The rematch nobody asked for and everyone wanted. France won the twenty-twenty-two semi one-nil against a Morocco side that ran out of gas after seven weeks of miracles. Walid Regragui hasn't forgotten. Morocco's spine hasn't aged — Sofyan Amrabat still eats midfielders alive, Achraf Hakimi still runs the right channel like it's his personal driveway. France will bring Mbappé, Dembélé and Camavinga in transition and try to punish Morocco's high line. If Regragui gets a lead and drops into a five-three-two, this is Qatar all over again. Best quarter-final on the slate by a mile.
Erling Haaland against an England back four that just shipped three to Mexico in the round of sixteen. Norway's shape hasn't changed all tournament: Martin Ødegaard fetching balls into the pockets, Haaland running the shoulder of the last centre-back. Tuchel's England compact in the middle third, Bellingham sitting in front of the back four, Foden and Rashford hoping to hurt Norway on the counter. The whole game hinges on which England defender picks Haaland up on the switch — whoever it is, they need to be honest about it. Norway have the individual moment. England have the depth. Coin flip.
