England, Argentina book blockbuster World Cup semifinal

England and Argentina set up a blockbuster World Cup semifinal after surviving difficult quarterfinal tests against Norway and Switzerland, respectively, on Saturday.

Jude Bellingham scored twice as England labored to a nervy 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway in sweltering conditions in Miami, sending the Three Lions into the World Cup semifinals for only the fourth time in their history.

Defending champion Argentina later secured its place in the last four with a dramatic 3-1 extra-time win over 10-man Switzerland at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez struck in extra time for Argentina after Dan Ndoye’s second-half equalizer canceled out Alexis Mac Allister’s early opener for the holders.

The results set up another chapter in one of the World Cup’s most storied rivalries, with England and Argentina scheduled to meet in Atlanta on Wednesday, or Thursday in the Philippines.

The winner will face either France or Spain in the final on July 19. France and Spain will contest the other semifinal in Texas on Tuesday.

England manager Thomas Tuchel said his side would need a drastic improvement to advance after an unconvincing performance in the intense Florida heat and humidity.

England fell behind in the 36th minute when Andreas Schjelderup fired a powerful shot from the left past the defense.

The Three Lions drew level in first-half stoppage time through Bellingham, although the buildup sparked controversy after a goal kick from Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland appeared to strike an overhead camera cable.

Norway’s players protested, but the goal was allowed to stand. The Norwegians also had a goal controversially disallowed before Bellingham struck again in extra time to complete England’s comeback.

“We made life very, very difficult for ourselves today,” Tuchel said afterwards.

“The result is fantastic. The last four is amazing, but not happy with the performance… we were very lucky today.”

FIFA later issued a statement saying there was “no evidence” that the ball had struck the cable before England’s equalizer, but Norway coach Stale Solbakken remained convinced that its trajectory had changed.

“That was unlucky for for us,” Solbakken said. “The ball fell straight down from the sky, so it changed its direction. But we can’t do anything about that. I don’t think we will play the game again. So, that’s that’s how it is.”

Argentina, meanwhile, was pushed into extra time for the second time in the tournament before finally overcoming Switzerland.

The world champions took the lead after 10 minutes when Lionel Messi’s outswinging corner found Mac Allister, who rose behind Switzerland defender Manuel Akanji and directed a header past goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

Switzerland recovered from the early setback and used its physicality and disciplined defensive shape to frustrate Argentina’s attack.

The Swiss grew in confidence as the match progressed and enjoyed their strongest spell in the second half against an Argentina side that increasingly appeared fatigued.

Ndoye completed the equalizer in the 67th minute after combining with Ricardo Rodriguez in a deft one-two on the left before beating Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to make it 1-1.

Switzerland’s momentum was halted when forward Breel Embolo received a second yellow card and was sent off in tears following a video assistant referee review.

Despite being reduced to 10 players, Switzerland held firm through regulation and appeared capable of forcing the match into a penalty shootout.

Alvarez broke the deadlock in the 112th minute with a curling strike into the top corner for his first goal of the tournament.

Martinez then finished a counterattack in the closing moments to complete Argentina’s 3-1 victory.

“Obviously you have to suffer, you have to know how to suffer,” said Alvarez after scoring his first goal of the tournament. “That’s how the matches are playing out right now.”

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged that his team had struggled to find solutions against a resilient Swiss side.

Scaloni said Argentina had faced “many many difficulties.”

He added: “Sometimes we couldn’t find the solutions, but today we had luck on our side because one of their players was sent off.”