Two Penalty Kick Shockers, Harry Kane’s Blunder & Morocco’s Dream Run Highlight World Cup Quarterfinals
If you weren’t entertained by the World Cup quarterfinals this weekend, check your pulse. All four matches were decided by just two regulation goals. A pair of matches were won on penalty kicks while Morocco and France earned one-goal wins over Portugal and England, respectively. And then there were four — Croatia, Argentina, Morocco, and France.
Croatia def. Brazil (1-1, 4-2 PKs)
A shocker on Friday saw Croatia knock off Brazil with a frantic finish. Brazil dominated in regulation — outshooting Croatia 21-11 and 11-1 in shots on the frame — but the match went into extra time tied at 0-0. Neymar scored for Brazil in the 105th minute, but Bruno Petkovic saved Croatia in the 117th before Croatia earned the win in PKs (4-2). The runner-ups from 2018 are back in the semifinals.
Argentina def. Netherlands (2-2, 4-3 PKs)
Lionel Messi and Argentina are still kicking despite blowing a 2-0 lead late against the Netherlands. Wout Weghorst scored two goals in the waning minutes, including the equalizer at the buzzer (90+11’). In penalties, Argentina held on (4-3). In Messi’s last World Cup, Argentina holds all the cards.
One more for Morocco! The dream run for the only remaining African squad continues after knocking off Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in another stunning upset. Portugal out-possessed Morocco a whopping 74% to 26%, but it was a first-half goal from Youssef En-Nesyri was the difference-maker. The 22nd-ranked club in the World Cup is in the final four.
France and England may have been the most intriguing matchup of the quarterfinals, and both teams went back and forth toward a thrilling finish. After trading goals, Olivier Giroud tallied the go-ahead goal for France in the 78th minute. Harry Kane got a look at a PK for England in the final minutes but sailed it over the bar. The French prevailed.
Semifinals Schedule
Argentina vs. Croatia (Tues. 2:00 pm ET)
France vs. Morocco (Wed. 2:00 pm ET)
Additional Storylines
ESPN: World Cup Semifinals: Key Team Factors, Predictions, Schedule & More
The Guardian: Morocco’s World Cup Oddysey Has Changed What It Means to be The Underdog
Photo: Picture Alliance / Getty Images
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