Overview
- France beat Morocco 2-0 with Kylian Mbappé scoring and Ousmane Dembélé adding a second goal to send Les Bleus into the semifinals.
- Spain edged Belgium 2-1 after substitute Mikel Merino tucked in an 88th-minute rebound created by a Senne Lammens spill following Thibaut Courtois’ midmatch injury.
- Merino has now delivered late winning goals off the bench in consecutive knockout matches, cementing his role as a super‑sub for Spain.
- England face Norway in Miami and Argentina play Switzerland in Kansas City on Saturday to determine who will meet France or Spain in the other semifinal.
- The tournament’s expanded format, tight knockout math and late single moments such as goalkeeper errors and injuries have shaped the bracket and heightened the Golden Boot battle among Mbappé, Messi, Haaland and Kane.