We’re only two games away from the pinnacle of football with France, Spain, England and Argentina lining up for the World Cup Final.
France, as they have done throughout the World Cup, made relatively light work of Morocco. While it took two goals in six minutes in the second half to go in front, it always felt like a goal was just around the corner for Kylian Mbappé and the French. Spain, on the other hand, is making a habit out of winning games late following another last-gasp effort to beat Belgium 2-1.
Controversy surrounds Argentina right now, and their 3-1 win over Switzerland proved no different. A red card that will be debated for months and possibly inspire VAR process changes in the future made it easy for the South Americans in the end. Finally, England snuck past Norway 2-1 after going behind to advance to the semi-finals.
Four teams remain ⏳
The World Cup semifinals are ready 🏆 pic.twitter.com/fgZO5hrLsT
— ESPN (@espn) July 12, 2026
3 Takeaways From The Quarterfinals
Favourites France Advance: The World Cup updates follow a similar pattered after each stage:
“Argentina and France remain as favourites to make the World Cup Final.” – Round of 32
“The form of France and their ability to still get better have ensured they’re $2.70 favourites to win the World Cup after winning their Round of 16 match against Paraguay.” – Round of 16
“France are flying and the $2.88 favourites to win the World Cup from here.” – Quarterfinals
They remain as favourites to lift the trophy after the Quarterfinals, and seem to be looking better in each match.
It’s made somewhat easier when Kylian Mbappé has scored 50% of their goals at this World Cup. Where Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane have had to contribute 12 of England’s 13 goals throughout the tournament, Mbappé is getting plenty of help for France to be the top-scoring team. They have plenty of options in attack, and enough to negate any issues defensively which might pop up against more difficult opposition in the next two matches.
Mbappé failed to finish their win over Morocco, but not before he became the first player ever to produce 10+ goal involvements at multiple World Cups. He’s expected to be healthy to start against Spain where his side are $1.64 favourites to qualify for the World Cup Final.
Spain Peaking? Mikel Merino proved to be the hero off the bench for the second-straight match as he latched on to a rebound off backup Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens as Spain claimed the 2-1 win. With only his second touch of the match, Merino booked Spain’s date with France in the semifinal.
Two goals at the very end. Portugal first, Belgium then. Again Mikel Merino. 🍿🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/DCAXjI3T2q
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 10, 2026
He has only one goal in the tournament, but Lamine Yamal finished this one holding the Man of the Match award following another lively 90 minutes.
Setting the record for the most appearances at a World Cup for a player 18-years-old or under, he smoothly dribbled past his defenders to create a prime opportunity for himself, and wore down the Belgium defence with his sheer presence. Jérémy Doku and Maxim De Cuyper will have nightmares about the youngster.
He’s getting back to full fitness and Spain are starting to look a lot better for it. They’re coming good at the right time. While France is prolific in front of goal, they do have an error in them. Yamal will have his chance in the semi-final and be a major contributor to Spain advancing should they get the job done at $2.25 to advance.
Lions Lack Roar: Part of what makes Thomas Tuchel so popular as a manager is his honesty. He doesn’t supply safe and rehearsed quotes after a match. Instead, he calls it how he sees it.
“We made life very difficult for ourselves,” Tuchel said following England’s 2-1 in over Norway. “The result is fantastic but I’m not happy with the performance.”
The result marked England’s first extra-time win at a World Cup since 1990 while, for the second time in this tournament, they came back from a goal down.
Tuchel didn’t think his team were “repetitive enough”, which likely comes down to their 52% possession and lack of sustained periods of short passing to draw Norway out. Expect to see them play with more patience against Argentina.
They’re showing resilience without reaching their peak, and Tuchel knows it. Again, the Three Lions did just enough to beat Norway and book their place against Argentina in the semifinals as $1.76 favourites to advance to the World Cup Final.
World Cup Futures Update
Can anybody stop France?
At $2.40 to win the World Cup, France are favourites to lift the trophy ahead of their match against Spain. The expectation is for the winner of this match to go on and win it all with Spain, alongside England, at $4.20 ahead of Argentina at $5.
They’ve done it on the back of another stellar World Cup from Kylian Mbappé, who is now the $1.72 favourite to win the Golden Boot and the $2.50 favourite to win the Golden Ball for Player of the Tournament.
Having an outstanding #WorldCup to this point, Kylian Mbappe leads #France into Tuesday's Semi-Final matchup with Spain having recorded 8 goals at this tournament so far. In his career, he already owns 8 game winners in WC play and, as a result, currently tops this legendary list pic.twitter.com/nj3jtTzus1
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) July 14, 2026
Lionel Messi remains in contention, even if Argentina fall to England. The 39-year-old is the heart and soul of the squad to have the most goals, assists, key passes, successful dribbles, chances created, big chances created and accurate crosses in the team. Naturally, he’s on the second line of betting at $2.40 and $3, respectively.
Golden Ball Market: Jude Bellingham – $5, Harry Kane $9, Michael Olise – $17, Lamine Yamal – $21