On this episode of The Underdog World Cup Show, Chris Horwedel recaps the final World Cup quarterfinals and sets up the full semifinal field: France vs. Spain and England vs. Argentina. The show opens in Miami, where England beats Norway 2-1 after extra time behind another massive performance from Jude Bellingham. Andreas Schjelderup gives Norway the lead in the first half before Bellingham equalizes and then scores again early in extra time after Ørjan Nyland fails to control the ball cleanly. Bellingham now has 6 goals in the tournament, level with Harry Kane and just 2 behind Golden Boot leaders Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi.
Chris breaks down why England’s performance still raised concerns despite the win. Thomas Tuchel admitted England made too many mistakes and lacked fluency, but the result sends England to its fourth men’s World Cup semifinal and second in the last 3 tournaments. Norway exits after the deepest World Cup run in its history, with Erling Haaland finishing his first World Cup with 7 goals.
Argentina also advances after beating Switzerland 3-1 after extra time in Kansas City. Alexis Mac Allister scores from a Messi corner before Dan Ndoye equalizes for Switzerland. The match turns when Breel Embolo is sent off after a video review, but Switzerland still forces Argentina deep into extra time before Julián Álvarez scores in the 112th minute and Lautaro Martínez adds a late third. Messi does not score, keeping him tied with Mbappé on 8 goals, but his assist and Argentina’s attacking depth prove crucial.
The episode then previews the semifinal matchups. France vs. Spain is framed as the cleanest pure football matchup left, with France led by Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, and a defense that controlled Morocco, while Spain enters with only 1 goal conceded in 6 matches and a 37-match competitive unbeaten run. Chris highlights the central question: can Spain control Mbappé without opening space for France’s other attackers?
England vs. Argentina is positioned as the louder, messier semifinal. Argentina will look to control the pace through Messi, Mac Allister, and Enzo Fernández, while England relies on Bellingham’s late-tournament surge and Kane’s presence up front. Chris also looks at the Golden Boot race, with Mbappé and Messi at 8 goals, Haaland eliminated with 7, and Kane and Bellingham still alive with 6 each.
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