Football Weekly panel's park football match

This is the Guardian You want to get your backyard summer ready, but you don't want to break the bank? Wayfare gets it. planning on dining alfresco or relaxing poolside Wayfair has everything you need to prep your space. Shop now and save up to seventy percent off during Wayfare's fourth of July clearance. sccore huge deals on outdoor furniture, area rugs, and more. We're talking thousands of products for every style and budget. Plus, sururprise Flash Deals July sixth. Don't wait. Shop Wayfare's Fth of July clearance now through july sixth at wayfare dot com d Pay fair, every style, every home. This episode is supported by Boss, former wear provider for the US men's national soccer team. For soccer's biggest event this summer, the US is playing on home soil and Boss will be dressing the US players and coach Mauritiia Pocino in Boss performance businessinesswe for their off pitch appearances. Boss and the USMNT share the same values, discipline, precision, and the confidence to perform under pressure US fans can look sharp too in the boss performance collllection and wear their passion with special fanwar capsule and embroidered badges in national colourors. Own the moment with confidence, discover the boss performance collllection as worn by the US men's national soccer team and the fan capsule of jerseys, polos and jackets in national colors. Wear your passion, your way. Available now at boss dot com d Or at your nearest boss store, hashtag, be your own boss Hello and welcome to the Guardian Football Weekly. Scotland lose to Morocco in Boston, the Tartan arrmy have taken over the city, but Ishmael Saibari scored an absolute beauty to momentarily keep them quiet. The Scots rallied and pushed the Moroccans back. you felt like they'd get one chance but it never quite came. They are still alive, a point against Brazil. Let's hope they don't adopt the Haitian high line a good day for Matas Kunya. Th then ono Group D, An another excellent performance from the USMNT, the first time they've won their opening two games at a World Cup in almost a century They stormed out of the blocks and Australia couldn't cope The Aussies improved in the second half, but barely created anything. There's the Mystery England International we ended up playing football with on a random LA park. Your questions, and that's today's Guardian Football Wekly anel today with me in the studio, Barry Glen Denning. Hello, Max. Hello, Barry. In Dallas Lars Sivson, Hey Lars. Howdy And in Toronto, Sb Hutchinson, all right, S. How are you? Yeah, very good. D get some criticism but everyone is saying Howdy when it's yo is what we were told to say last, but I'm happy with howdy. I started the Howdy thing. Like there's no like if anyone else is picking that up, I'm actually in Dallas. I'm taking no Anyway. And I asked a Canadian, what's a good greeting for a Canadian to say just for this show And they said, how are you Now that's good I don't think Lars invented Howdy In the context of the pod this summer, I think I was first. I'm prepared to be corrected on that Let's start in group C. Brazil are top on four points Morocco, four points Scotland three. Scotland lost one nil to Morocco in Boston and I caught up with you and Marry just after full time The game's just finished or finished about ten minutes ago, youwan I thought they were so good in that second half Scotland Did you Yeah. well, they just there was a momentum, there was an energy. there was I mean, you tell me, right? I didn't care that much, but I felt like it was coming. Yeah, they were definitely better. I mean, they started off. they were obviously shell short as you would be losing a goal after Sventy one seconds. I thought Morocco were very good not first half. they were going to score every time they went forward And that obviously rattled Scotland. I actually thought Scotland finished the first half, okay. the Stopish timeingleimment the first half they got a bit more composure. And then second half. Yeah, I just thought they huffed and puffed. you know and Morocco could and probably should have scored another couple in a counter attack. So yeah, they were improved, but I didn't do really feel that Glden chanceces was going to come whet we're going to score it. And that wasn' that sort of cutting they don't do we score enough goals or cre enough chances, which is largely due that players to do or don't have, but that's where we're at Can you put your finger on why it took them most of the first half the sort. come to grips with the game. Yeah, I just think that earlily goo spooked them and I understand that. I think in years ago when those circumstances, the system that played surpriseed at this point teering in front of Robertson as a surprise, obviously to try W Hikimi threat down the Moroccan right So that was different and it was a surprise and they just didn't get a chance to get to grips with ar I go for the game because Morocco scores so early. So I do understand why I happ. I guess can they take confidence from the fact that You know, Morocco. Morocco got deeper and deeper. like like Scotland did ush push. I agree with you. they they never had the moment, but I don't know. I just felt the moment was coming. Can they take that into A game against Brazil. Yeah, well, what they can take into is this is still in their in their hands,, you know They didn't lose this game heavily. the goal difference scenario now was not Overly troublesome yet And I obviously there's there's a lot of ges to play and a lot of things to happen, but If they avoid a heavy defeat, you would think they should be okay to go through in three points. So you know, the pluses are they didn't fold, didn't collapse, especially in that second half as you said And this is still on for them. they're not they didn't lose three or nill and all of a sudden they're not way pre curious positions. So those are things that they will they will cling to, there's no doubt and I actually think Morocco who are very very highly rated and some very good players They' a bit forsrated, I think they never really killed this game off at all, didn' they No, I agree. I have to talkite the atmosphere. I mean, flour of Scotland sounded amazing U you know, from the TV, how was it for you Not fantastic. Yeahah. It's been Boston I you know, the Scotland fans will be sad to leave Boston. I think Boston will be sad when the Scotland fans leave. It's been It's been the perfect city, the perfect destination. And You know, the Tartan Army have made friends and influenced people all over. and I think sometimes you can go over the talk with the Scotland fans, but I don't think we can in terms of this scen and I was been in Boston, it's absolutely fantastic. and Yeah Fly to Scotland. I think maybe because it was a bit earlier in the day that had some impact as well. It wasn't the IPM kick offff, maybe people were a bit more lively And yes, that's here in the back of the neck takes stuff, there's no doub about that Yeah, sober and in tune. What was your pick of, you know Fenway Park? Fenway Park was amazing. wasasn't it? I don't know if there any other moments from from the the Boston takeover that really moved you. I went to see Delmiti in concert last night. That was good fun. packed with Scotland fans I in No just a whole's a great I don't know who we know Boston. it's a great city anyway, It's fantastic place and it' It's so walkable and tight but you know, European style city so You this thing with the Scotland fans absolutely everywhere. E corner every corner you turned and that's that's quite a sight and they are good natured. there's no problem. They enjoy themselves. and they do it in the right way. So it's just been Yes, it's been a good time to be Scottish and a very good city. Well, let we go againstrazil. Thanks for coming up out We might talk you soon. You were murriry then h I don't know, Baz. I thought Scotland were better in the second half than Ewen gave the impression that they were, but I mean, he's right the Huft and Puff never quite created that moment Well, they were better in the second half than they were in the first, but that's not saying much because they were Absolutely dreadful in the first completely rattled by that earirly Brilliant goal by Savari. I think they were so, so lucky go in at half time only one nill down because With better finishing Morocco could have been three, maybe four goals up It was up to Scotland to take advantage of that good fortune. And they did to an extent, they were certainly improved, but they didn't really have any clear cut chances I don't think you you and Y and spoke about penalty shouts They're both in the seene and given territory. I think both would have been soft And I think Scotland would have been outraged if similar penalties had been awarded against them Steve Clark seemed quite philosophical about it after the game. He wasn't particularly angry or anything. I agreed with him. I thought the McGin one was worse than the McTrominay one, but Yeah, above fifty fifties in my opinion. whileile their performance improved in the second half They didn't really start going for it until about sixty five minutes. and By that stage, most of their players were tired. Moroccans had sort of shut up shop a bit. So it's not a terrible result for Scotland. It could have been if they shipped three or four goals and they're still alive. That's That's al right, I suppose. We did have loads of questions actually last on those penalties. Kush saying I thought the officiating was me to be better this tournament Scotland robbed of a penalty Tom an England fan. Is that potentially the worst refereeing performance in any game of football ever? Wars said how many penalties should Scotland have had that? I'm sort of with Barry here. L in the moment, the McGinn one, I thought that looked penalty ish to me, but Totally sure Yeah, I think the McGgin one they're unlucky on. I've also kind of come down on I kind of think that's a penalty. But also it's extremely hard to take comments like is this the worst referee performance ever type stuff seriously? becausecause you hear that after every time someone doesn't get a decision they want, it's kind of a little bit nonsensical But I will I will definitely put it down to unfortunate the Mcgin one. Is it one of those that doesn't quite meet the threshold for VAR interference? It exists in that sort of weird gray zone that if it gets given, VAR definitely doesn't overturn it but maybe it was deemed to be not wrong enough to interfere. Cta be honest, I'm edging towards thinking it probably was wrong enough that the men in the booth should have gotten involved. It looked an awful lot like a penalty to me. I'm with you and Barry on this, I think, Max but When I saw both incidents, I think I always go in real time and think, does it make me go Oh o come on, come on If I'm not supporting one of the teams, right? And when I saw the Mcgin one in particular, I just thought If the referee iss not giving it on the field, it's not going to be overturned. When you see the replay, he does get nudged to the ground, but It just doesn't convince you. you want to be convinced if you're going to overturn things. That's what I believe anyway. And I think the VAR set up That's what they believe in both in this tournament and obviously in the Premier League and UAF they're all on this line now trying to keep this bar high. So you just have to get the referees's attention during the game. and I think you need more than that. But as you say on another day, they might have got it and it would have stayed. The worst decision refereeing performance ever line is just so tiresome every time you hear it because You know it's just drowning in bias, obviously So That's just the way these things go, isn't it? I mean, I guess Lars, the thing that Scolar can be abused about is that performance was The second half was better than the Haiti one. Yes. I suppose it is better being second best to a very, very good Moroccan team than it is to sort of labor against Haiti. It is an upgrade. and there was you're not I don't completely disagree with you Maxion that they were building some kind of momentum towards the end. I just think Marocco looks like a really good teams technically sharp across the board. and you always had the sense that they had extra gears that they could go to if they wanted to. Well there was still just one game in it. a penalty can happen you know, the stuff there there, But in the N Scotland just didn't create a lot, even though they got better Next up, I guess is Brazil in Miami. Is it that'll be fun and moist and humid, tremendous for all the family Brazil who now kind of need the points because they did drop points against Morocco. That's not ideal either. You still have a game. You still got to believe, I guess, even though I just feel it's quite disappointing on the field Scotland have been almost as disappointing on the pitch as the fans have been good off it. I think that's not entirely unfair. Yeah. And you I mean, Barry, you've mentioned Just the scenes we've seen from all over Boston have been so great. I'm loving it watching the clips on Instagram of Scots men in and women in Fenway Park. I would love to have been at that game Scots men and women on a boat in Boston Harbor, I guess and it was called Freedom, the boat G And just them in various bars, them marching through a park, them marching to Fenway Park They have been having a lovely time. The people of Boston love them and don't want them to leave But they are leaving now because they're off to Miami and the people of Boston can now look forward to welcoming England fans next week. So that's something for them to Radish That dare you bry I think I wanted Scotland to score so much in the last minute because the noise would been absolutely. just this slow build, this slow build. there was that moment where I thought Lyndon Dykes had volleied one in the top corner, but actually a defender had kicked it out for a corner. Anyway, said we should mention we should mention the Sybari goal because he he almost got a ball stuck in a stanion in a goal that doesn't have a stanion. It was that good. It was a lesson in when you have a player with so much confidence in their finishing, he seems to be a player right in his moment He had no doubt. all we had to do was connect with that ball and there was no chance for Angus Gunn. And I think in many ways that sums up the situation in Scotland and Aan. I mean, Angus Gunn barely played last season, it's a really tricky for you to then come into a tournament and feel like that you're up to the pace in that way and Morocco actually, I looked at the game slightly differently when I sa I thought Morocco probably would be slightly disappointed because they started so well and they seem to be in a flow and they seem to be really dangerous And I just wonder in the second half that there were some doubts in them. I know they' cent to half pairing really hasn't had much football either and isn't it's probably the weaker area of their team. but they have such high technical level and a high belief and I just wanted to see a bit more from them m actually during the game because Scotland were fortunate not to be a few goals behind in the first half an hour. but after that they pushed and pushed and I don't think they ever felt like they were going to threaten Morocco's defense, which probably makes them come out of this thinking mayaybe we could have won by more, maybe we could have got more out of it. And I worry for Scotland in the sense that because they only beat Haiti one nil We say one win might be enough. it really might not be because they could end up with a minus goal difference if they lose to Brazil. In fact, they will. So That's the tricky situation they're in, but it wouldn't be easy. It would' be Scotland if it was easy, would it Good simple maths there from you set as well. Yes, Las There is a little thing that's maybe worth observing with Morocco in that played two games now and Actually, we can include the pre tournament friendly against Norway, the pattern was a little bit the same. They were all over us in the first half and really were quite a lot better than us, but faded in the second half. I know that was a friendly, subs were made, etcetera. but Same thing against Brazil. they were really good in the first half and had more chances could have score more goals. Brazil grew into that took over in the second half. Okaykay, they're Brazil. They're very good. That'll happen. but As much as I kind of think Morocco probably had gears they could have gone to if they needed to It is true that Scotland managed to build some momentum. And I wonder if that's in some way related to the fact that they're now pressing more than they used to do under the previous coach Walid Rigawi, I guess, I'm beting that name, I apologize, but the guy who was in charge before up until the Afon who took them to the seemis and Qatar, They were quite conservative, quite cagey, under the new coach who used to be in charge of the sort of underage international team They are now much more proactive and pressing. I have a deep suspicion of teams who try to press high for too long in this tournament because I think people are just going to run out of gas if you're trying to go deep into the tournament playing that way the pitch Ashraf Aimi, he did play. the news today is that French prosecutors have confirmed he will stand trial for rape. A woman accused him of Rping her at his home in Paris In twenty twenty three Hakimi wrote on social media on Friday, the justice system looked me in the eye and said, if you weren't famous There would never have been a case. I chose to remain silent for years. I believe that maintaining my dignity, being patient and trusting in the justice system wouldould it allow the right decisions to be made. Today, a story that isn't mine is being told at the expense of my family, my life and above all the truth I sometimes feel like I've become an easy target. I've been waiting for this trial since day one And now I'm eagerly awaiting it. Finally, I will be able to speak Rachel Flor Pardo, the plaintiff's lawyer, said in a statement after more than three years of legal proceedings And after my client was, in her view, defamed and dragged through the mud by Ashraf Hikimi's defense, this decision brings her relief and hope. relelief that she's been heard by the justice system and will have the right to a trial, hope that this trial will help other women and further weaken the wall of denial and impunity surrounding sexual violence, including in the world of men's football. A dayate hasn't been set for the trial And that'll do for part one. We'll do Brazil's win over Haiti in part two Hi pod fans, Max here Barry here too. Hello Weekly is supported by Gradient FC. Now Barry, with the World Cup underway, we know player performance will be under a microscope. fromrom superstars cementing legacies to upstarts vying for big summer transfers. But with forty eight teams and up to six matches a day, it's hard to catch every moment and that is where the Gradient FC app shines. Their player rankings update daily during the World Cup, so you know whose performances are trending up down on the world stage How does it work? Well, Gradients rankings use the same grades trusted by clubs across Europe's top leagues for player recruitment. Each match is graded by a team of experts who evaluate over two thousand actions per match, not just by outcome, but by execution. So for example, a completed pass that leads the receiver into danger is graded negatively, while one that puts the receiver in on goal is graded positively Now I know you hate making match predictions, Barry, but maybe all that could change at the World Cup with Gradient FC with head to head player comparison tools that show who's best across more than a hundred grades and metrics. It's easy to build and defend any prediction. And here's something else that will appeal to you, Barry. It's free Fantastic. Explore it for yourself at gradientfc d. com or download the grradientFC app from the Apple Store or Google Play You want to get your backyard summer ready, but you don't want to break the bank? Wayfare gets it. Panning on dining alfresco or relaxing poolside Wayfair has everything you need to prep your space. Shop now and save up to seventy percent off during Wayfair's Fourth of July clearance. sccore huge deals on outdoor furniture, area rugs, and more. We're talking thousands of products for every style and budget. Plus, sururprise Flash Deals July sixth. Don't wait Shop Wayfare's Fourth of July clearance now through july sixth at wayfare dot com d Way fair, every style, every home. Welcome to part two of the Guardian Fotball Wekly. So also' Gotland's group, Brazil three Haiti Nil in Philadelphia. Haiti Hung on for twenty odd minutes, but I started to think Oh, you never know. like they keep the ball well, they move the ball well, they attack well, but in the end it was all Quite straightforward for Brazil It was straightforward by Brazil, but I still wasn't that impressed with them, I have to say. and I think even after they'd gone a goal up, I just made a note that their midfield Casamio, Bruno Kimer is and Lucas Paketa would get eaten alive by the midfield of a better team. I was even thinking Scotland midfield are possibly better than this lot But then Gimas and Packeter went on to set up couple of nice goals and they did visibly improve after they'd scored their opener. While it was a very, very comfortable win for Brazil and Haiti are now officially out, they can't progress I wasn't hugely impressed with them. I think Haiti kind of the highline you alluded to in your intro was their own doingoing and they Brazil we're pinging balls over the top and Vinny Ji. was was making hey Rfinia untally went off with apparently a haammy, which presumably will rule him out as the tournament, rest of the tournament unless he's very lucky. My concern for Scotland would be that Their defence is a bit sketchy as well and Brazil could do similar damage again. I'll be interested to see how Steve Clark sets up against Brazil. I presume he will being a natural pragmatist try and play for a draw Yeah. I mean, tricky because Brazil need to win because they know Moroc Morocco play Hait and Haiti are out. So it should be pretty straightforward for Morocco. you think? Where do you stand on Brazil then Lars? Not as good as well, I don't know how good you thought they were. so you know No I stand with Barry. I stand with Barry and I also kind of thought watching this game that Haiti are kind of unfortunate to have gotten both sort of Brazil, Morocco and kind of also Scotland in their group because out of the minnows, I think they look decent. I really think if that have gotten there's a few other groups in this tournament that if they were the fourth team in there, I'd kind of I think they could have actually done something in this tournament. They're really not that bad at all And The fascinating thing is to see what what Ancelotti does here because I don't think it is really working that well. I think Kuna was busy. I mean, that was the big change starting Kuna. He scored one, really good one, and one ra scruffy one. And I did actually want to raise this with the panel. Celebration police, not the most popular police in the world But I do think una during the full surfer celebration after scoring a goal that was basically the defender booting the ball at him and it got flying in Is that on? Are we having that? I think there should be a panel for celebration justification arbitration. or something catchy that should look at this because and maybe like if they're found to have been spurious celebrations or excessive celebrations, the players should be made to wear a silly hat or something for the next game. there should be something because I'm not sure I'm having that If I can throw my hat in with superintendent Siveron of the celebration please, I would also like to test against the involvement of substitutes running on to the pitch to celebrate. Okay, down with this sort of thing. And what time of the tournament is that acceptable, Barry, do you think? Last minute of a knockout game Yeah O, but only if they're down in one corner. If I could add to Chief Superintendent Sivton's idea, could the silly hat be the silly hat that the woman from Selling Sunset was wearing? When we saw her filming, which meant our swimming pool was closed because I'd quite like to see Matas K're in that sort of see through black hat that she was wearing. What was it like I didn't see the hat and she wasn't wearing a hat when I met her in the elevator Was it like a grieving widow? was grieving widow sort of lattice and sort of quite Sort of it sort of undulated like a fairway and it was really quite large But I did I went to ask the production team what was happening and they looked at me like I was a piece of muck those guys. Sb, just that question on Brazil, which I think is interesting, which is trying to gauge how good Brazil are. We have two members of the panel saying not that good. No, no. I think I said it the last time I was on the pod that' evenven on paper and then watching it was one of the worst Brazil sides I've ever seen. But yet this was the oldest Brazil side that they've named a tournament I think since ' sixty two and That says to me that it's interesting on a conf few levels because they also then brought on two very young players in Ryan Endrick There just doesn't seem to be if somebody is trying to name a Brazil side, they really struggle to do it. And I know they've always had this case because they've got such a large pool, but it's often the pool is large with a lot of quality Whereas we're now in a situation where we're looking at a Brazil squad and thinking, I'm not scared of them. as an opposition. And even in the second half, they didn't have an effort on target. I know they had another goal dis allowed, but the stats say they didn't have an effort on target Can they maintain a high performance against the best teams in this tournament? It did get me thinking if the US the way they're playing had played Brazil to in this tournament so far wouldould they have blown them away? I something is I never thought I'd say this, but it feels that way. I feel that they're really not at it And it will take one very good side to knock them out and a side that really believes they can. I just can't see them going very deep in this tournament. While we're on down with that sort of thing, down on Allison for saving that header. It would have given Haiti their first goal of this tournament And even though he was offide, Martinelli had shot that Johnny Pled, my favorite goalkeeper in the whole thing tipped onto the bar is absolutely sensational. Okay, then group D then, USA two, Australia Nil in Seattle. I caught up with US soccer editor Alex Abnos and Guardian Australia's Jack Snake post game. They were in the same stadium, but if you're watching on YouTube, you'll see they joined separately because of the huge animosity between these two nations All right, then Alex first time US have won the first two games in the World Cups sinces nineteen thirty. I mean, that's pretty huge isn't it? It's absolutely gigantic Max. I mean this is a team that really had hoped to capture the attention in the hearts and minds of the American public and I think with these two performances so far, they've given them a lot of reasons to cheer. There's a lot of positivity in this team. There's a lot of good momentum about this team. That's not something you can say about our U.S World Cup team all that often I can't recall the vibes really ever being higher for the U S at a World Cup, then than they are right now Yeah. How was Pot afterwards He was good, you know, he's it was actually strikingly kind of similar to the way he was after the for one against Peredway. You know, he's trying to downplay, I think as much as he can. I don't think he wants the players to get carried away Even though this result definitely means much more than the first one did, it qualifies the United States for the next round. It's I don't think if there's been a time in the modern history of the World Cup where the US has qualified for the World Cup with a game to spare U He's obviously very happy with the team. He shouted out Alex Freeman who scored the second goal and his development in a short period of time. But overall, you know, he's not getting carried away and nor should he, you know, there there are still hopefully many games to come. I meanwhile, Jack this was pretty flat from the soc Rs, wasn't it? I mean, I I don't know if Popa got the team selection right. That's the big question, I guess, isn't it What a let down, hey. We've been so looking forward to this game and it felt like in that first half, Australia didn't really even show up. But big question was over those two key selections play T A Lague men players, Nishan Valupole and Matt Lecky in those key inverted winger roles. He took off he started those guys instead of the two guys who scored against Turkey. So It makes it very hard to defend that selection decision And it felt like he himself realized that maybe he'd made an error When at halfftime it's two Neil he's making a triple substitution. But look the soccerers they improved a little bit in the second half. They're still in with a shot of progressing out of this group. So there's a lot of anticipation towards that game against Paraguay next week Yeah. And did Papa say anything afterwards about getting it wrong. He has not admitted any fault, but he's not particularly talkative Tony Popovic. You won't get anyone in the Australian squad criticizing Hobovich and his elections There was just a degree of frustration, right? They don't know really why they didn't turn up, particularly physically in that first half. They were just battered by a brilliant US performance Fortunately, they've got a lot of optimism that, you know they've got that result in the bank against Turkey and now they can really focus on this paraguade game and and hopefully take it to the round of thirty two Yeah. And Alex, we know Seattle is like a great place. It's like a hot bed for football in the U.S. What was the atmosphere like? It was incredible. and I have to say It was incredible. obbviously, plenty of support for the US. It was loud. There was a military flyover of these helicopters that really sort of like got everybody amp for a game that ended up not really ever springing fully to life. It was never really as competitive as I think a lot of people wanted it to be But the support throughout was incredible They were loud, they were chanting, they were cheering. I have to also take my cap off to the Australia fans that did make the trip. they were Also very loud and very obvious it's tough to be U, DAA fans in an environment like that. And I think they showed out pretty well Granted, it was much easier to tell them apart than it was the Paraguay fans because the colors are very different. They were all wearing yellow and it was very obvious who was an Australia fan in the crowd. But overall, it was a great environment I almost wish the game were like a little bit more competitive for most of it, but overall, you know, you can't complain about the amount of crowd noise and the investment in the game that you could see pretty much everywhere How have you found that needle, Jack? that sort of weird rivalry that has emerged from between the US and Australia I think we're talking about the Seattle space needle. I believe that's the the skycrape in the middle of Seattle.. I have not been up the top of the space needle U But the rivalry between Australia and Uh and the stites You actually saw it in the game in that second half. It did start to get a little bit testy and U That's kind of what we want as Australian fans. the we want this team to be be be putting it all out there. really pushing the boundaries when it comes to the U the challenges, of physicality making the referee make tough decisions. And really it took us probably an hour to get to that point today. And that's one of the biggest disappointments because that's something really we should be getting right for the first minute Yeah, we go again the Aussies. But but thank you Chaps That's great stuff, cheers Alexy, Jack Thank you Max Jes Mackax Alex and Jack there. That's a joke. they get on very well. It's okay. You mentioned the US. that said when you were talking about, you know, could they see off Brazil? There was so much chat before this game about the needle was the US saying this will be easy for us and Australia getting annoyed about it. And it turned out it was just easy for the US And they're full of confidence. they're brimming with confidence. and It's incredible. I People did not see this coming from them, but it feels like they've all bought into the Podartin way. And when we've seen that work themame in the past, it's been so effective And they don't even need, it feels like a tournament at the moment where obviously the team feels bigger than the individual And that's going to take them a long way. Well What I would say of course, is their group feels particularly low on quality compared to some of the other groups. I think we're seeing that already. As we speak, I don't know if we're allowed to even mention the Turkey Turkey Paraguois game but they seem to be struggling in that Turkey. I mean what is going on there? And I would have looked on the surface and thought Turkey would be the toughest opponents for the US, but that may not come to pass. It could be out by the time they play them So There is then an lim to that and we have seen in previous tournamers before where a side looks fantastic in the group stage and one knockout game kills the dream, the Netherlands in oo eight, Brazil in ' eighty two whatever it might be. because they're at home, because they've got this this power behind them, they're full of running, they're playing for each other. They even have this in the attacking areas, you feel that they can rotate quite well because they're all in that groove and they've all bought into what Poatino wants Wherever you look around the pitch and you think, is that player good enough? and you see these players in European football and you think of someone like Dest. And he looked absolutely incredible in this game It is I suppose the tingle is the opposition and that does tick away at you. Are they playing? side who could probably deal with this pressure that they're applying for a period and then pick them off you know, getting behind him Rem or whatever. So we'll see what happens. But now to w the ride this wave is great for the tournament of course is and I think we want the US. to go deep into the tournament, maybe from an English point of view, not win it, but and make it feel like a special competition. We are allowed to mention Turkey Paraguay. It's not a secret. ye, it's happening while we record. Paraguay currently won the left we willll talk about that game tomorrow. I mean supp the point is Lars that and Sb alluded to it There is There is a big difference in quality between the US side and the Australian side. If you think of McKenney Adams Dk Robinson they've got loads of players that are just better than anyone in the Australia side So for me, the remarkable thing about these two games is how similar they played out because they were both games against an opponent who we expect wanted to sit in, maybe not full park bus, but actually possibly full park bus. I mean, that's Paraguay have been very defensive and solid in the qualifying phase and have been successful at that. Australia were very bus parky against Turkey and were very successful at that But in both of the games, the US got an early goal, an early on goal, as it happened. and that open things up a bit because suddenly the opponent had to come out and they had space to play. Now I am US positive. I think they look I completely agree with the assertion that they look like a Potertino team with the pressing with the energy, with the quick little interchanges they set up But what happened in both games looked a lot to me like the players were told at halftime to okay, try to slow the tempo down a bit. We're not going to press like lunat takes for forty five more minutes. We're going to try to keep the ball a little And that they are not very good at. and the games didn't fully get away from them, but the second halves were not as convincing at all. And you see Oftentimes like some slightly weird decisions being made on the ball, I think they they seem to be a lot more comfortable when they're going full belt They don't seem super comfortable when they're defending out of possession and they don't seem super good at taking down the tempo in possession. and Is that a big problem against Australia and Paraguay, maybe no, but against stronger opponents It could be because I don't think you can play at full pil. I mean, I'm going to sound like a broken record. I don't think you can do full press. here we go every game for us of this tournament because I don't I think you're going to run out of juice. As I would the caveat would be that the games kind of fell into a pattern that really suited them and they lost a little bit of control in the second half in both games in a way I didn't love. But it is still better than I think most people, including myself were expecting from the US before the tournament. And at their best, they've been very, very good Meanwhile, Australia, Barry, I mean, Already sort of every Australian X proro I've seen big into you going Why not pick the two guys that scored? I know football isn't that simple, but in everything that Pubovz got right against Turkey and played an attacking line upp even th they did defend a lot with pace and I andcunda playing He didn't do that here and it just You know, the two guys he brought in the two old A league. you know, veterans and they It just didn't work. Yeah, I think he made a mistake. and he rectified it or tried to rectify it at halfim, but it was sort of too late by then I was a bit stunned when I saw they hadn't been selected. If nothing else, it gives the Australian defence who we know are going to be under pressure. gives them outouballs. their confidenceces sky high because they both scored And yeah, I think it was a mistake. Australia were absolutely diabolically bad in the first half of this game They improved a bit in the second half, but not enough. and I think on eighty minutes. Parch made a few subs just shut the game down and that was it the highlight after that was when the referee, Felix Weer went down with cramp and had to be attended to by Australia's Aidel Neil who did the pushy push pushy pushy thing on his outstretched foot and leg U so presumes Wayne reallyudy got thought that was a disgrace that's very man gets cramp at having run around in well, I don't know how hot it was. I' going to guess it was pretty hot for you know, ninety six minutes Fair play. It's allowed to get cramped, isn't it? The best thing is the BBC have this feature with graphics fromom the eighties. like someone said it looks like a dire Straits video and the ref getting cramped is just he can't deal the graphics cannot deal with this rare flying on the ground It's very, very fun. I don't think I've ever seen a ref get cramped before Visibly have to go go down and get treatment. sure. fromr one of the players. Yeah, you sort of think you should be allowed to just Yes Yes. we have confirmation from our intrepid reporters on the ground on what kind of juice the referee was handed as he was lying on the ground struggling with this this cramp I feel like that's the big story today. To alleviate the symptoms of cramp, it's not prune Is it prune juice maybe? You want something salty, don't you pickle juice, apparently? Oh pickle juice, that's it, ye, yeah. prune juice just shit. Yeah. that doesn't need that. Felix didn't need to shit himself after having cramp, did he? Anyway That'll do for part two Part three we'll look ahead tomorrow's ges You want to get your backyard summer ready, but you don't want to break the bank? Wayfair gets it, planning on dining alfresco or relaxing poolside Wayfair has everything you need to prep your space. Shop now and save up to seventy percent off during Wayfair's Fourth of July clearance. sccore huge deals on outdoor furniture, area rugs, and more. We're talking thousands of products for every style and budget. Plus, surprise Flash deeals July sixth. Don't wait. Shop Wayfare's Fourth of July clearance now through july sixth at wayfare dot com d Pay fair, every style, every home. What makes a leader worth following? What should you really care about in your job as technology is changing so quickly? Is it just going be about machines talking to other machines? I mean, should you quit your job and start something on your own? What would that take? What does success and risk look like when we're all at the starting gate together? These are the questions we answer each week on lead human Myers and Tim Spangler. Join us each week and subscribe at your favorite podcast platform and YouTube We'll tell stories We'll hear from some of the best and we'll try to figure this out together Welcome to part three through the Gardian Fotb weekly. live shows in September, then first of September Vicer Street, Dublin, ninth of September, Soho Theatre, Waltham Sto. comeome along, please Guardian. co dot Uk slash Football weekly live at tomorrow we've got The Netherlands Sweden, Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador Corassau and Tunisia, Japan Las, Netherland Sweden is visually beautiful. how do you think the game will be I think it could be fun. I thought the Dch the Dutch were not mega fun against Japan. They were a little bit sort of conservative and boring and played safe, but they also didn't look super comfortable when Japan were kind of counter attacking on them. And that is what the Swedes will be looking to do. I mean, they'll be looking to try to keep reasonably solid sort of organization off the ball and try to hit people on the counter with Yocarez and with Isac. And that that fared very well for them against an admittedly appalling Tunisia team. But I think the Swedes cannot be fully discounted. The Dutch were kind of boring against Japan, kind of underwhelmed by what they brought to the party there, but they do have a fair bit of quality. So I think you could be an exciting game, I'm trusting my scandy brethren. Germany Beakus are seven one, so our first chance to see them against her Dent opponent. said you're covering the game against the Iory Coast for ITV. How do you see it Yeah, it's funny after a team win seven one, you think about their vulnerabilities, but I watched Dne thought you can get to this Germany team partarticularly the center halfves and I want I think about you know, Yonaton Tar And he's somebody prides himself in the physical challenges and going toe to toe with strikers. but For center halves to have that attitude, you always think to yourself, well, they just have to make a mistake once and they're in big trouble. And in that Cuso game, there were a few occasions where Corusal got in between the center halves and the fallbacks and could stretch Germany. Now I think this ivory coast side, this Cot d vois side is built to take advantage of that They are team that actually looked defensively very good against Ecuador and they were defensively good in qualifying But is they're attacking players. They've got some exciting players. and I'm sure Damand has been spoken about and we know he's set for a big move in this squad, I wonder if they again it's I feel there's a belief thing going on. We mentioned it about Morocco and how long these sides can maintain a high level across a whole game. I hope Ivoryhos can do it in this one because they could really trouble this Germany side. I think In a transitional situation, I think Germany are very vulnerable. Now on the ball, they can play some pretty stuff You just watch them and you think I'm not entirely sure. And also Nooyer as we say, he was barely tested against Cusel. we had a couple of moments of that game where you just thought, well, that's classic noer when he's not having a good game. I mean I remember picking the ball up and just throwing it bowling out straight to a T sound player who then had a chance to shoot and go. and I just think Germany but I wasn't convinced even though they had such a dominant display. So this is what makes this game so intriguing to me because Ivory Co certainly have the weapons to harm them. whoever comes second in this group will probably face whoever comes second in England's group so that would be Croatia or Ghana, you'd imagine So I think common second in this group It wouldn't be the end of the world by any stretch imagination. W be right. I'd take Croatia again on the evidence of what I've seen so far. Maybe England should come second If we had the choice sort of Ecuador I mean, will Germany be Ecuador, though, that's the other thing. mean they might not even finish second So runner up in group E is versus runner up in group I. Oh, I told it was ll. Oh There are so many groups, the letters are wrong. Anyway Is it not R? Is it not group R? The I and the L looks very similar. It depends whet it depends whether it's all caps or not if you s like if it's lower caps, it looks the same. No I'm very invested in this Because there's a pretty high likelihood well it's a likelihood anyway that the runner up in group I is going to be Norway. Now that last thir last thirty two game will be played here in Dallas at which point theres a there's a chance I might get in. So if this happens, it'll be my brave Viking boys versus probably Ivory Coast or Ecuador. So I've got a very keyen eye on these games. All right, then let's get on to any other business. Dany says My wife finding out a main member of the Slling suunset cast is now back on the show due to Max and Barry doing some Hollywood reporting. wasasn't on my bingo card this World Cup, but hey ho. Apparently we nearly broke that as an accidental exclusive. We were pipped to the post by Do I say TMZ or can I say TMZ? What do the kids say somebody