Two of the four World Cup semifinal slots have been filled: France and Spain will face each other Tuesday afternoon at AT&T Stadium. The other spots get settled today, as Norway/England and Argentina/Switzerland play for a chance to meet in Atlanta on Wednesday. In other words, we’re guaranteed to see at least one of Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, or Lionel Messi at the Benz in a few days.
Norway is already in rare air: it hadn’t made a quarterfinal in three previous World Cup appearances. England, a back-to-back quarterfinalist, is hoping for a first semifinal berth since 2018. Switzerland is in the final eight for the first time since 1954. And Argentina, still on track to become the first nation to win back-to-back titles since Brazil in 1958 and 1962, is Argentina.
Norway vs. England, 5 p.m. ET, Miami
How Norway got to the quarterfinals
Norway got all it could handle from Ivory Coast in the Round of 32: after Antonio Nusa opened the scoring in the 39th minute, Amad Diallo leveled things in the 74th minute before Haaland’s winner in the 86th minute saw it end 2-1. Haaland then bagged a brace (79′, 90′) to snap a 0-0 deadlock en route to a 2-1 win over Brazil in the Round of 16.
How England got to the quarterfinals
England hasn’t had one easy match in the knockout stage. It trailed DR Congo 1-0 in Atlanta before Harry Kane’s goals in the 75th and 86th minutes staked them to a 2-1 come-from-behind win. Four days later, in Mexico City, it nearly blew a 2-0 and 3-1 lead but had to gut out a 3-2 win over Mexico despite Jarell Quansah’s sending-off in the 54th minute.
Where to watch Norway vs. England
FOX/FOX One (English); Telemundo/Peacock (Spanish)
Argentina vs. Switzerland, 9 p.m. ET, Kansas City
How Argentina got to the quarterfinals
Argentina is the team with the target on its back, and it’s faced nothing but drama in the knockout round. Last Friday, it looked as if Cabo Verde had an answer for everything La Albiceleste threw at it as the teams exchanged goals before Diney Borges’s own goal in the 111th minute gave Lionel Messi and co. a 3-2 win after extra time. As if Argentina couldn’t top that, it trailed Egypt 2-0 in Atlanta with just over 10 minutes to go before scoring three times — including Enzo Fernández’s header in 90+3′ — to come away with a stunning 3-2 win on Tuesday.
How Switzerland got to the quarterfinals
After a 2-0 win over Algeria in the Round of 32, anyone expecting plenty of action between Switzerland and Colombia in the Round of 16 was left sorely disappointed. That’s not to say there weren’t chances for either team to win, none better than Jaminton Campaz’s opportunity in the 115th minute. But after a 0-0 draw, the Swiss won 4-2 in penalties to move to the quarterfinals.
Where to watch Argentina vs. Switzerland
FOX/FOX One (English); Telemundo/Peacock (Spanish)
Metro Atlanta World Cup festivities are carrying on all throughout the region. Here’s a list of places you can watch all the World Cup action, along with a map.
If you’re headed to the semifinal on July 15, check out our World Cup guide, which gives you information on where to stay, what to do, see, and eat, along with how to get around using MARTA.
Messi
Inter