Following a Monday filled with notable controversies, including the contentious case of Folarin Balogun and alleged White House pressure to reinstate him, alongside a public spat involving Kylian Mbappé and a Paraguayan senator, the focus of the 2026 World Cup shifted back to on-field action. Tuesday, July 7, presented two compelling fixtures designed to wrap up the round of 16. The initial encounter saw Argentina secure a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Egypt, with Lionel Messi’s side prevailing.

• Belgium overcomes Balogun controversy with dominant win. The Red Devils delivered a commanding performance against the United States in their last-16 clash, triumphing 4-1. Key goals came from a Charles De Kaetelere brace, a strike from Hans Vanaken, and a late addition by Romelu Lukaku. Despite the controversy surrounding his inclusion, American forward Folarin Balogun, starting for Team USA, failed to make a significant impact on the game.
• Spain edges out Portugal in a tedious affair. What promised to be an exciting showdown ultimately delivered a rather uninspired spectacle. After a protracted and often dull contest, Spain eventually defeated Portugal 1-0, thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Merino. This outcome likely signals the end of Cristiano Ronaldo’s international career at 41 years old, a player frequently criticized for his perceived detrimental influence on his team’s overall play.
• Switzerland and Colombia vie for the final quarter-final berth. The day’s concluding match at 10 PM (local time) is anticipated to be an open contest. The South American squad, Colombia, previously showcased formidable form during the group stage, notably against Portugal, suggesting they could be a strong contender for the last spot in the quarter-finals.