A World Cup semi-final forged in drama and controversy will see England face defending champions Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday night. Both sides required extra time on a sweltering quarter-final Saturday, with Jude Bellingham’s brace lifting England to a nervy 2-1 win over Norway and late Argentine goals breaking ten-man Switzerland’s resistance for a 3-1 victory. The results set up a renewal of one of the tournament’s most keenly felt rivalries, with the winner advancing to meet either France or Spain in the 19 July final.

England’s passage was far from serene at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. After falling behind to an Andreas Schjelderup strike, the Three Lions equalised in first-half stoppage time when a goal kick from Norway’s Orjan Nyland appeared to strike an overhead camera cable. The ball dropped to England’s Anthony Gordon, who launched the move finished by Bellingham. Norwegian protests were ignored and FIFA later asserted that sensor data showed no contact, but Norway coach Ståle Solbakken insisted the ball had changed direction. Bellingham then pounced on a rebound in extra time after goalkeeper Nyland spilled a long-range effort. England manager Thomas Tuchel was blunt post-match, calling the performance “not happy” and admitting his side were “very lucky”.

In Kansas City, Argentina also laboured in the heat. An early Alexis Mac Allister header from a Lionel Messi corner gave the holders a perfect start, but Switzerland wrested control and levelled through Dan Ndoye’s well-worked goal. The game swung when Swiss forward Breel Embolo was shown a second yellow card after a VAR review for simulation, leaving his team to endure an Argentine siege. Julián Álvarez broke the deadlock with a rising shot in the 112th minute, and Lautaro Martínez finished a late counter-attack. Coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged “many difficulties” but praised his side’s capacity to suffer, a refrain echoed by Álvarez after his first goal of the tournament.

From a European viewpoint, the matches underlined the fine margins of knockout football. Norwegian analysts lamented the cable incident, while in England there is recognition that Tuchel’s side must improve markedly to trouble Argentina. South American commentary has highlighted Argentina’s resilience and the growing influence of Álvarez, even as Messi drew a blank for the first time in the tournament. The semifinal will pit two teams with vastly different recent World Cup pedigrees: Argentina are chasing back-to-back titles, while England are in the last four for only the fourth time.

What comes next is a collision of styles in Atlanta, where England’s midfield power meets Argentine craft and tournament nous. On Tuesday, France and Spain will contest the other semifinal in Texas, ensuring a heavyweight conclusion to the first 48-team World Cup.