World Cup 2022: Which teams are in semi-finals? Who plays who in the draw? What is Lionel Messi's path to glory
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Updated 10/12/2022 at 23:14 GMT
As the original 32 teams have been whittled down to the final few, England are among the remaining nations who believe that winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is their destiny. Lionel Messi is playing in what is most likely his final World Cup so what will his path be to the final? Could he perhaps finally life the trophy that has eluded him for his career?
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The 2022 World Cup in Qatar is coming to what is expected to be a dramatic conclusion.
In just a matter of days, we will know the new champions of the world as 32 teams will have been whittled down to just two for the final, taking place on December 18.
The business end of the competition sees the world’s best teams do battle with the semi-final line-up completed at the conclusion of the quarter-finals.
What does that mean for England and what is their path to the final at the Lusail Stadium? Is it finally coming home…? Spoiler alert, it absolutely isn't.
The first team to make the semi-finals were Croatia, who beat Brazil 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw after extra-time.
The second team to make the semi-finals were Argentina, who also won a penalty shoot-out, beating the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw after extra-time.
The third team to book their semi-final place were Morocco, who beat Portugal 1-0 on Saturday and became the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.
The fourth and final team to book their place in the semi-finals were France, who beat England 2-1 in the late game on Saturday.
Quarter-finals
Brazil topped Group G despite defeat in their final match to Cameroon and showed that very minor setback was quickly forgotten as they demolished South Korea in the round of 16.
The five-time winners went up against Croatia, who reached this stage courtesy of a penalty shootout victory over Japan, in which goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved three spot kicks.
And it was a penalty shootout that would settle the quarter-final after Bruno Petkovic cancelled out Neymar's strike to send the match to penalties. And after Livakovic saved Rodrygo's spot-kick and Marquinhos's one hit the post coupled with Croatia scoring all four of their penalties, Zlatko Dalic's men progressed to the semi-final.
In the second game on Friday Lautaro Martinez scored the winning penalty as Argentina survived a fierce Netherlands comeback to win on penalties after the game finished 2-2 in extra time.
On Saturday, Morocco created history as they beat Portugal 1-0 and became the first African side to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup
And then later, England, following their win over Senegal, faced France in their last-eight match after Didier Deschamps’ side swept aside Poland.
The Three Lions went into the game unbeaten in the tournament and gunning for a third successive tournament semi-final.
However, they ended up getting dumped out by defending champions France in the quarter-finals, losing 2-1.
World Cup quarter-final schedule
| Match | Date (UK time) | Stadium |
| Croatia beat Brazil 4-2 on penalties | December 9 at 15:00 | Education City Stadium |
| Argentina beat Netherlands 4-3 on penalties | December 9 at 19:00 | Lusail Iconic Stadium |
| Morocco beat Portugal 1-0 | December 10 at 15:00 | Al Thumama Stadium |
| France beat England 2-1 | December 10 at 19:00 | Al Bayt Stadium |
Semi-finals
It remains unwise to write off the 2018 finalists Croatia, who beat Brazil on penalties and booked their place in their second consecutive semi-final.
In the other game on Friday, Argentina came through a penalty shoot-out of their own to see off the Netherlands.
Morocco made history by becoming the first African side to reach the semi-finals after beating Portugal 1-0. They will face defending champions France, who beat England 2-1.
World Cup semi-final schedule
| Match | Date (UK time) | Stadium |
| Croatia v Argentina | December 13 at 19:00 | Lusail Iconic Stadium |
| Morocco v France | December 14 at 19:00 | Al Bayt Stadium |
The final
Much to the dismay of one country (and the joy of a lot of others you would imagine) football will not be coming "home" as England were beaten 2-1 by France in the final quarter-final on Saturday.
Leo Messi's Argentina or Croatia will go for glory in one semi-final. Which timeless legend will come out on top between Messi and Luka Modric?
Can France repeat their glory of 2018 on the other side of the draw? Or will Morocco do something remarkable?
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