The World Cup is down to eight teams and the sport's biggest names are all still standing: Messi, Haaland, Mbappé, and Kane all sitting near the top of the Golden Boot race, and all four are one bad afternoon from going home.

Separately, we have a comeback for the ages. Five years after he shattered his leg in the Octagon, UFC legend Conor McGregor makes his long awaited return in Las Vegas. To round out the weekend, we have Wimbledon semifinals and finals with can’t miss matchups.

Here's your weekend preview starting with what matters most.

The stakes: Norway are in their first World Cup quarterfinal ever, and they got here by knocking out five-time champion Brazil in a stunning upset last weekend. What looked like a feel good story has turned into something more, Norway are now positioning themselves as a legitimate contender.

England, meanwhile, are coming off their most impressive win of the tournament. The odds were stacked against them heading down to face Mexico at the Azteca, one of the most intimidating venues in the sport, but they held on to win 3-2 in one of the most exhilarating games of the tournament. Something has to give, and given that neither side is stellar defensively, expect fireworks and likely a close one right to the end.

What to watch for: Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, two of the tournament's top goalscorers matched up with a semifinal spot on the line. Haaland is the story of Norway's run, keeping his scoring streak alive following a 2 goal performance that knocked out Brazil last week.

Kane, England's all-time leading scorer, is right there with him near the top of the Golden Boot race and coming off a goal against Mexico. Two elite finishers, both capable of deciding this game at any moment. Whoever has a bigger impact on the game likely sends their team through.

Skin in the Game [Powered by WagerXpert]: Back Erling Haaland Anytime Goalscorer (+100). We rode this one last week and it cashed. Vegas expects a high-scoring affair, and with England conceding twice last week, we believe the chances will be there for Norway. Haaland is the most efficient scorer in the game, so it doesn't take many looks for him to find the net. With the books still hanging this at plus money, we don't see a reason to get off now. Remember this is for fun, not your rent money.

More about WagerXpert: All the thrill, none of the pressure. Bet against your friends on https://wagerxpert.app/ just look us up!

The stakes: Five years ago, Conor McGregor broke his leg in the Octagon and hasn't fought since. Saturday, the biggest star in the history of the UFC finally returns, headlining UFC 329 in Las Vegas against Max Holloway. Holloway has been elite for years, a former champion and one of the best strikers of his generation, but he arrives on a two fight losing streak with the pressure squarely on him. Another loss and his days contending at the top of the division may be numbered.

McGregor, now nearly 38, comes back with more question marks than at any point in his career, and nobody knows what version of him will show up. But a win jumpstarts the comeback and puts him right back in the conversation for a title contender. Both men need this one to keep their careers on track.

What to watch for: Watch Conor early in this fight. Five years is a long time to sit out, and the biggest question is whether McGregor's timing and precision are still there after so much time off. Holloway won't make it easy, he throws more volume than almost anyone in UFC history and will look to test his cardio and chin. Watch if Conor still has the striking prowess and power we’ve been accustomed to see from him or if he gets overwhelmed by Holloway’s volume.

Skin in the Game  [Powered by WagerXpert]: Take McGregor by KO/TKO (+250). If you're betting a fighter coming off a five year layoff, you're betting he ends it fast before the cardio factor comes into play. McGregor's precision and power were always his calling card, and against a durable, high-volume striker like Holloway, the longer this goes the harder it will get for him. Remember this is for fun, not your rent money.

More about WagerXpert: All the thrill, none of the pressure. Bet against your friends on https://wagerxpert.app/ just look us up!

Argentina vs. Switzerland | Saturday, 9:00 PM (FOX): Messi's last dance rolls on, barely. Argentina were 10 minutes from elimination against Egypt before scoring three late to win 3-2, with Messi netting the go-ahead goal to move into the sole Golden Boot lead with eight. Now Argentina meet a Switzerland side in its first quarterfinal since 1954. Every Messi game could be his last on this stage so cherish them while you still can.

France vs. Morocco | Today, 4:00 PM (FOX): The quarterfinals open with a rematch of the 2022 semifinal that France won. Mbappé, right in the Golden Boot mix, leads a France side that's a genuine favorite to win it all, while Morocco arrive as the first African nation ever to reach back to back World Cup quarterfinals.

Spain vs. Belgium | Friday, 3:00 PM (FOX): Spain come into this one as the more talented side on paper and just knocked out Ronaldo's Portugal, but they've been inconsistent through the tournament so far. Spain’s star teenager, Lamine Yamal, has been solid but hasn't hit the heights we've seen from the other big names still in the field. Belgium come in with a renewed sense of belief after dismantling the USMNT 4-1. The question is whether that confidence carries over against a more complete team.

Wimbledon Semifinals and Finals | Thurs-Sun (ESPN): On the women's side, Coco Gauff is the one to watch after favorites Iga Świątek's and Aryna Sabalenka had early exits to open up the field. Coco has a chance to win Wimbledon for the first time in her career. On the men's side, Friday brings the match of the tournament, Jannik Sinner vs. seven-time champion Novak Djokovic. The winners advance to the finals this weekend.

Must-watch:

Worth tuning in:

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