problem in the second half.

The decisive moment arrived in the 88th minute, and once again it belonged to Mikel Merino. Less than two minutes after coming off the bench, the substitute pounced when replacement keeper Senne Lammens spilled a Pau Cubarsi shot, slotting home his second late winner in consecutive matches after his stoppage-time goal against Portugal in the Round of 16. Spain stretched their unbeaten run to 37 matches dating back to March 2023, while Belgium's golden generation exits at the quarterfinal stage once more.

Did Argentina Benefit From Another Controversial Call At FIFA World Cup 2026?

The defending champions beat Switzerland 3-1 after extra time at Kansas City Stadium on Saturday, July 11, but the scoreline tells only half the story. Alexis Mac Allister put Argentina ahead in the 10th minute before Dan Ndoye equalized in the 67th, and just four minutes later came the moment everyone is still talking about. Referee Joao Pinheiro initially booked Leandro Paredes for a tackle on Breel Embolo, only for a VAR review under FIFA's expanded "mistaken identity" protocol to rule that Embolo had simulated the contact. The yellow card switched sides, and since Embolo was already booked, the Swiss striker was sent off in tears while his team was reduced to ten men at 1-1.

Switzerland made their fury clear. Head coach Murat Yakin said the rule "destroyed the game today," while defender Nico Elvedi and midfielder Remo Freuler both questioned how VAR could intervene in such a situation at all. Fans online went further, reviving accusations of favoritism that first surfaced after Egypt's Round of 16 exit, when the Egyptian FA filed a formal complaint over the officiating in Argentina's 3-2 comeback win.

FIFA has firmly rejected any suggestion of bias. On the pitch, ten-man Switzerland held out heroically until the 112th minute, when Julian Alvarez bent a stunning 25-yard strike into the top corner, with Lautaro Martinez adding a third late in extra time to seal Argentina's sixth consecutive World Cup semifinal. 

Gauchos fans all over the globe are thanking all the saints for their victory once more, while hundreds of passionate sports bettors surely have chunks of their hair missing after another “controversial” Argentina victory, to say the least.

READ MORE:

• Polymarket, Kalshi, And The FIFA World Cup
• Everything You Need To Know About The 2026 FIFA World Cup

How Did England End Norway's Dream Run At FIFA World Cup 2026?

Earlier on Saturday, July 11, England beat Norway 2-1 after extra time at Miami Stadium in the first ever World Cup meeting between the two nations. Andreas Schjelderup stunned the Three Lions with a brilliant opener in the 36th minute, rewarding a Norway side that had already knocked out Brazil and reached its first major tournament quarterfinal in history. Jude Bellingham leveled in first-half stoppage time, then won it three minutes into extra time, pouncing on a rebound after goalkeeper Orjan Nyland spilled a long-range effort. It was Bellingham's sixth goal of the tournament, making him the first England midfielder to score four or more at a single World Cup.

Norway had their own VAR grievance in the sweltering Florida heat. Torbjorn Heggem thought he had put his side ahead early in the second half, but the goal was ruled out after review showed Erling Haaland pushing an English defender before the corner was taken. Haaland, who had scored in all four of his previous matches at the tournament, was kept quiet when it mattered most, and Norway head home after lighting up the FIFA World Cup 2026. England, meanwhile, reach their first semifinal since 2018, with manager Thomas Tuchel calling the win "lucky" and demanding sharper performances as the chase for a first title since 1966 continues.

Who Plays In The FIFA World Cup 2026 Semifinals?

The stage is set for two heavyweight clashes. France face Spain on Tuesday, July 14, at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, a rematch of the Euro 2024 semifinal that Spain won 2-1, headlined by the club rivalry between Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal. 

A day later, on Wednesday, July 15, England meet Argentina at Atlanta Stadium, reviving one of international football's fiercest rivalries exactly 40 years after Diego Maradona's infamous "Hand of God." 

The winners meet in the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, July 19. The hype is reaching a fever pitch in the US, as well as on Roshtein.com, where the Roshtein World Cup 2026 event awaits - place bets, hit correct scores, climb the leaderboards, and earn tickets for the Final Raffle!