Extra-Time Drama in Miami and Kansas City: The Last Four Is Set
Available in USIf you stayed up on the Irish couch on Saturday night, you got your money’s worth. The last two World Cup quarter-finals both went to extra time, both delivered a hero and a villain, and by the time Argentina’s Lautaro Martínez rolled in the last kick in Kansas City it was gone half two in the morning IST. England and Argentina came through, Norway and Switzerland went home, and the semi-finals are now locked. Here is how the night unfolded, and what it means for the punting week ahead.
Bellingham drags England through in Miami
The tie Irish sitting rooms had circled turned into the Jude Bellingham show. Andreas Schjelderup put Norway ahead on 36 minutes at the Hard Rock Stadium, and for a spell Erling Haaland’s fairytale looked set to continue. Then, deep into first-half stoppage time, Bellingham levelled on 45+2 to make it 1-1 at the break. Three minutes into extra time he pounced on a ricochet off the Norway keeper to win it — England 2-1 (aet), a brace from the man who carried them.
It sends England into their first World Cup semi-final since 2018 and sets up a first meeting with Argentina since 2002. There is a neat footnote for the nervous: the yellow-card slate is wiped after the quarter-finals, so Bellingham, Declan Rice and Marc Guéhi — all who had been walking a booking tightrope — go into the semi clear. Only the suspended Jarell Quansah, serving the last game of his ban, misses out.
Argentina break 10-man Switzerland in Kansas City
The night’s other tie was the messier watch. Alexis Mac Allister put Argentina ahead on 10 minutes at Arrowhead Stadium, but Switzerland were level through Dan Ndoye on 67 and looked well in it. The game turned on a red card: Breel Embolo was sent off on 72 minutes — a second yellow for simulation after a VAR review, with replays showing he went down before contact. Down to ten men, Switzerland held on into extra time before the dam broke: Julián Álvarez on 112, then Lautaro Martínez in the 121st minute to seal Argentina 3-1 (aet).
Switzerland, chasing a first semi-final since 1954, exit furious at the officiating. Argentina march on to a third straight World Cup semi-final, though two extra-time ties in a row will have taxed the legs.
- England 2-1 Norway (aet): Schjelderup 36′; Bellingham 45+2′ and 93′. England reach their first semi-final since 2018.
- Argentina 3-1 Switzerland (aet): Mac Allister 10′, Álvarez 112′, L. Martínez 121′; Ndoye 67′ for the Swiss. Embolo sent off on 72′.
- The yellow-card slate is wiped after the quarter-finals — England’s midfield ban worries vanish; only Quansah stays suspended.
- The last four is set: France, Spain, England and Argentina — the first time all four top-ranked sides have reached a World Cup semi-final.
The last four, and the Irish angle
So the semi-finals read France v Spain (Tuesday, Dallas) and England v Argentina (Wednesday, Atlanta). Reports note it is the first time the tournament’s four highest-ranked nations have all reached the last four — a heavyweight finish. For the neutral Irish viewer there is no home dog in the fight, which frees you up to back the story you fancy: France’s machine, Spain’s unbeaten run, England’s 60-year wait, or Messi’s last dance.
The market moved on the night. England were steamed in after beating Norway, shortening to as low as 4/1 on some books, while Argentina held firm around 4/1-5/1. France remain the clear outright favourite. For the fuller picture see our semi-finals preview and the updated winner odds. The England team page tracks the injury list into Wednesday.
Odds shown are converted to fractional format for Irish bookmakers and were accurate as of 12-13 July 2026; always check the live price before betting. 18+, gamble responsibly. Please play within your limits — support is available at GambleAware.ie.
