The curtain has fallen on the quarter-final matches of the 2026 World Cup at dawn today, Sunday, as the Argentine national team became the last to qualify for the semi-finals.
The England national team will play against Argentina in the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup, while the French national team will meet its Spanish counterpart.
Unforgettable matches in the World Cup semi-finals
Brazil 4-2 Netherlands on penalties - 1998
The participation of the phenomenon Ronaldo in the 1998 World Cup remains etched in memory due to the strange events of July 12, when he played the final against France under controversial circumstances and left no memorable mark in Saint-Denis.
But five days earlier, the Brazilian striker scored one of his most beautiful goals in the World Cup, after weaving his way between Philip Cocu and Frank de Boer before shooting the ball with his left foot into Edwin van der Sar's net.
Ronaldo then scored a penalty from 12 yards during the shootout to lead Brazil to the final.
Italy 2-0 Germany – 2006
For 118 minutes, this clash between two European giants remained goalless; the nets may not have been shaken, but the match was thrilling as Germany and Italy exchanged attacks in an attempt to settle the score, each launching swift counterattacks and creating a series of chances.
The hosts, spurred on by their passionate crowd, suffered a bitter defeat thanks to Buffon's brilliance; he twice saved powerful shots from Lukas Podolski and thwarted Miroslav Klose's attempt.
Just one minute before the end of extra time, left-back Fabio Grosso received a wonderful pass from Pirlo, the man of the match, and curled an unstoppable shot into Jens Lehmann's net.
Grosso's passionate celebration will remain engraved in memory as he charged forward in the style of Marco Tardelli, shouting "I don't believe it."
The German team surged forward in search of an equalizer, but Italy sealed the result definitively when Del Piero fired a powerful shot into the top corner after a wonderful back pass from Gilardino.
Germany 7-1 Brazil - 2014
The atmosphere was extremely charged as this massive match kicked off, but to the disappointment of the fans, Germany's performance was also stunning.
Thomas Müller opened the scoring with a direct shot from a corner taken by Toni Kroos, then Miroslav Klose added the second goal before Kroos scored another wonderful goal; after that, Sami Khedira fired a powerful Adidas Brazuca shot to extend Germany's lead.
Löw's men appeared to ease their pressure after the break, and although Brazil created chances, Neuer shone in saving shots from Oscar and Paulinho.
Júlio César also brilliantly saved his goal from a certain Müller strike before André Schürrle scored the second goal.
Oscar pulled one back with a goal, but it was merely scant consolation for a crushing defeat.
