Podcast Wrap Up and Diet Talk

This is the Guardian Hello and welcome to the Guardian Football Weekly. Turkey beat the US with the last kick of the game in LA. Could they be the tournament's dark horses? After all? Backets No. The US took the lead with Aiden Tusty's trusty left foot. Turkey turned it around, Sebastian Beerhalter equalized before the Turks salvred some pride, but ultimately it doesn't matter. The US still toppp the group Meanwhile, Australia, Paraguay was not a classic. Australia threw in second, Paraguay should get through. Netherlands win group F. Brian Bobby Brby Broby on the scorechet again also a great own goal by Tunisia, who've not had the best World Cup. Japan and Sweden both go through after a one will draw two delightful goals, Japan finished above Sweden and their prize is a game against Brazil in the last thirty two. Joy for Ecuador in New Jersey a sea of yellow watch Germany take the lead despite a very high foot kicking someone in the face, but they came back and won it later on. It looked like the whole stadium was in tears at the end, and two goals for Ppe for the Iivory cooast as they beat Curacau. We'll lookhead tomorrow's games France, Norway and Spain Europeay could both be good. We know Mark Langghin's been on the brackets, but did he eat a vegetable? Find out on today's Guardian football Weekly. annel T today, Barlland Denning, welcome. Hi Max. Hey Mark Langdon from the Racing Post, of course. Yeah, hi Max and join us as well, Archie Mintat, Hi Achie Hey, Max YouTube viewers may see that we are in our hotel rooms because it's very late and My bed is there and that's where I want to be. But before that I will discuss these six football matches. Just just to be clear, it's not a hotel What are we in We're in an apartment We are I mean okay. I mean. feels pedantic at this stage. Let's get through that. I would argue ' quite a big difference between an apartment and a hotel room but Yeah I don't think I'd have a breakfast bar in a hotel, so I'm at the b. Right barah. All right. Okay. canan we do these matches? Let's start at group D. So the US topp the group, six points, Australia have four, Paraguay have four. They're both through Paraguay have to wa, but they're probably through. Turkey are out. They were out anyway but we'll begin with their win over the US three two. They made lots of changes to the US. Policz came back. in the ninety seventh minute, Mark, I wrote oververall, a brilliant group stage for them. Do that goal that happened after I wrote that make any difference It shouldn't do. Whether there is a slight change in the nation, I suppose remains to be seen. but you, the job had already been done. This was a reserve team that was put out by Poertino It won't be anything like the side that plays for the rest of the World Cup as long as the US or in it. there were still positives to take out of the game, particularly with Pulisit coming back from injury. So It shouldn't do. and I think if anybody kind of jumps to sort of wild conclusions on the back of a defeat to Turkey, I would disagree with them quite strongly, you know it didn't really matter Yeah. And I guess Barry, they face some adversity, which is Probably useful I'd largely agree with Mark, but I think from the supporter's fan point of view This would be a bit of a wake up call to see their team lose I appreciate that some of the fans at the game tonight like Brad Leo DiCaprio Colin Farrell in his stars and stripes, they're die hards, they never miss a game. So they'll know that this defeat is massively inconsequential in the cosmic scheme of things But I think there are probably an awful lot of Johnnyomell these 'ambering aboard the USA bandwagon for this World Cup and there's nothing wrong with that. That's how the sport grows. who will totally have expected the USA to be this apparently terrible turkey team and will now be going, o, they lost. That wasn't supposed to happen. Americans love to win, you know, they they'll follow their team in any sport as long as the team is winning And so Yeah, a bit of a reality check for them and the Pro no harm in that at all. but I've completely forgotten the original question you asked me having No, I think whatever I asked and I've also forgotten it, I think you've answered it Fair. Be I don't know about you, Arie, you're in a different part of LA. but around here there is a sort of an LA is so big that you're probably like two hundred miles away. But there is a sense of sort of growing confidence just in the number of US shirts you're seeing on a match day this idea that actually quite well, you know, they they've got Bosnia in the last thirty two which is not a that is not a bad draw like a sort and I guess you want to host country to do well I don't know if you want them to win it, but like you want them to to, you know, I feel a growing sense of confidence I wouldn't say desespite even being quite close to the stadium here in LA and out by the beach And I wouldn't say that In this city, you can really feel that there's a buzz around it because LA is so big and it sprawls in the way it does Do you think that They've got off to fast starts now in Each of their three group games and I think this was obviously the most inconsequential of them I wonder how they'll go if they struggle to break a team down a bit. Bosn are going to be a tough nut to crack if it is them that they do eventually face. and They are going to have to face some adversity. and I'm looking forward to seeing how they do with that As for Turkey It's been such a disappointing tournament for them and This was a game where even though they've won, they couldn't really win because their fans will go, well We're working for the two previous games in the tournament. And And Vinenzo Montteella has taken such heat for some of his decisions in the tournament For for example, the fact that Dennis Gl, there only true number nine played twenty two minutes in the first to games, the fact that their're best players didnid't turn up in Gouleer, Yield is Chalolu, Chalenolu left out tonight as well But there've been lots of problem issues that been raised whether it's about the association not taking a sports psychologist with them because the players had difficulty switching off from the criticism of them due to their spare time activities of just making sure that their haircuts and beards were looking allright is one line that I've heard. So yeah, it's amazing how how these things to what factors then get put as important when you go out, but yeah huge huge underperformance from them. Yeah. although they did, the substitutes did celebrate Barry. I mean, I know you don't like Hive is Lanyarded substitute to celebrating, but for a goal that didn't make any difference to Turkey, do you forgive them that moment? Well, I would say the babies are not high vs, they're very low Vies. thank you And just in the interest of maintaining this pedantry. How long have I got left? Tell me, tellell me And yeah, look, I no longer have a problem with it. It's fine. it clearly meant a lot to them to win this game even though They're still going out with the tournament. as you know, there's pride at stake They were getting hammered at home This probably won't, you know, theyll probably still get hammered at home, but h at least They go out with their head like they played really well in this game Um I was more or less takaking one for the team by devoting myself entirely to Paraguay, Australia, but I saw the goals and the Turkey scored a cracking goals here Yeah, Gooda's past was great you know, in the buildup for the second, wasn't it?n Pulisage Um Good for him to be back mark and to get a bit of time on the pitch. Pa is it Jenny Taft? Denny Taft, the Fox reporter's had to follow his calf for the last two weeks. Yeah the c go see flying around. Yeah. The cf has become the metatarsle of Beckham and Rooney And we've now got you know minute by minute updates on P six CAalf He looked fine when he came on, went close to scoring on a couple of occasions. He's the absolute poster boy of the team. So you can understand why D kindind would want him back for the knockout stages because he is the one Not the only player, but he is their best player and It's important to get thirty minutes into him He looked fully fit. so for the knockout game, you wouldd expect him to start under Yeah, for for Jenn's sake Let's hope he does. Yeah abbsolutely you know, he had that one shot, you know, that one shot that went just wide. Phaps the save of the tourament from Kaki with that fingertips saver and I think he completely winded himself by doing it. But anyway, that was that game. Paraguay, Nil, Australia Nil. I mean, there are some Nil Nills that are bad, but there are some Nil Nills that are really bad. Barry you too one for the team, but so did I and so did Mark we didn't so it in had so did A before Okay I looked at Perry, I looked at you injury time and you did look asleep. I would say you were you were talking, but your eyes did not look open. Well that often happens to be fair. but Yeah, this was I would say the worst game of the tournament by a considerable distance so far It made England Ghana look like just like Joogo Bieso, you know. And It was awful, like truly awful. And a drawsit with both teams and it showed I think the biggest cheer of the night was when an Aussie fan was shown on the jumbled tron. drrinking lager out of a shoe U too wish gives you a measure of how bad the game was. It did spark into life in the second minute of added time I haven't written. It came to life in the ninety third minute. I haven written. So Murissio had a shot Jan saved and then Yeni had a shot saved by Orlando Hill I wondered if after the second drinks break, Paraguay might give it a bit more of a rattle just in the hope of winning ad getting an easier draw in the round of thirty two they were clearly more terrified of conceceding a goal than they were encouraged by the sort of scoring on. So For most of the second half, you both teams playing a littleow block and very little going on in the middle Yeah. I did think Archie that Australia were much better in this game than the US game. They look they had a bit of intent Vpato and Jeordie Boss down the right looked quite a nice combination. Jackson Irvine is a very calming presence. There were some positives for them The fact that Tony Popovich rotated again this time found, I think, what was a pleasing lineup for Australia and balance to the team, the fact that I think key thing is that Nestoriaan Kunda started as well because he is such an outlet and whilst I don't think he was the most dangerous player And in on the evening struggling with which time of day to say. I evening for you, you can live live in the naturalet. That's what we're doing. Yeah, Johnny Boss was excellent down at Wingback, for example And look It's still a big achievement for them to qualify. for the next round and I would still place them in the category of underdogs every tournament they go to. and when you see how Teams like Scotland have performed where don't look like they have a structural plan. I mean, Tony Popovich has kept everyone guessing with his plan in every single game so far But yeah, the thing that caught the eye here was that the fact that Paragide went into the Australian box for the first time in the thirty eighth minute, and that was from a long throw. The main thing that stood out here was Just the number of thumping tackles and just seeing limbs flying into places that you wouldn't expect them I think the key emotion I saw, I don't know if you can name it as an emotion, but I just saw an awful lot of wincing throughout the game V much vitamin C. Yeah, that was us exxactly Yeahah. I mean, Paraguay pretty bleak mark. I mean, it's sort of Nciso and then ten blokes just running about Yeah I mean first two h. No the first half XG was zero point zero four which says a lot about how they sort of I was going to say attack the game, but that wouldn't be the right phrase. That was the way they went about the game. notot going to do them any favors. Diego Gomez probably the one player outside of NC so has got some creative juices. you know he He got a yellow card, which is going to rule him out of the last thirty two game as well, which like I said, not going to do them any favors. I was really offended by the ITV X. I hovered over the stream after about eighty six minutes and it asked if I wanted to watch from the start But No, was the a masoassic old. Imagine the masochist' went. Yeah, okay. I'll give this another guy. I really want to see the nuances of this game. Anyway, it all means that the USA pid Bosnia Australia will play the second in group G that That's the Belgum Egypt, Iran, New Zealand game and Paraguay mark likely to be Germany. So it is a big like that is that is such a big difference. presuming that Belgi, don't finish second in group G. Yeah, I think they should have. I think Paraguay sort of last five or ten minutes should have had more of a go. but yeah maybe they just st haven't got it in them. I suspect they'll also be missing Omar Aldoretta for their next game because I don't know if he finished the game, but he was suffer I think a bad injury I don't think one of his legs finished the game. The other one did, as far as I can tell it's some bravery to be on that. justust on the US as well, trust it really turned his ankle. that looked really bad later on didnn't he? But you know, they should be happy with the game against Bosnia in the last thirty two as Iready said, you know, Bosnia will park the bus And so it'll be interesting to see how they get on that'll do for part one, part two, we'll do group F Welcome part to the Gardian football weekly. So group F there the Netherlands win the group on seven, Japan five point Sweden in third on four. they go through Tunisia, zero not been a brilliant tournament for them. Let's start the game between Sweden Pan I supp it was a slly odd game because once the Netherlands were winning In the other game, it was pretty clear that had Sweden won, they'd play Brazil So they've So did they want, I mean, I was sort of thinking what a disastrous save by Suzuki to keep out ESAC injury time becausecause now Japan, played Brazil and Sweden probablybably have an easier thirty two. I mean, we don't know where they're going to go. There is a chance that they get France, which so you harder it would be harder. but It was another game where a draw wasn't a bad result for either team in the end and it ended in a draw, you know, which comes back to the issues with the format overall because Sweden wanting to make sure that they were one of you know, the teams that if you finish the four point you are going through. So you know, had they lost a game and started to chase it against Japan it could have got difficult for them It was sorry, like like if it's just two going through, it's a totally different footb match, isn't it? Like Sweden have to bomb on and go for it and it's just a much more entertaining game. Yeah, it definitely would you know, it would have been a very different game As it was, it was an even enough match. I think we saw from Graham Potter's team selection. that he was thinking a point was a good result was why he had to free up front with a langa Isak and Yocaz he also had Lindel off in central midfield to start the match. So I think he was more than happy to take the point. and Netherlands had race into that lead against Tunisia evenven had they not gone in front. I think Japan always knew that that was going to end in a Dutch victory. So they just maybe weren't going up full tilt either. veryy interested to see how they go on though against Brazil. I mean, that's not an easy last thirty two game for Brazil. that you know, a lot of the teams that have won the groups are going to have much more comfortable path you would have fought through to the last sixteen and It's definitely not gimmy for them. Someone who was giving it a go, Barry is Anthony A Langa. He didn't realize at the end draw was enough to go through and there was an amazing photo of him beating the floor in frustration. And Graham Potter said afterwards, Bess him. We did tell him Right I did notice I was sitting on the ground looking incredibly upset. I wasn't I didn't realize he thought Sweden had gone out. That that does make a lot of sense now. Yeah in a way quite good to not tell the players and they might go for it a bit more. but I mean he scored two really good goals in this tournament actually He has his goal here was just cut in from the right left footed shot r the keeper inside the post Really good strike or before that He's shown a few nice tricks down the wing but his final ball was often usually found wanting, which is been a hallmark of his game throughout the season with Newcastle. But yeah, he got his goals. so G I thought the Japan goal was outstanding as well. Yeah. Super finished by Dies in made after running on making a brilliant run on to a pass door Yeah, this was an odd game. I think All teams look be happy with the drall And then When Japan went ahead, Sweden said, right, we need to booker ideas up here. and then Sweden closed out the stronger they had good chances in a roll towards the end and didn't score any of them Yeah. I mean, that Japan gold arches Bat says is so beautiful. and the kind of football that we expect. from them now like that slick passing football and it will be so interesting to see that. how they approach the Brazil game. because I think they should take it to Brazil They have There excellent results at the Last World Cup, for example, against teams where When the other team's been on the front foot, then they've actually looks more comfortable. and them going out against Croatia in the end was actually because they had to take more of the initiative. and yet I think we've seen in how they've evolved since then that they do look more comfortable having more of the ball. You saw it also with The result against England in that friendly not too long ago as well. And the thing I find fascinating about this is that Since the start of this rec of this worldorld Cup cycle They've used eighty six players In terms of rotation, which amazing. It's like a Sunday Lague team where people were dropping out and you have to get your mate on a Saturday morning just before L it's so no one could complain that they've not I had at least a shot and Everybody seems so on the same page of knowing what their role is And and yeah, I think slick is is the right word for that goal and also because many teams can play that kind of football at international level who who look like they're capable of pulling that off So to be honest, I back Japan Brazil right now. I don't think that Brazil are in their most comfortable phase and I think that the games that they had against Haiti in Scotland those are. to weak opponents and A lot of things were going to have to come together after what happened against Morocco, but I think that Japan could be a real stumbling block for them I think so. And just one on Sweden is that Each and Gocoris together but they didn't really link up at all. So I'd be quite interested to see what Potter does in the The next round. Netherlands Bion is a three one Chinia down one for three minutes with a brilliant own goal, massive shin into the back of the net. Ar, you wanted a word on why Chinisia have been so bad. Yeah, so a good friend of mine is from Tunisia. and even before the first game began, I got a text me at four AM being like just waking up for this hate watch and I thought, lookook, it can't be that bad what you're about to see. And yet they have managed to disprove me in every game by conceding inside the opening ten minutes in every game and Look, from what I understand It's It's about a much bigger problem in Tunisian football about The infrastructure not being there and talent production because of underfunding of training centers and no long term vision. an overreliiance on finding players of dual nationality and crucially, no accountability within the Tunisian foootball Federation when things have gone wrong in the last few years, that Pull results to the national team at youth team level and at senior level. been continually brushed under the carpet and the culprits have never gone. And I think that When you see The noises of Eana was making even after one game being like, I'm not too sure I'm going to be here for much longer And you look at the fact that Tunisia have had twenty coaches in the last eighteen years You think Yeah somethingomething is not right and I felt at first, I laughed when I saw Ellias Sciri' own goolf because That's the natural thing to do, I think, when you see that. But then to be honest, that laughter turned to sadness because I thought He's not really to blame for all of this and they're having to continually carry the can for a a week Federation above them is Blazers in the National foootball Federation failing to take accountability not the hallmark of every single football federation on the planet Honestly, it certainly is in the Republic of Ireland football Federate and the FA This is the second conlusion I take, which is speaking to fans and journalists from so many countries ahead of this World Cup I realize it's just It's a real minority who is happy with their national football Federation I get that by their nature, they're difficult things to run and It' difficult to please everybody because you're having to represent so many parts of the country and obviously there's a pressure for success. but There were just so many poorly run ones it seems to be a criticism of so many teams where things have gone wrong and it It doesn't seem to land with the coachter There's so much which is going on higher up. I just think if you get a job, as an executive in a national FA, it's a very cushy gig So you're always going to be more concerned about keeping your own position than what is better for the National Federation or the national team or development, etcetera and so on. M you should have You should have used that as the job you would like to have done instead of the binman. I was thinking it's small it's those small well run countries ne Brentford, Brighton, Bournemouth. That's what they need to look at. Quick one on the Netherlands, Mark. You know, they've had a good group stage, Bobby scoring, my prediction for the golden boot. so where they actually think Well a difficult last thirty two game against Morocco The the good news is that if you get through that, it's Canada or South Africa in the last sixteen. So I think both of those teams will feel like win it and we've got an amazing chance of being in the quarter finals. This was a very easy game for them. I think Van Hecker who scored the third goal, I saw a stat saying completed now in that game he completed the most passes in any match so far at the World Cup, It was you know, there was no pressure on the sort of Dutch and like they've got good players. it just, you know, Japan, when Japan put them under pressure, They weren't great Netherland. So yeah, that game against Morocco looks quite close to me. So then group E, Germany top the group, six points C devoir also six points there second, Ecuador have four and a zero goal difference so there through and actually the scenes burry at the endu in New Jersey when Ecuador won You know, the full time scenes were brilliant the amount of cutaways to Ecuador fans crying was sort of beautiful Yeah, it clearly meant an awful lot to them It's only the second time they've ever qualified out the group stage And on the BBC TV coverage, Tim Vickory. Doy in of all things South American football He reckoned it was the greatest moment in the history of the Ecuadorian national team, even though it's the second time They've gone through I think I think he said and he clearly felt aggrieved on their behalf as well that they haven't been getting the rub of the green in this tournament And even in this game, they went gold down. to a goal that shouldn't have stooded they came back and won the game and hats off Nilsen and Gulo Jed talent. he's kept hidden thus far at Sunderland scoring a brilliant goal to equalize for them. Just as in asight, Sunderlands are very much on course to win the golden boot in this tournament I think they're only behind Paris and German so far and level with Leonel Mercy in the round of the goals. Iust imagine when Thomas Tul brings on Kevin Phillips, then they'll be absolutely buying, won't they? I mean on that first goal because I was so surprised, Mark I don't know how many replays you've seen, but he gets kicked in the face. This boot scrapes down his face and I don't blame the ref on the pitch, but I want the game to flow, right? It is conflict for those of us who don't want VAR, want the game to flow, but don't think you should be able to kick people in the face. Yeah, hands up I was eating my lunch during the first half of this game and you were with Rge Max on the WhatsApp group and I looked up once and it looked okay to me and I didn't know what you were going on about. I've since seen the incident again and yeah it should have been called back. It was dangerous play. feel like Var is generally being okay in this tournament I I'm not for it to be in the game, but you know, even when I think back to the Mbape penalty feels like ages ago now against Senegal and you know, Val quite rightly pulled it back to the referee and said you need to you need to have a look at this and the referee bizarrely said it wasn't a penalty. I think Vara done its job at that point and yeah, a rare misstep, but it wasn't it wasn't great varring, that's for sure No wasn't. Archie, your reflections on Germany so far. Kind of like the Euros in the started by thrashing a team. And then after that, things got a little bit tighter in in each game Big subplot. going on which you might not have heard about, where Yogen clot is an expert on on Magenta TV which is showing all the games in Germany And right at the start of the tournament when they were discussing with Thomas Muller Who should be in the Germany team? Clop made a throwway comment where he said lookook, thankfully Union Nzman is picking the team for now. And then he kind of went He kind of laughed. Did he then look at the camera and wink for now should have done. Yeah. He kind of did. he kind of did. But the thing is is that in Germany that That initiated a firework And it led to clots Turning up to the next to the first Germany game wearing a Germany shirt and at the end of the game against out he apologized to Yulian Nagazman on camera and he looked so nervous. It was so weird seeing Yogken Klop Grovel It's just not an emotion that you would expect to see from it. Now, obviously, the reason why this is so controversial is because it's expected that yogan clot would quite like the Germany job. And Thomas Mueller made the comment after he said it, was like, Oh well, we're not in September yet, Jurgen. So Yuli Nagsman has gritted his teeth through this. You can tell that he absolutely hates it And yet the criticism from Klop after the game today was that you know players are in too many positions. you didn't say this directly to Nagasman, it should be said, but I think that it was It's pretty good analysis in the The Germany team under the Yul Narsman it feels like The coach is the one trying to shine. rather than letting the players do their jobs. But also, I just don't know about the right mix. of attacking players right now. There's something wrong with the balance that they they did over the line against Ivory Coast, but they were quite fortunate. It could have gone the other way if Simona Dinger takes that that chance. So look. Oviously missingikochlobec for the rest of the tournament as well. That's a huge injury blow So yeah, I wouldn't be confident of Germany getting past France should they Should they make it offer A Aie, were you surprised that Stly Nag's Men only made two changes for this game. both of them enforced Because Germany's next game is on Monday I think and Like I know he said we didn't play enough games together in the buildu of the tournament so we want to play certainly no, but the fact that they lost isn't going to do a huge amount from around. a lot of these players look like they were looking after themselves, making sure Manuel Noer in particular, I would say Right, making sure enough to get injured ahead of the knockout stages The idea, as he said, was he wanted them to gell, but instead of gelling they They kind of congealed. It wasn't it It's difficult to take any positives of it. And when you see how Muricciio Pocertino approached the game, for the U.S in terms of the rotations If anything, it solidified who his starting lineup is whereas this is just only cast more doubt onto who people think should be starting. And particularly the center of midfield, Felix Neta, who's been great so far, had a really poor game It also just raised questions in Everyone from Dennis Uundav to Yazua Kimist to Jgenklop all said, look, it's very clear that Ecuador wanted it more. And Yulie Ngsman refused to admit that. He's like, No no, that Ecuador we werere just wanting to take more risks And I think you need everybody being on the same page from how they're saying things. And of course, you can say, well Sometimes cultures are just I just saying one thing in the media and another thing behind closed doors Yuli Nsman is always pretty truthful in terms of what he's in terms of the tone of what he's saying anywways. So I think there are a few concerns. Ivory coach B Cis out to Nil. So they make the knockouts for the first time. Where were we saying knockouts for the first time? The last thirty two is different but you know, they did come second in this group Mark so they would have got through had it been just the top two going through and that's really big for them. Yeah, Ppppe got both the goals. Monde on the left hand side I create the first I've got good players all over the pitch actually, sort of one of them teams that I hadn't considered much going into the tournament and then when they play their first game and you see the the starting eleven go I recognize him. I recognize him and all of a sudden like most of their players are playing a know a reasonably high level. The Ecuador game in their opening one was one that could have gone either way, but they managed to nig it. they played very well against Germany and definitely should have got something out of that game and then they've won this one comfortably. So they've got whoever comes second in that France, Norway next be a difficult game, but it'll be a difficult game for whoever's got to play them as well. Yeah, they've surprised me of how good they've been actually so far So Irastal pay, as you say probably supporting Norway Oh they'll be supporting France when they in the France Norway game because they play where comeome second Netherlands, Morocco, Ecuador most likely play Mexico. Just reminded we've got live shows first of September at Vica Street in Dublin, ninth of September Soho Theatre in Walthamstve. So come along to both of them please Guardian. co Uk. They'll be similar Comeing on to both Mway Guardian. co UK slash football weekly live. and in part three, we'll take a quick look at tomorrow's games part three of the Guardian Fotball week, Ire pretty aw that most of you listening while these games are you know Not quite starting, but happening. but Norway, France, Senegal, Irague in is that group that is group I, not group L. They do look similar. We've made that mistake before. Cape Verdy, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Spain in group H, New Zealand Belgium, Egypt, Iran in group G. takes your fancy Barry I'm very much looking forward to Norway, France and Uruguay, Spain. I expect like most people are. kept Furiday in Saudi Arabia as well. Fancy cap Vverle fancy their chances of beating Saudi Arabia and it be abbsolutely sensational if they made it into the knockout stages because I don't think anyone gave them a prayer at the start of the tournament It's good It's good because that's a win it takes all, right? They both need to win have a chance of getting through Yeah. And so those are the three that Jump out of me, certainly. I guess I was sort of looking forward to that New Zealand V Belgium game. I mean Probably for the wrong reasons in there Belgium haven't been very good so far and are under pressure to at least something out of the game maybe a draw will be enough, Bck Yeah, I think it's a game they'll expect to win, but They would have expected to have beaten Iran and they didn't and they they would have expected I think to have played better against Egypt and they didn't. So you know, not a particularly well coached team side's got sort of struggling center forward. in Rukaku Midfielder de Bryer who's trying to do everything because can see there's not that much kind of around him to help. So they're a team under under pressure really Belgium because it was it looked an easy group on paper before a ball was kicked and They're still not qualified and potentially danger of going out. I would expect them to be New Zealand, but They do need to improve, have been very poor so far. Archie Two things, wororth mentioning that Egypt Iran is in Seattle and this is the designated pride game So yeah, seeing how that all goes down is something I'll be keeping an eye on just want to mention with Spain that not actually something to do with the game, but probably my favorite clip that I've seen online of the World Cup so far, which is Borhari Gesias and Pedro Poro messing about playing a bit of basketball And Pedro Poro sinks one. And he turns to the camera and goes Michael Jackson And forankically, this double take thing Michael Jordan. So the clips I've been seeing. I keep seeing clips of Mexican fans either been sururprised with shirts or tickets to the game from their children and it's really and I'm a bit tired and emotional. they really get me going. I was watching quite a lot of those during Australia Paraguay. Rob writes I won't be the first or the last to point out the burritos contain beans, usually black beans. Mark even said it himself when he gave the contents of his burrito and shock horror beans and vegetables. and own goal. He's off the mark Keep up the good work, says Rob. I like refried beans. Reried beans are among my yeah favorite Your perions. ammong my sort of favorite foods from I have to go to the vegetable priest to confess, don't you when you've eaten a vegetable. It's been a big day on the vegetable front, Mark. talkalk to us. been big day on the food front, I think altogher to be honest, Max and started with Honey nut Cheerios every morning does Of course. I was up early this morning so I needed I needed a bridge between lunch and there was still some mac and cheese left. So I I polished that off u before lunch, I went for Panda Express for lunch It's kind of use. Sorry, this is a mac and cheese brunch, a sort of just bonus brunch. Yeah, it was yeah, a bridge. I' call it a bridge. Okay, the m Mac and cheese bridge. Take me to the. Panda Express for lunch B plates, so it had cllassic orange chicken also some short rib and some shrimp. Okay We've some egg fried rice which had o did have peas. You can't be taking them out, can you?'s a wor say. And then I had some chelm as well, which had very is But we still have lunch? Yeah, we're still on lunch. I mean, the people on Reddit have been worried about my diet can sleep easy now because I pololish off a load of greens. And then for dinner, Rory you, part of the backroom team on this podcast, he cooked a lovely lasagna for dinner. And he made a special one for you didn't a kids lasagna for you. He made one that was tomatoess for me. but I did have some of the salad that was on the side I could well. Believe it There you were with the tongues, picking tiny bits of lettuce and making sure to avoid any other not like s root. I will not be eating beet root no. Noted, noted. Okay. well, what a journey we're on Day for you. Lby I must in a lie, that lunch is quite exceptional, isn't it? Charlie and Joe right. Dear Max, Scotland fans were very disappointed by our los of Brazil on Wednesday night in Miami. However, very grateful that Barry managed to find time in his busy schedule to fit in a DJ set in a Latino club in South Beach to lift our spirits.' put it in the WhatsApp group, if you'd like to have a look, gents. On behalf of the Tan Army Please pass on our appreciation to Barry. We look forward Any details on future sets. There we are 'd say it's I'd say it's a sort of seven out of six out of ten. It's not who's that MP? Tom Watson? It's sort of A six out of ten Barry Or is it just a man with glasses, isn't it? And that looks like Le or Messi standing behind me That looks a lot less like me than the bloog who looked like Robert Snodgrass, who was Robert Snodgrass. looked like Robert Snodgrass. Yeah, noted, noted. but thanks anyway. And if you would like Marary to do a DJ set in a Latino club anywhere, Uh in I would say It has to be on suunset Boulevard because I'm not sure you've left Sunset Bouvard in the two weeks we've been here yet, Barry. So if there is a Latino club on Sunset Boulevard W you DJ on it? Okay, than you so much. Thanks for playing along And that'll do for today. Thank you everybody.. Thanks Mark Thank you, Max Thanks allchat Thank you. Cheers Berry. I don't know how to DJ. I suspect you just put on a mix tape and press play there might be more to it than that I'm sure they'll help you Th we could go down to Bostonova You know, that's on this street spin the wheels. Fer weekly is produc by Will Simon and Matt By Viny, our execive producer Jo Grove and Daniel Stevens and we'll back tomorrow This is the Guardian.