VAR Strikes Again: FIFA World Cup quarter finals roundup
The quarterfinal stage of the 2026 World Cup arrived with six European teams, one African team, and one South American team still in the running to fight for a semifinal place. The round of 16 brought with it both entertainment and controversy – all three host nations being dumped-out; five-time winners, Brazil found themselves victim of an early exit and accusations of corruption and dodgy rule changes plagued topics of conversation. However, after some gripping matches, 16 whittled down to the final eight and some enticing fixtures awaited football fans across the globe.
France 2-0 Morocco
The final 8 kicked off with France v Morocco; the two teams meeting again after their previous battle in the 2022 semi-final where the French came out on top. The first half was somewhat uninspiring until France’s star man and captain Kylian Mbappé was brought down in the penalty area after a late challenge from Manchester United’s Noussair Mazraoui. This provided the number 10 with a golden opportunity to level up with his ex-teammate Lionel Messi in the race for the golden boot – Messi being on 8 and Mbappe 7 coming into the fixture. Despite Mbappe’s record of stepping up and delivering in big moments, the Real Madrid striker was denied comfortably by a save from the Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. The Al Hilal keeper was already the hero from the round of 32, saving a decisive penalty in the shootout against the Dutch. Once again, Bounou produced a huge save to keep Morocco level.
The rest of the match proved to be very comfortable for the French, conceding very few chances, demonstrating how compact and elite their defence is
In the second 45 minutes, Mbappé overcame his first half low, scoring a beautifully curled strike into the top right corner from just outside the 18-yard box. He was now level with Messi for goals and proving to be unstoppable for any defence. Just 6 minutes later, PSG forward Ousmane Dembélé made it two after his strike from outside the box crept into the back of the net. Bounou appeared to be Morocco’s saviour in the first half, but a keeper of his quality would be expected to keep out such a tame effort. The rest of the match proved to be very comfortable for the French, conceding very few chances, demonstrating how compact and elite their defence is. Their manager Didier Deschamps would have been relieved that one of his star players, Michael Olise, who was at risk of missing the semi-final if he picked up a yellow card against Morocco, managed to keep himself out of trouble.
Spain 2-1 Belgium
The second quarterfinal saw the European Champions, Spain, take on an aging Belgium team. Disaster struck Belgium before the match even started: their captain Youri Tielemans picked up an injury in the warmup and was ruled out of the game. The Aston Villa midfielder had been vital to his nation’s progression having scored two goals in their epic come-back against Senegal in the round of 32. With such a key player missing, Belgium were already at a significant disadvantage against a much better opposition (on paper).
The first 30 minutes proved to be quite uneventful with both sides creating very few chances. However, it was Spain who capitalised with their dominance on the ball and eventually broke the deadlock at the half hour mark. PSG midfielder Fabian Ruiz scored a tap-in from close range after Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois failed to gain control of the ball after a shot on goal from Spain’s Dani Olmo. A keeper with substantial experience and usually so reliable would be very disappointed with that error.
Belgium knew they now had a tricky task to overcome as Spain came into this game, having not conceded a single goal in the tournament so far. However, just before half time, Belgium took advantage of one of their only chances created when Atalanta striker Charles De Ketelaere made it 1-1. De Ketelaere made a well-timed run to beat Barcelona centre-back Pau Cubarsi to a cross into the box and directed the ball, with his head, past Unai Simon.
Lammens failed to control the ball, allowing Spain’s clutch hero Mikel Merino to tap it in from 6 yards out, again proving to be the Spain’s hero
The second half proved to be very similar to the first 30 minutes: Spain dominating the ball but both teams creating very few clear-cut opportunities. Belgium received a huge blow when their world-class goalkeeper Courtois was forced off injured, resulting in Manchester United’s Senne Lammens being called upon to fill big shoes ‘between the sticks’. It was not until the 85th minute when Spain’s manager Luis de la Fuente eventually turned to Arsenal player Mikel Merino to find a late winner. Merino had scored a 91st minute goal to beat Portugal in the round of 16 and was looking to be Spain’s saviour once again.
Desperation to avoid extra time showed as centre back Cubarsi took a shot from long range. It should have been a comfortable save for Lammens but the young keeper failed to control the ball, allowing Spain’s clutch hero Mikel Merino to tap it in from 6 yards out, again proving to be the Spain’s hero and ultimate impact substitution. Belgium hearts were broken; they had such little time to respond and their world cup journey came to an end.
Norway 1-2 England
Another European class followed the next day as England took on Norway in the soaring heat of Miami. This was arguably Norway’s biggest game in their recent history: playing their first ever world cup quarterfinal is incredible since their last appearance at a world cup was in 1998.
Despite England dominating the ball, the deadlock was broken in the 36th minute by the Norwegians. Leftwinger Andreas Schjelderup seemingly mis-placed a cross which ended up curling into the top right corner. The Benfica player would perhaps argue it was a very clever shot (as England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s positioning should have been better) but most fans would claim that Norway had gained their bit of fortune.
England had to respond and they turned to their talismanic superstar Jude Bellingham to score a brilliant goal to level the score. The 23-year-old midfielder displayed his strength and ability to drive past defenders before rifling a shot with his weaker left foot into the bottom right corner. Thomas Tuchel’s men struggled for quality in the final third in the first half and, yet again, relied on Bellingham’s brilliance.
Norway’s lead was short-lived as VAR intervened after spotting a foul from Erling Haaland before the corner-kick was even taken
Norway responded well in the second half, dominating the majority of the ball and continued to apply the pressure. England eventually succumbed to the Norwegian threat from a corner as centre back Torbjorn Heggem knocked the ball in from close range taking his side into the lead. However, Norway’s lead was short-lived as VAR intervened after spotting a foul from Erling Haaland before the corner-kick was even taken. A warning sign for England of the strength and height the Norwegians possess, and they needed to ‘wake up’.
90 minutes passed by with both sides at a stalemate resulting in extra time – the first for both teams at this tournament. Strength from the bench is vital for extra time and the quality from England’s shone. England barely had a shot in the second half but Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, as soon as he found ‘half a yard’, took a sizzling shot from outside the box. The sheer power of the strike caused the Norwegian goalkeeper Orjan Nyland to spill the ball, allowing yet again, England’s Starman Jude Bellingham to tap the ball in to take the lead. The desire to beat the defenders to the ball and his striker-like instincts demonstrated how diverse and prolific Bellingham really is.
After Norway’s main man Erling Haaland was shockingly taken off at half time of extra time, the nerves of the England fans and players eased and ultimately, the last minutes were fairly comfortable for Tuchel’s side. The full-time whistle blew and England had made their 4th world cup semi-final.
Argentina 3-1 Switzerland
The final quarterfinal saw the current world champions, Argentina, take on an experienced Switzerland team. Both nations had to battle hard to reach this stage; Argentina had to fight back to beat Egypt 3-2 after being 2-0 down with 10 minutes left on the clock. Switzerland also had an anxious round of 16 match against Colombia with no goals after 120 minutes of football: the two sides were forced to a penalty shoot-out where Switzerland won 4-3.
Switzerland came out in the second half fighting, piling on the pressure against the South Americans
Argentina had scored many headers from crosses and set pieces throughout the tournament: this proved effective once again as Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister knocked in a well-timed header from a Lionel Messi corner to make it 1-0 after 10 minutes. The rest of the first half was very uneventful with both goalkeepers having very little to do.
Switzerland came out in the second half fighting, piling on the pressure against the South Americans. Some remarkable defending was needed from Argentina, particularly from Lisandro Martinez, who made some unbelievable blocks to keep his side in front. However, the pressure soon became too much and after a well-worked ‘one-two’, Switzerland winger Dan Ndoye burst into the box and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner, providing the equaliser.
Just as Switzerland levelled the score and momentum shifted on their side, disaster struck the Europeans. Argentina’s Leandro Paredes seemingly fouled veteran Swiss striker, Breel Embolo and was awarded a yellow card. After VAR reviewed the challenge, the footage revealed that Embolo had dived; with the striker having already received a yellow card earlier in the game, the referee had no choice but to award Embolo with a red. The experienced striker walked off in tears, feeling he had let his team and his country down.
Despite being down to ten men, Switzerland held on to take Argentina to extra time. After battling hard, the Swiss defence was finally beaten when Argentina’s Julian Alvarez scored an unbelievable goal from outside the box. The Atletico Madrid striker found himself in and out of the starting lineup this tournament, but that goal proved he should be a guaranteed starter and why many top clubs are after his signature this summer.
Four worthy semi-finalists who will undoubtedly continue to generate the same level of excitement this 2026 tournament has delivered so far
Switzerland now had to ‘throw the kitchen sink’ at Argentina and piled men forward to get an equaliser. This left the Swiss vulnerable at the back leaving Argentina to take full advantage – Switzerland’s captain, Granit Xhaka, was caught on the halfway line, allowing Argentina to counterattack. After an initial save from goalkeeper, Gregor Kobel, from Thiago Almada’s effort, the ball bounced kindly to Lautaro Martinez who was able to slot it home to make it 3-1. Argentina’s title defence continued!
Goalkeeping errors, VAR drama, and individual brilliance provided a highly entertaining and theatrical quarterfinals. The only aspect missing, I would argue, is the element of surprise – the favourites in each match-up progressed. However, though every neutral loves a shocking exit, it does mean that we have two exciting fixtures awaiting us. The semi-finals will see a repeat of the Euros semi-final, where France will take on Spain in Texas whilst old enemies, England and Argentina face-off in Atlanta. Four worthy semi-finalists who will undoubtedly continue to generate the same level of excitement this 2026 tournament has delivered so far.
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