The quarter-finals are done and the final four is set: France, Spain, England and Argentina. Here's how each of them got there — in depth — and the semi-finals now waiting.

Watch the full World Cup Brief above — then dive into each story below.

1. France 2-0 Morocco

France remain the team to beat. Kylian Mbappé missed a first-half penalty but made amends after the hour, sweeping Les Bleus in front in Boston before teeing up Ousmane Dembélé to double the lead. The goal took Mbappé level with Lionel Messi on eight for the tournament, in the individual duel that is defining this World Cup — though there was a worry as he limped off late with an ankle knock.

For Morocco, heartbreak. The last African side left, and a neutral's favourite, bow out — undone by the most in-form attack in the tournament, and a France defence that once again held firm.

Full story: Mbappé and Dembélé fire France into the semi-finals

2. Spain 2-1 Belgium

And, once again, it was Mikel Merino. Fabián Ruiz gave Spain the lead, Charles De Ketelaere levelled before the break to end Spain's clean-sheet run, but Merino struck eight minutes from time to win it — just as he did with a 91st-minute winner against Portugal. When Spain need a goal, he finds one.

Belgium, weakened by an ACL injury to their midfield anchor Amadou Onana, can be proud but bow out in the last eight. Spain, with an 18-year-old Lamine Yamal pulling the strings, are through — and it sets up a heavyweight semi-final with France.

Full story: Yamal and Spain edge Belgium to reach the last four

3. Norway 1-2 England (AET)

Another England epic, another Bellingham rescue. Jude Bellingham scored both goals — an equaliser on the stroke of half-time and the extra-time winner three minutes in — to beat Norway in Miami, drag England into the semi-finals and silence Erling Haaland on the biggest night. A 9/10 in the ratings told the story of a man carrying his team almost single-handedly.

It wasn't without controversy: Norway insisted the ball struck a spidercam wire in the build-up to the equaliser, but Snicko said no and referee analysts agreed the goal was good. "It's ridiculous, this one with the wire," said Norway's Sander Berge. Tellingly, though, Thomas Tuchel still wasn't satisfied — England keep winning without ever quite convincing.

Full story: Norway vs England, defined by the spidercam controversy

4. Argentina 3-1 Switzerland (AET)

The champions survived another scare. Alexis Mac Allister headed in a Messi cross inside ten minutes — an assist that set a new all-time World Cup record — but Switzerland levelled through Dan Ndoye and forced extra time. There, Julián Álvarez's thunderous long-range strike bailed Argentina out, before Lautaro Martínez sealed it late.

It came amid controversy over a second yellow card for Breel Embolo, and it's now a third straight knockout scare for the holders, whose defensive frailties keep being masked by late quality. Flawed, nervy — but still standing, with England next.

Full story: Messi and Álvarez send Argentina past Switzerland

5. The semi-finals are set

And then there were four. France vs Spain is a European heavyweight collision; England vs Argentina is Bellingham against Messi, a blockbuster for the ages. We'll be back with a full preview of each semi-final before kick-off.

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Compiled by the ClutchBrief Desk with AI assistance, cross-checked against 14 outlets. How we work →