When Julian Alvarez sent the ball swerving into the Swiss top corner, it was not just a goal of immense quality, but a moment that felt almost too perfect for the tournament. Julian Alvarez celebrates scoring for Argentina against Switzerland, a strike that secured much-needed South American representation in the semi-finals. Up in the VVIP box, Conmebol president and Gianni Infantino confidante Alejandro Dominguez celebrated wildly, even grabbing Argentine football chief Claudio Tapia in his excitement. It was a reaction that underscored the importance of the result, as FIFA officials appeared delighted to see the tournament reach its idealized semi-final stage.
This World Cup has been surprisingly light on heavyweight clashes, with Spain-Portugal being one of the few exceptions, but the current lineup now guarantees two "super-clasicos" and a blockbuster final. For the first time since the 1990 World Cup in Italy, the top four seeds have reached the semi-finals. It is also the first time the last four have featured four previous winners since that same 1990 tournament. Depending on how the matches unfold, this quartet could be the best ever, surpassing the 2014 semi-finals where Argentina-Netherlands ended 0-0, and the 2006 edition which was entirely European and played in a more dour era.
The France-Spain matchup is already being dubbed the "real final," as both teams have looked like the best in the tournament, boasting the best scoring and defensive records respectively. The game represents a clash of philosophies: Spain has perfected the Pep Guardiola positional game, while Didier Deschamps has utilized "relationism," a tactical school favoring individual interpretation. The history between the neighbors adds spice, with Adrien Rabiot’s previous comments about Lamine Yamal needing to "do more" already resurfacing.
Even that European derby is overshadowed by the weight of Argentina-England. This meeting comes 40 years after the famous 1986 quarter-final, and it is the first time the two nations have played each other since 2005, and their first World Cup encounter since 2002. The match carries deep emotion, with Argentine chants like "Muchachos" referencing "Las Malvinas." For England, it is a chance to end a long trophy drought, as they seek to return to a World Cup final for the first time in 60 years. Remarkably, this will be Lionel Messi’s first-ever match against England. While Spain and France are more complete teams, the Argentina-England tie relies heavily on individual stars, promising a chaotic, dramatic, and unpredictable encounter that could go all the way to penalties.
That parallel with the most beloved of World Cups, in Italy, also fits with how this is probably the most alluring quartet in all that time, and are potentially the best ever depending on how the games actually go.
