Predictions for Upcoming World Cup Matches

Sking Pushing izing creating, learning, discovering At A RAMCco, we believe in harnessing the power of data to push the limits of what's possible. That's how we deliver reliable energy to millions across the world. Ar RAMcoO, an integrated energy and chemicals company And leararn more about us at arramco. com Ready to experience something new All Trails helps you find your next hike. Whether you're looking for something nearby or planning a trip, read reviews from real people like you to choose your trail and know what to expect You can also download the map in case service gets spotty Plan and experience your next hike with all trails. The app for exploring the outdoors. Download it today and find your outside This episode of the TFo Football podcast is sponsored by Boss, businesswar provider for the US men's National Soccer team. Long before kickoff, the performance has already begun. For the players, the crest is not simply won, it's earned. Boss understands what it takes to build something worthy of a crest. constant refinement, precision in every stitch, and as the US men's national team Steps into the spotlight on home soil, Boss is outfitting those who wear the badge, empowering them to step forwards with confidence, express their individuality, and be their own boss in relaxed, lightweight and breathable tailoring from Boss pererformance. And soccer fans, Boss has you covered too, whether you want to look and feel as sharp as your heroes in Boss performance Or show your pride from the stands, in jerseys, polos and jackets in national colors and badges. Own the moment with confidence. discover the boss performance collllection, as worn by the U.S men's national soccer team and the fan capsule of jerseys, polos and jackets in national colors. Wear your passion your way and be your own boss at boss. com or at your nearest boss store He welcome to the TFO Football podcast. I'm Joe Devine and today I'm delighted to be joined by JJ Bow. W! There he is, what energy he's bringing to a late live stream. Also here is our friend newsman Colin Mila. Hey Colin. Hello Joe Devine. How are you doing okay? I'm very well, how are you? I'm well, thank you. I'm well. Now let me tell No one cares Oh What do we talk about on today's stream? Well, before we get to that, let me tell you. we're recording this podcast immediately after the Belgium Egypt game has finished. So we' before Saudi Arabia or Urguay, that's up next. We don't know what's happened there yet. and Iran, New Zealand. So if you're listening to this podcast later on or the next day, that's just so that you know where we are in time. It's like a Chris Nolan movie, isn't it Yes How about that? Now. Oh were you gonna say more? Ah, yes. I like because I thought it would help. Thank you. Thank you very much. Now let me also tell you that we're live on YouTube right now and that we're live streaming throughout the World Cup. There's a couple of different things that we're doing. One is that we're doing some live watch alongs, a little different to the type of shows that we normally do. We watch the football and you can watch it with us. sit there and listen to us I would say today, probably sixty percent of the time we talked about the game, forty percent of the time, JJ was doing an improvised video to how to make a cheese sandwich And I think that's what the people want. I think people enjoyed that bit. They did, didn't they. We also read excellent football jokes at every drinks interval, every hydration break. So join us for that. If just lo into YouTube just for that bit and then back out again, you'll be absolutely fine. Anyway. We do that on the athletic FCs YouTube channel And then we do our TFO football podcasts every day. We do them live on the TFO Football YouTube channel where you join us now And there's also a live chat here today. So hopefully we we'll get a few questions thrown over to me from producer Ryan What did we talk about on today's episode? Well Cape Verd earned the biggest shock at the tournament so far. That was mighty fun, wasn't it? Holding Spain to a nill nill draw. We talk about that Egypt performed impressively against Belgium, holding the ninth rank team in the world. to a one one draw. Do you remember where Egypt are in terms of rankings Yes, I do. But I'll let Colin Talk no, goodood shout, Colin Do you want to guess where they are? Egypts are right the forty eight teams? No, no, just their field ranking. their f of ranking are I would say twenty, probably top fifteen. twenty nine. twenty nine. twenty nine. Oh wow. May mayaybe the hop up today, I don't know how the FFA rankings work. But anyway, we talked about that.'re gonna We didn't talk about it yet. It's just that I'm so used to doing the intro at the end that I'm describing things that we haven't yet talked about as though we have talked about them. We played a Rndo in the future. That's gonna to be I won. And you won. Yeahah, look out for that Sweden hammered Tunisia five one late last night and there's some stories out there about Tunisia's coach. I'm hoping that Colin will be able to address those because I am confused about what's happening. Hopefully you're less confused than me Who's the best team in the tournament so far? That has cutable cuttleness about it, doesn't it? Be we've only got forty minutes to do this in. And also last night Ivory Co be Ecuador, which we're going to talk about Yandy Amande a little later, any other breakout stars from the World Cup two, pllus a little bit of points to Bad. Also emminently cutable. So there you go. that's it And when I'm editing this a little bit later on tonight, this is where I'll add some more music Spain, Cape Veti, Spain, Nil Neil, Cape Verd. I'm trying to train myself to say Cape Verd. I keep saying Cape Verde, but it's right that it's Cpe Verd, isn't it? Cab Verd because it's in Portuguese. Yeah, so I think they changed. they officially changed the name toab Cabo Verde. Right. About ten years ten, fifteen years ago. the government ch. Cabo Verde. Okay think Right. I think but that the Portuguese always confuses me because they always do it like know everyone says pePpe, but then whenever Portugese people say it's pep, they say peP. So then I'm kind of think at what point Do should that override how we say it?ith way? I you want to be accurate, but also, you know? Absolutely. I have a Portuese friend who tells me that the special thing about the Portuguese language is that they lose as many letters as they can from the pronunciation of any word. and then that's how you say it, you know? Yeah. Joan Nivbs D Jon Nz. It's lovely. Now the World Cup was had its first big surprise result after Spain were held by debutants, Cabo Verde in their group H opener. Spain were of course many people's pre tournament picks for the trophy, but they struggled in front of goal against Cabo Verde, who are sixty one places below them in FIFA's rankings. I mean, where where do you want did you watch this game Colin? where do you want to start There's so many places to start with this. It was It was such a remarkable matchlook bird, cabb bird, however we want to say it, were absolutely magnificent Actually the one thing that you look at this and you think, oh, it's Nil Nil Span had all the possession, all the terrorial dominance, you kind of think You've heard we're hanging on quite a lot They made one file in this match, one file in ninety minutes, which is the lowest recorded in a World Cup game since they started recording it in nineteen sixty six. I did not know that' incredible. just this performance of discipline of players knowing exactly where to be on the pitch and what their rule was But I saw one of the analysis. I can't remember what it was to said say. So I apologize forgetting, but they said the Capefird were like a team who don't play with any fear. They don't understand fear Yeah. So it's just like this is just our job. We're not as good as them. So we'll defend and we'll keep them at bay. And they did exactly that. They were just so, so impressive. Look, obviously SpN could have scored one or two goals in the game and that might change the narrative a little bit. That might have opened things up But I think they were very well deserving of a point. and everyone's saying to be being in a pop Prob the favorites for this competition if you had to say there are favorites. Yeah. So for them for Cape Verd to come in the first sort of game at this level and produce our display is phenomenal. Yes. There was an excellent point made earlier that there's a bit of a trend for teams who eventually go on to win the World Cup, not always winning all of the group stays games. In fact, the same thing happened to Spain in twenty ten when they did go to win. I can't remember the team that they lost to in their first game. Switzerland. It was Switzerland their first game. in twenty twenty two, they started the tournament v in Costa Rica seven nil And then they didn't win another game. So, you know, these things kind of happen. Yeah. and in their group, I feel as though there's still an opportunity to progress. We could talk about Spain in a moment, but sticking with Kaboer for a second, it's easy to sensationalize on days like today by saying You know, this is one of the biggest World Cup shocks ever, but how how do you try to how do you rank that amongst other shocks? Like is it high up there I think I mean it must be high. I don't think in terms of shocks because they didn't win, right? It's a draw. So have you have to put that in perspective. Having said that, I think everything that was going into this game was about how many spein we're going to win by and it was conditioned by the muchatch The previous day when Germany were playing Cacao and okay Caraco maybe not quite at the level that Kip Verd would be. But they lost that seven one. So this was a completely different approach, but the game plan was perfect it paid off And I mean I think there's so many ways of analyzing this. You can talk about it tactically, but I think the personalities of this Cape Ford team and the grounds where they've come from, the fact that this is a team a nation who've leaned on their diaspora quite a bit, but their diaspora who didn't even know they were really You know, legible to play for this team. So my favorite one was the defender, Roberto Pico Lopez, who was one of the man in the match contenders. So right, he's lived his entire life in Dublin and the Republic of Ireland. He spent his entire football career there. In twenty eighteen, the Cape Verdian FA sent him a message on LinkedIn to be like, do you want to play for us? You know you've got roots in Cape Verd. We know you haven't beenapped Can you play for us? The problem was the message was in Portuguese, right? And he didn't speak Portuguese, so we just didn't want it. So we a year l it, they're like, right, let's try him again and do it in English. I got to try to write my unread LinkedIn messages just in case there's any international teams out there that are offering me a cap What a story. I mean, to go from that and you're playing in the League of Ireland to essentially Man Mgan Michelo Yarthabal out of the game and producing that performance. Yeah. I mean, the goalkeeper as well Fzinia, forty years old, born and during the nineteen eighty six World Cup. His dad had initially tried to name him after Jorge Valdano And the Cape Verdian authorities are just like, you can't name your son. al right, okay. Do they name him Hosimar instead after the Brazilian fullback. Right And his his nicknamees not Figna as Portugese and Brazilian names. He plays was second Portuguese division, I believe as well. Yeah Yeah So not I mean, this is the thing when you're analyzing this, you kind of think teams like Cape Ferday, even Caracao and maybe to a lesser extent Taii as well, you kind of think These players are really at a lower level, like a much, much lower level, but a lot of them are actually playing reasonably high up. And I think it's the fact that they've got access to all the sort of strength and conditioning and the sort of fitness and nutrition of level teams, that really narrows the gap. but they've got LinkedIn as well. Yeah they very much do. Hopefully now they have automatic translation services for this as well. just in case. But I mean, like what like what a story. I mean, if you're from Cape Ford, half a million people, I mean, it's one of the best days of your life has to be Love it. Okay. J Jan, you try to analyze this earlier. I did try Yes We made No You did a very, very good job. The reason I say try is because C was describing how it's difficult to analyze a game like this. But you stood over at the big touchscreen board over there, you talked about the fact that it can be difficult whoever you are to break down load blocks when they are effectively done And Spain had a little tense in front of gold today, but they just found it tricky, didnn't they? Well, it's easier to destroy than to create, I think But like Spain didn't do too much wrong. There was a few things that we try to talk about where could been a bit faster with a tempo, they could have It's done more with rotations in the wide areas especially or I tri to compare what Germany did when they becusau by seven, you know. I But I think Yeah, what he did was is very well organized and it's hard to break that down. And the more organizing and harder to break down you are, the more whated you become as a team with all the possession. like how much do you open up because they're waiting for that chance to break on you? So if you push everyone forward, eventually that's what the risk is and it's why you get cup upsets and the Fic cup in England, especially that sort of thing. you know because small teams can win these games Yeah Like my example can draw them as well. Well, exactly like like Aberteen won the Scottish Cup last year or two years two seasons ago now And they were there's no way they should have won that final. Celtics should win every single day of the week, but you play in a certain way, defend really well and you get your luck. You got to take it. Yeah. you get a chances you got to take them. Spain shot, they had twenty seven shots And the Cape Verdy goalkeeper had seven saves So he played very well it wereim really well. A lot of the shots were pretty close to where he should have saved them. As a professional goalkeeper, I would say, which seems extraordinarily harsh. But he did very well, but like there's nothing to me like, Wha, how do you do that? He just did everything perfectly, which is what a good professional like international level goalkeeper should do. Yeah. So at he'ast presumably having a lovely evening. Yeah. Oh w yeah. I mean, No Well, I regret that though. Can we this is live, is it? Yeah, Okay, it's fine Hi The keep reading was amazing Yeah, I don't know. there was I think it's a fair point. I think like the descriptive there anyway, or maybe the point you're making is that like on another day, Spain could have won this game, right? Like they got enough XG in the. they did create chances. They were a little sloppy in doing so, but it's not like they were completely kept at bay. No, and that is The magic of football. and how you can have, it's not always the big one that wins And also it's not all about tactics. it's not all about like It's like heart and passion and all the like football man things. like these are all very real. And one of the reasons that I like the World Cups so much is because the tatics are a bit of it. you can do some things with it and you can set them up. but then about ten minutes in it doesn't matter.. And then it's all about like who wants it more Wh' like who's like you just see these players become more than what they are Because the staging of it makes them there. That's the magic of what this Yeah. That's the magic of the tournament does I think it's trueough and's also about the moments, isn't it? I said this to you earlier, but our American colleague Chris Branch from the Athletic made a video earlier, he was watching the Germany Curus hour game yesterday And he's outside afterwards and he's saying obviously Germany won the game seven one. But the moment he won't ever forget is watching Kuracu's first goal. And as he says it, a Curosu fan comes up behind him and starts chanting, We won the game seven one, which is possibly one of the most wholesome things I've seen in a long time. It's moments like that that really make a World Cup exciting. Indeed, it is. When was that World Cup when England drew with the USA? when was that when need twenty ten makes sense. Was it? Wasn't that? twenty ten? When when they drew and I remember I was there and then I was there with some English guy when I was in America in New York at the time and England drew with America and these USA fans We're trying to wind up This guy who is English who' I'm very distracted by what's going around me I'm going to make more sense. I' telling producer writer write' mouth something to me but I can't tell what it is because I don't have good eyes. So write it in the plan and I'll read it or introuct. It was twenty twenty two. It wasn't twenty ten It wasn't twenty twenty two. No, it was years ago Oh there was two, it was the twenty ten, the Rob Green. Rob Greenook. yeah. twenty. twenty ten. Yeah yeah. Oh go Yeah that's Yeah one month.. And so like so anyway, so they finish it and there' the USA fans who were going like we won We won. The English guy did not like this and like very, very shirarty with him. Always ended in a bit of a fisty cuffs.ood thing. And I was like, this sucks. I don't want to be doing this anymore And then I ended up playing a Xylophone his house. Later, met his family m seem nice. Great There you go. Hey, what's the mood like in Spain, Colina? That's too hard of a leftout. The reason I want to ask you that though is because Spain obviously as I said earlier, many people's pre tournament picksroy pre tournament favoures as we call them is it that way in Spain? Do people in Do people in Spain feel like they are the favourites for this or not? Yeah it's a good question, Joel. I think I think if you want to talk about it inin Sp and you talk about it if in the squad and the squad of players that they have, and One of the things that Louis dea Fuente, the manager said ahead of this game was, you know, we are favorites for this competition, but it's nott really anything has changed since since the Euros in twenty twenty four when, you know, nobody really had them on his favorite before the competition started, but when it did They were just excellent throughout that tournament. So he said that they're proud to have that tag and to have that expectation. Not that they want it, not that they're like actively looking for it, but they're proud that their work has been acknowledged to the point where people now think of them as a really good team.. And I actually kind of think in a game like this almost it cos a little bit against them to have that own internal thing of like we are the favorites no matter who we're playing. and most of our opposition might set up like this. They might just set up in a little block, K part of kind of put in a sort of sort of I guess like a framework of how you can stop this team But I think there's a couple of concerns as there are with anything, right I think the big concern is the fitness of several players, namely Linumal who did come on in this game. That wasn't the plan. I think the plan was look Let's let's make him s out the first game. Maybe for the second game we can bring him on to subwork and back. and he hasn't played football for eight weeks. Now this is a guy who obviously we know superstar potential at the very least can change games can win matches. But also Nico Williams has had a really difficult season with form and fitness. He's not fit to play either. So that's Your two wide quick attacking players not available Speen don't really have anyone to come in for that. they don't have a similar profile. So for this game, you had Pedri who's this you know, as we all know, this little midfield magician. but his heat map is like he's on the right flank quite a lot and on the left flank quite a bit and players didn't really seem to know where to go because the possession was quite slow, the defense wasn't coming out and they didn't have that second or third gear to go into as they had in the Euros So ye, with Inspain itself, there's there's a couple of questions as well at the last Euros. they had three captains, right The actual captain of Atem M aftera Danny Corbberal and Rodery. Now only one of those three players is still in the gp. Rodery's still in the group. He's obviously had a long term injury himself and there there's doubtts over his fitness, but those dynamics were as key as the actual as the actual sort of tactics and the form those players were in. It was the dynamic that group had. A lot of key players have left that group You've got Guys coming in, obbviously Gavy started this game in Po ofversea, has replaced Lormand the center back. There's been a couple of changes. But you look at it, they're unbeaten over thirty matches And they've played a lot of good teams and they've won a lot of matches by quite a big scoreline. So for me They still are the favorites, but I mean, what does favorites mean in a competition? I guess you maybe got a fifteen to twenty percent chance of winning it. Yeah. right I think so oing France have the best chance of winning twenty twenty percent. Yeah. Eactly. And there's so much can go wrong. No if Lin Yal is to come back in, return to fitness and avoid injuries throughout the tournament I kind of think ions probably still should be favorites, but You know, they have had a couple of injury setbacks. If they had had something like Fermin Lopez who scores fifteen or twenty goals every season for Barcelona making those late runs into the box, that would have made a difference today. I think, but he's out of d tournament of injury to. So they've had a bit of bad luck And I kind of think this is a setback, but they'll still get through the grip. I think they'll be okay. And if you want to have a setback, you want to have it in a game like this. like look at Argentina at the last world Cup and be like look That's what's going onong. We're going to tweak this and we're going to come out and we're going to have that motivation as before. We're not going to have any sloppiness and we're going to need to prove a point now again. Yeah. Okay. that's know, I'm also excited that they didn't win the first game because I feel as though that puts pressure on for the other group stages and other group games and also makes it more likely that they might not go through the group in first place More exciting. Oh y to come. Yes. There we go. Okay, we're going to have a quick break for people listening to this podcast and when we come back, we'll play a rondo before lots more to discuss. whichich I will win. We'll be right back In twenty six, FIFA World Cup Meal at McDonald's is underway withith one of nine legendary cups in the lineup. Christian Pulisk, David Vickham, Lominum Mal, Ronald Digno, Tier Henri, Son Hng Min, Alfonso Davies, Santi Jermenez. And between the posts It's grrimous! Get one of nine collectible cups with a FIFA World Cup meeal. Participate McDald's for limited time, whilew supplies last. All Rs reserve twenty six McDonald's FF Wor Cup twenty six We all belong outside. We're drawn to nature Puse to us. Whether it's the recorded sounds of the ocean we doze off to, or the succulents that adorn our homes. Nature makes all of our lives richer, calmer, and frankly Better Despite all this, we often go about our busy lives removed from it. But the outdoors is closer than we realize. With all trails, you can discover trails nearby or trails worth traveling to and explore confidently with offline maps and on trail navigation. Whether you're looking for a laid back walk with family for something more adventurous to get your heart pumping. All Trails gives you the tools you need to get out there and find your outside Download the free app today and make the most of your summer with all trails. Recently, we asked some people about sharing their New York Times accounts. I'm Nira Scrum Madison, Wisconsin. I would like to share my subscription with my family members. I should be able to share recipes from invitited cooking, wire cutter articles or athletic articles. We are a family of four. I would like them to have access to the subscription too. Thank you Naraj, we heard you. It's why we created the New York Times Family subscription One subscription up to four separate logins for anyone in your life. Find out more at nytimes dot com slash familyamily Welcome back from the break there. Now it is time for the most important part of the TFO foootball podcast. It is the Rndo. Yes, welcome to the Rndo. Here's how the Rndo works. Producer Ryan today will be giving us a category that has multiple correct answers. We go round in a circle shape and we give correct answers back. If we give incorrect answers We are immediately ejected from the Rndo. If we diver or dely or dallally, we are ejected by producer Ryan from the Rondo. And the final person standing is named Rondo del Ray. Now Ryan also, you requested to be called for today's Rondo Rondo deel Ry. Okay? So that's what everyone must call him. Okay N Rondo youll also be immediately not Not true. It's not true. Okay, right now Producer, Ryan, what is our category for today? The category for today comes from Donal in the TFo Discord. A Butich you can join by clicking the link in the description butt. Apparently so. Yeah. Sventeen clubs have ten or more players in this World Cup. C you name That was seventeen. Okay. so who's going to say Railm would Dinkt go out first that Not me, I'm not going to do that. Where are you starting you can basically, what do you mean where am I starting? Who an us Should we go got Colin first huh's why I'm going lagh. I think so ye. All right It's a good lot. What should Colins ten more players ten more players ten Cub. seventeen clubs. Okay. I'm not don't I're not to look at the live Jack Cose close your chat. Close your live chat JJ. I don think They'll give you answers Right? Mike if you're going to restart, The Innet's not working over there. Okay, Colin, you start. Crystal Palace What twelve players. Wow. What a place to start Okay Sunderland Incorrect I thought they had loads. They said they had twelve earlier. I think they did On the TV They did say they had twelve earlier.. Yeah. did there's an article on Not the athletic BBC what that says no That says no posted less than two weeks ago Maybe they've Genuinely the TV earlier they were talking about that earlier and have a have a quick chat should get a regal the ways. I think yeah, because I heard that statistic as well and I heard it in relation to Real Madrid, which was which was funny. Real Madrid, of course had no placeays in the Bpain team now now they have won because they bought Markco. yeah Um Im okay. It says Crystal Palace Uh Dond, Chrisop Pallellace., it s itays Chrisop Pallellis said with thirteen of our players involved. Mm. Oh Mm. Well hang on a minute. have I missed have I missed one? Oh no. Rondo Del Rice. This's his first time in the driving seat guys. Wh? Hang a minute, Snderland The underappreciated art of developing a Rndo's very hard. People never get the credit they deserve. Do this. shhout to Steve Hankkey. Hey, Steve Hankkey has never ever made a Rndo ever. It's always me It sving Steve use the credit. Oh esquads to hang in a minute of all time. O, two, three. I think let's just give it to him. There's leatheron on the My slight concern is that we've only got nineteen minutes left for it. I'm going gonna put it in. I think it goes in. This works in my favor. Let's go. apologies because that article was out of date.'s fine sorry. We don't accept your apology, but it's fine We'll move on. Is it my turn now right? Yes, but it also means' more teams. I would like Manchester City, please. Yes. Thank you, Colin Chelsea Noes they they are. They're on the updated list. This is terrible. They've scoreed like forty five players I I know. I'm so sorry everyone. All I got deceived. Don't you worry. Don't you worry? There's got to be Bayer Munich Okay. Oh, I'm supposed to be thinking when when I'm not talking. Yes. And I wasn't thinking. I'm now putting you can't wa to into the word in that original. I'm gonna say arsenal are in this list. They are. thank you noice. it's back to me No. No, it's Collins. Collins No Ch Chelsea we were on the Chelsea. Yeah we just it was a mistake that he was out. Remember when it was a mistake that you were out. I'll I'll think barce salona. That's frustrating, correct. Well, then I will have to go for Liverpool Okay Can I please have Inter Not on the list. Not on the list. In which case, don't check, I'm sure it isn't real. Mbe Ronder I' gone out was't matter. You miss ac said the Randnder ever was. Carlin back to you. I think Re Madrid should be on that, shouldn't it? Let's just rewrite the rules right now. are. It's not about whether it's true or not. It's about whether it's on Ryan's list. Okay? That's it. That's it. If it's not on Ryan'sist, it's the end the game. It's fous. Colin. can I swear Uh no. I think no. Never mind. But you could say creepers That's not what I was concern. My real Madrid choice will go through then. Yeah. No they were on the list anyway. They not on the real list. Okay, let me go with Berusciia Dortmment. Yes. Yes B to you calloling Asking Villa A you't in anymore? No, I even set That ast said Now you fine Then I will have to go for The team Everyone knows has many players Oh, I know the one you're gonna to say? That's where I'll cut. Yeah. Great pick. That one I'm gonna say is of course, as follows And what a team it is, may I say Great team. There are so many big teams left in this l. Yeah, wasre so great five. Fels like this in Dy great cl four. I won a very teaming trophy. AC Milan. Not them, but they're on the list. Yeah. something you've given Colin PSG now. But give me a second. PSG? Yeah. That's a great one Then I will have to say One of my very favorite let's not do this anymore. I think the answer is going to be someone in the chat is genuinely asking me what the Rondo is about at this moment.. I mean, aren't we all? C on I' going to be a. We're busy doing the Rondo. you probably hurry you up for change. Yeah you definitely Svere Svere Inorrect. Okay good. No I'm going. Well, what a team player for J Well For the first time ever, Colins a have to answer another We've got fifteen minutes before done. Apparently the other ones, according to this artle were Al Kalal Atlei Fenabachy Galataso Mches United PSV. I was sorry No donon't you worry about it Right there we go. A glorious Rndo there. U thank you very much for that producer, Ryan. and you can hear more of Ryan on the Stadio football podcast if you like that kind of thing. notot that kind of thing. No we don't do that. Now, there we go. How about this? What's up next now? Well, Belgium won One Egypt. Romuluna Kaku, JJ came off the bench to help Belgium salvage a point in their twenty twenty six World Cup clash with Egypt. That's written by Luke Brown, by the way, the great Luke Brown of the athletics live blog. MMa Sort broke the deadlock in some style for Egypt fantastic goal who were playing in their fourth worldld cup finals, but they'd never or they have still never won a game at this tournament, quite an unbelievable statistic, but it's true. That weight will of course go on after Lakkaku came off the bench and immediately pressured Mohammed Hani into turning the ball into his own net. One of the more fun own goals, I will have to say, because it looked very much like a striker's goal. Now JJ, second half changes from Rudy Garcia for Belgium, they really seem to shift the momentum idn't they? Al also I should say we did our live watch along with this game. so it was interesting to watch this with you and see that perspective at the time. Yeah, you can just sort of tell the game chang. I mean, it changes anyway during the actual game, there's like ebbs and flows and different players take hold of things But they started to try and actually score goals in the second half.. and it's an important part of the sport. I think a putting the striker on particularly was very useful Lukaka, you got to have a striker. You have to. Sometimes you don't. I ft a little bit bad for Charlotte de Cetilara that the striker that replaced him scored. Well actually didn't score with his first touch because he didn't actually touch it technically. No. He graded the goal with his pressure. Yeah, but that's what you get, when you've got all these nice tippy tappy players, just get someone in the box, get it in. It's a very simple game at heart really And having that person there just like driving so determined to get in the end of that cross means you can put the cross in rather than having to like, o maybe we'll keep it more and up the possession a little bit I thought Egypt were great in this. I thought it was very even. I thought one one's very fair. But yeah, there's changes I made. I don't I can't tell exactly what it was, Tactnically what happened, but there's just something that made them more direct in that and towards the end of the second half where they were able to actually make Something of it. Yeah You expressed some surprise earlier, Colin that Egypts weren't higher up the FIFA's ranking. I mean, they've been a terrific team of late, haven't they Yeah, theyre they're one of those teams that are always at these major tournaments as well and they always seem to be very consistent, especially with AfCOon and the results they get there sort of regularly get into the seminals or better. But I looked at their squad. they had eight players from Al Ali in Egypt and I think four of them were in the startn lineup, including Imam Asashher who scorered up. Brilliant goool.. And what that tells me and what you can actually see in their play is that they know their combinations very well like they play like a team. They play like a club team and Belgium I wouldn't go as far to say they play as individuals, but you can see that it's very much disjointed. A lot of those attacking movements they don't know the runs that they should be making. they don't have that synergy that Egypt did. and I think that was very apparent certainly in the first half and there was so much more energy in tempo because of that from Egypt. And obviously you know, the two formations, I think they both played like a very similar ame of five midfielders each and it wass very congested in the middle. It's like a nice idea without purpose built. Yeah. I remember one of my favourite lines I ever wrote back when I wrote in the newspapers was it's like trying to burst a balloon by tapping it with a spoon. and all you need is like a knife just jab it. Yeah That's what they're doing. But you're right on theakoo, likeike he He causes chaos, right? And he doesn't necessarily always produce a wonderful performance or produce the finishing touches, but he goes in and he creates that doubt in defender's mind and that defense end drops a bit deeper, it creates a space maybe for DeBrin or whoever else to get on the ball and pick out a pass. So his introduction did make a difference and he had Remers at the last World Cup such a almost a nightmare performance in terms of he kept getting into these perfect positions and then being thwarted or hitting the post or missing an open net. could have had three or four goals and Belgium went out, I think at that group stage because of that and he must have been so determined to come back and make a difference at this World Cup, especially after his injury problems at Napoli So yeah, I mean, I think both of these teams will get through the group anyway and they'll probably just Look at this take a point and think, well ye we can get better. I was going to say the ending of the game very much have the feeling that both teams were happy with one point of the other two teams in this group, of course, Iran and New Zealand who are yet to play so that we don't know the result of that game yet. But certainly Belgium drawing the first game here against Egypt, even potentially losing doesn't feel like the you know the kind of terminal issue that it has done already for some other teams earlier in this World Cup So we'll talk about both of those teams a bit more as the tournament progresses U Next up, Sweden five One Tunisia, this game was in the middle of the night here in the UK. so I don't think anybody here watched it live. We've all caught up on highlights. We won't linger too much on the game because we don't love to talk about games that we haven't actually seen live. But I will read here. early on Monday morning, Sweden put five past to Tunisia with goals from Eac and Yocris. It's the second biggest result in the tournament so far And one that drew immediate reaction from Tunisia who are set to and I'm using the language here set to because I don't think it's happened yet. I'll find out from Colin soon. I set to fire the head coach Sabri Lamucci after only one World Cup game. I'm just reading this from our colleague Jayan Nandi's news article published in the athletic earlier Sources briefed on the situation speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships said on Monday that Tunisia intended to part ways with Lemucci. Lemucci was appointed a Tunisia coach in january twenty twenty six, replacing Sammy Tbelsi, who left his role following the nation's last sixteen exit at the twenty twenty five Africa Cup of Nations He's won just one of his five games in charge of Tunisia following his appointment months ago. He's anticipated departure. I guess if it hasn't happened yet or if it does happen, would see him become the first coach to be fired one game into a World Cup tournament. Colin. I mean, I don't know if you can update us on what's happened. We've sort of been live in this room for hours, so we don't fully know, but also that's quite a serious reaction to what was a serious loss Yeah, so obviously the first thing is you lose five one in your opening game. That's obviously not a good start. And like none of us watched the game as you said you, but you see the highlights and It just it was just such a disjointed performance. The reaction that I've seen from a lot of Tunizia fans has been That was an absolute disgrace, not just in terms of the result, but like there was no game plan. there was no structure, there was no real idea of what they were doing in that game. And they probably would have looked at that Sweden who kind of got into the World Cup through the back door because they didn't win a qualifying match. They were terrible in qualifying because of the Nationss League, they got into the playoffs and deservedly got through from that point But this clearly is Sweden themselves, their team who have great players, but are obviously flawed, right? They obviously have flaws themselves inizia, their next manager should Sabri Limichi leave as we expect him to. and I don't think it has been confirmed as we record Should he leave, the next manager will be the eighth Tunisian manager since the start of twenty twenty two It'll be their twenty first permanent manager since two thousand eight. So this is a team who just changed their manager all the time. Now to do it mid tournament is kind of really sort of strange and notable The really weird thing about this is that there's been three managers who've been sacked during World Cup before The extra weird thing about this is that they all happened at pretty much the same point of the nineteen ninety eight World Cup So Saudi Arabia South Korea and Chhinisia Psack their managers at two games into the third group game. So this is only the fourth ever occasion. this has happened Yeah. And you kind of think Maybe this has happened as a result of the performance. I mean, that's obviously comes into things, but Surely after one match, after just a week or so of being in camp, Is there maybe something else that is kind of like H players said something? Has there been an incident? I don't want to speculate it, but it's just such a strange thing after one game. Well could you say it's because I mean they're in a Right Likee. I mean, Sweden is not an easy team to play anyway. They', you know two world class strikers It's a shame that Kai is not here to hear me call Yaker is a world class striker, but he is U So if Tunisia were going to get a result, you would assume it might be against this Sweden team if they could Japan, the Netherlands are the other two teams to play here. This group already feels a lot like, you know one of the third place teams could go through. And if Sweden don't draw or win another game, they've sc, you know they've got positive goal difference of four starting their their matches against the next two teams. So do you think there's an element of perhaps the Tunisian Federation, you know, aside from speculation about what else it could be thinking, well, the tournament' kind of over But there's a very, very limited chance of progression at this stage. But this is the thing. We've talked about a forty eight team World Cup and thinking you just really need one win from that and you might be okay, but obviously the gool difference nowine might come into play too. Chenisity have been to so many World Cups and they're always They're always just so unmorable, they're always so forgettable and I think one of the things that people have as a perception is that they're a really negative defensive team and they really do struggle to score goals For this game, you know They had no defensive structure either. So Like I don't know. I think I think just if you're Chinizian, you just must be hugely frustrated because again, you've got to the finals, you've sort of ease your way through the groups the qualification campaign a game of ease and you just get to the big stage and you just don't turn up at all. It must just be very deflating. I don't know if they have a plan, but whenever Lemuchci came in, his whole thing was this is like a four year project A was onlyought four or five months ago. so there's just not been any pients and I don't know what comes next for them, but it's It's going to be very difficult in our grip as you say. Yeah. Well, we'll find out. Handleily, we're live again tomorrow. So if there's an update on that situation, we'll be able to talk about it. Let's have a quick break. and when we come back, we'll talk about Iivory Coast, Ecuador, Yandir Mande, and we'll do a little bit of points of bab M. Hey, Pablo Torere here. As a sports journalist, I've covered global sports for many years now. And there is one thing that I can promise you Nothing compares to the World Cup And this time it is even better thanks to McDonald's, You have the chance to take home one of nine legendary cups when you order the FeIFA World Cup meal The cups feature some of the biggest legend in football, like Did Beckham, Terry Hon Ree, and Ronald Dinio, Christian Palisk Laminia Mal and Alfonso Davies Right now, get one of nine leegendary cups when you order the FeF World Cup meeal only at McDonald's att participating McDonald's only for a limited time. while supplies last, All rights reserved, copyright twenty twenty six, McDonald's at the FIFA World Cup. twenty twenty six We all belong outside. We're drawn to nature Whether it's the recorded sounds of the ocean we doze off to, or the succulents that adorn our homes Nature makes all of our lives, well, better. Despite all this, we often go about our busy lives removed from it But the outdoors is closer than we realize. With Alltrails, you can discover trails nearby and explore confidently. with offline maps and on trail navigation. Download the free app today and make the most of your summer with All Trails High interest debt is one of the toughest opponents you'll face. Unless you power up with a so far personal loan A so far personal loan could repackage your bad debt into one low fixed rate monthly payment It's even got super speed since you could get the funds as soon as the same day you signed Visit sofi. com slash power to learn more That's soFi d. com slash PW E loans originated by Sofi Bank NA, member F theIC, terms of conditions supppply N MLS six nine six eight nine one. And we're back. What about that? How about that, heh? How about that? We're back. Now how about that How about that? Someone pointed out earlier that I say how about that with inc incredible regularity Tome in the chat is pointing out that they think I've taken this its easier to destroy than create from Michael Owen R was in a Wh it's not obviously it's not that. Did he write the spoon line as well? I don't know, no I wrote that one. You wrote that one. Yeah. there you go. Well, a huge victory we should say, Iory Coast won, Nil Ecuador, a huge victory for Ivory Coast, who finished the day second behind Germany in group E. The winner came from a substitute Amad in the ninetieth minute. Jacob Whitehead and Jack Lang in the athletic, called Ivory Coast' nineteen year old Yandi Mand One of the most exciting dribbers in world football, he was key to this victory. He also apparently has the highest take on success rate of any winger in Europe. There you go. And earlier this month, the athletic reported that Liverpool had made contact with Rbi Leipzig over his potential transfer T be quoted at a price in excess of one hundred thirty million euros, which is an enormous amount of money. I need not tell anyone listening to this podcast. Now, JJ, I mean, asides from being a terrific victory for Iivory Coast, is I And Dermandu maybe the first breakout store star of the tournament so far? I know you knew who he was already, but I didn't. Oh yeah, no he's been noted as a wonder kid for a long time He was brilliant in this game. I would also say this is the most entertaining game of the World Cup so far. I love this one really end to end. Ecuador really good at defending, super aggressive and going at Ivory Coast. And then like I said to you earlier about fifty minutes in Ivory Coast who look really nervous and like they couldn't keep hold the ball just started kicking the hell out of them and it was funny And so there's loads of like players or just going into each other. Nothing super like over the top aggressive, but just like Ivivory Coters are big and strong And they use it well. D Mandy super skillful, like clever also like Both teams really well organized like really they just look smartly coached and they know what they're doing and they played the game well Yeah. And so they both had spells where they were in charge. Ecuadorss couldn't score Ivory cooasts were kind of poor going forward only on the left side. So they had tin Wahib were playing. And as soon as they came off, I think they massively improved, which is harsh ons to And the players they put on I can't remember who they were. I'll just tell you yeah, I'm mad Yeah,'ll come on M made a huge differentnce street away He was playing more through the middle. Heast doing very, very well and then Andy Johen Bonnie came on and he was really good also. I thought it was really nice by the way for a man to score a worldorld Cup goal because he had a tricky second half of the season at Manchester United, not getting as much playing time I think not through any of you know, not through any of his own fault, but I just love watching him and, you know, scored a lovely goal fantastic for him. Yeah, I'm with you. He's like yeah, he came on scored that goal really well taken. It was towards the end of the game and it was set up by I think it was right back who just single Single yeah. I can't yeah. Anyway, just did the one time we managed to get space to run into and he just drove like no fatigue. just like ran with it into the space And you could just tell it was going to be a goal. And it made sense that it was going to come at the end of like obviously, Ecuador we gotut it about it. and the entire crowd full of Ecuador fans singing all the way through yeah, magic game. but yeah, Do Mande was taking on Piero and Gcaai the entire time and doing him most of the time. Yeah and Ccapp was really useful tactically for Ecuador. They were using him like he was left back but he was often the one who was going forward like Kookarea does or I would say, not in Cappy for Arsenal, but they run into like the half space and end up further forward. A' using him as a free man quite a lot. Gary Nvill and the opposite of Gary Nevill who was always up and down the wing and doing his hard work and Capo was decent, but yeah, do you mind if he were to go to the Premier League I think you'll be up against the most amazing full backacks you can possibly deal with and so you won't get quite the fun you normally gets.'s just going to ask you because it's like a huge price tag to attach her which doesn't necessarily mean you know to be Excuse me to be quoted that by Abi Lumchi doesn't necessarily mean that's what they think he's worth. just that's what they' will toll. That is what he's worth though.,' because he can do that so that he is capable doing things where you can take on a defender and go and past him. You can go past them with like speed in the outside, he makes the right decisions. That's the key thing for any good player makeaking the right decisions. But I thought like both teams made the right decision almost all the way through this game. So it was just like a good you didn't know who's gonna win at any point and because they were so different in their styles. it was really fun. Yeah. The other like in answer to your question, other standout was Ayu Bu Aaddi who is like going to be a top superstar feelield another breakout star from the World Cup so far. Yeah. So like anyone who's played Foot Manager or like any number of like video games will have be aware of who this young lad is. I think he plays for Leils Leil I think this in France, none of him for ages He's going to be a superstar because all the scouts of all the video games say soone. and you can mostly trust them, especially Footal Manager ones. play for Morocco in He plays for Morocco in the World Cup. So like you thought he' going to be a France superstar, but he I think he just got to play for Morocco recently. I think he played it for France on youth level think So hopefully that's all correct and if it is it'll remain in the podcast, and if not I'll give myself another in. Yes, he's great. a place for Morocco. Just to let you know there's no one around to edit this afterwards. Oh that's good. Everything I say is always correct. Everything will be in. I don't want to research it right now because I'll just slow us down. But yeah, he's a midfielder who can play his ten and he plays a six or and's a midfielder. But like the vision and the passing, he just sees things. his first touch is immaculate and he's tall and he can take on things. he can take the ball down and from out the air is first yeah he's such a good player And so he's like doing really well for them, against Brazil, obviously. Those are the two that have could have stood out other than every single one of the German players And do think I mean, the World Cup and performances like this often has quite a big impact on the transfer window. Whether or not it should is a different matter, but do you think it maybe will in this case, Colin? Yeah I think it could, I think it definitely could. And this is sort of like a long running theme of people who kind of study transfers is that you shouldn't buy players off the back of a good international tournament because it's just a handful of games in an environment which is different in club football, different dynamics and everything else But you're talking about players like D Amande and the valuation that RB Leipzig has put in him and they're probably thinking of adding an extra ten or fifteen, twenty million after this tournament because those are the sort of performances that just are played in front of an audience it's so big and it just drive up hype and drive up like we're talking about them right now and we weren't really during the season because you Bundes Lag, a lot of people watch it, but it's not mainstream in the sort of wider consciousness So the fact that he has such an exciting performance And I just like, you know, he gets on the ball and he does something that nobody else does. It's got such a unique style. So he really is an exciting player, but I think it could do that. I think it might also for these players who are so young and so talented It's almost like forcing them into a really big move at this age. And that's not always necessarily the best thing. And I know there is no patience in football anymore, but if there was another twelve months or so for them to develop league, maybe that isn't Premi Lague, for example, There's lot more physicality and everything else which players can struggle with certainly at that age. So I kind of think isn't necessarily the best thing for them, especially with the price tag rising, the pressure rising on them too. There's so many things that could go wrong because it's gone so well for them and because they Being so good on the bigger stage, But yeah, I mean, like we're raaving about them, so I'm sure they're happy enough at the moment. Let's talk about Ecuador quickly before we play it and points about. and also I'll point out that the Saudi Arabia Uruay game has just started. Feel free to go and watch. We'll be wrapping up in the next five minutes, but if you're joining us on the livve stream then you're in the home straight now