00:12Welcome to Beyond the Game, the ball stays pure. Argentina staged a thrilling comeback
00:17against Egypt to book its place in the quarterfinals. Atlanta Stadium hosted one of the most dramatic
00:22and electrified matches of the tournament so far, as Argentina defeated a resilient
00:26Egypt 3-2 in the round of 16. Daniel Scaloni's side was pushed to the limit to keep its title
00:31defense alive. The Ferros stunned the defending champions twice, with Yasser Ibrahim opening
00:36the score in the 15th minute before Mostafa Zico extended Egypt's lead in the 67th, putting Argentina
00:42on the brink of elimination. But the comeback began in the 79th minute when Cristian Romero pulled one
00:48back. Just four minutes later, Lionel Messi leveled the match at 2-2 and Enzo Fernandes completed
00:54dramatic turnaround with the winning goal in the third minute of stoppage time. With the victory,
00:59Lalbe Zalese advances to the quarterfinals, where it will face Switzerland. The match was not without
01:04controversy, as a third goal was annulled for Egypt after a VAR review in an extremely similar play that
01:10led to Argentina's third goal. For one side, the VAR intervened, for the other, it remained silent.
01:15The Egyptian federation filed a complaint before FIFA.
01:24I felt like many Argentines must have felt with a bit of anguish after the second goal, but we know
01:30Argentina has grip, has resilience, and Argentina's heart is there and...
01:37Well, we asked the Virgin of Lujan for that goal to come, for all the other goals that came right
01:42after. The truth is, it was very emotional.
01:49We never gave up, but we were very nervous. I kept thinking, no, no, no. And then,
01:54my voice is like this because of the second goal.
01:58I always know we're going to win. I suffered a lot, but we're going for the fourth one.
02:04And now, Saturday, I don't know, chaos for sure. Party from now until Saturday. Party,
02:09and then we'll see.
02:14And Egypt's historic World Cup run left a lasting legacy using football's biggest stage to deliver
02:19a powerful message of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
02:24Egypt's remarkable World Cup campaign became about more than football. Throughout the tournament,
02:30the Pharaoh's players and coaching staff repeatedly dedicated victories to the Palestinian people,
02:35turning global attention toward Gaza and the broader Palestinian struggle,
02:39facing ongoing Israeli military occupation and bombardment. Head coach Hassam Hassan said football
02:45could not be separated from the suffering of people across the region, describing the team's
02:49performances as a source of hope for Arabs and Palestinians alike. The gestures quickly
02:54resonated across Palestine. In Gaza and the occupied West Bank, social media filled with videos of fans
03:00celebrating Egypt's victories while thanking the players for keeping Palestine visible on the
03:05world's biggest sporting stage. Many described the team as carrying the aspirations of an entire region,
03:12where sport has long served as a platform for political expression and resistance. Although Egypt's
03:18world cup journey has come to an end, its message of solidarity with Palestine continues to resonate
03:23far beyond the tournament, reinforcing the enduring connection between sport, identity, and the struggle
03:29for justice. And Switzerland also advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after
03:35defeating Colombia in a dramatic penalty shootout. The round of 16 clash at the Vancouver stadium was
03:40defined by disciplined defending and very few clear-cut scoring opportunities, with neither side able to break the
03:46dialogue over 120 minutes, sending the match to the penalties. Switzerland proved more clinical from
03:51the spot, as Granit Xhaka, Zeki Amundi, Serdik Iten, and Ruben Vargas all converted, overcoming Manuel
03:58Akanji's missed attempt. Colombia responded through Juan Quintero, Hammington Campas, and Luis Dia,
04:04but misses from Davinson Sanchez and Juan Camilo Hernandez handed the Swiss a 4-3 shootout victory.
04:09The result sent Switzerland into the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in 72 years.
04:23So the road to the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinals is set. Let's take a look at the quarterfinals
04:28bracket. France will take on Morocco at Boston Stadium on Thursday, July 9th. France enters as one of the
04:34tournament favorites, but Morocco has once again proven it can challenge the world's elite. Expect
04:38a tactical battle, with the North Africans looking to frustrate the French attack and create another
04:43World Cup upset. On Friday, July 10th, Spain and Belgium will face off at Los Angeles Stadium. Two of
04:49Europe's most technically gifted sides meet in what promises to be a high-quality contest where possession,
04:55creativity, and clinical finishing could decide who moves one step closer to the title. Norway will clash
05:00with England at Miami Stadium on Saturday, July 11th. Norway's dynamic attack will be tested against
05:05an experienced England squad in a matchup expected to feature high-intensity physical play and plenty
05:11of scoring opportunities. Later that same day, Argentina will face Switzerland at Kansas City
05:16Stadium. The South American Giants will look to continue their title defense, while Switzerland arrives
05:21full of confidence after another impressive knockout performance. Expect a disciplined Swiss side
05:26determined to frustrate Argentina in one of the tournament's most intriguing quarterfinals.
05:37And with the FIFA World Cup 2026 entering the quarterfinals stage, the race for the Golden
05:41Boot is heating up, and two of football's biggest icons remain at the center of the battle.
05:46Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe continue to lead their nations, while also chasing a place in history as
05:51the tournament's all-time leading scooter. Messi has once again delivered on the biggest stage, combining
05:56goals eight so far with decisive performances to keep Argentina's title defense alive. On the other
06:01side, Mbappe has spearheaded France's attack, with his trademark pace and clinical finishing totaling
06:07seven goals so far, proving once again why he is one of the world's most feared forwards. With at least
06:12one
06:12more match guarantee for both stars, every goal could prove decisive, not only in the race for the Golden
06:17Boot, but also in the battle to become the greatest goal-scorer in FIFA World Cup history. Norway's Erling Haaland
06:23is also
06:23firmly in contention, matching Mbappe with seven goals and looking to fire his country into the
06:28semifinals while strengthening his own lead for the Golden Boot.
06:39The Croatian Football Federation announced that national team head coach Lato Dalic
06:44will step down following Croatia's elimination against Portugal at the World Cup. Dalic officially
06:49informed Croatian Football Federation President Marijan Kustic that his tenure would come to an
06:53end after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup. He lives as the most successful and longest serving
06:58coach in the history of Croatian football after nearly nine years in charge. The veteran manager
07:03described the decision as the most difficult of his career, saying that leading his country has been
07:08the greatest owner of his life. Dalic highlighted historic victories including wins over England and
07:13Brazil, as well as the three medals Croatia captured under his leadership. Achievements,
07:17he said exceeded all of his initial expectations. He added that the national team still has a very
07:22promising future ahead.
07:34Well, this is all for this edition of Beyond the Game Devils. We are going to be back with more
07:38information, of course. Today there are no games, but tomorrow the World Cup returns for a thrilling
07:43quarterfinals. We'll go back to you, Lore. Lore. Thank you so much, Luis, for keeping us posted on today's
07:49updates in the world of football.
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