World cup 2026: switzerland and colombia vie for final quarter-final berth after argentina’s dramatic advance

Key Developments

Following a Monday filled with off-field controversies, including the contentious case of Folarin Balogun and alleged White House pressure for his reintegration, alongside a public spat between Kylian Mbappé and a Paraguayan senator, the football action resumed on Tuesday, July 7th. Two compelling fixtures were scheduled to conclude the World Cup Round of 16. The first saw Argentina triumph over Egypt with a 3-2 scoreline. Later, at 10 PM local time, Switzerland is set to face Colombia.

• Belgium silences Balogun controversy. The Red Devils delivered a commanding performance against the United States, securing a decisive 4-1 victory in their Round of 16 clash. Charles De Kaetelere netted a brace, while Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku, with a stoppage-time goal, sealed Belgium’s dominance. American forward Folarin Balogun, whose participation was permitted after an intervention by Donald Trump to FIFA that sparked widespread debate, started for Team USA but failed to make a significant impact on the game.
• Spain endures for victory. What promised to be an enthralling encounter between Spain and Portugal ultimately proved to be a drawn-out affair. After a tedious struggle, Spain finally overcame their Iberian rivals with a solitary goal from Merino in added time, securing a 1-0 win. This result likely signals the conclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo’s international career at 41 years old, as he faced criticism for his perceived negative influence on his team’s performance.
• Argentina’s incredible comeback. In a stunning turn of events, Argentina orchestrated a miraculous turnaround against Egypt. Trailing 2-0 with just ten minutes remaining in their Round of 16 match, Messi’s squad rallied to win 3-2, with Enzo Fernandez heading in the decisive goal from a precise Lisandro Martinez cross. Speaking after the match, captain Lionel Messi expressed his team’s unwavering spirit, stating they “never give up,” even when facing a significant deficit. He described the group’s performance as “crazy” and expressed his joy that fans could continue to enjoy their journey. However, Egypt’s coach, Hossam Hassan, voiced strong objections to his team’s treatment during the match, calling it “neither fair nor equitable.” He highlighted a disallowed goal and a disputed foul on Hamdy Fathy in the Argentine box, which he believed prevented his team from extending their lead to 3-1.
• Switzerland and Colombia at half-time. The final Round of 16 fixture, pitting Switzerland against Colombia, remains finely poised. At the half-time whistle, the score stands at 0-0. The South American side had previously impressed in the group stages with a strong showing against Portugal, suggesting this contest for the last quarter-final spot is wide open.
• Belgium’s locker room celebration. After their victory over the United States, the Belgian players were captured on social media playfully mocking Donald Trump. In a video widely circulated, the entire Belgian squad was seen hilariously mimicking the American president’s signature dance move from his rallies, set to the tune of “YMCA,” as they celebrated their advancement to the World Cup quarter-finals in a tournament partially hosted in the United States.