One place in the World Cup final is left, and two heavyweights are fighting for it. England and Argentina meet in the second semi-final, with the winner earning a date with Spain on July 19 and the loser dropping into the third-place game against France. There is no bigger stage left before the final itself.
Both teams arrive having done it the hard way. England needed extra time to see off a stubborn Norway side 2-1 in the quarter-final, ending Haaland's fairy-tale run. Argentina also went the distance, beating Switzerland 3-1 after extra time. Two tired, battle-tested squads, one final ticket.
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Third-place game · Jul 18
France vs TBD
England: knocking out the story of the tournament
England have quietly built a serious run. They knocked out hosts Mexico 3-2 in the Round of 16, a result that ended one of the tournament's feel-good stories, then edged Norway in extra time to reach the semis. They have not always been pretty, but they have found ways to win the tight games that decide tournaments, and they will fancy their chances against anyone.
Argentina: grinding through the knockouts
Argentina have leaned on their experience and their ability to win ugly. A 3-2 win over Egypt in the Round of 16, then a 3-1 extra-time win over Switzerland in the quarters. They have not faced a Spain-level side yet, but they have the pedigree and the streetwise edge that has carried them through knockout football before.
The winner meets Spain
Whoever comes through will face a Spain team that has looked the best in the tournament, unbeaten in the knockouts and yet to be truly tested. It is a daunting final assignment, but reaching it at all would cap a huge summer for either side. Pick the semi-final and the final in the tracker above and see who you have lifting the trophy.
See how Spain got to the final in Spain are in the final, and track the rest on the bracket and odds page.