The World Cup has reached the quarter-finals with a number of mouth-watering clashes in store.
Spain's stoppage time winner booked their place in the quarters where they'll face Belgium, while France face a potential banana skin in 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco.
England take on the entertaining Norway in Miami before Argentina face Switzerland in the last quarter-final.
8 - Switzerland
In a game that could so easily have gone either way, Switzerland downed Colombia on penalties to reach a first World Cup quarter-final since hosting in 1954.
Switzerland were held to a 1-1 draw by Qatar in their opening game and were left scratching their heads as to how they didn't win, but they've not been challenged all that much on the route to the quarter-finals, beating Bosnia 4-1, Canada 2-1 and Algeria 2-0. Had Jaminton Campaz put his late chance away it could have been a different story, but the Swiss roll on to the last eight.
7 - Belgium
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They laboured to a 1-1 draw with Egypt and laboured even more to a 0-0 draw with Iran. The 5-1 win over New Zealand saw them top their group to set up a clash with Senegal which they're probably still wondering how they won. Needing two late goals just to force extra time, Belgium found them and then found an extra-time winner.
The furore around the clash with the USA probably helped them, and while the 4-1 win was convincing, it was helped by some dismal American defending, and a clash with Spain looks a step too far.
6 - Norway
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One of the most exciting teams at the 2026 World Cup, Norway never look more than a few minutes away from scoring or conceding.
Norway could have found themselves behind against Ivory Coast but took the lead through an excellent Antonio Nusa goal and should have perhaps been two or three up from there. Their defensive frailties then saw Amad Diallo waltz through their defence to equalise before Erling Haaland bagged a late winner.
It was similar story against Brazil where an early penalty would have changed the game. Endrick's missed chance when through on goal kept them in the tie with Haaland punishing the Selecao with a brace.
Norway don't seem defensively good enough to stop the top sides, and they might be about to meet their match in England.
5 – Morocco
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Underdogs against the Netherlands, Morocco were actually unfortunate to go behind before a stoppage-time equaliser forced extra time.
Morocco aren't a side full of household names but they've consistently found a way to get the most out of their talents as a well drilled unit and put Canada to the sword with three goals.
We saw the Atlas Lions reach the semi-finals in 2022 and with Yassine Bounou arguably the best penalty saver at the tournament, a similar run can't be ruled out.
4 – Argentina
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It turns out the Cape Verde game wasn't an accident. Argentina went 2-0 down to Egypt and needed three late goals to secure their passage into the quarter-finals. While their ability to score those three late goals suggests resilience, going 2-0 down in the first place further suggests vulnerability.
Argentina coasted through the group stages; they were able to carry Lionel Messi defensively and let him punish teams when they were in possession. But are Argentina good enough to play with 10 men out of possession against a top side? They should get past Switzerland, but the potential clash with England now looks tougher than ever.
3 – England
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England answered a lot of questions with their win over Mexico. Going to the Azteca and winning is one thing, but to do it having been reduced to 10 men for the final hour is very much another. Thomas Tuchel perfectly nullified Mexico's threat, with their two goals coming from a free-kick and a penalty.
They'll feel very confident of punishing a wide-open Norway, setting up a potential semi-final with Argentina.
2 – Spain
NO CHANGE
As was expected, Spain's draw with Cape Verde is a distant memory. The result proved inconsequential as Spain breezed through the group stage with minimum fuss and now look a force to be reckoned with. Their style of play might not win over too many admirers, with Luis de la Fuente prioritising patience, but it's a method that's got them to the quarter-finals without conceding a goal.
Not only have they not conceded a goal, they've not looked like conceding a goal.
They should have few problems against Belgium and, should the expected semi-final materialise, will have an excellent chance of knocking France out.
1 – France
NO CHANGE
France just keep marching on. While Sweden, who shipped five against the Netherlands, weren't expected to pose too much of a threat to Les Bleus, it was a fourth straight game in which France have scored at least three.
The clash with Paraguay was much trickier than many expected with the South Americans frustrating Didier Deschamps' men for much of the tie, with a 70th-minute penalty needed to break the deadlock.
France now have a real test in Morocco, but they've still been the best side we've seen at this year's World Cup.
