Álvarez hits extra-time stunner to sink Switerland as Argentina progress

Julián Álvarez sent defending champion Argentina back to the World Cup semi-finals with a long-range strike in the 112th minute against Switzerland, while another goal by Lautaro Martínez with seconds left in extra time only served to make the 3-1 victory look a whole lot easier than it was Saturday night. Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring from a corner helping La Albiceleste gut out another down-to-the-wire thriller and advance to play England on Wednesday in Atlanta.

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Bellingham brilliance sees England edge Norway to reach semi-finals

Jude Bellingham sent England into the World Cup semi-finals with two goals as the Three Lions overturned a 1-0 deficit to seal a 2-1 extra-time win and end Norway hopes of a first-ever last four appearance in the tournament. Andreas Schjelderup’s 36th minute opener was cancelled out by a Bellingham strike late in the first half and the Real Madrid star struck again early in extra time to decide the game.

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Late Merino winner sends Spain past Belgium into semi-finals

Mikel Merino emerged as Spain’s hero yet again as the substitute scored in the 88th minute to stun Belgium and book his side’s place in the World Cup semi-finals. Having come off the bench to score a 91st-minute winner against Portugal in the last 16, the Arsenal midfielder stepped up with another late strike to decide a closely contested quarter-final tie in Los Angeles.

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France outclass Morocco to book semi-final spot

Kylian Mbappe scored his eighth goal of this World Cup to make up for an earlier missed penalty as France proved too good for Morocco and moved into the semi-finals. Mbappe won the first-half penalty when he was fouled by Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui, but his poorly hit spot-kick was comfortably saved by Yassine Bounou. The Real Madrid striker made amends in the 60th minute with a superb curling effort from just inside the penalty area to give France a deserved lead. Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele doubled France’s advantage six minutes later

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Switzerland hold their never in shootout to eliminate Colombia

Ruben Vargas struck the winning spot-kick as Switzerland beat Colombia 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out to reach the World Cup quarter-finals after a goalless 120 minutes in Vancouver. Sevilla winger Vargas held his nerve after a cagey encounter of few goalscoring chances at the Vancouver Stadium and Switzerland will next face defending champions Argentina on Sunday in Kansas.

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