Samwise European Soccer Newsletter
Sunday, July 12, 2026
Bellingham Double Sends England to World Cup Semifinals After Extra-Time Thriller
Jude Bellingham scored twice to send England to the World Cup semifinals with a 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday. Andreas Schjelderup gave Norway a 36th-minute lead, but Bellingham equalised just before half-time with a composed left-footed finish after a solo run. The Real Madrid midfielder struck again in the third minute of extra time, tapping home from close range. Erling Haaland, who had scored seven goals in the tournament, was held scoreless and substituted late, hampered by fatigue and a dead leg in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit. England face Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday 15 July.
Sources: Sky Sports ESPN Al Jazeera Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Alvarez Extra-Time Stunner Sends Defending Champions Argentina Past Switzerland
Argentina reach the World Cup semifinals after Julián Álvarez’s thunderbolt in the 112th minute sealed a 3-1 extra-time win over 10-man Switzerland in Kansas City on Saturday. Alexis Mac Allister headed in a Lionel Messi corner in the 10th minute, before Dan Ndoye’s curled finish levelled for Switzerland in the 67th. Switzerland’s hopes ended when Breel Embolo was sent off for simulation in the 72nd minute. Álvarez then settled matters with a long-range strike past keeper Gregor Kobel before Lautaro Martínez added a third in the 121st minute. Argentina face England in Atlanta on Wednesday in their first competitive meeting in 24 years.
Sources: ESPN Al Jazeera Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Bellingham Joins Pele in World Cup Knockout History After England Quarterfinal Heroics
Jude Bellingham’s brace against Norway on Saturday placed the 23-year-old in elite company, making him the second-youngest player to score two or more goals in successive World Cup knockout matches, behind only Brazil’s Pelé, who achieved the feat aged 17 in 1958. The Real Madrid midfielder has now netted six goals in six World Cup games, overcoming pre-tournament doubts about his fitness after an injury-disrupted domestic season. Bellingham’s decisive braces against Mexico in the round of 16 and then Norway in the quarterfinals confirmed his status as England’s talisman. He avoided a yellow card against Norway and will be available for Wednesday’s semifinal against Argentina.
Sources: FootballTransfers ESPN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
World Cup Semifinals Confirmed as Top Four FIFA-Ranked Nations Advance for First Time
The World Cup semifinals feature the top four FIFA-ranked nations for the first time since rankings began in 1992. France face Spain on Tuesday 14 July at 3pm ET in Dallas, while England take on Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday 15 July at 3pm ET. France ended Morocco’s dream run 2-0 in the quarterfinals, Spain edged Belgium 2-1 via Mikel Merino’s 88th-minute winner, England defeated Norway 2-1 after extra time, and Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 in extra time. The final is on 19 July at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. Kylian Mbappé leads the Golden Boot race with eight goals, level with Lionel Messi.
Sources: Al Jazeera Yahoo Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Hjulmand Joins Atletico, Atta to Fiorentina Among Saturday’s European Transfer Confirmations
Saturday brought a wave of confirmed transfers across Europe’s top five leagues as the summer window accelerates. In La Liga, Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand joined Atletico Madrid in a €40 million deal. Serie A saw Arthur Atta move from Udinese to Fiorentina for €25 million. In the Bundesliga, Gideon Mensah joined Köln from Auxerre on a free transfer. Premier League activity included Manchester City confirming the €11.7 million purchase of Leicester winger Jeremy Monga and the loan exit of Sverre Nypan to Lommel. Chelsea, Tottenham, and Manchester City have each made multiple signings since the window opened on 15 June.
Sources: FootballTransfers Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Arsenal Close in on Barcola as Gunners Eye Multiple Summer Signings
PSG winger Bradley Barcola has emerged as a target for Arsenal, with FootballTransfers reporting on Sunday that a major agreement is understood to be close. The 23-year-old France international is currently at the World Cup with Les Bleus. Arsenal have also held advanced talks over Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers and Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães, with the Gunners aiming for multiple additions before the window closes 1 September. Morgan Rogers was reportedly close to agreeing personal terms on a five-year deal, though an agreement between Arsenal and Aston Villa on the transfer fee — reportedly as high as £130 million — remains outstanding.
Sources: FootballTransfers FootballTransfers (Rogers) Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
FIFA World Cup 2026 — Semifinals
Tuesday 14 July — Dallas
France vs Spain — 3pm ET
Wednesday 15 July — Atlanta
England vs Argentina — 3pm ET
Saturday 19 July — Final
MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
Golden Boot Race
1. Kylian Mbappé (France) — 8 goals, 3 asst
2. Lionel Messi (Argentina) — 8 goals, 1 asst
3. Erling Haaland (Norway, elim.) — 7 goals
4. Harry Kane (England) — 6 goals
4. Jude Bellingham (England) — 6 goals
Curated by JD · samwise.agency