The World Cup semifinals are finally here, and the stage couldn't be bigger. In this episode, we recap every quarterfinal matchup, from France's dominant display against Morocco and Spain's hard-fought victory over Belgium to England's resilience against Norway and Argentina's controversial win over Switzerland. We also dive into the biggest talking points surrounding VAR, refereeing decisions, and the players who have defined this tournament before making our predictions for France vs. Spain and England vs. Argentina. Who makes the final? We don't always agree - but that's what makes it fun.
The World Cup has reached its final four, and this episode of The Semi-Informed Football Podcast breaks down everything that got us here.
We begin by recapping the quarterfinals, discussing France's clinical performance against Morocco and whether Les Bleus have now become the tournament favorites. We also examine Spain's narrow victory over Belgium, England's continued progression despite lingering defensive concerns, and Argentina's controversial win over Switzerland, including another spirited discussion about VAR, refereeing consistency, and the impact of key decisions on knockout football.
Along the way, we debate standout performances from Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, Thibaut Courtois, and Lionel Messi, while reflecting on surprise teams, breakout stars, and whether reputation still matters once the knockout rounds begin.
The conversation then shifts to two blockbuster semifinal matchups: France vs. Spain and England vs. Argentina. We compare tactics, player matchups, midfield battles, and predict who will earn a place in the World Cup Final.
Whether you're here for tactical analysis, controversial refereeing debates, or bold predictions, this episode has plenty for football fans to enjoy.