“… Bellingham bursts forward and scores Anderson plays a through pass to Anthony Gordon who, having collected the ball, plays it inside to Jude Bellingham, who brilliantly carries it into Norway’s penalty area before sweeping a shot past Nyland to get England back on level terms just before the break. …”
Guardian
“Fifa match officials’ novel use of the term ‘mistaken identity’ reared its head again in sensational circumstances during Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and Switzerland, leaving the Swiss forward Breel Embolo in tears and the European side a man down for a total of 67 minutes against the defending champions. ‘It’s completely not understandable,’ Switzerland’s head coach, Murat Yakin, said afterward. ‘I know that they will protect their referee but this rule destroyed the game today.’ The video assistant referee review and red card capped an extraordinary period that turned a previously-lifeless game on its head, with Switzerland netting an equalizer through Dan Ndoye in the 67th minute and growing into the game, only to be a man down five minutes later thanks to VAR. …”
Guardian
“Lionel Messi and Argentina are in the World Cup semi-finals — but, once again, not without controversy. A breathtaking goal from Julian Alvarez in the 112th minute, curled into the top corner from just outside the penalty area, and a late third from Lautaro Martinez ended Switzerland’s resistance to seal a 3-1 win and set up a mouthwatering semi-final against old enemy England on Wednesday. But a bizarre sending-off for Switzerland’s Breel Embolo, moments after Dan Ndoye had cancelled out Alexis Mac Allister’s opener, was the main talking point. Embolo was dismissed after a VAR review for ‘mistaken identity’, with footage proving he dived after a challenge from Leandro Paredes. …”
NYT/ATH
YouTube: Argentina vs Switzerland Highlights 🌎🏆 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Quarterfinals
A HYDRATION BREAK DURING NETHERLANDS VERSUS TUNISIA AT THE 2026 WORLD CUP.
“It is axiomatic that countries hosting the World Cup try to put their best face forward. During the monthlong tournament, streets are cleared of anything (and anyone) that might offend the eye, political evils are swept under the rug, warm welcomes generally abound, and even authoritarian states, or those with notoriously disturbing human rights records, present themselves as sporting, full of bonhomie, and as cuddly as their official stuffed mascots. This time around, Mexico and Canada appear to have offered the standard warm embrace to teams and tourists alike; Mexico went so far as to provide a base for the Iranian team after the U.S. refused to allow its members to train, or even stay overnight, on American soil. In general, Trump’s government, which might claim it is simply eschewing hypocrisy, has been proud to display its ruthless, cruel, and ugly side, as if to declare, godlike, ‘We are what we are.’ …”
The Paris Review
Bellingham scored twice, though Norway were furious about his first
“Jude Bellingham scored twice to send England into a World Cup semifinal with a deeply controversial win over Norway. England dominated possession in the first quarter of the game but struggled to create clear chances with Thomas Tuchel particularly animated during the hydration break. The response was not what England’s coach desired: first Erling Haaland had a header saved before Andreas Schjelderup fired in off the far post from the left side of the box for an extraordinary opening goal. It was then that a deeply controversial equaliser followed. Goalkeeper Orjan Nyland hit a goalkick upfield that Norway believed struck the overhead skycamera wire and dropped at the foot of Elliot Anderson, who played it to Anthony Gordon who in turn found Jude Bellingham to drive into the box and score. FIFA said its ball chip technology showed no contact with the wire or camera. …”
NYT/ATH (Video)
YouTube: Norway vs England Highlights 🌎🏆 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Quarterfinals
Scissors Kick 