#世界杯冠军预测 World Cup semifinals: A four-champion standoff! France, Spain, England, and Argentina meet—who can step onto the finals stage?

The stadium lights go out one by one—everyone in the World Cup semifinals is now in place
From July 10 to 12 Beijing time, the four quarterfinals are played in succession. France avenged Morocco 2-0; Spain secured a 2-1 win over Belgium with a late goal; England overturned Norway 2-1 in extra time; Argentina beat ten-man Switzerland 3-1 in extra time. France, Spain, England, and Argentina—four World Cup-winning teams have come together in the semifinals for the first time in their history.

Semifinal matchups are set: France vs Spain, England vs Argentina. Four teams, four stories, four different ways of playing.

France: Three straight tournaments, solid as a rock
The first quarterfinal kicked off in Boston. Mbappé missed a penalty in the first half, and Morocco goalkeeper Bono smothered the ball in his hands. But in the 64th minute of the second half, Djed Spence lightly set up Mbappé—then the team captain adjusted two steps and fired a world-class strike. The ball sailed straight into the far corner. Six minutes later, Olise’s clever through ball, Mbappé’s setup, and Dembélé’s shot into the far corner—2-0. France became the first team to advance to the semifinals. With eight goals, Mbappé leads the top scorer list and became the first player in history to score at least eight goals in consecutive World Cups. Reaching the semifinals for a third straight time—this impressive France side is getting closer to what a dynasty is defined as. Against Spain in the semifinals, they will make their first “appearance” in an indoor stadium.

Spain: A sixteen-year wait, two late winners
The second quarterfinal took place in Los Angeles. In the 30th minute, Olmo’s shot was blocked, and Fabián Ruiz pounced to score on the rebound. In the 41st minute, De Ketelaere headed it level—this goal ended Spain’s World Cup history record of 650 consecutive minutes without conceding. In the 88th minute, after Meraño came on as a substitute, he followed up with a rebound to seal the 2-1 winner. Sixteen years later, Spain returned to the World Cup semifinals. From a 91st-minute winner over Portugal in the Round of 16 to a 88th-minute winner over Belgium in the quarterfinal—this Spain side no longer only has possession control; they also have the instinct to kill the match. In the semifinals, they face their old rivals France—an ultimate European showdown is about to unfold.

England: Eight years of silence, a turnaround in extra time
The third quarterfinal was played in Miami. In the 36th minute, Haaland? Actually, in the 36th minute, Sverderdrup sent the ball like a pass, like a shot, smashing a world-class effort—Norway led 1-0. In first-half stoppage time, Bellingham dribbled past in the box and then pushed the ball home to level it. In extra time, in the 93rd minute, substitute Rogers’ long-range shot caused the goalkeeper to drop the ball, and Bellingham reacted intelligently to score the rebound for his second goal—2-1. Eight years later, England returned to the World Cup semifinals, for the fourth time in their history. Bellingham has scored six goals this tournament, matching the single-World-Cup scoring record for an English player held by Lineker and Kane. Kane made his 120th appearance for England, equaling Rooney and moving into second place all-time; Pickford made his 18th World Cup appearance, becoming the first in team history. Head coach Tuchel became the first foreign manager to lead England’s men into the World Cup semifinals. Against Argentina in the semifinals—another replay of the 1966 final—an old grudge spanning over sixty years is about to continue.

Argentina: Champion DNA, a breakthrough in extra time
The last quarterfinal was played in Kansas City. In the 10th minute, Messi took a corner, and Mac Allister headed in at the near post, “looking back like the moon” to score. In the 67th minute, Enzo? Enzo Ndaoy? Enzo? Actually, in the 67th minute, Endoy?—Endoye with a low-angle shot—levelled it. In the 72nd minute, Embolo fell after going into the box and was judged to have staged a dive; two yellow cards turned into a red, and he was sent off. At 90 minutes it was 1-1, sending the game to extra time. During extra time, Alvarez and Lautaro found the net one after the other—Argentina beat ten-man Switzerland 3-1 and advanced to the semifinals for the second consecutive edition. Messi has provided multiple assists in this World Cup and is officially crowned the all-time assist king in World Cup history. Argentina has experienced reversals or extra time across two straight knockout rounds—what’s truly terrifying about this team was never just their paper strength, but the stubborn drive that never breaks when the situation turns desperate. In the semifinals against England—back then, Argentina first appeared at the top of the world in the 1966 World Cup final’s match-up against their opponent; this time, will the script be rewritten?

The semifinals are set, the holy chalice awaits the host. France is the most steady, Spain the most resilient, England the hardest, Argentina the most ruthless. Four teams, four temperaments—each has walked a different road, meeting at the same finish line. Semifinals: Dallas and Miami. Two matches, four champion teams, and only two finals spots. Some people’s last dance is still continuing; some people’s youth is just about to bloom. The most captivating thing about the World Cup—you never know how the next chapter will be written, but you know it will be精彩.