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Group Stage Reaches Its Climax | Day 14 Preview | Morning Cupdate, Presented by The Home Depot
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- [00:00]
Narrator/Announcer
For nearly two decades, almost as long as Tim Ream has been in the U.S. men's National Team, All State has bat the growth of this game in every corner of this great footballing nation, from grassroots pitches to the biggest stages, they've been here believing in it, protecting its future. Because supporting soccer, it's not just about match days. And that's why All State offers affordable coverage at personalised rates, so you can spend less time worrying and and more time watching. Check Allstate first for a quote that could save you hundreds. Visit allstate.com or call a local agent today. Allstate. You're in good hands. Potential savings vary subject to terms and availability. Allstate North America Insurance Company and Affiliates, Northbrook, Illinois. We are delighted to bring you the Men in Blazers City Guides presented by Visa, a joyously assembled guide to the best places to eat, drink and explore and watch the beautiful game across the country enjoyed. Aimed at helping fans experience the city as a local. It's built by you, our listeners, recommending some of the best small businesses in your communities, like the finest Fiat Cajun in Houston. Yes. The best burrito in San Francisco. Yes. Where to save a lemon pepper wet in Atlanta. Yes. Yes. Yes. A massive shout out to our sponsor, Visa, who's made this guide possible. Visa gives local business owners the tools and support to be ready for moments exactly like this one. Welcoming you to enjoy the games this summer. Start planning your journey@meninblazers.com CityGuides Lays, an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026, is also the official sponsor of all bandwagon fans during this euphoric summer of footballing wonder. And this summer, they're inviting all of us to jump on because come kick off. Hope springs eternal. My cold, dark heart grows three sizes every FIFA world up. The ebullient Moroccans, the splimed Spanish. You can't help but fall in love again and again. So ask Grandma if perhaps your 1/16 French, Brazilian or Japanese. Adopt a new anthem, borrow a new flag. Embrace that bandwagon, because when your team goes home, the party doesn't have to grab a bag of lays, gather some friends and cheer for whoever you damn well like.
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Betty Glover
Hello and welcome to Morning Cup Day. I'm Betty Glover, coming to you from la. We are nearing the end of the group stages, which means the games are coming thick and fast. Six games happening today. I hope you don't have a lot planned. Groups A, B and C are all in action. This is your ultimate guide to day 14 of the World Cup. Hello, everybody. Good morning. Welcome to morning cup date built by the Home Depot live from Union Station here in Los Angeles. The Home Depot is your winning assist to host the ultimate watch party with fast free delivery to get your backyard match day ready, subject to availability. Right, let's get straight into it, starting with yesterday's action. And the big question that we asked in our last episode was all about Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo and the pressure that he was under to score against Uzbekistan after his goalless hall and a pretty weak performance against Dr. Congo. After watching Lionel Messi break the all time tournament goal scoring record yesterday, and a couple of other world records whilst he was at it, the spotlight was shining intensely on the five time Ballon d' or winner, Ronaldo. Although it didn't take him long to respond to those critics. Six minutes in fact. And Portugal fans watching in Lisbon absolutely loved it. Ronaldo fans all over the world in raptures. He is the first man to score in six different World Cups, by the way. That's not half bad at all, is it? He then had a hand in the other first half goals. Firstly, his free kick decoy worked perfectly so that Nuno Mendes could unleash Portugal's second goal. And then shortly before halftime, Bruno Fernandes weighted a perfect through ball to Ronaldo, who finished expertly, almost like he's one of the most decorated players in the world. Portugal then scored two more in the second half to wrap up a 50 win over Uzbekistan. After the match, Ronaldo had this to say to the television cameras. You might need to listen closely.
- [04:20]
Narrator/Announcer
Come back, come back.
- [04:22]
Betty Glover
If you couldn't make it out, he says, I'm back. Twice. Locking eyes with the camera, Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Fox joked that he didn't realise Cristiano had ever gone away. Asked by a Portuguese reporter why he said this to the cameras, Ronaldo simply responded, just so they don't forget. Although when he was asked about Messi, he simply said, next question was a little bit awkward. In the second match of the day, England took on Ghana and the English fans in Boston were enjoying their new chant. That was the cry from England fans pre match. Just a side note, by the way, I think they really need to start adding some lyrics to it. It's a little bit short and it gets a little bit boring. Anyway, maybe they will be reassessing that viewpoint after a poor 00 draw against Ghana. Worst game of the tournament so far. Yeah, probably up there, wasn't it? No shots on target for the entire first half. A full time in London. There were big celebrations but it wasn't by those wearing the white shirts. London based Ghana fans, they're absolutely thrilled that their side picked up a 00 draw against England. It was a defensive axe against the wall performance by Carlos Querez's side. England had 19 shots but very few of those worried the Ghana keep at Benjamin Asari and England fans had their head in their hands when Harry Kane blazed their best chance over the bar in the 85th minute. In fact, Ghana will consider themselves quite unlucky as well that they didn't get a penalty when ESRI Konsa appeared to take out Prince Adu in the area without winning the ball. After the game much of the talk was about the fact that England's Jed Spence refused to shake Garner's Thomas Partey's hand who was charged with five counts of rape and one of sexual assault last year, charges that he does deny. After the match Thomas was asked about the moment by a BBC journalist. Did Jed Spence shake your hand? Then in the other group El Clash Panama are out after losing 10 to Croatia. For Panama, their only ever goal in the World cup remains the consolation during their 61 defeat to England in 2018. Then back in Group K, Colombia narrowly beat Dr. Congo by one goal to nil with Crystal Palaces Daniel Munoz scoring his second goal of the tournament. Here were the scenes at a Colombia watch party in la. That result leaves Colombia top of Group K with Portugal in a close second. By the way, for those of you dreaming of a potential Messi against Ronaldo quarter final in Kansas, that is what dreams are made of. Portugal need to top the group. The decider between Colombia and Portugal will take place on Saturday. We are on day 14 of the World cup which means it is officially time for the double header. Oh yeah, if you thought four matches a day was a lot to keep up with. Get ready for the next few days where we have a massive six games every single day. I don't know how we're gonna cope. So sadly though, unless you have a double screen you are going to have to make some pretty bold and big choices. Fortunately my production team here are on hand to help you make the correct one with their completely expert and non biased opinions. And by expert I do mean completely amateur. Naturally FIFA have chosen the order of the final groups today to be B, C and A, which makes absolutely no sense at all. But yeah, first of all it is the conclusion of group B at 3pm Eastern. We've got Switzerland against Canada in Vancouver and then Bosnia and Herzegovina take on Qatar in Seattle. What are your thoughts here, Team Canada? Okay, they've gone for Canada. I don't think there's too much debate here. Whilst Bosnia and Qatar will know that a win is enough to advance to the knockout, Switzerland and Canada are level on point to the top, so it should be a really interesting matchup. A draw for Canada is enough to advance as group winners, but that Swiss team is packed full of talent and this matchup is today's drawdown. Today's Drill down brought to you by Makita is all about the midfield battle that will take place in Vancouver between the Swiss and the Canadians. Now the co hosts will be missing their midfield engine room. Ismail Kone after his awful leg break against Qatar, coach Jesse Marsh summed up how much they're going to miss him by saying that Kone was maybe their best player in the tournament so far. Nathan Saliba, who plays his football for Anderlecht, came on for Kone against Qatar and even got himself on the score sheet. But playing against Switzerland is a completely different kettle of fish, particularly against Granit Xhaka, who in their 41 win over Bosnia pulled all the strings in the midfield, releasing the pace of Danon Doi and Ruben Vargas. If Canada's midfield can win that battle against Xhaka, they will likely control the game. For the Canadiens, winning the group carries extra significance as not only would it mean they get to play a third place team in the last 32, but it also means that their first two knockout games would be played in Vancouver rather than than having to Travel to the USA. A big win next up at 6pm Eastern it is the conclusion of Group C right team, what are we saying here? We've got Scotland against Brazil in Miami or we've got Morocco against Haiti in Atlanta? It is a banger. It is an absolute tune. I felt like this one was quite an easy choice, wasn't it? So for Morocco, they need a big win against already eliminated Haiti in order to try and claim that top spot in Group C, but the match in Miami between the Brazilians and the Scots has really got a lot of interesting factors. Rarely have we seen scenes like this on South Beach. Will Smith may have sung that south beach was for every different nation, black, white, Cuban or Asian, but he probably never imagined it would be full of of sort. Scottish men with bagpipes would have jazzed up his music video though. Scotland's Tartan army have been one of the stories of this tournament so far, but a defeat against Brazil could spell the end of their time in North America. It is pretty complicated trying to work out the permutations for Scotland though. Get a draw and they can be very confident of making the last 32. Defeats make things a little bit tricky but not necessarily the end of their journey. The best eight third place teams do make it through and actually a narrow defeat may be seen by some Scotland fans as quite a good outcome. As long as they avoid a hammering to Brazil, they're still likely to make the knockouts. Keeping this Brazil team at bay may be slightly easier by the fact that Raphinha is injured for the five time champions and he is likely to be replaced by Bournemouth's young winger Reyan, who I can tell you is a very dangerous option indeed. Of course plays for Bournemouth. Finally at 9pm Eastern it's Group A's deciding matches. Should we watch Czechia against Mexico or South Africa against South Korea?
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Jonathan Northcroft
Mexico.
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Betty Glover
Well, Mexico are already group winners, something they celebrated pretty wildly in the streets of Guadalajara. And those celebrations on the streets of Mexico have actually prompted the authorities to announce an alcohol sales ban ahead of Wednesday's match. Party poopers if you ask me. However, despite having the group wrapped up, they are predicted to play a strong lineup. The only anticipated major change is in goal, where 40 year old Guillermo Ochoa is expected to play in what is his final tournament before retiring. Czechia have had a tough tournament and need a win to make it through despite Mexico having nothing to play for. Winning in Mexico City is no easy feat. They're unbeaten in World cup games at the stadium and will not want to lose that proud record. Czechia will have to take the game to the Mexicans though, which may leave them a little bit vulnerable at the back. Then in the other game, it's the battle of the south as South Korea take on South Africa. The Koreans know that a draw will be enough to take them through as Group A runners are where they'll either face Switzerland or Canada we think. As for South Africa, only a win will guarantee their progression and which would be the first time they've ever gone beyond the group stages Tonight there's more. Roger Rory on Nightcup, of course, breaking it all down along with chief football writer at the Sunday Times and Scotsman Jonathan Northcroft. They'll kick it all off live after the final matches of the day right here on the men in Blazers YouTube. Now it is time for our prediction challenge against the nightclub. Yesterday I took on Rog. We both went for an England win against Ghana which ended in a 00 draw. So we were both wrong. But in Portugal against Uzbekistan, I went for a Portugal win while Rog backed Uzbekistan, which means today is a win for morning cup dates. I just want to shout out one of our producers, Teddy, who keeps saying that he's going to take me off predictions for getting them wrong. So, Teddy, I hope that's put a little bit more faith in me.
- [13:57]
Rory
Thank you.
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Betty Glover
Anyway, the scores are now up to a respectable 54 to Nightcup. Today, I took on Rory and don't believe a word of what he says about his hand. Okay, Rory. Massive. A massive yes, Betty. Right. Rory thinks that I sprained his wrist playing football the other day.
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Jonathan Northcroft
Los Angeles. That's what you are.
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Betty Glover
That is the worst nickname I think I've ever had.
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Rory
You.
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Jonathan Northcroft
It was a brutal tackle that sent me sprawling. Retty. It was a clear yellow and probably a penalty.
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Betty Glover
No, no way.
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Rory
That. That.
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Betty Glover
That Ghana situation against England was more of a penalty than that.
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Jonathan Northcroft
That was also a penalty, though, to be fair.
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Betty Glover
That was a penalty. Anyway, big game for you as a Scotland fan. Scotland against Brazil. What are you saying?
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Jonathan Northcroft
I'm a bit worried, but the crucial thing for Scotland to remember is that they can get through even if they lose. They just have to not lose by very many. So I think if they can keep it to less than 2, you know, goal difference of less than 2, they stand a chance of getting through. So I'm going to say I think Scotland will score. I'm gonna say three one, Brazil. And then four very nervous days working out. If they stay in the tournament.
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Betty Glover
Oh, gosh, I'm gonna say nil.
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Rory
Nil.
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Jonathan Northcroft
Oh, Betty, I would sprain my own wrist for a nil.
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Rory
Nil.
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Betty Glover
Okay. Right. Canada. Switzerland.
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Jonathan Northcroft
Yeah, well, Canada won the field with stories of the tournament. You know, that win against Qatar felt like a big national moment, and obviously they can both go through with a draw. I think they will both go through anyway, pretty much. Certainly with four points, it should take you through. So I'm hoping for a kind of a free and easy, everyone cuts loose, has a nice time kind of game. I'm gonna say 2:1, Canada.
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Betty Glover
Okay. I'm gonna be quite safe and say 1:1 again, because I think they're both gonna play it fairly safe.
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Jonathan Northcroft
Everyone will be happy with one all draw. Canada top the group. Bosnia will get through as well as they'll beat Qatar. Everyone's a winner.
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Betty Glover
Lovely stuff. Apart from you.
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Jonathan Northcroft
I'm going back to the doctors.
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Narrator/Announcer
A word from our friends at 1440, the 2022 World cup final drew 1.5 billion viewers. It's 11 times this year's Super Bowl. To understand how football became the world's game and what drove it, listen to 1440 explores with financial Times journalist Simon Kuiper who will give you the inside scoop into the depths of the tournament. Listen to 1440 explores wherever you get your podcasts and as the world arrives in the United States for the biggest spectacle in sports, the we're going coast to coast, host city to host city to meet the world with the men in Blazers Matchday Live tour. These are free college gameday style live events taking place just before kickoff at some of the biggest games of the summer where we'll be taking the stage with celebrity guests in front of thousands of fans. It's going to be amazing. Come and be with us in person or From Afar on YouTube. Let's celebrate this some other way. It's meant to be celebrated. Head to the events tab on meninblazers.com for all the details to the football to more together Courage when it's time
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- [17:05]
Betty Glover
Like all the way.
- [17:09]
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Betty Glover
On today's Finishing touch, brought to you by Behr Paint. We have the reason why Harry Kane missed that massive chance in the 85th minute.
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Narrator/Announcer
Here it is. This is it, surely. To the ball.
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Betty Glover
Oh.
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Sponsor/Advertiser Voice
What?
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Narrator/Announcer
Oh, God. What are you doing, man? What? In the sketches.
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Betty Glover
You heard it from Ro. It's all in the sketches. Now, you'd expect Kane to bury that 95 times out of 100, but for some reason he ballooned his chance well over the bar. Could it be fatigue setting in after a long old season? Or perhaps he's carrying a little bit of a knock? Well, the reason for the miss could be something a little more maybe supernatural. This is a Ghanaian witch doctor who goes by the name of Nana Kwaku Bonsack. And he claimed to have put a curse on the England striker, which may explain why he missed that city yesterday. Witchcraft has been part of Ghanaian culture for thousands of years and he stated that I'm not wishing him serious injury, it will just be enough to stop him against my country. And it seems to have done the trick also. Very considerate of him as well. We've been on Nana's website and he is contactable on WhatsApp, Facebook or Instagram if that's your thing. So if you have any requests for footballers and you want to get some juju over them, get in touch. That is it for Morning Update today. Built by the Home Depot. The Home Depot is your winning assist to host the ultimate watch party with fast free delivery to get your backyard match day ready, subject to availability. Two quick notes before we sign off do check out the amazing coverage over on the Vamos channel. They'll be reacting to Mexico's results straight after the final whistle. And for those in la, tomorrow will be our third stop on the Matchday Live Tour. Rog and Rory will be at the historic Union Station, right next to our bus by the way. So come and say hello to preview and to raise a pint ahead of the USA against Turkey again, they'll be joined by the Captain of the USWN team, Lindsay Heaps, LA Rams Hero Todd Gurley, and former USMNT icon Carl Beckman. The event kicks off at 5:45. The link for more is in the notes below. Also, let us know if there's anything cool we should be doing in la. Hit us up. Put it in the comments. We will be back tomorrow, but as always, enjoy those six games of football.
- [20:02]
Rory
My name is Shannon Maldonado. I'm the founder of Yaoi, a gift shop from the lens of artists and handmade objects. I chose Shopify because when I was testing other platforms it was definitely one of the most user friendly. It was important to me to think about where we would be in the future. All of the tools for reading your sales, like planning inventory, they're just right there on your dashboard. For anyone starting a small business, the biggest thing I can tell you, it doesn't have to be perfect. Shopify can help you build upon it. Start your free trial on shopify.com Grainger
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