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- [00:02]
Sponsor/Ad Voice
This episode of the Athletic FC is brought to you by Threads. The best part of football isn't just the matches. It's the conversation. The hot takes, the debates, the back and forth that goes on before kickoff, during the match and after the final whistle's been blown. And this summer, that's all happening on Threads. We'll be discussing all the biggest news and stories directly on threads every single day this tournament. On each episode of the Athletic fc we we'll be getting stuck into the biggest talking points and discussing all of your comments and opinions. For your chance to be featured in the next episode, head over to Threads, follow our account theathletic and join the conversation. Football on Threads. Get into it. This episode of the Athletic FC is sponsored by boss, businesswear provider for the US Men's National Soccer team. Long before kickoff, the performance has already begun. For the players, the crest is not simply worn, it's earned. Boss understands what it takes to build something worthy of a crest. Constant refinement, precision in every stitch. And as the USMNT steps into the spotlight on home soil, Boss is outfitting those who wear the badge, empowering them to step forward with confidence, express their individuality and be their own boss in relaxed, lightweight and breathable tailoring from Boss performance and soccer fans, Boss has you covered too. Whether you want to look and feel as sharp as your heroes in Boss Performance or show your pride from the stands in jerseys, polos and jackets in national colours and badges, 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 and be your own boss@boss.com or at your nearest boss store. This episode of the Athletic FC is brought to you by Hotels.com when you're booking a hotel, here's a simple question. Why wouldn't you use hotels.com it really is all in the name. As a member, you save up to 20% on hundreds of thousands of hotels around the world and earn rewards on every single stay. Which means the trips you're taking now help pay for the ones you're already dreaming about. And unlike some other places, there are no blackout dates. So when you want to travel, your rewards are ready to go. So whether you're planning a grand adventure to follow your national team around North America this summer, or whisking your special someone away for an escape because you've been grabbing glued to the football for weeks, make sure to book@hotels.com and start earning rewards. Because when it comes to hotels, it's simple. Hotels.com. it's all in the name. The Athletic fc.
- [02:46]
Emma Peyton
Hello and welcome to the Athletic FC podcast with me, Emma Peyton. Well, the World cup drama just keeps on coming. We've passed the 100 goal mark with star players and teams taking centre stage. But just who is winning the World cup so far? Well, here in the studio today we have the athletics, Mark Critchley and Cerys Jones. How are we on this warm Monday morning?
- [03:10]
Cerys Jones
Melting.
- [03:13]
Mark Critchley
I'm wearing a jacket which Keris immediately picked up on.
- [03:16]
Cerys Jones
Critics walked in, I went, you're mad.
- [03:18]
Jack Pitt Brook
Yeah.
- [03:19]
Emma Peyton
Why is it just the smart little thing?
- [03:21]
Mark Critchley
It's just the little chicken arms that I don't want to show off with the polo shirt.
- [03:24]
Emma Peyton
Stop being silly. Right. I said we've passed the 100 goal mark. 121 in total so far. Another 12 on day 11. Is this tournament exceeding expectations for you so far, Kritch?
- [03:37]
Mark Critchley
I think so. Although I think we've come to expect World Cups to start like this. I think it must be like four in a row now that I feel like we've had really fast starts. A lot of goals, a lot of people saying, is this the best World cup ever at the beginning of the tournament and sometimes it turns out that maybe not. I don't know if many people have been saying that about this tournament but it does, it feels like a World cup and I think it's been helped by the fact that a, a lot of the big stars have performed and we had that night last week with Haaland and Mbappe Messi, etc. But also we've seen the Minnows perform as well and like there's a lot of, you know, there's people who think different things about a 48 team tournament but I think it's here to stay and I think this is a tournament we've got now and what we needed was for those teams like Cape Verde, like Curacao, Scotland even, you know, credit to Scotland.
- [04:22]
Emma Peyton
Yeah. And their fans, that's for sure.
- [04:24]
Mark Critchley
We needed them to up and to make it feel like it wasn't a watered down product and it hasn't felt like that.
- [04:28]
Emma Peyton
You mentioned Kate Verde there. So after holding Spain to a goalless draw in their opener, well, they grabbed another point with a tool draw against Uruguay yesterday. It's been caris an absolutely captivating debut campaign for them. It just feels like at the moment they're, they're the story of the tournament.
- [04:44]
Cerys Jones
Yeah, I think what's really fun about it as well is that they've had these two draws, but they've been sort of very different performances. Like that first draw against Spain was so disciplined and dogged and very much sort of defensive minded. There was that amazing statistic about them conceding one foul despite effectively defending for the entire 90 minutes. Whereas the game against Uruguay I thought was more kind of. They went for it a little bit more because I think that was my concern with the expansion was that we would see. You know, it's fun to see the odd 00 draw where an underdog sits back. You don't want them to do that for the whole tournament. So to see them actually kind of come out and go at it, I thought they were a bit more lax defensively. I thought the goals that they conceded weren't great and that that could come back to bite them against a team that maybe punished them a little bit more. But it was nice to see kind of what they can do in attack as well, because we didn't really see that against Spain at all. It was, it was all about the goalkeeper, Xenia. Whereas last night, you know, when he scored the. The free kick for the first goal, there was a moment where the players just sort of stood still and kind of looked up at the sky and then like exploded. And that was a really great moment. I really enjoyed that.
- [05:53]
Emma Peyton
Taken aback, weren't they? It's a brilliant underdog story and they're clearly enjoying themselves. And why wouldn't you, to be honest? Well, as mentioned, Spain were held by Cape Verde in their opener. But last night they responded in style, beating Saudi Arabia 4 nil. They were 3 nil up inside 25 minutes. Before we talk about Spain, while Paul Bayous was in Atlanta for the Athletic and here's what he made of it.
- [06:15]
Paul Bayous
So Spain are finally here. The European champions showed their best version in the second game of the World cup against Saudi Arabia. Compelling win, a 4 nil win and a lot of talking points to assess. The first one, of course. And the biggest name of the day is surely Lamin Diamal, the teenage star who scored his first World cup goal in his first start in the competition. Another name that needs to be mentioned here is Mikel Ollard Zaval, nicknamed Mikel Ollard by Spanish media. Quite a funny nickname because of his goal contribution. Basically it's been outstanding. In the last 13 games for Spain, he has contributed in 21 goals, which is sort of mad. And yet the push, the good vibes, the happy feelings around the Spain camp are Back all the players. I think that there was a sense of them wanting to respond and I think that the tactical tweaks that Luis de la Fuente made were really helpful as well, adding a lot of threat from white areas and basically putting Pedri as well in his preferred deeper position, which is something that has helped Spain get their mojo back. So, yeah, happy days are back in Spain and a huge, huge game is awaiting in the last game of this group stage against Uruguay in Guadalajara.
- [07:27]
Emma Peyton
Yeah, so just the one game left for Spain in the group, but things looking a lot rosier after yesterday. And Critch, after the likes of France, Argentina, England all showing up in their group openers. How much did. Well, how much did yesterday seem A statement from Spain. Have they put themselves for you back in that kind of bracket of being real contenders for this tournament?
- [07:46]
Mark Critchley
I think in Spain they're saying, tranquillo hombres calm porque preoccupadas. What were you worried about? Look, they took a lot of criticism last week. I think we sort of criticized the performance against Cape Verde on the show and maybe a little bit unfairly because what was it? It was like 27 shots on goal, 16 in the box. Sometimes the ball just doesn't go in. And that happens some days and then some days you're 3,0 up before the hydration break. And that was yesterday. I think that this was the Spain that we were expecting to see. And for me, I still considered them favourites for the tournament and I think they showed exactly why. The only thing is sometimes you worry about is there a little bit too much of a focus on possession. And I think we've seen that. You know, there was a stat going round after the game last week that I think they made something like 2500 passes since their last World cup go four years ago without scoring. But yesterday you could see the vibrancy, some of the directness that we associated with them from the Euros, I think, and it's that mix of styles and that blend of styles that they've got that they can adapt to certain situations, which I think was the reason why I was picking them as pre tournament favorites. Getting the win eases the path a little bit more. Your Malbec obviously is huge and you see the difference that he makes. But also some of the changes they were making with Pedri playing a little bit deeper as well. Just a much more all round performance. And yet for me, they're still. I'm still just about having them as favorites, even if they get off to a brilliant Style.
- [09:13]
Cerys Jones
Can I be harsh? I think that. I think the tweaks that De La Fuente made worked really well, particularly with Pedri with Yamal coming in. But I would have liked to see Spain stick the boot in a little bit more. I think that the criticism from. I know it was still a heavy win, but the criticism from the Cape Verg game was that they had the possession, but up against the disciplined defence, they couldn't quite be ruthless enough. We talked about the number of shots that they had, obviously we've talked about Vizinha and how great he was. I think Saudi Arabia gave them. They gave up so many more kind of easy chances. We know that Spain are really technically gifted. We know that they can create really well. I don't know that once Saudi Arabia switched to damage limitation mode, to the extent that they were ever not in that, I would have liked to see Spain really test themselves and kind of go a bit further and go okay. When teams are being especially kind of trying to make themselves hard to break down, how do we go at that? I think that they showed kind of what they can do really well. It's the being ruthless and being incisive through really difficult defences that is the bit that could cost them. And I still agree with Critch that they're one of the favourites for the tournament, but I don't know that, you know, it was a great statement and a great response to that opening game, but I don't know that they've necessarily like, alleviated my concerns about them. I guess.
- [10:34]
Emma Peyton
Not completely convinced.
- [10:35]
Cerys Jones
Not completely. Yeah. They're still one of my favorite sides to watch at the tournament and some of the stuff that they do in possession is great, but I would have liked them. It feels like very harsh to say this after a 40 win, but I would have liked to see them be a little bit more ruthless.
- [10:50]
Emma Peyton
Obviously we've touched on the fact that Lamine started and scored and they, to be fair, just seemed like a different prospect with him in the side. How much does their hopes, this tournament really rely on him? Just how crucial is he to them potentially going all the way?
- [11:04]
Mark Critchley
I think massively, because how many other 18 year olds have a conversation to be the best player in the world? You know, it's crazy. First World cup start, first World cup goal, first start since picking up his hamstring injury in April. And I do think on Kerris's point, I think that has to be a factor in it as well. You know, you see him come off at halftime, the game's Wonderful. I understand that you sometimes want to put your foot on the throat of teams, but Spain didn't need to do that yesterday. And when you've got such a concern about your star player and his fitness and if this is him at 50, 60% and that needs to be managed, then I think it makes sense to just maybe just take the foot off a little bit. He just lifts everything though, like him coming on against Cape Verde, the reaction within the stadium and how suddenly there's a lot more just electricity in Spain's play once he's done. Exactly. And then you see that right from the start yesterday, where you know, he's putting crosses in, he's taking shots on from four minutes and then he's, he's scoring in the 10th. He is just a phenom, just incredible. And I think you want to see him play 90 minutes and until he does that, we won't be absolutely certain about just what level he's at. But Spain didn't really need him yesterday largely because of the platform that he'd given them and the difference that he makes.
- [12:08]
Emma Peyton
Yeah, Yamal their star player. One of Spain's more underrated players maybe is Oyafa Bal, who poll mentioned Oyafa Haaland. Sounds a bit clunky, but it's not.
- [12:17]
Cerys Jones
I'm not sure about, I'm not sure
- [12:19]
Emma Peyton
he's going to catch on. Of course we know all about him, you know, breaking our hearts in the Euro 2024 final. But 15 goals in 15 appearances now for his country.
- [12:27]
Cerys Jones
Yeah, it's quite incredible. Like we talk about how good Spain are in possession, how good that midfield is, but you need a focal point. Like that's what we see with so many kind of possession based teams. And he can really be that. You know, not all of the goals are, are gorgeous. Some of them are very scrappy, sort of very much poached goals, but that's exactly what you need. And he's definitely put himself right in the mix for that golden boot race, which looks like it's going to be.
- [12:49]
Mark Critchley
He was my pick for it before the tournament.
- [12:50]
Cerys Jones
Yeah.
- [12:51]
Mark Critchley
Saying that now, not after. He didn't have a touch in the first half around the first game. But I'm saying that now. He was before the tournament.
- [12:56]
Cerys Jones
Yeah, we've got it on record just after the fact.
- [12:58]
Emma Peyton
Just mentioned that. Okay. Elsewhere on day 11, Mo Salah scored as Egypt got their first ever a World cup win, beating New Zealand 31 had to come from behind to do that. And Belgium and Iran played out just the third goalless draw in the 40 games that we've seen so far. Before we move on do want to touch on Mo Salah because of course his club future is uncertain. Feels like this is almost a perfect shot window for him if people weren't already aware of what Mo Salah can do.
- [13:23]
Cerys Jones
Yeah, exactly. I think we've seen from kind of how his final season at Liverpool went that and sort of how vocal he was about how he felt things were going for the team that he is very much not kind of winding down or he doesn't see himself as winding down. He still sees himself as this main man in a side and this difference maker and someone who wants to be at the heart of things. So this is a really important opportunity for him to show that he can still do that on a big stage. I don't think I can necessarily see him going to another Premier League club, but you know, he'll be wanting to put himself in the minds of kind of recruiters in like the rest of the big five European leagues potentially. So it's a really important kind of opportunity for him. It feels funny talking about a player of his quality needing to like put himself in the shop window, but I think he does a little bit and the World cup is a great opportunity for him to do that.
- [14:18]
Sponsor/Ad Voice
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- [16:41]
Emma Peyton
So what a weekend it has been with goals flying in. Big wins for Spain, Japan and the Netherlands. Germany with a late comeback win over the Ivory coast as well. Can kind of be hard to keep a track of it all, can't it, guys? The Athletic are ranking every side after each match day, which you can of course read for free over on the app. This is constantly changing based on results, based on performances. So at the moment, France and Argentina sit first and second respectively. That is despite of course playing just. Just the one game so far. So crit. Let's start with France 31 win over Senegal, where their, well, their second half performance wasn't it really kind of cemented their credentials as one of the big favourites. Are they where they deserve to be at the top of the rankings? The live rankings?
- [17:27]
Mark Critchley
No, not in my opinion.
- [17:29]
Emma Peyton
Well, that's why I'm asking you. Tell people you're okay.
- [17:32]
Mark Critchley
Who wrote it? I think it was Tim Spears and I'm on here with him tomorrow, so I'm going to try and be nice.
- [17:36]
Emma Peyton
All right, we'll come back to this tomorrow.
- [17:38]
Mark Critchley
I think you can make an argument for France as being number one. I can see it. I think you can also make an argument against, you know, on the basis of 3:1 win over Senegal. Very decent opponent, but I sort of came away from that game a little bit unconvinced and underwhelmed. As much as they turned it on in the second half. As brilliant as Mbappe was, as brilliant as Elise was, I Think that first half, and particularly the midfield with Rabio and Tchouameni, they look so overwhelmed in there. And I think when you know that that's the midfield that played through most of the last World cup, got to the final, obviously. But I think that if you compare that to other midfields within the tournament that we've seen, whether that's Spain, whether that's England, whether that's even Portugal, I just. I think it's an area of weakness for them and I think it's something that is going to be really interesting to watch going forward and just whether they get exposed as much as they did during that first half. I think Deschamps fixed it, you know, didn't have the front players pressing as much and a little bit more protection, but it is a balance that he needs to strike within that team. And I think they looked a little bit vulnerable in there. So, yeah, look, you still got to take in, like I said, the quality of the opposition they face in that first game in Senegal. Very good side, tougher than, you know, a lot of teams that others will have faced, a lot of the other favourites. But, yeah, I don't think they entirely convinced for me.
- [18:52]
Emma Peyton
Kerris, Argentina second. Of course, it was the Messi show against Algeria. Does second sound about right for Argentina from what you've seen so far?
- [18:59]
Cerys Jones
Yeah, I think it's hard having France and Argentina top on the grounds that they're two of the teams that have only played once so far. I think Argentina, obviously, I would argue in Algeria, they face kind of a weaker opponent than France did in Senegal, but they were really impressive. Messi, obviously, it's really hard to talk about the game in the context of anything other than him kind of being the star of it. And I think in some senses that can feel dangerous when we talk about teams kind of relying on a superstar like that. But also he keeps consistently delivering. Right. It becomes a problem if he doesn't, but he's not showing much sign that he won't. So in that case, it feels. It feels fair to have Argentina up there as holders. If by the end of the group stage they continue to match that performance level, then they'll go up in my estimation, a little bit. But I need to see a little bit more from them before kind of like nailing my colours to that mast.
- [19:56]
Emma Peyton
Let's talk about a couple of teams, then, that we have seen twice. I wonder if either the Netherlands or Japan's performances over the weekend change your expectations of either nation. The Netherlands, I think, on Our rankings piece moved up from eighth to fifth. Japan. I mean, hugely impressive.
- [20:13]
Mark Critchley
Yeah, massively. I think Netherlands first, I think so you asked me for Big Nation to go out of the groups on one of the episodes before the tournament.
- [20:21]
Emma Peyton
I wasn't going to mention this.
- [20:22]
Mark Critchley
I said, gun to my head. I'm probably going to say I did say none of them. I did say none of them. But gun to my head, Netherlands. It's obviously not going to happen now. I think there was a big doubt about centre forward for them. And then Brian Brobby comes in, so powerful, brilliant with his back to goal. I don't know if it's going to work against every opponent. And so maybe there's a little bit of a question mark still over who comes in against certain teams, certain types of challenges. But and I also think that, you know, how good are Sweden? That's one thing that we really don't know because they had such an awful qualifying campaign and only really getting through for the Nations League performance. They beat Tunisia. But how good are Tunisia? They might be the worst team in the whole tournament. So I do think that there's a little bit still to prove with the Dutch. I'm not totally there on them. And again, like this is a group where you don't have the benefit. I think if you win it, you play a runner up rather than a third place team. So I think they're currently slated to come up against Morocco. That's tough. That. That'll be a very difficult game. Morocco have really quite impressed so far, I think. So I'm not too sure about how far the Netherlands still go, although, you know, they couldn't have done much more on Saturday. And I like Japan a lot. They've got such strength in depth, you know. And I see Ueda, the top scorer in the area to visit this season. He was brilliant. The other night. I thought they'd missed Matoma and it doesn't seem like they have done so much. So really impressive side. I just wonder for both these teams how far they're actually going to progress just because the draw is quite tough for them.
- [21:41]
Emma Peyton
Yeah, it's fascinating the fact that you mentioned there's no Karamitoma, no Wataru Endo either. It was like they were sort of missing some of their superstars. But no problem so far.
- [21:49]
Cerys Jones
I've really enjoyed Ueda so far in the game. The other night I thought he was excellent again. Chinizu, you know, we can talk about. They were obviously weak, didn't pose much of a test defensively, but I really enjoyed like the fizz on some of Japan's passes, the sort of long range goal. I found them really an entertaining team to watch. I think especially my concern for them is perhaps a little bit defensively, but kind of creatively and in attack. I'm really enjoying them so far. Probably more than I thought.
- [22:13]
Emma Peyton
Yeah. What about Germany then, who are already through to the knockouts? Are you more or less convinced of them after they fought back against Ivory Coast?
- [22:24]
Cerys Jones
I think more. I think the difficulty is that it was that sort of like late sucker punch. That's what you need in a tournament sometimes. And it's good to have that impact available off the bench. It's interesting because, you know, I think after their first game against Curacao, we were all sort of, you know, how much can you really take from that? And then we saw Curacao against Ecuador, right. Who really haven't lived up to their billing, but it was still a strong performance from those kind of underdogs, the Debutantes. But I think Germany, they are one of the most complete teams at this tournament and most of the teams that we've spoken about, most of the big names, we are talking about the balance between defence and attack and sort of how do they control the midfield? You look at the quality they have all over the pitch. They have to be the favourites or up there with the favourites, which is why it's so concerning to see them need like a late brace off the bench to get past Ivory Coates, who played really well. But there's lessons that they need to take from that one for sure.
- [23:23]
Emma Peyton
I mean, fell at the group stage the last couple of World Cups, so.
- [23:26]
Cerys Jones
Progress.
- [23:27]
Mark Critchley
Yeah, just getting out the group. I can't believe we're saying that about Germany. And it's, it's, it's funny, isn't it? Because like they, I suppose they obviously won it in 2014, but they have underwhelmed in those two since it's something that we sort of associate with Brazil, you know, this, this iconic World cup nation, but aren't quite delivering in how they. The way that they used to be.
- [23:44]
Cerys Jones
It's getting the quality on paper to match up with what actually plays out,
- [23:48]
Emma Peyton
which is what we're seeing with, with a number of teams, isn't it?
- [23:50]
Mark Critchley
Yeah.
- [23:51]
Paul Bayous
And I don't know.
- [23:51]
Mark Critchley
I didn't. Again, I didn't really. I think. What are they? Third place still a little too high for me, to be honest. I think like they didn't. Didn't totally convince me either. I think Nico Slotbeck getting injured is going to be big for them. We see how. How serious that is. I just thought Ivory coast, particularly for the first hour with a better side and again had them largely where they wanted them, and then a Dhingra, with that chance towards the end before run down, scores, the winner, like, you have to put that away. And if, if he does in that situation, it's a very different narrative that we're talking about.
- [24:19]
Emma Peyton
With Germany moving on from Germany, then both France and Argentina in action on Monday evening. Didier Deschamps side facing Iraq. So we can see if France can pick up where they left off in that second half against Senegal ahead of that game. Deschamps has added to the criticism of the pitch at the MetLife Stadium, which will of course, host the World Cup Final. Matt Slater has written about that. If you want to check that out over on the Athletic away from France, I mean, Lionel Messi could become the outright World cup top goalscorer against Austria tonight with everything we've seen. It's funny, isn't it, because we're talking about, you know, the magic of Lamina Mar yesterday, brilliance from Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane delivering Haaland as well. But is Messi still just the star of this tournament?
- [25:02]
Cerys Jones
That's the thing. He seems inevitable, doesn't he? When we talk about, you know, looking at past World Cups and the amount of times that it's been raised the question of, oh, this is his last dance, and then he just pops up again four years later and kind of picks up where he left off. It's such a treat to have a player like that. And I do think, you know, to make the sort of inevitable comparison to what we've seen from Cristiano Ronaldo so far, I think it's really easy to underestimate how difficult it is for Messi to do that, you know, at his advancing age and everything. It's a real treat to watch. What I struggle with sometimes is when massive names end up as sort of the star of the tournament, and it doesn't feel very organic. It feels as though it's sort of put upon for commercial reasons or whatever, or just because they are the biggest name, even if they're not necessarily one of the standout players. Whereas I think Messi is living up to that billing.
- [25:56]
Emma Peyton
Doesn't he always? Is he going to break Close's record tonight? There's a feeling that he will at some point.
- [26:02]
Mark Critchley
He's got time. He's got time. You know, he's going to have at least three more games I reckon so. There's. There's an opportunity there. Look, maybe it's tonight, maybe it's not. It would be some moment when he does. I think the hat trick is probably the moment of the tournament so far outside of the Cape Verde heroics that we've seen as well. I was in Moscow in 2018 watching him against Iceland. It was Argentina's first game and he missed the penalty. And then they struggled to get out the group and went out in the round of 16. And Mbappe was against France. And Mbappe was like, he's arrived. And it felt like, you know, has the torch been passed, everyone asking these questions? I think at that point, Messi had six goals in World Cups, after four World Cups. But what we've seen since, you know, at Qatar and now at this tournament after just one game, is him earning his rightful place at the top of the pantheon in terms of that legacy. And so if he. If he does overtake Kloser and get that, then that's. That's testament to just how much of a quality player he is.
- [27:00]
Emma Peyton
Okay, we've got some quick fire questions for you now. Of course, get involved if you're watching or listening as well. So first of all, Karis, team of the tournament so far.
- [27:10]
Cerys Jones
Also France, just to go against Chris, basically.
- [27:13]
Emma Peyton
Yep.
- [27:15]
Mark Critchley
England.
- [27:15]
Emma Peyton
England. Okay, we'll come back to that. Breakout star Karis Saibari Boadi.
- [27:22]
Mark Critchley
I said him before the tournament, so,
- [27:23]
Emma Peyton
yeah, okay, fine, Stick with him. Biggest disappointment, Portugal.
- [27:28]
Mark Critchley
Bielsa.
- [27:30]
Emma Peyton
Yeah. Finally. Who or what is winning the World
- [27:33]
Cerys Jones
cup goalkeepers that you have never heard of before.
- [27:37]
Emma Peyton
We will come back to that.
- [27:39]
Mark Critchley
The referee sent off Almiron. My favorite moment of the tournament by far.
- [27:43]
Cerys Jones
After review, number 10, far away.
- [27:47]
Emma Peyton
Cover his mouth.
- [27:48]
Cerys Jones
The seashell is red color.
- [27:49]
Mark Critchley
The aggression, incredible. It was like. It reminded me of like. Do you remember when you had like a substitute teacher in school and you would maybe be acting up in the class and then they'd absolutely flip out and lose it? It goes one of two ways. It's either insanely funny or extremely intimidating. And I watched that and I still don't know if I find it funny or intimidating.
- [28:09]
Cerys Jones
It makes you a bit of both. Did he somehow hear what he said behind his hand? And it was like a personal comment about him. It felt like a very, very personal.
- [28:18]
Emma Peyton
I said, we'll come back to Sam. So team in the tournament, England. I really like this.
- [28:22]
Mark Critchley
Okay, okay, okay.
- [28:23]
Paul Bayous
Yeah.
- [28:23]
Mark Critchley
Better than France. You heard it here? Yeah, look, I think what other team played a semi finalist at the last World cup finalist at the World cup before that, and dominated them for periods within the game. Look, I'm not saying it was a perfect performance. I don't think there's any one team at this tournament that has absolutely, entirely convinced just yet, and I'm not saying England did, but I think outside of conceding a couple of sloppy goals, I think there was periods where they blew Croatia away and real intensity, and not in a way that was individual moments, but sustained pressure attacks. And it was the physicality, the aggression, the clear sort of importing of a real Premier League club style onto an international stage. I'm not. I'm probably not getting carried away. I'm really trying not to get carried away, but I did think that that is right up there with the performances that we saw in the first round of games against an opponent that. Do we know how good Croatia are still? Maybe not, but they've certainly got that pedigree and they showed moments themselves. But I thought defensively, some. Some lapses, some. Some question marks, but overall, especially second half, and especially the first 15 minutes of that second half, probably the most impressed by any single team that I've been during the tournament so far.
- [29:37]
Emma Peyton
Love it. Caris, you mentioned goalkeepers. We've had some. Some unlikely heroes, haven't we?
- [29:42]
Cerys Jones
Yeah. Which is just. That's what the World Cup's all about. And I think it's also really fun that some of these goalkeepers, you know, usually when someone has kind of like a breakout performance, the talk very quickly turns into the transfer market and, you know, we're going to see someone go in for them. I don't think we're going to see Premier League sides entering the market for Vizinha or for Eli Roum or anyone like that, which is, in a way what makes it so fun, that this is just kind of a moment for them to shine and to be like a sort of backbone for their teams. A lot of their performances have been flawed. I think Vizinha last night for Cape Verde perhaps didn't live up to his first game, although to be fair, it would have been very hard for him to do so. But I'll throw Biron Van for Iran in there as well, to be fair. Who plays for. I think Traktor FC is genuinely the name of the club that he plays for, and I thought he, you know, kept Iran in the game. There were a few times where, you know, it wasn't all clean and it wasn't all perfect. There were a few really dangerous kind of parries and failing to hold the ball that made you. But that in a way, kind of when you add it all to the highlights reel at the end, just adds to the sense of like heroism and the showmanship of it, which has just been kind of one of the really fun subplots.
- [30:53]
Mark Critchley
Plots to watch yeah
- [30:58]
Sponsor/Ad Voice
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- [33:54]
Emma Peyton
Time now for our do you know daily Trivia on day 12. Now, crit, you said you've been doing your homework ahead of this, so wrong
- [34:03]
Mark Critchley
kind of homework, unfortunately, still homework.
- [34:06]
Emma Peyton
So today's question. Do you know which two nations played out the game? Which produced the most goals? Which is 12? Because we're on day 12 in a single World cup game.
- [34:18]
Mark Critchley
Netherlands?
- [34:19]
Emma Peyton
No.
- [34:19]
Cerys Jones
Spain in there?
- [34:20]
Emma Peyton
Nope.
- [34:21]
Mark Critchley
Brazil?
- [34:22]
Emma Peyton
No.
- [34:23]
Mark Critchley
Argentina?
- [34:24]
Emma Peyton
No.
- [34:24]
Cerys Jones
Germany.
- [34:25]
Mark Critchley
Portugal?
- [34:26]
Emma Peyton
No.
- [34:27]
Paul Bayous
Both? No.
- [34:28]
Mark Critchley
England wouldn't have been involved. Ussr?
- [34:31]
Emma Peyton
No.
- [34:31]
Mark Critchley
Yugoslavia?
- [34:32]
Emma Peyton
No.
- [34:33]
Mark Critchley
Does the country exist?
- [34:34]
Cerys Jones
Yes, they both still exist.
- [34:36]
Emma Peyton
They're both at the World Cup.
- [34:37]
Cerys Jones
They're both at this World Cup.
- [34:39]
Mark Critchley
Well, that narrows it down, doesn't it? It's only 48 teams.
- [34:42]
Cerys Jones
Which world cup was it? Can we get a hint?
- [34:44]
Emma Peyton
1954.
- [34:46]
Cerys Jones
Right.
- [34:46]
Ray Winston
Okay.
- [34:47]
Mark Critchley
Oh, Sweden.
- [34:48]
Cerys Jones
So just the 50 years before I was born. Can we get a continent?
- [34:52]
Emma Peyton
Europe.
- [34:52]
Mark Critchley
Both in Europe.
- [34:53]
Emma Peyton
Yep.
- [34:54]
Mark Critchley
And they're both at this World Cup. Scotland?
- [34:59]
Emma Peyton
No.
- [35:00]
Cerys Jones
Belgium.
- [35:01]
Emma Peyton
No.
- [35:02]
Mark Critchley
I'm enjoying this. Right, so we keep it going.
- [35:04]
Emma Peyton
Okay. Come on. Right. A 75 win.
- [35:08]
Mark Critchley
7 5. Austria.
- [35:10]
Emma Peyton
Well done.
- [35:12]
Mark Critchley
That makes sense.
- [35:13]
Emma Peyton
They were the winners. So who did they beat?
- [35:15]
Mark Critchley
75 versus Switzerland.
- [35:17]
Emma Peyton
Well done.
- [35:20]
Mark Critchley
The Swiss.
- [35:20]
Cerys Jones
That was really poor.
- [35:21]
Emma Peyton
That was. I'll be honest with you. That was a tough one, but well done.
- [35:25]
Mark Critchley
Well done.
- [35:25]
Emma Peyton
We got there in the end.
- [35:27]
Mark Critchley
I think we demonstrated it was a tough one.
- [35:30]
Emma Peyton
Right, now, England take on Ghana on Tuesday as Thomas Tuchel's side will look to build on their impressive win over Croatia. Let's hear from the Athletics. Jack Pitt Brook on the mood in the England camp.
- [35:43]
Jack Pitt Brook
The big news really from the England camp in the last few days is that Dan Byrne and Harry Kane went to go and see country star Ella Langley on Friday evening. Obviously, attention now turns to England's second match against Ghana. I think the big questions that most fans will have will firstly be about selection. Will Thomas Tuchel stick with the same team that beat Croatia 42 in Dallas last week? My feeling on this is that he probably will and should stick with the same team. I'm not sure that Bukayo Saka, who missed training yesterday, will be ready to start against Ghana. And so unless he's got any specific injury concerns about other players, I would imagine he'd go all out for the Ghana game. And then if England managed to get through that and they could well win the group on Tuesday, maybe it would then come to make some changes to the Panama game in New Jersey, which is England's third match, just to keep players as fresh as possible going into the knockout rounds. The other question going into the Ghana game is the weather. Obviously there's been so much talk in the last few weeks about the heat here, whether it will be too hot for England to play their Premier League style. And then in England's last game against Croatia in Dallas, in an air conditioned stadium, England were able to play at full intensity. But the weather forecast for Boston the next few days is rain. So I just wonder whether that familiar climactic conditions could allow England to play their natural Premier League style against Ghana.
- [36:59]
Emma Peyton
Yeah, well, England will absolutely be used to the rain, won't they? But the big news it sounds like from Jack is that Harry Kane and Dan Byrne went to see Ella Langley. Are we big country fans? You're both looking like who is that?
- [37:12]
Cerys Jones
I saw Shania Twain on Saturday night, which was probably the Shania Twain. The Shania Twain, which was exceptional. I can't say I'm as familiar with Ella Langley.
- [37:25]
Mark Critchley
I've never heard of Ella Langley until this. I don't know. Glen Campbell, Wichita lineman that is on the list of karaoke songs that I keep on the notes app on my phone. Just, you know, when I'm in the booth and I'm like, okay, what can I do?
- [37:37]
Emma Peyton
Right? Okay. That's your go to, isn't it?
- [37:38]
Mark Critchley
Glen Campbell? Yeah, yeah.
- [37:40]
Emma Peyton
Okay. I'm more of a Zach Bryan girl myself, you know, meanless to me. I did actually listen to Ella Langley on my train in though, so I can see the appeal. So get listening to that when you're heading out of my.
- [37:50]
Cerys Jones
Is Ella Langley now going to be the backing of the montage when England lifts the wall?
- [37:56]
Emma Peyton
Possibly, yeah, possibly. Jack talking there saying that he would like to see Thomas Tuchel stick with the same 11. What are your thoughts on that? Because like you said, obviously an opportunity Tomorrow to top the group with Panama. The remaining group game.
- [38:12]
Cerys Jones
Yeah, there's an element of if it's not broke, don't fix it. You know, we saw how well the England team worked against Croatia in parts. Obviously that was the period in the first half where they lost control of that a little bit. And that's where I think the question comes in over the defense, over the center back combination, particularly whether Marc Gaye comes in potentially for John Stones, who I think showed his lack of recent minutes a little bit. But I can't really see Tuchel changing that. I think he's not someone who is necessarily afraid to make big calls. And if he felt that Stones wasn't justifying his selection, I think he might have put Gehi in earlier than he did against Croatia. So I'm not necessarily expecting that to change. I think the rest of the team with the kind of fitness concerns for Bukayo Saka, the rest of the team probably, probably picked itself and we saw how well it functioned. I would like to see a bit more of Morgan Rodgers, but I think Jude Bellingham, you know, did enough to justify his starting place.
- [39:11]
Emma Peyton
Yeah, there's a really interesting piece by Jack over on the Athletic where he's been writing about this idea of finishers, which was something that was brought in by Eddie Jones when he coached the England rugby team. But the idea that substitutes are introduced with specific roles to win the game in the second half. Marcus Rashford obviously came on, scored a goal against Croatia. Does he start for you? Is he deserving of a start? Where do you stand?
- [39:34]
Mark Critchley
I think he's deserving of a start. Whether he actually starts I think is a separate question. And I always think that finishers thing, it's just putting an arm around these subs shoulders, isn't it? And saying, look, no, you're a finisher, mate, you're playing a big role, you've got a job to do. But I think players, certain squads, they do buy into that and they will buy into it more if you are bringing them on. And I thought what was again, one thing that really impressed me about England the other night was that how bold and proactive that triple substitution was where you're bringing on Rashford, Rodgers and it was Saka and I imagine later on it will be Madueke or Ezzy or someone like that. But if you can do that in games, particularly when you're ahead, it's something that we wouldn't be used to necessarily under Southgate where still there's that proactive attitude and It's a real strength in England's favor, I think. And so I would still keep Rashford in reserve for now and see if he comes on later to affect the game. I like Anthony Gordon. I know he got a bit of stick for the performance and given that Rashford came on and scored and what impact did he have? But I think what he guarantees you is a lot of work off the ball in terms of his pressing. I think he's built a real relationship with Kane, actually, and a real understanding there. And there was a couple of times. You want to see it more often. There's a couple of times where Kane was looking when he's come deep and he's looking for balls in behind and he's finding Gordon. I would want to keep that relationship there for now.
- [40:50]
Emma Peyton
So to summarize, keeping Rashford as a finisher.
- [40:51]
Mark Critchley
He's a finisher.
- [40:52]
Emma Peyton
He's a finisher, isn't he? Plenty more build up to England tomorrow, of course, but time now to look ahead and focus on today's star of soccer. And we are talking today about Norway's Jens Petter Hauge, who plays for Bodo Glim. Didn't feature for Norway in their opener, of course, could feature this evening against Senegal. Keris has only got 15 caps and that is since being handed his debut back in October 2020, a crucial part of Bodo Glimpse story. Anyone that watched the Champions League last season will know all about him. But he's got a fascinating story so far, hasn't he?
- [41:24]
Cerys Jones
Yeah, the sort of coming up through Bodo Glimt, but then departing and then going to Milan. You know that theoretically or not theoretically a bigger club, but to then get his main kind of recognition and fame through what he has done since coming back to Bodo Glimt. What they were able to do in the Champions League last season was. Was superb. You know, some of the results they picked up against teams like Manchester City and I think he was really key to that. He's quite an unusual winger as well. I think in terms of his build he's pretty tall, but he's pretty kind of nimble as well. He's quite unique and not unique, but he's unusual in that sense. He's not your kind of typical, like low centre of gravity, tricky winger, but he's not like a loping striker either. So I find him like an intriguing mix of attributes to watch. But obviously, like you say, his role for Norway has been much smaller than what it's been at club level and he's obviously not the attacker who Eyes are on when his country is playing. That's Erling Haaland. So it will be really interesting to see if he can kind of use this tournament to stamp his mark on Norway's side as well.
- [42:26]
Emma Peyton
Yeah. Interesting to see whether he features this evening. How much are you looking forward to Norway, Senegal? Because this could be the game of the day.
- [42:32]
Mark Critchley
I think it could be. Shout for game of the tournament. That's how far I'm going on. Because I'm really excited for this.
- [42:38]
Paul Bayous
What is it?
- [42:38]
Mark Critchley
It's like one. Am I back in tomorrow?
- [42:40]
Emma Peyton
Bold. Shout to this podcast today.
- [42:42]
Mark Critchley
That's what it's for, Look. Yeah. I just like the fact that both of them very fast and direct, you know, maybe they'll sit in a little bit. Senegal, particularly in this. But I like how exciting they are when they're going forwards and I think both teams will look to take that approach. Yeah. Again last week, Senegal against France, just how often they got on the counter attack and the amount of damage that they could do. If Nico Jackson could just stay on side, they'd be almost. But they'd have one foot in the next round already. And then there's something about Harland in New York as well that I'm just looking forward to. You know, it could be a really good watch.
- [43:16]
Emma Peyton
Find it so funny just looking at pictures of him as a tourist just on Times Square.
- [43:20]
Mark Critchley
I haven't seen that.
- [43:21]
Emma Peyton
There's loads of selfies, everything selling. Harley, come on. Finally, before we go, remember, all our World cup coverage across the Athletic is completely free in our app. And today we have an interview with Ray Winston in conversation with Lee Clayton, reflecting on some of his favorite World cup memories. Here's a sneak peek.
- [43:40]
Ray Winston
If you think about, you know, when Bobby Robson was manager, you think about how close we've been to winning the World cup. Forget about 66, you know, when we got beat by Argentina, the hand of God, which I'd have chopped off and removed and put it in a museum somewhere, but we'd have definitely gone through and we'd have definitely, definitely beat Argentina.
- [44:00]
Cerys Jones
If I say World cup to you.
- [44:02]
Ray Winston
Yeah.
- [44:03]
Sponsor/Ad Voice
Who's the one player that springs to mind?
- [44:05]
Cerys Jones
Who's the player that stands out, who
- [44:07]
Sponsor/Ad Voice
epitomizes the World Cup?
- [44:09]
Ray Winston
Jefferson. Because I am biased, I guess. Three goals in the World cup final. But Pele Maradona, No, I love watching them, but I'm an Englishman, you know, I. To me, the. What inspires me is my countrymen, I guess, or my team. Yeah. You know. God, I love watching Pele And I love watching. I could, I like to say Maradona, but he's upset me some. Right. So I can't actually get a word that Messi. You watch Messi. I mean, even at the age he's at now, in the last World cup, he was quite phenomenal, you know, because of his class and his talent. Yeah. You know, it was. It was. It was beautiful to watch. Yeah. Going back to the day there's millions of players you can say inspired you, but I have to say, Jeff Hurst, you know, that's where I'm from.
- [44:59]
Paul Bayous
Yeah.
- [45:00]
Ray Winston
And if anyone inspires you, they've got to come from where you're from because they're the people that say you got a chance in life. Yeah, I like that. You know.
- [45:07]
Emma Peyton
Yeah. A big England fan. Big West Ham fan as well. He is a character, isn't he? That. Of course. Just a snippet. You can check out the full interview over on the Athletic. Well, both, thanks for your company today. You're going to be up all night then watching every single game, by the sounds of it.
- [45:20]
Mark Critchley
See you bright and early.
- [45:21]
Emma Peyton
That's what we love. Yeah. Thanks to both of you. Thanks to Jack and to Paul as well. A reminder for you that the athletics coverage throughout the World cup is completely free over on our app, so don't miss out. You can watch or listen to us wherever you get your podcasts and do subscribe to our YouTube channel if you haven't already. I know I keep saying it, but we are closing in on 300, 000. I'll be back with you tomorrow. We'll catch you then.
- [45:52]
Paul Bayous
Foreign
- [45:57]
Sponsor/Ad Voice
this episode of the Athletic FC is brought to you by Hotels.com when you're booking a hotel, here's a simple question. Why wouldn't you use hotels.com? it really is all in the name. As a member, you save up to 20% on hundreds of thousands of hotels around the world and earn rewards on every single stay. Which means the trips you're taking now help pay for the ones you're already dreaming about. And unlike some other places, there are no blackout dates. So when you want to travel, your rewards are ready to go. So whether you're planning a grand adventure to follow your national team around North America this summer, or whisking your special someone away for an escape because you've been glued to the football for weeks, make sure to book@hotels.com and start earning rewards. Because when it comes to hotels, it's simple. Hotels.com. it's all in the name.
- [46:49]
Emma Peyton
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- [47:34]
Ray Winston
All of it.
- [47:34]
Sponsor/Ad Voice
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