Merino’s late winner sends Spain past Belgium into World Cup semifinals
Mikel Merino scored in the 88th minute as Spain beat Belgium 2-1 to reach the World Cup semifinals.
World Cup
The World Cup has become Erling Haaland’s American coming-out party
Erling Haaland arrived in North America as a famous club striker. Norway’s historic World Cup run has made him the unmistakable center of a national story.
World Cup misses expose the stutter-step penalty’s cost
The World Cup’s stutter-step misses reveal the trade-off between reading the goalkeeper and protecting the quality of the strike.
France 2-0 Morocco: Mbappé and Dembélé seal semifinal place
Kylian Mbappé scored and assisted Ousmane Dembélé as France beat Morocco 2-0 to reach the World Cup semifinals.
Javier Aguirre’s Anthony Gordon line became Mexico’s final World Cup portrait
Javier Aguirre’s touchline exchange with Anthony Gordon captured his final night as Mexico manager: blunt, observant and still engaged until the end.
Morocco’s path against France is narrow, but it’s real
Morocco have a narrow but credible route past France: compress the match, keep the midfield brave and punish one French overcommitment.
Mexico is out, but this World Cup still feels green
Mexico’s World Cup run ended against England, but its green shirts, cities, stadiums and supporters gave the tournament a visual identity that remains.
Kylian Mbappé gave racism the answer it deserved
Kylian Mbappé’s response to Celeste Amarilla kept Paraguay separate from an elected official’s racist attack after France’s World Cup win.
Switzerland beat Colombia on penalties after 120-minute stalemate
Switzerland beat Colombia 4-3 on penalties after a 0-0 World Cup Round of 16 draw, with Gregor Kobel saving Cucho Hernández’s spot kick before Rubén Vargas finished the shootout.
Messi pulls Argentina back from Egypt scare
Argentina trailed Egypt 2-0 in the second half before Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernández scored to send the holders into the World Cup quarterfinals.