World Cup Nights: Merino sends Spain into the semifinals, 2-1 over Belgium. Tonight Norway-England and Argentina-Switzerland close the quarterfinals

The second quarterfinal is a small thriller. At the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Spain edge Belgium 2-1 and march into the semifinals, where they will meet France in Dallas on Tuesday. Mikel Merino settles it on 88 minutes, once again off the bench; in between, Charles De Ketelaere's equaliser — the first goal Spain have conceded in the entire tournament. And tonight the quarterfinals wrap up: first Norway-England, then Argentina-Switzerland in the small hours.

At Inglewood's SoFi Stadium, Luis de la Fuente's Spain laboured more than expected but ultimately delivered on the odds. La Roja, the only side left yet to concede at this tournament, went ahead on 30 minutes through Fabian Ruiz, alert to tuck away the rebound after a first effort had been blocked. Belgium, though, deserve credit for believing: on 41 minutes Charles De Ketelaere levelled it at 1-1, the very first goal Spain had conceded all World Cup. The second half turned tense and cagey, until the move that decided everything: on came Mikel Merino and, on 88 minutes, the midfielder bundled home yet another loose ball to send Spain through. A familiar script — once again the man for the big moment off the bench.

The night leaves a stat and a build-up. The stat is the Golden Boot race, razor-thin at the top: Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe lead level on eight goals, ahead of Erling Haaland on seven and Harry Kane on six — and it is precisely this quartet that promises fireworks in the hours ahead. The build-up is to the most anticipated duel of all: Kane has called Haaland 'a machine', while a genuine Haaland-mania has erupted around the Norwegian, with fans across the globe — from a USA-less Los Angeles to China — ready to back the Scandinavian fairytale. In the background, the refereeing saga still simmers, FIFA under scrutiny after recent weeks of controversy.

But the ball is quickly back centre stage. Tonight at 23:00 Italian time, at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, comes perhaps the most compelling quarterfinal: Norway-England, that is, Haaland against Kane. Thomas Tuchel's England — group winners and fresh from a 3-2 win over Mexico in the last 16 — start as favourites and chase a first semifinal since 2018, but must do without the suspended Jarell Quansah and the injured Jordan Henderson (broken wrist, out for the tournament). Facing them stand the Norway of wonders, who knocked out Brazil (2-1, a Haaland brace) and have never been this far at a World Cup: one single, colossal name to keep on dreaming.

Then, in the Italian night, the last quarterfinal: at 03:00, at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium, world champions Argentina take on Switzerland. Messi tops the scoring chart on eight and has already rewritten the record books (21 career World Cup goals, an all-time competition record), but his Albiceleste — five wins from five, with two nerve-shredding comebacks — have shown cracks at the back, conceding in both knockout games. Switzerland, by contrast, are the tournament's most solid surprise: just three goals conceded, never once behind, a first quarterfinal since 1954 and a first-ever shootout win in their history (against Colombia). Opta's supercomputer favours Argentina (57%), but Gregor Kobel's Swiss have already proved they can hold out for long stretches.

Whoever survives tonight earns a semifinal in Atlanta on Wednesday; the other, in Dallas on Tuesday, will pit France against Spain. On we go, one night at a time: see you tomorrow at dawn.

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