Here’s what you need to know as we race towards this Sunday’s grand finale.

Saturday saw everyone’s favorite Viking eliminated as (hey) Jude Bellingham’s two goals for England sent Norway rowing back home. Meanwhile, Argentina’s Leo Messi got by with a little help from his friends to bid Switzerland adieu. Wednesday’s newsletter will have all the deets on that epic semifinal, because we have to focus on tomorrow’s between France and Spain.

One explosive FIFA men’s World Cup (WC) quarter-final (QF) down, three to go. Next week’s semis will be set by our next newsletter, so let’s get right to it.

ICYMI, No. 30 CanMNT’s World Cup (WC) journey is over following Saturday’s 3–0 loss to No. 6 Morocco in the Round of 16. The scoreline doesn’t reflect how well Canada played, particularly in the first half, but we’re not here to file grievances today; we’re choosing to celebrate this historic run instead.

And just like that, the Round of 16 is nearly over. Here are the highlights from the long weekend, plus a look at the final three games before the quarter-finals (QF) begin on Thursday.

No. 30 CanMNT continues to go where no Canadian men have gone before: They’re onto the FIFA men’s World Cup (WC) Round of 16, taking on No. 6 Morocco today at 1 p.m. ET. Winning this game won’t be easy, but that’s par for the course — this tourney hasn’t exactly been a piece of cake for Les Rouges. And for that very reason (and more), battle-tested Canada might just pull off the unthinkable.

Just when you thought the FIFA men’s World Cup (WC) couldn’t get any better, Monday happened. All three Round of 32 games went into extra time, with Brazil sending Japan home via a stoppage time stunner and the other two tilts going to penalty kicks (PK) after 1–1 full-time draws.

The USMNT unlocked a new level of success in the World Cup (WC) group stage, and now they have the opportunity to do something they’ve only achieved once in their history: win a WC knockout game. They’ll take on Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH) in the Round of 32 tonight at 8 p.m. ET with even more history on the line — and from here on out, this tourney is win-or-go-home.

The World Cup (WC) knockout rounds began yesterday when Canada kicked off the Round of 32 with a bit of history — and there’s more to be made as the remaining 30 squads fight for a berth to the Round of 16 today through Friday.