By FRANCIS JOSEPH
It is gonna be an England versus Argentina semi-final at the FIFA World Cup tournament.
England got past Norway 2-1, while defending champions Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1 in extra-time.
They will clash in the second semi-final on Wednesday at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The other semi-final takes place on Tuesday between France and Spain and the A T&T Stadium in Dallas. Both semi-finals will be played at 3 pm.
In the first quarter-final match on Saturday, England stand one win from their first men’s World Cup final since 1966 as Jude Bellingham’s brilliant two-goal display inspired them to come from behind to beat Norway after extra time in Miami.
England rode their luck in a quarter-final played in fierce heat and humidity, but Bellingham was once again the talisman to send England into the last four. He also scored a double against Mexico last week.
In a tight, tense encounter, Norway went ahead after 36 minutes when Andreas Schjelderup’s dipping effort deceived England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to fly in.
England needed an instant response, with Bellingham inevitably providing it in first-half stoppage time when he took Anthony Gordon’s pass perfectly in his stride to beat Norway keeper Orjan Nyland.
Argentina-Switzerland match on Saturday night
Norway threatened after the break, seeing a goal by Torbjorn Heggem ruled out for Erling Haaland’s needless shove on Elliot Anderson, while David Moller Wolfe headed against the bar.
Haaland, Norway’s star forward, was subdued and eventually substituted at the break in extra time, with Bellingham having already stepped up again three minutes into the added period, pouncing after Nyland could only push out a shot from substitute Morgan Rogers.
In the second quarter final on Saturday, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez struck in extra time as Argentina outlasted Switzerland at Kansas City Stadium. Argentina were at a numerical advantage for almost 50 minutes.
Switzerland started brightly, but Argentina struck first early through an unlikely source. Lionel Messi swung in the corner and Alexis Mac Allister, despite being surrounded by towering opponents, headed it home firmly. They were indebted to Emiliano Martinez for staying ahead.
Breel Embolo escaped Lisandro Martinez’s handcuffs and raced through on goal, only for the goalkeeper to race from his line and avert the danger. A defence-piercing Messi pass sent Nahuel Molina racing towards goal shortly into the second half, but the right-back dragged his shot wide.
Switzerland suddenly took over and Dan Ndoye, after having one attempt heroically blocked by Lisandro and another saved superbly by Emiliano, slotted them level.
The contest then swung back into Argentina’s favour when, in the 72nd minute, Embolo collected his second yellow card for simulation and was sent off. Messi almost snatched victory in normal time when he went inside and, with his right foot, curled the ball narrowly wide.
Thiago Almada clipped the outside of Gregor Kobel’s post at the start of extra time, before a breathtaking Alvarez curler put Argentina in front and Lautaro sealed the deal.
