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KEEPER-SAKES

Look at it up there on the hill, shining in the sunlight, an almost imperceptible aura of melancholia surrounding it like a halo. Look at the ornate carvings, the faces etched across its flanks. There’s Davor Suker! Preben Elkjær! Ferenc Puskas! Is that … it is! It’s Danny Mills, his face almost entirely worn away by the years of tourists rubbing it for luck. Yes, it’s the End Of The Golden Generation Klaxon and it’s sounding its low mournful drone across the California plains as Belgium’s best depart following their quarter-final loss to Spain in Los Angeles.

Though in truth it has been whining in the background for a while now. The Red Devils’ real recent high point was probably all the way back in 2018 when peak De Bruyne, Lukaku and Courtois were joined by Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Kompany, Vertonghen, Fellaini, Hazard, Carrasco, you know, Mertens, Dembélé … Sessions. But there was no escaping the symbolism of the botched torch pass – a tearful Courtois heading off with an injury in the second half at SoFi Stadium, his replacement Senne Lammens fluffling his lines and handing Mikel Merino Spain’s winner on a plate.

“I gave him a big hug. He’s a great goalkeeper. You only get stronger from this,” Courtois said of his hapless teammate. “Eventually you cannot say much more to him or give him much more advice. He is a strong guy, strong personality. I’m sure he’ll be fine. You know, he will have some holidays and then regroup in Manchester and have a great season.”

Belgium – who were further hamstrung by the loss of their captain, Youri Tielemans, to knack in the warm-up – have a rebuilding job to do, although those waters are slightly muddied by reports suggesting Courtois fancies an unhelpful year off from the international game before returning for the Euro 2028 qualifiers. Spain, meanwhile, can look forward (if that is the right phrase) to a semi-final meeting with France. “They’ll be just as worried as we are,” roared Luis de la Fuente, perhaps slightly being stitched up in translation.

LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE

Scott Murray is on deck at 10pm BST/5pm EST/7am AEST for updates of England 1-1 Norway (aet; 7-6 on pens). Then join Ella Brockway at 2am BST/9pm EST/11am AEST for Argentina 3-2 Switzerland in the last-eight finale.

RECOMMENDED FOLLOWING

How do you do fellow kids? Yes, there’s now a TikBook account with all things of a Big Website sporting focus. If you’re there, you know what to do. 

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“We have ​chosen the name vozinha ‌in honour of ‌Vozinha … who played a prominent role in his ‌country’s World Cup debut against the Reds. The colouration of the species is intended as a tribute to that achievement” – the Spanish biologist and football fan Jesús Ortea names a ⁠newly discovered species of sea snail after the Cape Verde keeper, who kept the European champions at bay in their opening GWC game. Ortea discovered ⁠the tiny, bright red mollusc, now named Aldisa vozinha, in the Caribbean.

FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS

I can only hope that when Jürgen Klopp flew Team Mbappé around for what turned out to be no good reason, he at least booked the flight on Trivago” – Scott Pratt.

As the Bayeux Tapestry was being unloaded at the British Museum in the dead of night I couldn’t help thinking ‘it’s coming home.’ An omen perhaps? 1,000 years of hurt?” – Allastair McGillivray.

If you have any, please send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s prizeless letter o’ the day goes to … Allastair McGillivray. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, are here. 

RECOMMENDED LISTENING

It’s the latest episode of World Cup Daily. Listen to it. Watch it.

NEWS, BITS AND BOBS

England’s players and coaching staff will receive around half of the FA’s £38m Fifa prize money in bonuses if they win the GWC, reports Matt Hughes.

Harry Kane has confirmed he once played golf ⁠with Donald Trump, describing the experience as “surreal” and praising the president’s game. “He invited me to play when I was down in Palm Beach,” said Kane. “I hope I can play as well as ​him when I’m his age.”

Lionel Scaloni said he wants his Argentina team to be remembered as a side that “never gave up” as he prepares them what we fully expect to be a 3-2 comeback victory against Switzerland in their quarter final later on. “We do not play football just for a win,” he roared. “When you see those things that come out of our heart, this is just outstanding.”

Lamine Yamal agrees with his boss (in the main bit above) and reckons France should be afraid, very afraid, after their victory over Belgium set up a semi-final with Les Bleus. “I believe if France has to fear anyone, it should be us” growled the teenager. “We were the ones who knocked them out before.”

Granit Xhaka said he wish people would talk more about Switzerland’s key attributes rather than wanging on about how good Argentina are. “We know Argentina has many fine qualities [but] few talk about the Swiss qualities,” he honked, without elaborating. “We will talk on the pitch, and ​we will show what we can do, and everything ​else doesn’t matter.”

And you’ll be shocked to hear that Fifa will sell pieces of the World Cup final pitch for $450 each. “Own a genuine piece of football history with an authentic 2026 FIFA World Cup Piece of the pitch, permanently preserved in a premium acrylic with a USB keepsake,” blathered the Fifa website. “Each piece contains an original fragment of the iconic Final playing surface, making it a unique collectible that celebrates one of the world’s greatest sporting events.”

STILL WANT MORE?

Belgium’s old guard fought valiantly but their GWC exit is the end of their golden generation, reckons Jeff Rueter.

Cutting off Erling Haaland will be crucial for England but Norway are not just a one-man team, writes Emma Hayes.

He may be a gangly Euro-vampire, but Thomas Tuchel has the aura England need. Oh, and he’s also $exy, says Barney Ronay, and Mumsnet.

And Kylian Mbappé has embraced his leadership role for France and is staying humble, according to Raphaël Jucobin.

MEMORY LANE

Erling Haaland has been posting smiley videos asking Wayne Rooney to follow up on his promise to row down the Mersey if Norway reach the quarter-finals. Maybe Wazza should have set a higher bar. Rooney was the match-winner when England last met Norway in a September 2014 thrill-a-minute 1-0 friendly victory – a display that Roy Hodgson lauded as “quite good”. Like Neymar but unlike Bruno Guimarães, Rooney beat Ørjan Nyland from the penalty spot in the 68th minute on his first game as official England captain. Others involved that day who could be later on Saturday are John Stones and – if he plays in a sling – Jordan Henderson. Josh King led the line for Norway, perhaps a step down on their current No 9.

BEYOND THE GWC

Jürgen Klopp is this close to being appointed Germany manager.

Manchester City have beaten Arsenal to the £12.5m signing of the 17-year-old Jeremy Monga from Leicester City.

The Hearts to Rangers road is a well trodden one this summer. Cammy Devlin is the latest man to make his way up it, following manager Derek McInnes and striker Lawrence Shankland to Ibrox. “With the gaffer coming here and a lot of change happening at the club, it feels like a great time to be coming here,” said Australia’s Devlin after ending five years at Tynecastle. Finishing second to Celtic is less acceptable at his new club.

And Tom Lockyer is heading to Australia. The 31-year-old defender played 16 times for Bristol Rovers in League Two last season as he continues his return to regular football. Lockyer suffered his second cardiac arrest in December 2023 while playing for Luton at Bournemouth in the Premier League. “I cannot wait to get this next chapter of my career underway in such an amazing city,” he said after joining Melbourne City in the A-League.

HERE. WE. GO