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World Cup 2026 Quarter-Finals: France & Spain Punch Their Tickets to Dallas
The 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals are in full swing, and we’ve already witnessed two blockbuster fixtures that delivered drama, world-class goals, and heartbreak in equal measure. With France and Spain already booking their places in the semi-finals, all eyes now turn to the remaining two quarter-finals featuring Norway vs England and Argentina vs Switzerland.
🇫🇷 France 2-0 Morocco
Date: July 9, 2026 | Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Kylian Mbappé was the story once again. After missing a first-half penalty saved by Yassine Bounou, the France captain delivered a moment of pure genius on the hour mark — a stunning curling effort clocked at 98 km/h that gave the Morocco keeper no chance. Mbappé then turned provider, setting up Ousmane Dembélé for the second goal as France’s relentless pressing game proved too much for Morocco to handle.
Despite Morocco’s disciplined defensive organization, France’s attacking depth proved decisive. Didier Deschamps’ side has now kept clean sheets in three consecutive knockout matches, looking every bit the tournament favorites as they chase a third World Cup crown.
| Team | Goals | Scorers |
|---|---|---|
| France | 2 | Mbappé (60′), Dembélé (68′) |
| Morocco | 0 | — |
🇪🇸 Spain 2-1 Belgium
Date: July 10, 2026 | Venue: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
If France’s win was clinical, Spain’s was pure theater. Spain dominated the first half and took a deserved lead through Fabián Ruiz after Thibaut Courtois could only parry Dani Olmo’s shot. But Belgium struck back just before halftime when Charles De Ketelaere headed home a Timothy Castagne cross — Spain’s first goal conceded in the entire tournament.
The second half saw Spain pile on the pressure, but Courtois was forced off with a thigh injury in heartbreaking scenes. His replacement, Senne Lammens, looked shaky, and with less than two minutes remaining of normal time, he spilled Pau Cubarsí’s shot, allowing super-sub Mikel Merino to smash home the winner. It was Merino’s third dramatic late winner of the tournament — adding to his 119th-minute goal against Germany and 91st-minute strike against Portugal.
| Team | Goals | Scorers |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | 2 | Ruiz (35′), Merino (88′) |
| Belgium | 1 | De Ketelaere (42′) |
Key Moments & Highlights
- Mikel Merino’s magic: The Spanish midfielder has become the unlikeliest hero of the tournament, scoring three game-winning goals as a substitute.
- Courtois injury: Belgium’s star goalkeeper was seen in tears after pulling up with a thigh injury — a devastating blow that may have cost Belgium the match.
- Mbappé’s resilience: After missing a penalty for the first time in a France shirt outside of shootouts, Mbappé responded with a goal of breathtaking quality.
- Spain’s defensive streak ends: La Roja had gone 538 minutes without conceding before De Ketelaere’s header.
- Record attendance: The 2026 World Cup has already set an all-time attendance record with over 6.3 million spectators across 98 matches.
Looking Ahead: Semi-Finals & Remaining Quarter-Finals
Still to play – Quarter-Finals:
| Match | Date | Venue | Kick-off (BST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇳🇴 Norway vs England 🏴 | Sat July 11 | MetLife Stadium, NJ | 22:00 |
| 🇦🇷 Argentina vs Switzerland 🇨🇭 | Sun July 12 | AT&T Stadium, TX | 02:00 |
Confirmed Semi-Finals:
| Semi-Final | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 🇫🇷 France vs Spain 🇪🇸 | Tue July 14 | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| Winner Match 99 vs Winner Match 100 | Wed July 15 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
Upcoming Schedule:
- 3rd/4th Place Play-off: Saturday, July 18
- World Cup Final: Sunday, July 19 — featuring the first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime show with Madonna, Shakira & BTS
FAQ
Q: Who are the top scorers of the tournament so far?
A: Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Kylian Mbappé (France) are tied at the top with 8 goals each.
Q: Where is the 2026 World Cup Final being played?
A: The final will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on July 19.
Q: Which teams are still in the tournament?
A: France, Spain, Norway/England winner, and Argentina/Switzerland winner remain in contention for the title.
Q: How can I watch the World Cup?
A: In the US, matches are broadcast on FOX Sports and streamed on various platforms.
Stay tuned to PC Master Deals for more World Cup 2026 coverage, results, and analysis throughout the knockout stages!