Saturday 11 July round-up — Bellingham breaks Norwegian hearts, Argentina survive a Swiss scare

The World Cup bracket is now complete, top half and bottom half alike. This Saturday, the last two quarter-finals delivered their verdicts: England survived a heroic Norway deep into extra time, and Argentina eventually saw off a stubborn Switzerland, though not without a scare. The semi-final is set: England-Argentina, Wednesday in Atlanta, the reigning world champions against an England side chasing a first World Cup final since 1966. And for us, four Gunners still standing on the English side.

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Norway 1-2 England (aet) — Bellingham, again and again

(Facts — sources: ESPN, FotMob, Sky Sports.)

This was the all-Arsenal clash of the tournament: Martin Ødegaard, Norway’s captain, against the quartet of Saka, Rice, Eze and Madueke. And in the stifling Miami heat, it was the Scandinavians, in their first-ever quarter-final, who struck first. In the 36th minute, Andreas Schjelderup, fed by Ødegaard, curled an unstoppable cross-shot over Jordan Pickford. Unrecognisable, England were behind for the first time in their knockout run.

It took one man to turn it around. Jude Bellingham equalised right before the break (45+2), from an Anthony Gordon pass, then pounced in extra time (93’) to bundle home a ball spilled by substitute goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland. A second successive brace for the England midfielder, after the one he scored against Mexico in the previous round.

3 key numbers:

• 93’ — the minute of Bellingham’s winner, three minutes into extra time.
• 6 — Bellingham’s goal tally at this World Cup, one behind top scorer Erling Haaland.
• 1st — Norway’s first-ever World Cup quarter-final.

Gunners spotlight: heartbreak for Martin Ødegaard, who assisted the opener and pulled Norway’s strings, but goes out at the end of the finest run in his country’s football history. For England, Bukayo Saka grew into the game after the break and hurt the Norway defence, while an off-colour Declan Rice was withdrawn at half-time, replaced by Eberechi Eze. Noni Madueke also struggled to make his mark. Saka, Rice, Eze and Madueke march into the semis, without fully convincing.

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Argentina 3-1 Switzerland (aet) — a red card and a stunner set the holders free

(Facts — sources: ESPN, FotMob, FOX Sports.)

Overnight in Kansas City, Argentina long feared a trap. Alexis Mac Allister had given the holders the perfect start, heading in a Lionel Messi corner as early as the 10th minute. But Switzerland, in their first quarter-final since 1954, held firm, levelled through Dan Ndoye on the hour (67’), and dreamed of extra time thanks to an outstanding Gregor Kobel in goal.

The game turned in the 72nd minute, on a moment Switzerland will regret for a long time. Breel Embolo threw himself down in the Argentine box; VAR saw him go down before any contact. Second yellow, red card, off in tears. Down to ten, Switzerland eventually cracked in extra time: Julián Álvarez curled a shot from twenty yards into the top corner (112’), perhaps the goal of the tournament, before Lautaro Martínez sealed it in the dying seconds.

3 key numbers:

• 72 — the years since Switzerland’s last quarter-final (1954), and the minute of Embolo’s red card. A doubly cruel number.
• 112’ — the minute of Álvarez’s stunner, which finally launched Argentina.
• 10 — Switzerland played almost the entire closing stretch, extra time included, a man down.

Gunners spotlight: no Gunners on the pitch in Kansas City, but the result sets the opponent for Arsenal’s four Englishmen. Argentina reach the semis for the third time in the last four major tournaments.

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Bracket box — England-Argentina, the second semi is set

(Source: official FIFA bracket, verified via World Soccer Talk / Sports Illustrated.)

The final four is now complete. On one side of the draw, France await Spain on Tuesday 14 July in Arlington, with William Saliba up against Mikel Merino, David Raya and Martín Zubimendi . On the other, it’s England – Argentina, Wednesday 15 July in Atlanta. A clash between the reigning world champions and an England side used to advancing without shining. Saka, Rice, Eze and Madueke will fly the Gunners’ flag against Messi and company.

The takeaway is a pleasing one for us: whatever happens, there will be Arsenal players in the final. Every semi-final features Gunners, or at least puts one on the line.

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The GG analysis

(Opinion.)

This Saturday underlined two truths. The first is that this England side doesn’t need to be beautiful to win. Behind, outplayed for long stretches by a modest Norway, they leaned on a player who is simply a cut above. Bellingham, two rounds running, scores when it matters, where it matters. Maybe that’s the difference between a good team and a team that goes deep: one man able to grab the game by the scruff of the neck when everyone else is doubting. But Thomas Tuchel knows it: it’ll take far more against Argentina.

The second is that Switzerland deserved better. Level at 1-1, carried by a colossal Kobel, they had extra time within reach before Embolo’s rush of blood changed everything. Going out of a quarter-final on a punished dive, a man down, is brutal for a nation that hadn’t reached this stage in 72 years. Álvarez then reminded everyone why Argentina are Argentina, but the sense of injustice will linger on the Swiss side. As for us, we’re bracing for a World Cup finish tinged with red and white on both sides of the bracket.

#CDM2026 #COYG