The quarter-final stage of any World Cup is when the business starts to get really serious.
And in the 21st century, we have been treated to some absolute classics, with goals and drama aplenty.
So, check out NetBet Sport’s picks for the five best World Cup quarter-finals since the turn of the millennium – and let’s hope we can add some 2026 ties to future lists!
England 1-2 Brazil (2002)
We start with a cracker featuring England from the 2002 World Cup. This really was a clash of the titans, a match which would have served as a great finale. Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Three Lions took an early lead through Michael Owen, but Brazil roared back into the match and equalised through Rivaldo. Then in the second half, Ronaldinho famously lobbed David Seaman with an audacious long-range free-kick to seal a 2-1 comeback victory. Many people actually forget that Ronaldinho was also sent off in the 58th minute for a foul on Danny Mills, although it did not faze the South Americans one bit on their way to winning a record fifth World Cup title.
Uruguay 1-1 Ghana, 4-2 on penalties (2010)
To say this match in South Africa was littered with drama is something of an understatement. Diego Forlan’s magical free-kick cancelled out Sulley Muntari’s long-range opener, but things really went up another level in the dying minutes of extra-time. Luis Suarez infamously denied Stephen Appiah the winner via a handball and was duly sent off. It presented Asamoah Gyan with the chance to fire Ghana into the semis, only for the striker to see his penalty attempt smash into the crossbar and go over. The match went to the lottery of a shootout, with Sebastian Abreu converting the winning spot kick for Uruguay after misses from John Mensah and Dominic Adiyiah.
Brazil 1-2 Belgium (2018)
The greatest result achieved by Belgium’s heralded ‘Golden Generation’ saw them beat five-time winners Brazil in a real thriller. An own goal from Fernandinho put the Red Devils ahead and Kevin De Bruyne made it 2-0 before the break with an absolute thunderbolt from distance. Brazil fought hard to get back into the game and eventually pulled a goal back in the 76th minute through Renato Augusto, but the Belgians held on for a fabulous victory.
Netherlands 2-2 Argentina, 3-4 on penalties (2022)
There is bad blood between the Netherlands and Argentina, which was certainly on show in this clash – so much so that the game is referred to as the ‘Battle of Lusail’. A World Cup record of 18 yellow cards and one red were brandished by the referee, and the football was pretty good as well! Goals from Nahuel Molina and Lionel Messi put Argentina 2-0 ahead, only for substitute Wout Weghorst to spoil the party with two late goals, the second of them coming in the 11th minute of stoppage time. Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis missed Netherlands’ first two penalties in the shootout, before Lautaro Martinez converted the winning spot kick to really ignite Argentina’s charge to World Cup glory in Qatar.
England 1-2 France (2022)
A match England fans may not look back at too fondly. Gareth Southgate’s side went toe-to-toe with eventual finalists France, but a late penalty miss from the usually reliable Harry Kane saw them dumped out the competition. The Three Lions’ record goal-getter had scored from the spot earlier in the contest to cancel out Aurelien Tchouameni’s superb 30-yard opener. An Olivier Giroud header gave France the lead on 78 minutes, just prior to Kane fluffing his lines up against then Tottenham team-mate Hugo Lloris.
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