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Main Commentator
After 103 matches, 297 goals, 16 cities, we've now just got one match left.
Host 1
Woo.
Main Commentator
World Cup. Oh my God, I'm excited. Allegheny scores again. We stole it from England. We have traveled all over the US Coming to you from la, from sunny Seattle, from Atlanta, from Boston, from Texas, from New York. And I've met some incredible fans along the way.
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Great fans, beautiful women, beautiful nature. What's not to like?
Co-Commentator
We really look the part down under. So yeah, get around the socceroos.
Main Commentator
And now it all comes down to this, the biggest sporting event in the world. World cup holders Argentina against the European champions, Spain. Everybody, it is time for the World cup final. Hello and welcome to your 35th and final morning cup date. Built by the Home Depot. I'm Betty Glover. We're nearly there, guys. I'm Betty Glo. We're in New York City on our beautiful orange podcast bus that the guys at the Home Depot built for us. It has been a home away from home for seven long weeks, traveling from the California coast all the way to the Big Apple. So it does mean that it does smell a little bit, I'm gonna be honest. Remember, the Home Depot is your winning assist to host the ultimate watch party with fast free delivery to get your backyard match day ready Come on, everyone. Subject to availability. Oh, 35 shows and we finally got it. Let's get straight into then. The World cup final takes place in New Jersey this afternoon at 3pm Eastern. Who will lift the biggest trophy in football? Will Argentina become back to back world champions? Or will Spain win their first World cup since 2010? We'll begin with Spain, who after being held to a goalless draw against Cape Verde in their opening game, have made pretty light work of making their second ever final. Here are the scenes in Madrid when they beat one of the favourites, France on Tuesday. Strong passing has always been part of the Spanish DNA, but underboss Luis de la Fuente, they have found a clinical edge that has seen them find goals at those crucial moments. They've also been rock solid at the back, conceding just one goal during the whole entire tournament, excluding penalty shootouts. They're on a 37 match unbeaten run. And if they avoid defeat today and keep that run going, they will set a new record for the longest ever in senior men's football. Here's the Nightcup's Rory Smith on how Spain have slacked, slipped under the radar.
Co-Commentator
I think we have probably underestimated Spain throughout the tournament. We've maybe been judging them against a standard that they're not trying to set. They're trying to. They're trying to do something else. They're not unbeatable, but it'll take a. It'll take a good team or a really good player and I think that's probably more likely to beat them.
Main Commentator
Well, after that win over France, nobody is going to be underestimating Spain now, are they? As for Argentina, well, their journey through the knockouts has definitely put their fans through the ringer. Cape Verde took them to extra time. They had to come back from 20 down against Egypt. Switzerland equalised against them and gave Lionel Scaloni's side a real test. And then there was that semi against England in Atlanta. Argentina were 10 down with five minutes remaining. But this team just never know when they're beaten. Argentine commentator Pablo Giral has been one of our absolute favourites for his passionate goal calls. And his emotion from Lautaro Martinez's winner against England was no different. He bought all of that passion, didn't he? But it was an extraordinary game and it was evidence of Argentina's insane winning mentality. If they win the World cup, they'll become the first nation to win four consecutive major tournaments. They won the Copa America in both 2021 and 2024 and lifted the World cup in 2022 in Qatar. That would be some crowning glory for Lionel Messi, although he's yet to rule out playing in another. I actually think he will the next World cup. You know, he's 39 years old.
Host 1
What?
Main Commentator
What? And today we'll be making his 207th international appearance. That is really crazy, isn't it? He surely put the goat debate to bed once and for all. One of the most crazy moments of this Men in Blazers tour was hearing ludicrous. Of all people give potentially the best speech about what makes Messi special during Wednesday's matchday live in Atlanta.
Co-Commentator
I see just a love and a passion for the game, man. And to be in. To be in it this long and to be doing it for so many years and to still see that level of competitiveness is what is refreshing because people love this game and we don't take it for granted. And when you see somebody like that who makes that amount of money, but you could tell for him, he loves the game. You know what I mean? He'd be doing it if he wasn't paid that amount of money.
Main Commentator
We can't mention Messi now, can we? Without talking about that photo. You know the one, the one when he was 20 years old with baby Lamina Mal in a blue bathtub. It is not fake, everybody. It's very much real and it's quite rightly dominated every single headline since this fixture was confirmed. On Friday night, Tom Brady asked Messi his thoughts about the iconic photo.
Co-Commentator
You and Lamine, the mall, you guys took this iconic photo when he was a baby. And for you guys both to be going up against one another in his first World cup final and potentially, hopefully not your last, is very prophetic. What does that picture mean to you?
Host 1
Honestly, looking at that photo is crazy because, well, that's life, right? I took a photo with him when he was a baby, and today we are both facing each other in a World Cup.
Main Commentator
One of the best photos in sport, I think that is fair to say. Now, in terms of team news for the final today, both sides have a clean bill of health. There was concern when Lamina Mal was pictured in training training on Thursday with a bandage around his leg, but there are no serious concerns surrounding his availability. Spain are expected to name an unchanged lineup, which does mean that Pedri will once again have to sit on the bench as Luis de la Fuente will probably opt for the effective midfield combo of Fabian Ruiz and Rodri. Once again, Argentina boss Scaloni is pondering some changes. Apparently, potentially midfielder Rodrigo De Paul will come back in after his impressive cameo against England, and he's also considering bringing in right back Gonzalo Montiel, who scored that winning penalty in Qatar four years ago. But how are these two coaches going to approach this match? Let's drill down a little bit deeper. On today's Drill down, brought to you by Makita, we have a fascinating coaching battle between Argentina's Lionel Scaloni and Spain's Luis De la Fuente, two coaches who know each other incredibly well as De la Fuente was Scaloni's mentor when he completed his UEFA coaching license to back in the day. Now, could De La Fuente give his former student a lesson in wide play today? Well, it could be two of Spain's less glamorous players who Argentina will need to stop if they're to get that fourth star on their shirt. Their left back Mark Cucurea and right back Pedro Porro, who've both had pretty outstanding World Cups. Cucurea's strong performances might come at a cost though, as he's promised to get a tattoo of his coach's face and on his body if they win the World cup, which is quite some bold claim, isn't it? Pori's performance is particularly remarkable given that he was a big part of spurs side who were very nearly relegated. I'm very sorry, Tottenham fans, for having to remind you about that dreadful season, but maybe that experience made his call up to the Spain squad all the sweeter. Do you remember this? His and his family's reaction to that news? Ah, very nice. But Poirot didn't just make the squad. He has been absolutely key, scoring two goals in this tournament, including that clinching second against France in the semi, which helped him earn man of the match. Now, part of Spain's success has been the way that their fullbacks underlap and overlap with their wingers, Alex Bajena on the left and Lamina on the right. It drags defences out of position. And that Poirot goal was very much a case in point with France left back Lucas Digne unsure whether to Mark Yamal outweigh or Poirot, who underlapped his way into the box. And here's a reason why it's a particular problem. Because research by the Athletic found that five of the seven goals conceded by Argentina have come from poor defending in wide areas. Argentina, of course, know that they have that X factor of Lionel Messi as their key weapon, but if they don't fix up out wide, Messi's Magic may not be enough to save them this time. Next. Who said the third place playoff was a waste of time?
Event Promoter
Football pointless game was barnstormy on Fox. They've just called it the game of the tournament.
Co-Commentator
Yes, completely meaningless with loads of goals.
Main Commentator
Bronze is coming home. Oh yes, it did. On yesterday's show, we predicted that France against England could be an absolute goal fest. And wow. I don't think we were expecting a 10 goal thriller though, honestly. Unbelievable. This was probably the game of the tournament so far. It was certainly up there. England were 40 up at halftime. The French pinned it back to 43 and the match eventually ended 64 to England.
Host 1
What?
Commercial Announcer
What?
Host 1
What? What?
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What?
Main Commentator
An Mbappe brace and an assist saw him stake his claim for the golden boot. That's now 10 goals for him. So now it's over to Messi to see whether or not he can outdo the Frenchman. He is on eight goals, by the way. I think scoring two goals in a World cup final is going to be hard. It's going to be hard. Both players are now tied on four assists as well. And if they're level on both assists and goals at the end, then the Golden Boot goes to the player with the fewest Min Kylian mbappe. Assuming Messi plays 90 in the final.
Co-Commentator
I think sometime in the life I'm too competitive.
Main Commentator
That mentality is clearly paying off. He also became the World Cup's leading ever scorer in this match on 22. At 27 years old, you'd think he's got a few more tournaments in him to extend his tally as well. Messi is one behind on 21. We've also got to give a shout out to England's Bukayo Saka. He bagged his first World cup hat trick, helping England to their highest World cup finish since winning it in 1966. Are you happy with that? George should have been the final, but it wasn't. His performance yesterday also has a lot of people wondering why he didn't feature against Argentina. It is a good question, isn't it? Next. And I'm interested to know if you guys think that this moment is sweet or is it another case of games gone? Here's the moment that Slovenian referee Slavko Vinic was announced as today's official for the World cup final. The referee will be Slavko. I personally think it's really nice. Vinic was in tears as he finds out that he will referee the biggest game in world football. It might not go down very well though with Spanish fans who also support Real Madrid as he controversially sent off Eduardo Camavinga during their Champions League quarter final, which they went on to lose to Bayern Munich tonight. After the final tune in for the last episode of Nightclub. Roger and Humphrey will be live one last time to break down the final. It all kicks off after the that full time whistle here on the men in Blazers YouTube. Now a predictions update. I know you've all been waiting for it. After England's win over France yesterday and Rory's correct prediction, we've got some bad news for Morning cup day. It is 12:10 to the night cup and that means. Drumroll please. Nightcar Father prediction winners bring back McGinn. Oh dear. Fair play. Fair play to them. I'm very pleased to say that they've won it and they have won absolutely nothing. We haven't got them anything. Sorry lads, but a really good performance. But I'll be honest, this is the worst that I've personally felt since Wales failed to qualify for the World Cup.
Event Promoter
And as the world arrives in the United States for the biggest spectacle in sports, 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 game day 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 is Head to the events tab on meninblazers.com for all the details to the football to more together Courage when you're a maintenance
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Main Commentator
On our final finishing Taj, brought to you by Behrpaint. We have some morning cup day awards to hand out. Or should we call them cups to hand out? Yeah, Cue the award music please, everybody. Okay, first up, we would like to hand out the mad story before the tournament even began. Cup and the winner is. We need to talk about Tim Payne.
Event Promoter
Tim Payne.
Co-Commentator
I'm just supporting Tim Payne.
Main Commentator
This feels like an absolute age ago, doesn't it? When New Zealand fullback Tim Payne was discovered by an Argentinian streamer who called him the least famous player at the tournament and got all of his followers to follow him. So he went from 5,000 Instagram followers to 5.7 million. He was sort of outdone though by Vizinha, wasn't he? Who managed to get to 29.4 million, which is quite frankly ridiculous. Next up, our second award is the worst prediction of the Tournament Cup. Now, we thought maybe we could give it to this fan.
Co-Commentator
I'm saying, why not us?
Main Commentator
It's our year, we're winning it all.
Co-Commentator
But.
Main Commentator
But at least that fan actually put their neck on the line and said something. So we're actually going to give this award to Kevin Hart who said literally nothing.
Host 1
What do I personally feel they can get done? Look, it's a tough feel.
Main Commentator
He honestly sat so hard on that fence that he would have broken it when I asked him that question. Anyway, next. And file this under things you love to see, because it is time for the sweetest fan of the tournament. Now we've got some really strong contenders for this one, including Shirley, the 96 year old Boston super fan who befriended the French team.
Host 1
I cannot tell you how unbelievably fabulous this is.
Main Commentator
But our winner has to be this fan from Kansas whose emotional welcome for the Algerian football team warmed hearts all over the world. Welcome to United States. Welcome to Kansas. Our next award is the musical moment of the Tournament Cup, a special nod to Captain Blueface, the Curacao fan. But our winner has to be the Scotland. Scotland fan who decided to wake up a quiet suburb of Boston at 6:30am in maybe the worst way possible. No Scotland, no party. The bagpipes really do go right through though, don't they? Next up, it is the animal of the Tournament Cup. Now, we did love the Mexico Chihuahuas as well as Chris Richards lucky rubber chicken. But we're going to have to split this award between the World Cup's two favorite ducks, Merlin the Mexico duck, and Donny the Scotland duck. We do actually have a quick audio message here from Donny. Quack, quack. Let's go, Scotland, Donny, Scotland are out. Mate, you've got to stop cheering them on now. Next. And it is our funniest player moment. This is a really tough field, actually. Forget the golden Boot. This is the one that everybody wants to win, right? We nearly went for Erling Haaland for the interaction with a random passerby as he tricked her into believing he wasn't actually a very famous, famous footballer. Are you all on the Norwegian soccer team? No, not me. No, not you.
Event Promoter
Really.
Main Commentator
I'm the social media guy. He had a very dodgy accent there. I don't know how he got away with that. But there is only one winner here and it's got to be this. My voice is gone.
Commercial Announcer
Hello.
Co-Commentator
Just fell over there.
Main Commentator
I think it's okay. Just something to do with his arm. Never gets old. Harry Kane losing his voice after that Mexico win. Absolutely brilliant. He's never gonna live that down. And finally, we couldn't end this without the best buzzer Cup. Genuinely. Most people who have given me feedback about this show, they're not praising me, they're not praising the incredible stories. They just want to talk about this buzzer that we bought for five bucks. It is a magic buzzer, though, everybody that plays everything you could possibly want in the world. So in number three, we'll have to give it to Sam Mewis.
Host 1
What?
Event Promoter
What?
Main Commentator
Love you. So, in number two, this very excited Japan fan that we have loved using throughout the tournament. I'm excited. The best. The best. But number one, it has got to be Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow who really got that World cup fever.
Co-Commentator
Woo. World Cup.
Commercial Announcer
Woo.
Main Commentator
World cup indeed. What a tournament it has been. That is it, everybody. Thank you so much for sticking with us throughout this World Cup. It has been an absolute pleasure to bring you all of the wonderful stories from what has been, quite frankly, a ridiculous, beautiful, very long tournament. We've seen some incredible comebacks, some amazing fans, insane amounts of football, some ridiculous goals have been scored as well. And the best players in the World cup have truly stepped up and served some of the worst. What more could we have wanted? I also just want to say we have seen a lot of America and everyone has been so incredibly lovely. I love it here. We all love it here. Thank you so much for having us. The usa. So, for one very last time, that is it for morning update 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. By the way, we've heard a little secret that there will be 300 Banks of America fan bands aka charm bracelets at the final Matchday Live show today. So if the lineup of Vizinia Method Man, Tiki Barber and Becky Sauebrun wasn't enough for you, then get there early and pick one of those bracelets up. Apparently they're nice. Stick around after the show as well as Rog will do a live watch along with Ryan Reynolds as you do and Flo Balogan. What more could you want? What a day. I also just want to give a massive, massive shout out to the wonderful Morning Cup Date production team. Sammy, George, Elizabeth, Teddy, Freddie, Thomas, Mike and Rob on the old decks. What an amazing job. What an amazing time we have all had together. Thank you so much. And also thank you to the rest of the men in Blazers team as well. What a wild ride it has been everybody. Thank you so much for watching, for listening, but most importantly, enjoy the final.
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Date: July 19, 2026
Podcast Host: Men In Blazers team (Betty Glover and team)
Format: On tour in New York, “Morning Cupdate” on the Home Depot podcast bus
This special “Morning Cupdate” episode is the grand finale of Men In Blazers’ World Cup coverage, setting the stage for the 2026 World Cup Final: Argentina (defending champions) vs Spain (European Champions) in New Jersey. The episode journeys through both teams’ narratives, storylines around Messi and Spain’s young star Lamine Yamal, tactical previews, coach connections, award moments from the tournament, and the cultural impact experienced while traveling across the US. Expect passion, footballing insight, humor, and plenty of memorable fan and player moments.
“I think we have probably underestimated Spain throughout the tournament... They’re not unbeatable, but it’ll take a good team or a really good player.” — Rory Smith (04:03)
“He surely put the goat debate to bed once and for all.” (Main Commentator, 05:37)
“Honestly, looking at that photo is crazy because, well, that’s life, right? I took a photo with him when he was a baby, and today we are both facing each other in a World Cup.” (Host 1 as Messi, 07:09)
“What a tournament it has been... incredible comebacks, amazing fans, insane amounts of football... and the best players have truly stepped up—and some of the worst! What more could we have wanted?” (Main Commentator, 19:59)
“People love this game and we don’t take it for granted. And when you see somebody like that, who makes that amount of money, but you could tell for him, he loves the game.” — Ludacris (06:04)
“Today we are both facing each other in a World Cup.” — Messi on the Lamine Yamal photo (07:09)
“If Argentina don’t fix up out wide, Messi’s magic may not be enough this time.” (10:11)
“Genuinely. Most people... just want to talk about this buzzer that we bought for five bucks... It is a magic buzzer, though, everybody.” (Main Commentator, 19:38)
This episode of Men In Blazers captures the magnitude, emotion, and sheer joy of World Cup Finals Day. It’s a whirlwind tour of tactical insight, historic stakes, iconic characters, and the sense of being part of something vast and beautiful, from Messi’s and Lamine Yamal’s entwined stories, to the magic of Spain’s streak, Argentina’s grit, and all the quirks, upsets, and love stories football brings.
Final send-off:
“Thank you so much for having us, the USA. Thank you so much for watching, for listening, but most importantly enjoy the final.” (Main Commentator, 19:59)
Missed the episode?
This recap brings you the essential drama, heart, tactical intrigue, and winning moments as Spain and Argentina chase immortality.