England vs Argentina. The one we all wanted.

The World Cup is down to its final four. England face Argentina. France take on Spain. It doesn't get much bigger than this. England are one win from the World Cup Final after another Jude Bellingham-inspired comeback against Norway.

👀 This Week's Talking Points

 

🎤 Kane Loses His Voice

Harry Kane found his voice against Mexico, then lost it singing Wonderwall. His post-match interview was compared to Mickey Mouse, with Wayne Rooney calling it one of the funniest he'd seen. Kane later returned with a throat sweet and offered to do it again.

🕺 Belgium's Victory Dance

Belgium celebrated their fourth goal against the USA with Donald Trump's signature rally dance, then carried it into the dressing room. Their official account even posted "Overturn this", a nod to Balogun's overturned suspension.

🧤 Vozinha Goes Viral

A month ago, Vozinha was a 40-year-old free agent with 50,000 Instagram followers. Today he has over 28 million followers, reported interest from Inter Miami and has become one of the World Cup's unlikeliest stars.

✈️ Infantino Watch

Gianni Infantino has reportedly travelled 43,000 miles during this tournament and somehow appears whenever the cameras find the VIP seats. At this point, teleportation feels like the only logical explanation.

 

 

🔥 Feud of the Week

Roy Keane and Alf-Inge Haaland have been trading blows for more than 25 years, and Norway's defeat to England added another chapter.

After Haaland claimed England had been "Saved by the referee".

Keane responded in typically understated fashion:

"Will he remember the game? Because he always seems to be drinking alcohol at the matches."

Some football rivalries never really end.

 

🦁 England: One Game from the Final  

England were behind, Norway were in control and Haaland thought he had scored. Then came ‘Cablegate’. Bellingham equalised with a little help — depending on who you ask — from an overhead TV cable, before pouncing again in extra time after Nyland spilled Morgan Rogers’ shot.

It was chaotic, controversial and far from comfortable. It was also enough. 

Next: Argentina, Wednesday at 8pm.

Messi has called it “a special match.” England have not faced them at a World Cup since 2002. Twenty-four years later, one of football’s great rivalries returns with a place in the final at stake. 

 

🌍 Around the Grounds 

 

Belgium 4-1 USA (Round of 16)

Belgium arrived looking vulnerable. They left having dismantled the hosts. The USA had sold-out stadiums, home support and three years to prepare for this tournament. Belgium scored four, danced their way off the pitch, and Christian Pulisic barely got a kick. 

 

France 2-0 Morocco (Quarter-final)

Mbappé missed from the spot and Morocco briefly had hope. It did not last. He scored a brilliant individual goal after the break, set up Dembélé for another and sent France into the semi-finals without them ever needing to find top gear. 

 

Spain 2-1 Belgium (Quarter-final)

Spain were running out of ideas. Then Mikel Merino came off the bench and did exactly what he said would not happen again. Four days after his late winner against Portugal, he struck in the 88th minute to send Spain into the semi-finals. Apparently, lightning does strike twice. 

 

Argentina 3-1 Switzerland AET (Quarter-final)

Switzerland refused to go away. They cancelled out Mac Allister's opener, survived until extra time and looked set to take Argentina all the way. Then Julián Álvarez produced a stunning strike in the 112th minute before Lautaro Martínez sealed it. Another semi-final for Messi. 

 

 

 📊 The Week in Numbers 

 

⚽ 21 — World Cup goals for Lionel Messi, now the competition's all-time leading scorer.

⏱ 136 — Minutes played by Merino. Two match-winning goals.

🤝 0 — Previous meetings between Lionel Messi and England. Wednesday will be the first.

📅 2002 — The last time England and Argentina met at a World Cup.

✌️ 2 — Fingers raised by Alf-Inge Haaland towards the crowd after Norway's defeat.

 

 

Every goal, tackle and save could change the game.

Buy your cards, use your five Nudges wisely and make every moment count.

 

Good luck, and here's hoping England can take one more step towards the World Cup Final.

The Match Bingo Team