Ecstasy for Ecuador and draw puts Australia through: World Cup Daily

Summary

Football Weekly – World Cup Daily: Ecstasy for Ecuador and Draw Puts Australia Through

Date: June 26, 2026
Host: Max Rushden
Guests: Barry Glendenning, Mark Langdon, Archie Rhind-Tutt ("Rent Out")

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Episode Overview

This World Cup Daily episode from Football Weekly dives into a dramatic day of group stage action across the USA—covering everything from Ecuador’s emotional win over Germany, Australia scraping through after a dour draw, surprise upsets, tactical trends, and plenty of on- and off-pitch stories. The panel brings humour, sharp analysis, and unique perspectives on how the tournament is shaping up.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

USMNT Lose to Turkey but Top Group D

Timestamps: 03:08 – 10:18

• The USA lost 3-2 to a resurgent Turkey side but had already done enough to top the group, making extensive rotations.
• Mark Langdon: “The job had already been done… This was a reserve team. It shouldn’t make any difference. If anybody jumps to wild conclusions on the back of a defeat to Turkey, I would disagree with them quite strongly.” (03:37)
• Barry Glendenning: “For supporters, this might be a bit of a wake-up call… Americans love to win… So a reality check for them, and no harm in that.” (04:21)
• Archie Rhind-Tutt: Notes the growth in US World Cup enthusiasm but shares doubts about the team's resolve against defensive opponents like Bosnia in the round of 32. Praises Turkey’s pride in the win despite tournament disappointment, while criticising their federation’s lack of support structures (sports psychology, squad selection issues). (06:12)
• Pulisic’s calf is the “metatarsal of this World Cup”—his return is crucial, and he looked sharp, drawing comparison to English media’s obsession with Beckham/Rooney injuries. (09:34)

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Paraguay 0-0 Australia: Through, But At What Cost?

Timestamps: 10:18 – 15:19

• Universally panned: “There are some nil-nils that are really bad, but there are some nil-nils that are really bad.” (10:18, Max)
• Barry Glendenning: “The biggest cheer was for an Aussie fan drinking lager out of a shoe—that gives you a measure of how bad the game was.” (10:52)
• Late drama as both sides almost snatch it in added time, but neither ever truly commits to attacking—the draw suited both.
• Archie: Sees positives for Australia in improved intent and squad rotation. “Tony Popovic has kept everyone guessing with his plan every single game so far.” (12:31)
• Mark Langdon: Paraguay “offended” him with their caution: “First half xG was 0.04…hovering over the ITVX stream at 86 minutes asking me if I wanted to ‘watch from the start?’” (14:03)
• Draw ensures progression for both, but now face tough knockouts: Australia to play Group G runner-up, Paraguay likely against Germany.

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Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden Advance; Tunisia Crash Out

Timestamps: 17:11 – 28:25

Sweden 1-1 Japan

• Both content with a draw, each qualifying: “If it’s just two going through, it’s a totally different football match.” (19:31, Max)
• “Anthony Elanga didn’t realize at the end that a draw was enough—amazing photo of him beating the floor in frustration. Graham Potter said afterwards: bless him, we did tell him.” (20:32)
• Barry: “His goal here was just cutting in from the right, left-footed strike. The Japan goal was outstanding—superb finish by Daizen Maeda, brilliant run onto a pass from Doan.” (21:07)
• Archie: Praises Japan’s “slick” football and remarkable depth: “Since the start of this World Cup cycle, they’ve used 86 players…so no one can complain they’ve not had at least a shot.” (23:05)

Netherlands 3-1 Tunisia

• Early own goal for Tunisia set the tone for a poor tournament: “Conceding inside the opening 10 mins in every game.” (24:23, Archie)
• Archie recounts Tunisian football’s issues: lack of infrastructure, constant coaching changes, no accountability from federation.
• Barry: “Blazers in the federation failing to take accountability—not the hallmark of every single football federation on the planet?” (25:56)
• Mark: Netherlands had an “easy game” but face a tricky last-32 tie with Morocco: “Japan put them under pressure and they weren’t great.” (27:38)

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Group E: Ecuador’s Glory, Germany’s Wobbles, Ivory Coast Progress

Timestamps: 28:25 – 36:39

Ecuador 2-1 Germany

• Emotional post-match celebrations as Ecuador qualify for only the second time.
• Barry: “Tim Vickery reckoned it was the greatest moment in Ecuadorian national team history…they haven’t been getting the rub of the green in this tournament…Nielsen Angulo scoring a brilliant goal.” (28:47)
• VAR controversy as Germany’s opening goal is allowed despite a boot to the face. Max: “I want the game to flow, but I don’t think you should be able to kick people in the face.” (29:52)
• Archie: Discusses the Klopp–Nagelsmann drama in German media: “Klopp made a comment about picking the team ‘for now’…it started a firework…Nagelsmann gritted his teeth through this.” (31:13)
• Injury to Nico Schlotterbeck is a blow for Germany; balance in attack still problematic.

Ivory Coast 2-0 Curacao

• Mark: “Pepe got both the goals…They’ve surprised me with how good they’ve been…most players at a reasonably high level.” (35:44)
• Mark notes their progression is deserved and not a product of the new 32-team knockout round.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Japan:
  “Slick is the right word for that goal…not many teams can play that kind of football at international level.” – Archie Rent Out (23:12)
• On Sweden’s Elanga:
  “He didn’t realize a draw was enough. Graham Potter said afterwards, bless him, we did tell him.” – Max Rushden (20:32)
• On VAR and Germany/Ecuador:
  “I want the game to flow, but I don’t think you should be able to kick people in the face.” – Max Rushden (29:52)
• On dreadful games:
  “There are some nil-nils that are bad, but there are some nil-nils that are really bad.” – Max Rushden (10:18)
• On Tunisia’s woes:
  “I laughed at the own goal, but then that laughter turned to sadness because he’s not really to blame for all this...they're having to continually carry the can for a weak federation.” – Archie Rent Out (25:31)
• On the new group stage format:
  “If it’s just two going through, it’s a totally different football match…Sweden have to bomb on...just a much more entertaining game.” – Max Rushden (19:31)

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Tomorrow’s Big Games: What To Watch

Timestamps: 38:23 – 41:14

• Norway vs France and Uruguay vs Spain highlighted as potentially top matches.
  Barry: “Cap Verde vs Saudi Arabia could be sensational if Cap Verde make it, nobody gave them a prayer.” (38:47)
• Mark watches Belgium nervously: “They haven’t been very good, not particularly well coached, Lukaku is struggling…” (39:24)
• Archie notes Egypt–Iran in Seattle is the Pride game—watching for social and on-pitch narratives. (40:28)

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Offbeat and Lighter Moments

• Mark Langdon’s “big day on the vegetable front” including Panda Express and lasagna without tomato—“You have to go to the vegetable priest to confess, don’t you?” (43:04)
• Max amused by viral clips of Mexican fans surprised by family with World Cup tickets—shows the emotional side of the tournament. (41:14)
• Listener emails roast Mark’s claim he avoids vegetables, and a “Barry DJ set in a Latino club” is both praised and denied, capping the show with characteristic humour. (44:29)

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Conclusion

The episode delivers a balanced diet of sharp analysis and comedic relief, capturing World Cup drama both on and off the pitch.
From Ecuador’s historic night and the US’s rotation risks to Japan’s joyful football and the warning signs for giants like Germany, the Football Weekly crew break down all the talking points with their trademark wit, insight, and authenticity.

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Quick Links

• USMNT/Turkey review: 03:08–10:18
• Australia/Paraguay flop: 10:18–15:19
• Group F review (Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia): 17:11–28:25
• Ecuador’s win & Germany discussion: 28:25–35:30
• Ivory Coast progression: 35:30–36:39
• Preview of next matches: 38:23–41:14
• Lighter moments (food, listener mail): 41:14–45:14

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Listen for:

• Tactical analysis, classic pod banter, and the behind-the-scenes human drama that makes the World Cup unmissable—even if you skip the nil-nils.

Transcript

[Barry Glendenny]

This is the Guardian.

[Mark Langdon]

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[Archie Rent Out]

Every Style, Every home.

[Max Rushden]

Hello and welcome to the Guardian Football Weekly. Turkey beat the US with the last kick of the game in la. Could they be the tournament's dark horses after all? Brackets? No. The US Took the lead with Aiden Trusty's trusty left foot. Turkey turned it around. Sebastian Bearhalter equalized before the Turks salvage some pride. But ultimately it doesn't matter. The US still top the group. Meanwhile Australia, Paraguay was not a classic. Australia threw in second. Paraguay should get through. Netherlands win Group F. Brian Brobbie, Brobbie, Brobbie. On the score sheet again. Also a great own goal by Tunisia who've not had the best World Cup. Japan and Sweden both go through after a one all draw. Two delightful goals. Japan finish above Sweden and their prize is a game against Brazil in the last 32. Joy for Ecuador in New Jersey. A sea of yellow watched Germany take the lead despite despite a very high foot kicking someone in the face. But they came back and won it late on. It looked like the whole stadium was in tears at the end. And two goals for Pepe for the Ivory coast as they beat Curacao. We'll look ahead to tomorrow's games. France, Norway and Spain. Uruguay could both be good. We know Mark Langdon's been on the brackets, but did he eat a vegetable? Find out on today's Guardian Football Week. Clean on the panel today, Barry Glendenny. Welcome.

[Barry Glendenny]

Hi, Max.

[Max Rushden]

Hey. Mark Langdon from the Racing Post. Of course.

[Mark Langdon]

Yeah. Hi, Max.

[Max Rushden]

And joining us as well, Archie Rent Out. Hi, archie.

[Barry Glendenny]

Hey, Max.

[Max Rushden]

YouTube viewers may see that we are in our hotel rooms because it's very late and my bed is there and that's where I want to be. But before that, I will discuss these six football matches.

[Barry Glendenny]

Just, just to be clear, it's not a hotel.

[Max Rushden]

What are we in?

[Barry Glendenny]

We're in an apartment.

[Max Rushden]

We are in. I mean, okay. I mean, feels pedantic at this stage. Let's get through the stuff.

[Barry Glendenny]

I would argue quite a big difference between an apartment and a hotel room.

[Mark Langdon]

But yeah, I don't think I'd have a breakfast bar in, in a hotel. So I'm at the breakfast bar. So.

[Barry Glendenny]

Yeah.

[Max Rushden]

All right.

[Mark Langdon]

Okay.

[Max Rushden]

Can we do these matches? Let's start at group D. So the US Top the group. Six points. Australia have four, Paraguay have four. They're both through. Paraguay have to wait, but they're probably through. Turkey are out. They were out anyway. But we'll begin with their win over the US 3 2. They made lots of changes. The US Pulisic came back in the 97th minute. Mark, I wrote overall a brilliant group stage for them. Does that, does that goal that happened after I wrote that make any difference?

[Mark Langdon]

It shouldn't do. Whether there is a slight change in the nation, I suppose remains to be seen. But you know, the job had already been done. This was a reserve team that was put out by Pochettino. It won't be anything like the side that plays for the rest of the World cup as long as the US Are in it. There were still positives to take out of the game, particularly with Pulisic coming back from injury. So it shouldn't do. And I think if anybody kind of jumps to sort of wild conclusions on the back of a defeat to Turkey, I would sort of disagree with them quite strongly. You know, it didn't really matter.

[Max Rushden]

Yeah. And I guess, Barry, they face some adversity, which is probably useful.

[Barry Glendenny]

I'd largely agree with Mark, but I think from the supporters fan point of view, this would be a bit of a wake up call to see their team lose. I, I appreciate that some of the fans at the game tonight, like Brad Pitt, Leo DiCaprio, Colin Farrell in his stars and stripes, they're, they're die hards. They never miss a game. So they, they'll know that this defeat is massively inconsequential in the cosmic scheme of things. But I Think there are probably an awful lot of Johnny come lately clambering aboard the USA bandwagon for this World cup and there's nothing wrong with that. That's how the sport grows. Who will totally have expected the USA to beat this apparently terrible Turkey team and will now be going, oh, they lost that, that wasn't supposed to happen. And Americans love to win. You know, they'll follow their team in any sport as long as the, the team is winning. So, yeah, a bit of a reality check for them and probably no harm in that at all. But I've completely forgotten the original question you asked me having.

[Max Rushden]

No, I think you've. Whatever I asked and I've also forgotten it. I think you have answered it fair enough, because I don't know about you AR you're in a different part of la, but around here there is a sort of an LA is so big that you're probably like 200 miles away. But there is a, this sense of sort of growing confidence just in the number of US shirts you're seeing on a match day and this idea that actually they could do quite well. You know, they've, they've got Bosnia in the last 32, which is not a, that is not a bad draw, like. And I guess you want a host country to do well, I don't know if you want them to win it, but like you want them to, to, you know, I, I feel a growing sense of confidence.

[Archie Rent Out]

I wouldn't say despite even being quite close to the stadium here in, in la. I'm out by the beach and I wouldn't say that in this city you can really feel that there's a buzz around it because LA is so big and it sprawls in, in the way it does. I do think that, look, they've got off to fast starts now in each of their three group games and I think this was obviously the most inconsequential of them. I wonder how they'll go if they struggle to break a team down a bit. I, I think that Bosnia are going to be a tough nut to crack if it, it is them that they do eventually face. And I, I, they are going to have to face some adversity and I'm looking forward to seeing how they do with that. As for Turkey, it's been such a disappointing tournament for them and this was a game where even though they've won, they couldn't really win because their fans will go, well, we're working for the two previous games in the tournament and, and Vincenzo Montella has taken such heat for some of his decisions in the tournament for, for example, the fact that Dennis Ghoul, they're only true number nine, played 22 minutes in the first two games. The fact that they're best players didn't turn up in Guler, Yildiz, Chalanolu, Calanoglu left out tonight as well. But there have been lots of problem issues that have been raised, whether it's about the association not taking a sports psychologist with them because the players had difficulty switching off from the criticism of them due to their spare time activities of just making sure that their haircuts and beards were looking all right is one line that I've heard. So, yeah, it's amazing how, how these things to what factors then get put as important when you go out. But yeah, like huge, huge underperformance from them.

[Mark Langdon]

Yeah.

[Max Rushden]

Although they did, the substitutes did celebrate. Barry, I mean, I know you don't like high vis, lanyarded bib substitute and celebrating, but for a goal that didn't make any difference to Turkey, do you forgive them that moment?

[Barry Glendenny]

Well, I would say the bibs are not high vis. They're very low vis.

[Max Rushden]

Okay, thank you.

[Barry Glendenny]

And just in the interest of maintaining

[Max Rushden]

this pedantry, how long have I got left? Tell me, tell me.

[Barry Glendenny]

Yeah, I. Look, I no longer have a problem with it. You. It's fine. It clearly meant a lot to them to win this game even though they're still going out with the tournament. As you know, there's pride at stake. They were getting hammered at home. This probably won't, you know, they probably still get hammered at home, but at least they go out with their head. Like they played really well in this game. I was more or less taken one for the team by devoting myself entirely to Paraguay, Australia. But I saw the goals and the Turkey scored a couple of cracking goals here.

[Max Rushden]

Yeah, good as pass was great, you know, in the build up to the second, wasn't it on Pulisic? Good for him to be back Mark and to get a bit of time on the pitch. Poor, is it? Jenny Taft, Denny Taft, the Fox reporter who's had to follow his calf for the last two weeks. Yeah, the calf got to see him running around.

[Mark Langdon]

Yeah, the calf has become the metatarsal with Beckham and Rooney and we've now got, you know, minute by minute updates on Pulisic's calf. He looked fine when he came on. Went close to scoring on a couple of occasions. He's the absolute poster boy of, of the team. So you can understand why they kind would want him back for the knockout stages because he is the one, not the only player, but he, he is their best player and it's important to get 30 minutes into him. He looked fully fit. So for the knockout game you'd expect him to start and yeah, for Jenny's sake, let's hope he does.

[Max Rushden]

Yeah, absolutely. You know, he had that one shot, you know that one shot that went just wide, perhaps the save of the tournament from Kakir with that, that fingertip save and I think he completely winded himself by doing it. But anyway, that was that game. Paraguay nil. Australia nil. I mean, there are some nil Nils that are bad, but there are some nil Nils that are really bad. And Barry, you took one for the team, but so did I and so did Mark. We, we didn't and so did Artie. Before the game I looked at Barry, I looked at you in injury time and you did look asleep. I would say you were, you were talking, but your eyes did not look open.

[Barry Glendenny]

Well, that's how that often happens, to be fair. But yeah, this was, I would say the worst game of the tournament by a considerable distance so far. It made England Ghana look like just like Joe Go Bonito, you know, it was awful. Like truly awful. And a draw suit with both teams and it showed. I think the biggest cheer of the night was when an Aussie fan was shown on the Jumbotron drinking lager out of a shoe. Which gives you a measure of how bad the game was. It did spark into life in the second minute of added time.

[Max Rushden]

I have that written. It came to Life in the 93rd minute. I have written.

[Barry Glendenny]

So Mauricio had a shot, a chance saved, and then Yengi had a shot saved by Orlando Hill. I wondered if after the second drinks break, Paraguay might give it a bit more of a rattle just in the hope of winning at getting an easier draw in the round of 32. But they were clearly more terrified of conceding a goal than they were encouraged by the thought of scoring one. So for most of the second half you bought teams playing a low block and very little going on in the middle.

[Max Rushden]

Yeah, I did think, Archie, that Australia were much better in this game than the US game. They look, they had a bit of intent. Volpato and Jordy Boss down the right looked quite a nice combination. Jackson Irvine is a very calming presence. There were some positives for them, the

[Archie Rent Out]

fact that Tony Popovich rotated again, but this time found, I think what was a pleasing lineup for Australia and. And a better balance to the team. The fact that I think key thing is that Nestoria and Kunda started as well because he is such an outlet and whilst I don't think he was the most dangerous player and in on the evening, I'm struggling which time of day to say.

[Max Rushden]

So it's the evening for you. You can live in the. Live in the now what we're doing.

[Archie Rent Out]

Yeah, Jordy Boss was excellent down at wing back, for example. And look, it's still a big achievement for them to qualify for the next round and I would still place them in the category of underdogs at every tournament they go to. And when you see how teams like Scotland have performed where they don't look like they have a structure or a plan. I mean, Tony Popovic has kept everyone guessing with his plan in every single game so far. But yeah, the thing that caught the eye here was the fact that Paraguay went into the Australian box for the first time in the 38th minute and that was from a long throw. The main thing that stood out here was just the number of thumping tackles and just seeing limbs flying into places that you wouldn't expect them. And I think the key emotion I saw, I don't know if you can name it as an emotion, but I just saw an awful lot of wincing throughout the game.

[Max Rushden]

Vitamin C. Yeah, that was us. Exactly. Yeah. I mean, Paraguay are pretty bleak, Mark. I mean, it's sort of enciso and then 10 blokes just running about.

[Mark Langdon]

Yeah, yeah. I mean, first.

[Max Rushden]

Too harsh?

[Mark Langdon]

No, their first half XG was 0.04, which says a lot about how they. They sort of. I was going to say attack the game, but that. That wouldn't be the right phrase. That was the way they went about the game. Not going to do them any favors. Diego Gomez, probably the one player outside of Enciso that has got, you know, some creative juices. You know, he. He got a yellow card which is going to rule him out of the last 32 game as well, which, like I said, not going to do them any favors. I. I was really offended by the ITV X. I hovered over the stream after about 86 minutes and it asked if I wanted to watch from the start. And no was the classic old.

[Max Rushden]

Imagine the masochist. He went, yeah, okay, I'll give this another go. I really want to see the nuances of this game. Anyway, it all means that the USA played Bosnia. Australia will play the second in group G. That's the Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand game. In Paraguay, Mark likely to be Germany. So it is a big. Like that is. That is such a big difference. Presuming that Belgium don't finish second in

[Mark Langdon]

Group G. Yeah, I think they should have. I think Paraguay sort of last five, ten minutes should have had more of a go, but yeah, maybe they just haven't got it in them.

[Barry Glendenny]

I suspect they'll also be missing Omar El Dorate for their next game because I don't know if he finished the game, but he was suffering like a

[Max Rushden]

bad injury and I don't think one of his legs finished the game. The other one did as far as I can tell. So some bravery to be on that. Just on the US as well. Trusty really turned his ankle. That looked really bad late on, didn't he? But, you know, they should be happy with the game against Bosnia in the last 32. But as you said, you know, Bosnia will park the bus and so it'll be interesting to see how they get on. And that'll do for part one. Part two, we'll do Group F. Hi, Podfans. Max here. Barry's here too.

[Barry Glendenny]

Hello.

[Max Rushden]

The weekly is supported by Gradient fc. Now, Barry, with the World cup underway, we know player performance will be under a microscope, from superstars cementing legacies to upstarts vying for big summer transfers. But with 48 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 or or down on the world stage.

[Barry Glendenny]

How does it work?

[Max Rushden]

Well, gradience 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 2000 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 100 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.

[Barry Glendenny]

Fantastic.

[Max Rushden]

Explore it for [e-mail] or download the Gradient FC app from the Apple Store or Google Play. This episode is supported by Boss, formal 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 Maurizio Pochettino in Boss Performance businesswear 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 collection and wear their passion with special fanwear capsule and embroidered badges in national colors. Own the moment with confidence. Discover the Boss Performance collection 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 [e-mail] or at your nearest Boss store Beyourown Boss. Welcome to Part two of the Guardian Football Weekly. So Group F then Netherlands win the group on seven. Japan have five points, Sweden in third on four. They go through Tunisia zero. Not been a brilliant tournament for them. Let's start the game between Sweden and Japan. I suppose a slightly odd game Mark, because once the Netherlands were winning in the other game it was pretty clear that had Sweden won they'd play Brazil. So they. So did they want. I mean I was sort of thinking what a disastrous save by Suzuki to keep out Isaac in injury time because now Japan play Brazil and Sweden play probably have an easier 32.

[Mark Langdon]

I mean we don't know where they're going to go. There is a chance that they get France which so you might not be okay. It would be harder but it was another game where a draw wasn't a bad result for either team in the end and it ended in a draw. You know, which comes back to the issues with the format overall because Sweden wanted to make sure that they were one of, you know, the teams that if you finish a four points you are going through. So you know, they lost a game and started to chase it against Japan. It could have got difficult for them. It was.

[Max Rushden]

Yeah, sorry. Like, like if it's just two going through, it's a totally different football match, isn't it? Like Sweden have to bomb on and go for it and it's just a much more entertaining game.

[Mark Langdon]

Yeah, it definitely would. You know, it would have been a very different game as it was. It, it was an even enough match. I think we saw from Graham Potter's team selection that he was thinking a point was a good result because while he had the free up front with a Langer, Isak and Joker as he also had Lindelof in central midfield to start the match. So I think he was more than happy to take the point and Netherlands had raced into that lead against Tunisia and even had they not gone in front, I think Japan always knew that that was going to end in a Dutch victory. So they just maybe weren't going up full tilt either. Very interesting to see how they go on though against Brazil. I mean that's not an easy last 32 game for Brazil that you know, a lot of the teams that have won the groups are going to have much more comfortable paths. You would have thought through to the last 16 and it's definitely not a gimme for them.

[Max Rushden]

Someone who was giving it a go, Barry is Anthony Elanga. He didn't realize at the end that a draw is enough to go through. And there was an amazing photo of him beating the floor in frustration. And Graham Potter said afterwards, bless him, we did tell him

[Barry Glendenny]

right. I, I did notice that he was sitting on the ground looking incredibly upset. I wasn't. I didn't realize he thought Sweden had gone out. So that, that does make a lot of sense now.

[Archie Rent Out]

Yeah in a way quite good to

[Max Rushden]

not tell the players and then they might go for it a bit more. But I mean like he scored two really good goals in this tournament actually

[Barry Glendenny]

he has his goal here was just caught in from the right left footed shot around the keeper inside the post. Really good strike. Oh before that he'd shown a few nice tricks down the the wing but his final ball was often usually found wanting which is. Has been a hallmark of his game throughout the season with Newcastle. But yeah he, he got his goal so that's, that's good. I thought the Japan goal was outstanding as well. Yeah superb finish by Daizane made after running on making a brilliant run onto a pass from door and yeah this was an odd game. I think both teams looked to be happy with the draw and then when Japan went ahead Sweden said right we need to bucker ideas up here. And then Sweden closed out the stronger. They had three good chances in a row towards the end and didn't score any of them.

[Max Rushden]

Yeah, I mean that Japan goal arches is so beautiful and the kind of football that we expect from them now like that slick passing football. And it will be so interesting to see that how they approach the Brazil game because I think they should take it to Brazil.

[Archie Rent Out]

They have had excellent results at the last World cup for example against teams where when the other team's been on the front foot then they've actually looked more comfortable. And them going out against Croatia in the end was actually because they had to take more of the initiative. And yet I think We've seen in how they've evolved since then that they do look more comfortable having more of the ball. You saw it also with their result against England in that friendly not too long ago as well. And the thing I find fascinating about this is that since the start of this World cup cycle, they've used 86 players in terms of rotation.

[Max Rushden]

Amazing. That is like a Sunday league team where people keep dropping out. You have to get your mate on a Saturday morning just before.

[Archie Rent Out]

Like it's. So no one could complain that they've not had at least a shot. And everybody seems so on the same page of knowing what their role is. And, and I, yeah, I think slick is, is the, is the right word for that goal. And also because not many teams can play that kind of football at international level who, who look like they're capable of pulling that off. So I, to be honest, I don't back Japan to beat Brazil right now. I don't think that Brazil are in their most comfortable phase and I, I think that the games that they had against Haiti in Scotland, those are two weak opponents. And look, a lot of things were going to have to come together after what happened against Morocco, but I think that Japan could be a real stumbling block for them.

[Max Rushden]

Yeah, I think so. And on just one on Sweden is that Isak and Yus played together but they didn't really link up at all. So it'd be quite interesting to see what Potter does in the the next round. Netherlands beat Tunisia 3 1. Tunisia down one after three minutes with a brilliant own goal. Massive shin into the back of the net. Archie, you wanted a word on why Tunisia had been so bad?

[Archie Rent Out]

Yeah, so a good friend of mine is, is from Tunisia and even before the first game began, I got a text from at 4am being like, just waking up for this hate watch. And I thought, look, it can't be that bad what, what you're about to see. And yet they have managed to disprove me in every game by conceding inside the opening 10 minutes in every game. And look, from, from what I understand, it's, it's about a much bigger problem in Tunisian football, about the infrastructure not being there and talent production because of underfunding of training centers and no long term vision, an over reliance on finding players of dual nationality and crucially no accountability within the Tunisian Football Federation. When things have gone wrong in the last few years, the poor results of the national team at youth team level and at senior level have been continually brushed under the carpet and the culprits have never gone and I think that when you see the noises that of a Rena was making even after one game being like I'm not too sure I'm going to be here for much longer and you look at the fact that Tunisia have had 20 coaches in the last 18 years you think yeah, something is not right. And I felt at first I laughed when I saw Elias Skiri's own goal because that's the natural thing to do I think when you see that. But then to be honest that laughter turned to sadness because I thought he's not really to blame for all of this. And. And they're having to continually carry the can for yeah a a weak federation

[Barry Glendenny]

above them is blazers in the football National Football Federation failing to take accountability. Not the hallmark of every single football federation on the planet honestly certainly is in the Republic of Ireland Football Federation and the faa.

[Archie Rent Out]

This was the second conclusion I take which is speaking to fans and journalists from so many countries ahead of this World Cup. I realize it's just it's a real minority who is happy with their national football federation. I get that by their nature they're difficult things to run and difficult to please everybody because you're having to represent so many parts of the country and obviously there's a pressure for success but there was just so many poorly run ones that it seems to be a criticism of so many teams where things have gone wrong and it doesn't seem to land with the coach that there's so much which is going on higher up.

[Barry Glendenny]

I just think if you get a job as an executive in a national FA it's a very cushy gig. So you're always going to be more concerned about keeping your own position than what is better for the national federation of the national team or youth development etc. And so on.

[Mark Langdon]

Maybe Barry, you should have. You should have used that as the job you like to have done instead of the binman.

[Max Rushden]

I was thinking it's those small. It's those small well run countries. Your Brentford, Brighton, Bournemouth that's what they need to. To look at. A quick one on the Netherlands mark. You know they've had a good group stage Brobie scoring my prediction for the golden boot. So where are they at do you think?

[Mark Langdon]

Well, a difficult last 32 game against Morocco. The. The good news is that if you get through that it's Canada or South Africa in the last 16 so I think both of those teams will feel like win it and we've got an amazing chance of being in the quarterfinals, this was a very easy game for them. I think Van Hecker who scored the third goal, I saw a stat saying he completed. Now in that game he completed the most passes in any match so far. At the World cup it was, you know, there was no pressure on the sort of Dutch and like they've got good players. It just, you know, Japan, when Japan put them under pressure, they weren't great. Netherlands. So yeah, that game against Morocco looks quite close to me.

[Max Rushden]

So then group E, Germany, top of the group, six points. Cote d' Ivoire, also six points. Their second. Ecuador have four and a zero goal difference. So they're through. And actually the scenes, Barry, at the end in Ecuador, in New Jersey when Ecuador won, you know, the full time scenes were brilliant. The amount of cutaways to Ecuador fans crying was sort of beautiful.

[Barry Glendenny]

Yeah, it clearly meant an awful lot to them. It's only the second time they've ever qualified at the group stage. And on the BBC TV coverage, Tim Vickery, the doyen of all things South American football, he reckoned it was the greatest moment in the history of the Ecuador Victorian national team. Even though it's the second time they've gone through. I think, I think he, he said, and he clearly felt aggrieved on their behalf as well that they haven't been getting the rub of the green in this tournament. And even in this game they went gold down to a goal that shouldn't have stood, but they came back and won the game. And hats off to them, Nielsen Angulo showed talent. He's. He's kept hidden thus far at Sunderland, scoring a brilliant goal to, to equalize for them. And just as an aside, Sunderland are very much on course to win the Golden Boot in this tournament. I think they're only behind Paris Saint Germain so far and level with Lionel Messi in the race for the gold.

[Max Rushden]

Just imagine when Thomas Tuchel brings on Kevin Phillips, then they'll be absolutely flying, won't they? I mean on that first goal, because I was so surprised, Mark and I don't know how many replays you've seen, but he gets kicked in the face, his boot scrapes down his face. And I don't blame the ref on the pitch, but I want the game to flow, right. It is conflict for those of us who don't want var. Want the game to flow, but don't think you should be able to kick people in the face.

[Mark Langdon]

Yeah. Hands up. I was eating my lunch during the first half of this game and like you were apoplectic with rage. Max on. On the WhatsApp group. And I looked up once and it looked okay to me and I didn't know what you were going on about. I've since seen the incident again and ye should have been called back. It was. It was dangerous play. Feel like Var is generally been okay in, in this tournament. I'm not desperate for it to be in the game. But, you know, even when I think back to the Mbappe penalty. Oh, feels like ages ago now against Senegal when, you know, Var quite rightly pulled it back to the referee and said, you need to. You need to have a look at this. And the referee bizarrely said it wasn't a penalty. I think Vara had done its job at that point. And yeah, a rare misstep, but it wasn't. It wasn't great Varing, that's for sure.

[Max Rushden]

No, it wasn't. Archie, you're reflecting on Germany so far.

[Archie Rent Out]

Kind of like the Euros in the. Started by thrashing a team and then after that things got a little bit tighter. In, in each game there's a big subplot going on which you might not have heard about, where Jurgen Klopp is an expert on. On Magenta tv, which is showing all the games in Germany. And right at the start of the tournament, when they were discussing with Thomas Muller, who should be in the Germany team, Klopp made a throwaway comment where he said, look, thankfully Julian Nausman is, is picking the team for now. And then he kind of. He kind of laughed.

[Max Rushden]

Did he then look at the camera and wink for now? He should have done.

[Archie Rent Out]

Yeah, he. He kind of did. He kind of did. But. But the thing is, is that in Germany that, that initiated a firework and it led to Klopp turning up to the next to the. The first Germany game wearing a Germany shirt. And at the end of the game against Curacao, he apologized to Julian Nagelsmann on camera and he looked so nervous. It was so weird seeing Jurgen Klopp grovel. It's just not an emotion that you would expect to see from him. Now, obviously, the reason why this is so controversial is because it's expected that Jurgen Klopp would quite like the Germany job. And Thomas Muller made the comment after he said it was like, oh, well, we're not in September yet, Jurgen. So Julian Nagelsmann has gritted his teeth through this. You can tell that he absolutely hates it. And yet the criticism from Klopp after the game today was that, you know, players are in too many positions he didn't say this directly to Nagelsmann, it should be said. But I think that it was pretty good analysis in that the Germany team under Juli Nazmann. It feels like the coach is the one trying to shine rather than letting the players do their jobs. But also, I just don't know about the right mix of. Of attacking players right now. There's something wrong with the balance there. They. They did get over the line against Ivory coast, but they were quite fortunate. It could have gone the other way if. If Simon Adingra takes that. That chance. So, look, obviously missing Nico Schlottabeck for the rest of the tournament as well. That's a huge injury blow. So, yeah, I wouldn't be confident of Germany getting past France. Should they. Should they make it that far?

[Barry Glendenny]

Can I ask, rg, were you surprised that Julie Nagelsman only made two changes for this game, both of them enforced? Because Germany's next game is on Monday, I think. And like, I know he said we didn't play enough games together in the build up to the tournament, so we want to play a setting now. But the fact that they lost isn't going to do a huge amount for morale. And a lot of these players look like they were looking after themselves. Making sure. Manuel Neuer in particular, I would say.

[Archie Rent Out]

Right.

[Barry Glendenny]

Making sure not to get injured ahead of the knockout stages.

[Archie Rent Out]

The idea, as you said, was he wanted them to gel, but instead of gelling, they. They kind of congealed. It wasn't. It's difficult to take any positives out of it. And when you see how Mauricio Pochettino approached the game for the US in terms of the rotations, if anything, it solidified who his starting lineup is, whereas this has just only cast more doubt onto who people think should be starting, and particularly that. That the center of midfield, Felix Nimecha, who's been great so far, had a really poor game. But it also just raised questions in everyone from. From Dennis Undav to Yosukemish to Jurgen Klopp, all said, look, it's very clear that Ecuador wanted it more. And Julian Naagsman refused to admit that. He was like, no, no, Ecuador were just wanting to take more risks. And I think you need everybody being on the same page from how they're seeing things. And of course you can say, well, sometimes coaches are just. Are just saying one thing in the media and another thing behind closed doors. But Julian Ogsman is always pretty truthful in terms of what he's. In terms of the tone of what he's saying anyway. So yeah, I think there are a few concerns.

[Max Rushden]

Ivory coast beat Curacao 2 nil so they make the knockouts for the first time. Aware when we're saying knockouts for the first time, the last 32 is, is different. But you know, they did come second in this group, Mark. So they would have got through had it been just the top two going through and that's really big for them.

[Mark Langdon]

Yeah, Pepe got both the goals on the left hand side, created the first. They've got good, they've got good players all over the pitch. Actually I sort of one of them teams that I hadn't considered much going into the tournament and then when they played their first game and you see the, the starting eleven, I recognize him, I recognize him. And all of a sudden most of their players are playing a reasonably high level. The Ecuador game in their opening one was one that could have gone either way but they managed to nick it. Thought they played very well against Germany and definitely should have got something out of that game and then they've won this one comfortably. So they've got whoever comes second in that France nor group next. Be a difficult game, but it'll be a difficult game for whoever's got to play them as well. Yeah, they've surprised me with how good they've been actually so far.

[Max Rushden]

So Ivory Coastal pay, as you say, they'll be probably supporting Norway. Oh, they'll be supporting France, won't they in the France Norway game because they play whoever comes second. Netherlands, Morocco, Ecuador, most likely play Mexico. Just a reminder, we've Got live shows 1st of September at Vicker street in Dublin. 9th of September, Soho Theatre in Walthamstow. So come along to both of them, please. Guardian.co.uk they'll be similar, but come along to both of them anyway. Guardian.co.uk footballweeklylive and in part three, we'll take a quick look at tomorrow's games.

[Pablo Torre]

Hey, this is Pablo Torre from Pablo Torre finds out and today I want to talk to you about Boost Mobile. In sports, there's always pressure to chase the next big thing. But sometimes the smartest play is sticking with what's already working for you. Boost Mobile gets that if your phone is running fine, you should not have to buy a new one just to get a better deal. Bring your phone to Boost Mobile and get unlimited wireless for just $25 a month. Forever. No contracts, no price hikes. Visit Boost Mobile, unlock your phone. $25 forever requires customers to remain active on the Boost Mobile Unlimited plan.

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[Max Rushden]

Welcome to part three of the Guardian Football Weekly. Pretty aware that most of you be listening while these games are, you know, not quite starting but happening. But Norway, France, Senegal, Iraq in is that group that is Group I, not Group L. They do look similar. We've made that mistake before. Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Spain in Group H, New Zealand, Belgium, Egypt, Iran in Group G. What what takes your fancy, Barry?

[Barry Glendenny]

I'm very much looking forward to Norway, France and Uruguay Spain. I expect like most people are kept Faraday and Saudi Arabia as well. I I fancy Cap Verdale fancy their chances of beating Saudi Arabia and it'll be absolutely sensational if they made it into the knockout stages because I don't think anyone gave them a prayer at the start of the tournament.

[Max Rushden]

It's good because that's winner takes all. Right. They both need to win to have a chance of getting through.

[Barry Glendenny]

Yeah. So those are the three that jump out of me certainly

[Mark Langdon]

looking forward to that New Zealand v Belgium game. I mean probably for the wrong reasons in that Belgium haven't been very good so far and under pressure to get at least something out of the game. Maybe a draw will be enough but I think it's a game they'll expect to win. But they would have expected to have beaten Iran and they didn't and they, they would have expected I think to have played better against Egypt and they didn't. So, you know, not a particularly well coached team side that's got struggling centre forward in Lukaku, a midfielder in De Bruyne who's trying to do everything because he can see there's not that much kind of around him to help. So like they're a team under. Under pressure really Belgium because it was, it looked an easy group on paper before a ball was kicked and they're still not qualified and potentially in danger of going out. I would expect them to be New Zealand but they, they do need to improve. They've been very poor so far.

[Archie Rent Out]

Archie, two things worth mentioning that Egypt, Iran is in Seattle. And this is the designated Pride game. So, yeah, seeing how that all goes down is something I'll be keeping an eye on. I just want to mention with Spain, that not actually something to do with the game, but probably my favorite clip that I've seen online of the World cup so far, which is Bohari Iglesias and Pedro Porro messing about playing a bit of basketball. And Pedro Poro sinks one, and he turns to the camera and goes, michael Jackson. Double takes.

[Pablo Torre]

He goes.

[Archie Rent Out]

Michael Jordan.

[Max Rushden]

So the clips I've been seeing, I keep seeing clips of Mexican fans either being surprised with shirts or tickets to the game from their children. And it's really. And I'm a bit tired and emotional. They really get me going. I was watching quite a lot of those during Australia, Paraguay. Rob writes, I won't be the first or the last to point out the burritos contain beans, usually black beans. Mark even said it himself when he gave the contents of his burrito and shock Horror Beans and vegetables. An own goal. He's off the. Mark, keep up the good work, says Rob.

[Mark Langdon]

I like refried beans. Refried beans are among my. Yeah. Favorite.

[Barry Glendenny]

Your perversion.

[Mark Langdon]

Yeah. Among my sort of favorite foods from.

[Archie Rent Out]

You have to go to the vegetable

[Max Rushden]

priest to confess, don't you? When you've eaten a vegetable. It's been a big day on the vegetable front. Mark, talk to us.

[Mark Langdon]

Been a big day on the food front. I think altogether, to be honest. Max started with Honey Nut Cheerios, as every morning does.

[Max Rushden]

Of course I did.

[Mark Langdon]

I was up early this morning, so I needed. I needed a bridge between lunch and there was still some Mac and cheese left. So I. I polished that off before lunch. I went for Panda Express for lunch as kind of us.

[Max Rushden]

Sorry, this is a Mac and cheese brunch. Sort of just bonus brunch.

[Mark Langdon]

Yeah, it was a. Yeah, a brid. I'll call it a bridge.

[Max Rushden]

Okay. The Mac and cheese bridge. Take me to the bridge.

[Mark Langdon]

Panda Express for lunch. The big plates. So. So had the classic orange chicken. Also had some short rib and some shrimp.

[Max Rushden]

Okay.

[Mark Langdon]

With some egg fried rice, which had.

[Archie Rent Out]

Okay.

[Mark Langdon]

Carrots and peas.

[Max Rushden]

You can't be taking them out, can you?

[Pablo Torre]

That's a.

[Archie Rent Out]

That's hard word.

[Mark Langdon]

And then I had some chow mein as well, which had various bits.

[Barry Glendenny]

This is.

[Max Rushden]

Are we still on lunch?

[Mark Langdon]

Yeah, we're still on lunch. I mean, the people on Reddit that have been worried about my. That diet can. Can sleep easy now because I've polished off a load of greens. And then for dinner, Rory, you know Part of the backroom team on. On this podcast. He cooked a lovely lasagna for dinner.

[Max Rushden]

And he made a special one for you, didn't he? A kid's lasagna for you.

[Mark Langdon]

He made one that was tomato less for me, but I did have some of the salad that was on the side.

[Max Rushden]

Couldn't believe it. There you were with the tongs, picking tiny bits of lettuce and making sure to avoid any other.

[Mark Langdon]

I will not be eating beetroot.

[Max Rushden]

No, noted. Noted. Okay. Well, what a journey we're on. Yeah, big day for you. Blimey, you mustn't lie. That lunch is quite exceptional, isn't it? Charlie and Joe, right? Dear Max, as Scotland fans, we're very disappointed. Appointed by a loss to Brazil on Wednesday night in Miami. However, very grateful that Barry managed to find time in his busy schedule to fit in a DJ set in a Latino club in South Beach. To lift our spirits, I've put it in the WhatsApp group. If you'd like to have a look. Gents, on behalf of the Tartan army, please pass on our appreciation to Barry. We look forward to any details on future sets. There we are. I'd say it's. I'd say it's a sort of seven out of six out of ten. It's not. Who's that? Mp Tom Watson. It's sort of a six out of ten, Barry. Or is it just a man with glasses? Isn't it?

[Barry Glendenny]

And that looks like Leo Messi standing behind me. Yeah, that looks a lot less like me than the bloke who looked like Robert Snodgrass, who wasn't Robert Snodgrass. Look like Robert Snodgrass.

[Max Rushden]

Yeah, noted, noted. But thanks anyway. And if you would like Mary, to do a DJ set in a Latino club anywhere in. I would say it. It. It has to be on Sunset Boulevard, because I'm not sure you've left Sunset Boulevard in the two weeks we've been here yet, Barry. So if there is a Latino club on Sunset Boulevard, would you DJ on it?

[Barry Glendenny]

No.

[Max Rushden]

Okay, thank you so much. Thanks for playing along. And that'll do for today. Thank you, everybody. Thanks, Mark.

[Mark Langdon]

Thank you, Max.

[Max Rushden]

Thanks, Archie.

[Archie Rent Out]

Thank you.

[Max Rushden]

Cheers, Barry.

[Barry Glendenny]

Thanks. I don't know how to dj. I suspect you just put on a mixtape and press play, but there might be more to it than that.

[Max Rushden]

I'm sure they'll help you. We could go down to Bossa Nova, you know, that's on this street. Spin the wheels. Football Weekly is produced by Rory Simon and Matt Bentley. Varney. Our executive producers are Joel Grove and Danielle Stevens. And we'll be back tomorrow. This is the Guardian. Acast powers the world's best podcasts. Here's a show that we recommend.

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[Pablo Torre]

Acast.com hey, this is Pablo Torre from Pablo Torre Finds out and today I want to talk to you about Boost Mobile. In sports, there's always pressure to chase the next big thing. But sometimes the smartest play is sticking with what's already working for you. Boost Mobile gets that if your phone is running fine, you should not have to buy a new one just to get a better deal. Bring your phone to Boost Mobile and get unlimited wireless for just $25 a month. Forever. No contracts, no price hikes. Visit Boost Mobile, unlock your phone. $25 forever requires customers to remain active on the Boost Mobile Unlimited plan.

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