Messi inspires Argentina again as Egypt left fuming with VAR

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Rest Is Football

Episode Title: Messi inspires Argentina again as Egypt left fuming with VAR
Date: July 8, 2026
Hosts: Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Joe Cole

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Overview

In this episode, the panel dives into the drama-packed World Cup quarter-finals, focusing on Argentina’s stunning comeback against Egypt—sparked, yet again, by Lionel Messi. They also dissect the ongoing issues with VAR and take a look at the Switzerland-Colombia shootout, calling out preparation and penalty trends. With a blend of deep analysis and trademark banter, the hosts cover big on-pitch moments, controversial refereeing, and what these latest results mean for the tournament.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Argentina vs. Egypt: Messi's Latest Magic and Egypt's Heartbreak

• Match Recap and Messi's Performance

  • With ten minutes left, Egypt led Argentina 2–0. The hosts discuss how Egypt’s counter-attacking pace threatened Argentina, but ultimately Messi turned the match.
  • Micah Richards [02:27]:
    “Messi is still on the pitch, anything can happen at any time... he does nothing for 80 minutes... then he just thinks, all right, I’ll go to the right-hand side, no problem. I’ll whip the ball in for the first and then I’ll make sure I’ve got something to say... Lionel Messi, man, I mean, it's just incredible. It was unbelievable how he keeps doing it.”
  • Alan Shearer [03:47]:
    “Probably the poorest game I’ve seen him play for a long time, until about 80 minutes. But that’s what great players do.”
  • Messi's records: 9 consecutive World Cup games with a goal, 15 goals since turning 35, a new record for World Cup assists, and surpassing Maradona.

• The Emotional Weight for Messi

  • Joe Cole [05:05]:
    “He was emotional at the end... I think maybe what flashed between his eyes was this could all end. My Argentina career could end tonight... he’s a blessing. I think I might have cried if that was his last game at a World Cup.”

2. Messi's Brilliance and Football Evolution

• Greatness and the Challenge of Marking Messi

  • The team discusses if “man-marking” Messi is even viable.
  • Micah Richards [08:48]:
    “He’s too good. There’s many factors... If you’re marking him... space opens up in the centre of the pitch... He’s always scanning... It’s his first touch... it’s impossible to mark.”
  • Alan Shearer [09:44]:
    “He’s almost unplayable.”
  • Joe Cole [07:41]:
    “The rule changes, Gaz, as well, you know, you can’t touch him... the game was more aggressive... now he’s worked out. Nobody can touch me here.”

• Level of Competition and Rule Changes

  • The panel debates whether Messi’s modern numbers are padded by a larger tournament format and a lower average quality of opposition.
  • Alan Shearer [07:02]:
    “We’ve got 48 teams, not 32... some of which are not as strong... But having said that, his numbers are still better than everyone else’s...”

3. VAR Controversy: Egypt Fume, Hosts Outraged

• The Disallowed Egyptian Goal and Outrage

  • A key turning point: VAR overruling a goal after a minor foul 110 yards earlier in play.
  • Alan [12:42]:
    “You’re actually going 110 yards back and saying, sorry, that was a foul. We’re going to disallow one of the best goals of the tournament... I think it’s utter and complete bollocks.”
  • All three express frustration with VAR’s inconsistency and perceived subconscious bias towards big teams.
  • Joe Cole [16:25]:
    “I think it was subconscious bias... I feel like, yeah, I’ve seen it happen in my own career where referees favor bigger players, bigger teams... it ain't part of the script. Egypt beating Argentina.”

• Discussion on the Future of VAR

  • Alan Shearer [16:19]:
    “The only way out of this, I’ve said it a million times, is an appeal system that will eventually come... we can’t carry on as it is.”

4. Argentina’s Flaws and Resilience

• The hosts note that while Argentina keeps finding a way through, they look tired and vulnerable, especially compared to younger, high-pressing teams like England.
  • Micah Richards [19:21]:
    “They found a way... Yes, they’re looking a little older because they’re essentially having to do Messi’s running... They look vulnerable, certainly on the counter attack... But they find a way to win and that is a hard thing to do.”
  • Alan [20:38]:
    “You’ve got to give them huge credit... 2–0 down, for having that attitude to say, we’re not done here... Never say die attitude.”

5. Penalty Woes and Who Should Take Them

• The hosts speculate whether Messi should remain Argentina’s penalty taker after missing four in World Cups.
  • Alan Shearer [21:09]:
    “Would you take Lionel Messi off penalties? Four in 8 he’s missed in World Cups?”
  • Joe Cole [21:22]:
    “Scaloni would have thought about it... and just leave it up to the big one.”
  • The panel lists other strong penalty options for Argentina and agree Messi is selfless enough to step aside if needed.

6. Switzerland vs Colombia: Penalty Shootout and Preparation

• Discussion on a goalless, rather turgid quarterfinal. Both teams missed opportunities before Switzerland won on penalties.
• Analysis shifts to poor penalties and lack of preparation, particularly Colombia’s seemingly unprepared captain during the shootout.
  • Alan Shearer [23:28]:
    “I found that absolutely staggering. You’ve got the captain of your country, going up to flick the coin for which end, and who has the first penalty – and he hasn’t got a clue whether his team is going to take the first penalty or not. At this level, you have to know that decision before the toss!"

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Messi’s magic (Micah Richards, 02:27):
  “He does nothing for 80 minutes... and then he just thinks, all right, I’ll go to the right-hand side, no problem.”
• On the VAR call (Alan, 12:42):
  “I think it’s utter and complete bollocks. I really do. No wonder there’s so many theories about it—it stinks.”
• On subconscious bias in officiating (Joe Cole, 16:25):
  “I think it was subconscious bias... it ain't part of the script. Egypt beating Argentina.”
• On the spirit of Argentina’s team (Alan, 20:38):
  “That never say die attitude and fighting for their country.”
• On penalty shootout prep (Alan Shearer, 23:28):
  “Absolutely staggering... you have to know that decision before you’re going in to do the toss of a coin.”

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Important Segment Timestamps

• [02:27] — Richards on Egypt-Argentina, and Messi’s inevitability
• [03:47] — Shearer on Messi breaking records and player greatness
• [05:05] — Joe Cole on Messi’s emotional reaction and career stakes
• [07:02] — Panel discusses if modern World Cup numbers (and Messi’s) are inflated
• [08:48] — Richards on why marking Messi is 'impossible'
• [12:42] — VAR controversy and panel’s outrage over Egypt’s disallowed goal
• [16:25] — Joe Cole’s take on subconscious bias in football officiating
• [19:21] — Argentina’s age and whether their resilience can carry them further
• [21:09] — Who should take Argentina’s penalties?
• [23:28] — Shearer on Colombia's penalty shootout preparation blunder

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Conclusion

This energetic, insightful episode captures the drama of tournament football: Messi’s fairytale interventions, VAR’s increasing chaos and the heartbreak for underdog Egypt, along with a critical look at team preparation in the highest-stakes scenarios. The blend of analysis, anecdotes, and outspoken opinion makes it a must-listen for fans tracking every twist of World Cup 2026.

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For more: tune in weekly for new episodes of The Rest Is Football with Alan, Micah, and (often) Joe.

Transcript

[Micah Richards]

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[Alan Shearer]

We have our quarter finalists. Switzerland beat Colombia on penalties. And reigning champions Argentina came back from two behind against an extremely unfortunate Egypt. Welcome to the rest. Is football on the show tonight? It's Micah Richards, Alan Shearer and Joe Cole is back. He took a couple of days, nipped home. I need to ask you where you watched the England game.

[Joe Cole]

Watched it with the kids. 2am in the morning.

[Alan Shearer]

You let them stay up?

[Joe Cole]

I let them stay up. Well, they went to bed. They agreed to go to bed at 8pm they were good. We woke up at 2am and they were charged, mate. It was like watching it with two hooligans. And it was the best. It was one of the best games I've watched for England. Jumping up and coming and I give them, I shouldn't say this for the school. I give them the morning off of school the next day.

[Alan Shearer]

Did any kids turn up for school, I wonder? Yeah. What did you think of the game? It was something else.

[Joe Cole]

I was thinking about it because, I mean, I'm an England fan. I love like your. Your England team, Gary. Like, that was the one that switched me onto football. 96. I went to the games at Wembley and. And so, like. And I think that performance by that team made me feel like that little kid. Watching England again, like the fight and like, you know, we was up. We were screaming at the telly against the Mexicans, you know, I swore I'm never going to drink mezcal again, ever. I was right. I was right for it.

[Alan Shearer]

And then we definitely know that.

[Joe Cole]

Yeah, that won't. That maybe tomorrow night, but just watching it with the boys was lovely and we had a great time.

[Alan Shearer]

Today's games. Let's start with another extraordinary football match. Well, let's go to Micah because he's there on his own. Amazing game, wasn't it? Argentina, Egypt. I mean, it looked done, didn't it? Two nilot, ten minutes to go. And back they came. I think they had a degree of fortune, but I thought it was all over.

[Micah Richards]

I did. I thought Egypt played really well. They played really low and then the counter attack with pace was great to see, but I thought when Egypt were leading, there was been. I Don't know if it was overconfident, but he's just thinking, see how the game, they were still trying to go forward and you know, when Messi's behind you, he's gonna punish you. And yeah, I just thinking Messi is still on the pitch. Anything can happen at any time. And I just thought there was being quite naive the way they defended in the end. Yes, we'll talk about the decisions and all that, but Lionel Messi, I mean he does nothing for 80 minutes. He's just scanning the pitch to see where the space is. It goes from forward position, then to the middle position, not getting the ball, trying to break down that low block at times when it was in it. And then he just thinks, all right, I'll go to the right hand side, no problem. I'll whip the ball in for the first and then I'll make sure I've got something to say. And he turned up and it was inevitable that he was going to do that. And we was all just waiting. I think Egypt needed a third goal to see that game out. But Lionel Messi, man, I mean, it's just incredible. It was unbelievable how he keeps doing it and doing it and doing it.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, it's crazy when you think about it. I mean, it's got some extraordinary statistics and I actually thought it was probably the poorest game I've seen him play for a long time, until about 80 minutes. But that's what great players do. He's now scored in nine consecutive World cup matches. Klose was leading World cup scorer of course, before this tournament with 16 goals. Messi has now scored 15 World cup goals since turning 35. Staggering, staggering. And he's 21 now in 20.

[Alan]

Missed two penalties this tournament as well.

[Alan Shearer]

He's useless at penalties though. I mean, that's something. He's now got nine, nine World cup assists as well, which is taking him clear of any other player, one ahead of Diego Armando Maradona. He's obviously his fellow countryman there. I mean, what can you say about him?

[Alan]

Well, we can't say any words that haven't already been used. Sensational, different class, incredible, all of those things. And that is the sign of a great player, is that you have a huge disappointment, which he did again with a penalty. And he was having a really poor game. Nothing was going for him. The ball was bouncing off him, he was giving it away and then all of a sudd. And that's what great players do. They just have that split second and

[Alan Shearer]

then boof and they don't let adversity deal. They can deal with adversity.

[Joe Cole]

He was emotional at the end and that you show every long career and what he's won. And I think maybe what flashed between his eyes was this could all end. My Argentina career could end tonight. 2 nil down at Egypt and he just missed, penalty, missed penalty. And he's thinking, you know, he's thinking his time's numbered. And I think that must have all come flooding out for him at the end of it, which makes me think he's human because sometimes I watch him and I think there should be a stewards on him because I don't think there's any footballer ever that can do the thing. Do you know what I mean? I was a technical player, I'd like to think I could handle the football. But he does things and it's always not even in the extraordinary things he does, it's in the basic things that he does. The decision making, the touch for the goal the other night, you know, the

[Alan Shearer]

weight of past, weight of past vision.

[Joe Cole]

There's nothing and nobody that's come before him. And I'm in throwing everyone in that name. And there's the young greats around, your Haalands and your Mbappes, they're miles, they're going to be miles off. Whatever he's going to achieve, he's just a blessing. And I think I might have cried if that was his last game at a World Cup. Maybe we're going to see him, you know what I mean?

[Alan]

I thought it was amazing to see that emotion because after what he's done in the game, it means, still means that much. We've said it before, doesn't fit.

[Micah Richards]

Can I ask you a question?

[Alan]

Finance?

[Micah Richards]

Because you read the stats out there, Gaz, in terms of the amount of goals Messi has scored after 35, does that mean the teams now are not as good? Has he just elevated his game? Argentina just playing more for him? I feel as though back when he was playing, when he started, the teams were better. Obviously now in the World cup there are more teams. And although they've performed well, the lower teams in the World cup, in terms of the ranks, normally or historically, they wouldn't even be played in the World Cup. Has that got anything to do with not just Messi, but the amounts of goals we're now seeing at the World Cup?

[Alan Shearer]

Well, I think definitely this World cup, because Obviously we've got 48 teams, not 32. So you've got 16 extra sides and some of which are not as strong, obviously, as clubs would normally be in a World Cup. So you've also got an extra round of 32, so I understand why it's higher on this particular World Cup. But having said that, his numbers are still better than everyone else's at the present moment.

[Alan]

I think because of the number of games, though, is that every record is going to get smashed. Every record's going to get broke, of course, because of the number of games and perhaps because of the quality or the lack of, particularly in earlier games, they're all going to get smashed.

[Joe Cole]

The rule changes. Gaz, as well, you know, you can't touch him. I remember playing against him many times for Chelsea, and you could like every attacking player, you could be brutalized, you could be fouls and things. The game was more aggressive and I think now he's worked out. Nobody can touch me here.

[Alan Shearer]

Could you go man to man on him?

[Joe Cole]

Yeah, but it's still the same rules apply.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Joe Cole]

You know, you lean on him, you're going to give away a foul. It will inevitably be in a dangerous position.

[Alan Shearer]

But can you. If I'm just hypothetically, say you put one man on Messi and you say, right, because Messi just stands a lot of the time. Stand with him. Because what happens, Messi, this is where he's clever. People go, well, he doesn't really move. The reason he doesn't move is he knows the person that's closest to him will move. So as soon as the ball gets down there, the defender naturally drifts off and he stays. And when he gets the ball, then he can do something with it. But my theory is, can you go man to man and just say, right, you forget any other aspect of the game. You just stand with Messi against a team like Argentina, who so reliant on him. I just wonder whether that. Do you think that would work, Micah? Is he just too good?

[Micah Richards]

He's too good. He's too good. Because there's many factors.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Alan]

But the other option, what everyone tries, has tried for years, which is not man, mark him. And he's got around that as well. Every. Sorry to put in, but I think that's a really valid idea to do that because just say, forget about doing anything else, you just stick with him, you stop him. Because if you stop Messi, you basically stop Argentina. And if you've got a guy who's as fit as can be, who can run, who can just go bang, I'm sticking with you. I'm not moving. I think that is a proper option. Sorry, Micah.

[Alan Shearer]

I've spoken to players that have played against him defensively and they say you can't do that because he's too clever. And the other thing, if you rely on one person to go man to man, if he beats that one person, then what does the rest of the team do?

[Alan]

He can get around the fact that no one's man marking him because you just said he finds the space, whatever. So that has to be a viable option.

[Alan Shearer]

He's almost unplayable.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, you can't, you can't, you can't. As a defender there, trying to mark Messi, it's virtually impossible because spatial awareness. So if you're marking him, even if you say you put a defensive midfielder on him, so if Messi goes and stands out on the right, then space opens up in the centre of the pitch, then he's got spatial awareness round him where he's always scanning, similar to David Silva. Everyone used to say, he's so small, why can't you Just. Because he knows where to get the ball, receive it. And also that I've talked about spatial awareness. It's his first touch. So if you're going in, because he's so agile, and if you're putting someone on him, would be a bigger person, I would say more a defensive person. So the time it takes you to move, he's already thought about what he's going to do and then he pops it off. And then you have to still look at play while you're man marking someone. And he's so quick in his mind, it's impossible to read what he's going to do and what he did in the game today. Okay, there's no space in the middle of the pitch. I'll just go out on the right. You think you're all right, but because technically he's so good, if he doesn't dribble, Pashea, if he doesn't shoot, he will just put in an unbelievable ball, too. So it's actually impossible to mark. And if you're talking about trying to mark him, you're going to be tired. You said he's walking around, but you're constantly having to. To adapt to your position while watching the ball and engage. So you're getting more tired and he's fresh because he's walking about. He'll just be walking into positions where you don't want to be, which then opens up space for the rest of the team. So ultimately it's impossible to mark because he's that good.

[Alan Shearer]

He's extraordinarily Good. He really is. Let's give, I think, a lot of credit to Egypt. I mean, there were massive underdogs going into this game. I thought their defending was brilliant until the last, obviously towards the end, obviously the keeper played really well. Saved the penalty. They were 2 nil up with 10 minutes. They had an overturn by Var that. I mean, you can say technically it was possibly a foul, but is that enough? At the start of this tournament, Alan, they weren't intervening in things like that. They were letting it go. Letting it go, letting it go. Now they're in their little box there, the three of them, and they're getting a little bit bored. Oh, let's do something. Let's have a look at this one. Slight clash of toes and I mean, I must admit I was shocked at that. Ultimately, did it make any difference? We'll never know because it would have gone 20 and they went to 2 nil anyway. And obviously everything is different should things change. But I think they're a little bit hard done too in the game, Alan.

[Alan]

Yeah, I mean, the reason why, I guess so many people will get angry because as much as I don't think the Salah incident in the penalty box was a penalty.

[Alan Shearer]

No, I don't.

[Alan]

As much as I don't think the shirt pull in the box was a penalty, that same logic applies for that free kick that was given.

[Alan Shearer]

Correct.

[Alan]

So if you're gonna give that one, then there's a huge argument to say, well, one of those has to be. If you're giving that as a foul, you're actually going 110 yards back and saying, sorry, that was a foul. We're gonna disallow one of the best goals of the tournaments, I think. And I can say what I want on here, I think it's utter and complete bollocks. I really do. I just. No wonder there's so many theories about it stinks. I mean, you've got the top four in the world rankings. England, France, Spain and Argentina. If they win their group, they all then guarantee they can't meet each other until at least a semifinal. You've got interference from presidents making calls, and then you get that in that game because of Argentina, you think, no wonder. You can't blame people for coming up with these theories, can you?

[Alan Shearer]

Conspiracy theories.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah. It was a foul, though.

[Alan]

No, Micah, the referee didn't give it.

[Alan Shearer]

It wasn't enough to say.

[Alan]

It was never ever enough to say sorry. That is a clear and obvious.

[Micah Richards]

I agree with clear and obvious, but we've seen Those given in the World cup, haven't we?

[Alan]

But we've seen them not given. So therefore it's not a clear and obvious foul. The referees at the beginning of the

[Micah Richards]

tournament, once it went to various. It was. It was good, it was obviously going to give it.

[Alan]

Of course it was, but it was never. It's not that much of a. It's not that much of a howlers here. And we're going to go 110 yards further back and we're going to rule that out as a clear. That is it. They're saying that's a complete and a foul. The referee didn't give it. So the referees earlier on in the tournament were not given those fouls. They were not given. If you look at. I did it early game when Mbappe was fouled as it was a clear penalty, the referee went to the screen and said, no, I'm sticking with my decision, I'm not given that. Now you compare that to what was

[Alan Shearer]

given today, I'm totally with you, Alan, but the problem is we will never, ever get consistency from Var because they change their tune. They weren't involved much at the start of the tournament then they want to get involved now they're being more involved now they'll probably go less involved because there'll be a bit of a stink about this one. The problem is not necessarily all the people doing var. The problem is Var itself. It's terrible.

[Micah Richards]

Do you think it's a foul, though? Forget if it goes down.

[Alan Shearer]

Maybe, maybe not.

[Micah Richards]

Do you think he's a foul maybe?

[Alan Shearer]

No, I think.

[Micah Richards]

Yes.

[Alan Shearer]

I don't. I don't.

[Micah Richards]

In the later rounds of the competition they're going to scrutinize everything. I agree with you, Alan. VAR is a fucking nightmare. We all know that. We hate it, we don't like it,

[Alan Shearer]

we need to get it out of it.

[Micah Richards]

I agree with that. But once it has gone to Var, we all know that in the modern day game that is a foul, you know.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, well, I think it's two players just putting their foot down and one slightly flicked his toe. Now, I don't think that even now is necessarily a foul. It's certainly not necessarily enough of a foul to turn a decision over. And that's where the problem with VAR is. This thing about is it enough of a foul, which is either a foul or it's not. If they just changed it and said, right, it's either a foul or not. But at the moment they're still using this thing. It has to be enough of a for a turnover and therefore it will always be a nightmare. The only way out of this, I've said it a million times, is an appeal system that will eventually come, I'm sure of it, because we can't carry on as it is.

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It will.

[Alan Shearer]

Joe, you've been a bit quiet. I know you think it was and I think you're with.

[Joe Cole]

I agree with all of you. I don't like various. I thought they started off at the tournament well, and then, and then the last few games it's gone a bit sideways, but I think it was a foul. It was a soft foul in the current, in the modern game it's a soft foul. But I think what happened there was, I think that it was subconscious bias because VAR is supposed to be. We're going to make it everything. So it's not a contentious subconscious bias. Subconscious bias with a bigger clubs, with a bigger teams, bigger countries. And it happens because I feel like, yeah, I've seen it happen in my own career where referees favor bigger players, bigger teams. And I've played for big teams and I've played smaller teams as well. So it's human nature and I think that they've gone, this ain't part of the script. Egypt beating Argentina and I think, oh, there might have been a little foul. Let's look at that. All right, we'll have a look at it. But so I think there's a little bit of that, that comes into play with it.

[Alan Shearer]

You know, I don't think any of us think they're deliberately. No, no, they're not deliberately or anything like that.

[Micah Richards]

There's no.

[Alan Shearer]

But there is a conscious subconscious thing

[Joe Cole]

where, you know, everyone, everyone loves Argentina, everyone loves Messi, you know, and they found that, they found a tiny little foul in the build up and it's a hunt. And through their. But, but in fairness to them, through the laws of the game, the action. Although it was a beautiful goal and it was 100 yards run.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Joe Cole]

There was no change, fabulous goals, there was no change of phase. So they, they from the laws of the game, their laws, they can go back and look at it and it's a foul. It's not a foul. You know, you think it is and I think it is, but it wasn't enough to rule out that, that goal.

[Alan]

But, but they 100 over 100 yards further back. I mean, come on, seriously. I think if you're given that, you have to give one of the others

[Alan Shearer]

that Egypt and others in other games,

[Alan]

there are so many.

[Micah Richards]

Hold on, hold on, let's let's get to the bottom of this. You in the studio, Alan Shearer. Are you Sir Alan Shearer yet you was promoting var.

[Alan]

Yeah. I'll tell you why I was.

[Micah Richards]

Because if you remember VAR, before he came into our beautiful game, if you

[Alan]

remember, the reason what they told us was maximum benefit, minimum interference, we're not going to re referee. And for the clear and obvious only, I was for that, not for this bollocks that we're seeing every single week. And what we're seeing.

[Joe Cole]

You've got shares in Var, is that what you're saying?

[Alan Shearer]

Oh, goodness me, yeah. What about Argentina overall, though? They scraped past Cape Verde, didn't they? Three, two. That remarkable performance, Cape Verde. They've scraped past Egypt and a remarkable performance from Egypt and they've managed to come back again. Their average age of the team is 30 years and 170 days. Is this. Are they starting? I mean, the thing is, they still came back and scored three goals in the last 10 minutes, Micah. But I mean, they are. They are an age inside. Are they as strong as they were four years ago?

[Micah Richards]

We'll have to wait and see. I think it's a difficult one because they found a way. How many times have we talked in the Premier League or the Champions League? I remember Real Madrid when they beat Man City, psg, and I think it was Chelsea on that run and it was the worst team. And we were talking about how they've done it. They found a way in terms of the energy. Yes, they're looking a little older because they're essentially having to do Messi's running. And that's why I said what I said about Ronaldo yesterday. If you're going to say all the stuff about Ronaldo not running, Messi doesn't run as well, but the team play for him. They're constantly having to change players for him, and because he's a genius, they find a way to get over the line. So if you ask me, if they was playing against England, I think England can run them all over the pitch and really make it really intense and make it hard for them. But the difference is with Argentina, the fight and the spirit and them having Messi, for some reason, the managed to just get over the line. So if you're looking at all the stats, you think, yes, we could play Argentina. They look vulnerable, certainly on the counter attack, and they look a little bit frail in terms of their edge of the team. But they find a way to win and that is a hard thing to do.

[Alan]

It's a Brilliant skill they've got in terms of their attitude. You can see, look at the emotion at the end. And I know what they had to go through to get there at the end. But you've got to give them huge credit for getting there in the end, for being 2 nil down for having that attitude to say, we're not done here. And we all knew that if they were to get one, then the chances are they were going to go on and get another one and perhaps win it as they did. But you've got. That is a great thing to have, is that never say a die attitude and fighting for their country.

[Alan Shearer]

Joe, I'm going to ask a question now that I never thought I'd ask. Right. Would you take Lionel Messi off penalties? Do you know what four in 80s missed in World Cups? I mean, it's the one kind, you know, he's a human.

[Joe Cole]

It's a human Scaloni. I'll tell you one thing, Scaloni would have thought about it and he'd probably, probably be walking to Lionel Messi's room thinking, should I have this conversation? And I think he'll walk right past his room and just leave it up to the big one.

[Alan Shearer]

Thing I would say about him, he's not that kind of selfish. I don't think he's so bothered about that because I've seen him so many times in his career, just give someone else a penalty because he feels like it. Never because he's worried about missing each other.

[Joe Cole]

He looked nervous and that's incredible.

[Alan Shearer]

I don't think he looked any different to how he always looks. He's just got serious face. And I think you read into things when they miss and then you go, oh, I think he looked a little bit nervous, but who is he?

[Alan]

He's the one that's going to have to go and say, lads, I'll give it to Callister.

[Alan Shearer]

It can be down to hit.

[Joe Cole]

Well, you've got. Alvarez takes pence, Enzo Fernandez takes pence.

[Alan Shearer]

Martinez very good at pence.

[Joe Cole]

Exactly. So they've got enough people there and I think he's a giver. He gives himself to his team, so I think he might even step down himself.

[Alan Shearer]

Speaking of penalties, the other game was a bit turgid, really. They both had their chances. Switzerland and Colombia, goalless draw, penalty shootout. What did we make of that, Micah? A couple of centre backs. What is it with this thing about giving defenders penalties? I don't get it.

[Micah Richards]

Because we've got bottle. That's why you strikers, mate, want to Take all the credit for everything when it's time to step up for your nation. Where are they hiding?

[Alan Shearer]

Hang on a minute, hang on a minute. Micah, how many Penti shootouts you've done in the World Cup? Oh, you haven't been to a World Cup? Sorry. I think you can accuse us of many things, but not having the balls to step up for a penalty is not one of them.

[Micah Richards]

So why are we seeing all the centre backs taking the penalties? I don't know.

[Alan Shearer]

It is weird.

[Micah Richards]

It is weird if you look good and take penalties as well.

[Alan Shearer]

And they're all hitting them over the

[Micah Richards]

bar, the penalties, and they're not stepping up.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, they're all hitting them over.

[Joe Cole]

There's been some terrible penalties in the shootout. So one thing I would say, you know, there's been some players. How many times have you seen players miss the target on this World Cup?

[Alan Shearer]

The interesting thing, Damisin Sanchez, the captain, obviously, you know, when he went for the toss up for penalties, I couldn't believe that he didn't know. I mean, surely that's all pre planned. Yeah, but because everyone knows the statistics are clear, if you take the first penalty, you're 60% more like. Well, 60 to 40%. They win the team that goes first with penalties and he didn't, he didn't know he had to call the goalkeeper.

[Joe Cole]

What do you fancy that shows lack money of, of preparation. You know, you, you know, in the Swiss and then everything, they would have been on it. They'll know all the little intricacies that go involved in a penalty shootout. For instance, you know, when you, you're at a goalkeeper and, and you. Someone scores, you're supposed to grab the ball and give it to your player rather than. Because if you know the, the opposition gets it, they boot it away. It's a longer time to wait. There's all these little mind games that go on. The Colombians look like they were just making up as they went along.

[Alan]

I. I found that absolutely staggering. Like you've got the captain of your country and you're going up to flick the coin. One is where you're going to take at which end and then the other one is who has the first penalty and he wins it and he hasn't got a clue whether he team is going to take the first penalty or not. I mean, surely at this level you have to know that decision before you're going in to do the toss of a coin. It's staggering. That is.