2026 World Cup ball and trophy
By Phil West profile image Phil West
2 min read

World Cup Daily: Storylines for July 12

It took both England and Argentina 120 minutes to do it, but they're back into the semifinals of the World Cup. One of those teams will proceed to the final against the France-Spain winner.

The final four teams in the 2026 World Cup are set. And after all this ... it's the top four teams in the world.

Argentina and England both advanced with extra time victories, with the Three Lions getting past Norway, 2-1, with a pair of Jude Bellingham goals after Andreas Schjelderup surprised everyone with one of the goals of the tournament. Both Harry Kane and Erling Haaland were held without goals in what turned out to be an engaging contest.

Argentina and Switzerland was less of a slog than some feared, but still stretched on into two-hour territory despite the Swiss going down to 10 men on Breel Embolo's mistaken identity/dive second yellow card 72 minutes in. Alexis Mac Allister got the opener on a set piece 10 minutes in, Dan Ndoye equalized just five minutes before the sendoff, and then Julian Alvarez scored in the 112th and Lautaro Martinez sealed it at the 120th plus first minute mark. Yes, Lionel Messi did not score, but took the corner kick assisting the opener, and was still a presence at points.

A France-Argentina repeat final seems our destiny, but both Spain and England look capable of supplanting that narrative.

Round of 32

Sunday, June 28

  • Canada 1, South Africa 0

Monday, June 29

  • Brazil 2, Japan 1
  • Paraguay 1(4), Germany 1(3)
  • Morocco 1(3), Netherlands 1(2)

Tuesday, June 30

  • Norway 2, Côte d'Ivoire 1
  • France 3, Sweden 0
  • Mexico 2, Ecuador 0

Wednesday, July 1

  • England 2, DR Congo 1
  • Belgium 3, Senegal 2
  • United States 2, Bosnia and Herzegovina 0

Thursday, July 2

  • Spain 3, Austria 0
  • Portugal 2, Croatia 1
  • Switzerland 2, Algeria 0

Friday, July 3

  • Argentina 3, Cabo Verde 2
  • Colombia 1, Ghana 0
  • Egypt 1(4), Australia 1(2)

Round of 16

Saturday, July 4

  • Morocco 3, Canada 0
  • France 1, Paraguay 0

Sunday, July 5

  • Norway 2, Brazil 1
  • England 3, Mexico 2

Monday, July 6

  • Spain 1, Portugal 0
  • Belgium 4, United States 1

Tuesday, July 7

  • Argentina 3, Egypt 2
  • Switzerland 0(4), Colombia 0(3)

Quarterfinals

Thursday, July 9

  • France 2, Morocco 0

Friday, July 10

  • Spain 2, Belgium 1

Saturday, July 11

  • England 2, Norway 1
  • Argentina 3, Switzerland 1

Semifinals

Tuesday, July 14

  • France vs. Spain, 2 pm, Jerryworld

Wednesday, July 15

  • England vs. Argentina, 2 pm, Atlanta

What to watch

With no games on for two days, you might consider Austin FC II tonight, going for an 11th straight win in a quite phenomenal MLS Next Pro run, playing Minnesota United FC 2 at Parmer Field at 7:30 pm.

What to read

Swiss coach Murat Yakin makes his feelings known about the sending off of his star striker.

Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. For more coverage, check out Emergency Podcast! (an Austin FC Podcast) wherever you get your podcasts.

By Phil West profile image Phil West
Updated on
world cup