3rd Place Thriller!

19 Jul 2026 · 1 h 2 min · 24 chapters

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In short

ESPN FC World Cup weekend preview, centered on the 3rd-place match (France vs England) and the upcoming final (Spain vs Argentina), plus discussion of tournament storylines, coaching futures, and officiating/physicality.

Guests (panel)

Craig Burley (former pro/analyst), Jürgen Klinsmann (former player/coach), Frank LePoeuf (former France defender/analyst), Santi Solari (former player/analyst), Stephen Mannerman (panelist/analyst). They also reference Mauricio Pochettino’s comments about the USMNT job and discuss players like Mbappé, Saka, Bellingham, Alise, Messi, Rodri, and Julián Álvarez.

Key claims

France–England was entertaining but lacked defensive discipline; both sides seemed to want the match to end (cramps, no desire for extra time). England’s second-half drop-off after scoring was criticized as “fear to fail,” and Tuchel’s post-match comments were called “nonsense.” For the final, Spain should control possession and press, while Argentina can win via physical duels and Messi’s single-moment brilliance; officiating bias/leniency toward Argentina was debated.

Notable examples

England’s 4-0 halftime lead (Saka brace, Rice scoring), France’s comeback to 4-3, and Bellingham’s late individual goal to avoid extra time; Alise’s World Cup: record assists but zero goals; Mbappé’s World Cup scoring record (22 all-time, 16 in tournament).

Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.

Chapters

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Match Recap: England vs. France

0:00 to 0:26

Discussion of the thrilling match between England and France for third place.

“As soccer takes center stage this summer, Comcast helps bring the experience home to America.”

Match Recap: England vs. France

0:48 to 1:30

Discussion of the thrilling match between England and France for third place.

“Hello and welcome in to the ESPN FC studio.”

Analyzing the Game's Dynamics

1:30 to 3:08

The hosts analyze the open nature of the match and the lack of defense.

“And England are the third best team in the world.”

Reflecting on Team Performances

3:08 to 4:50

Insights on team performances and the implications of the game's outcome.

“He didn't give a chance to the other like 2-0 did for England.”

Jude Bellingham's World Cup Journey

4:50 to 7:08

Discussion on Jude Bellingham's performance and future prospects.

“for his last game, that was kind of undeserved result and behaviour from the French players.”

Kylian Mbappé's Achievements

7:08 to 9:10

Overview of Kylian Mbappé's record-breaking performances in the tournament.

“What have your team done in that sort of performance?”

Michael Olise's World Cup Performance

9:10 to 11:16

Examination of Michael Olise's contributions and inconsistencies during the tournament.

“He broke that, breaking Pele's record, but not one goal for him at all.”

Coaching Decisions and Regrets

11:16 to 13:00

Debate on coaching decisions during the tournament and their impact.

“But he wasn't alone for some reason in this front line.”

Reflections on England's Performance

14:01 to 16:41

Discussion on England's mentality and performance in the World Cup semi-final.

“Oh, yeah, but I've never seen an English mentality.”

France's World Cup Journey

16:41 to 19:12

Analysis of France's unexpected exit and the disappointment felt by fans.

“Of course, Eddie Howe's got experience, but not many managers have got experience at international level because normally that's at the end.”
Show all 24 chapters

Zinedine Zidane's Impact

19:12 to 21:38

Debate on Zidane's potential appointment and its implications for French football.

“No, but after Laurent Blanc, Didier Deschamps, now Zinedine Zidane, that's absolutely great because we know that these people are going to give their hearts and their lives for the national team.”

Previewing the Final: Spain vs. Argentina

22:14 to 28:00

In-depth analysis and predictions for the upcoming World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.

“The game of our lives, says the front page of AS, the sports newspaper in Madrid.”

Argentina vs. Spain: Tactical Analysis

28:00 to 35:18

Explore the tactical nuances of the Argentina vs. Spain matchup and the players' performance expectations.

“And they're just going to wait for moments in the game that Spain cough a pass up or they can win the ball back.”

Previewing the Final Match

35:18 to 36:01

Discussion about predictions and expectations for the upcoming final match.

“So we're going to see you on TV tomorrow on the stands?”

Previewing the Final Match

36:40 to 37:02

Discussion about predictions and expectations for the upcoming final match.

“Let me tell you, game day is serious business at my house.”

Pochettino's Future and Team Performance

37:13 to 42:01

Analysis of Mauricio Pochettino's future with the US men's national team and the team's performance.

“He said we are evaluating it, looking at it.”

Discussion on Pochettino and Player Relations

42:01 to 42:32

The hosts discuss Pochettino's relationship with players and his future.

“Well, you do live in America, don't you?”

World Cup Final Nerves and Experiences

43:21 to 47:20

Jürgen and Frank share their experiences and nerves leading up to World Cup finals.

“Angel City against Louisville live Sunday, July 26th as the NWSL hot tub on Disney Plus and ESPN.”

Team Dynamics in World Cup Finals

47:21 to 49:20

Discussion on team dynamics, pressure, and routines in World Cup finals.

“And then he got put back on the team sheet.”

Marking Messi: Strategies and Challenges

49:21 to 53:08

The hosts discuss strategies for marking Messi and the challenges involved.

“you could kind of, they dissipated a bit.”

The Value of the Third Place Playoff

53:09 to 56:01

Debate on the significance of the third place playoff in World Cups.

“When Lionel Messi was in his late 20s, 10 years ago, well, he still is flying.”

Evaluating Team Performance

56:01 to 57:29

Discussion on the team's defensive and offensive shortcomings during the World Cup.

“We were unexpected to play first, but we had a great one.”

Goalkeeper Challenges and Awards

57:30 to 59:36

Insights into the pressure on goalkeepers and the debate over player awards.

“It drives you nuts as a manager because you want them to have a good structure.”

Greatest Players Faced

59:37 to 1:01:45

A light-hearted conversation about the best players the hosts have faced.

“And that's what I liked about it, that saying that you have to be a team.”
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Transcript

Automatic transcript. May contain errors.

0:00As soccer takes center stage this summer, Comcast helps bring the experience home to America. As the exclusive Spanish-language home of the tournament in the U.S., Telemundo is set to present its most expansive coverage ever. 700 hours of programming, live on-site presence at all 104 matches, and with multi-view and real-time 4K, Xfinity will deliver the most innovative and immersive sports viewing experience for fans watching on Telemundo, Peacock, Fox, and FS1. Learn more at ComcastCorporation.com.

0:35Less than 24 hours now until the World Cup final in New York as Spain take on Argentina. Argentina looking to defend their title. Spain looking to win the World Cup for only the second time in the country's history. Hello and welcome in to the ESPN FC studio. World Cup weekend means a full house. Craig Burley, Jürgen Klinsmann, Stephen Mannerman, Frank LePoeuf and Santi Solari will be looking ahead. One too many. Well, yeah, you said it. We'll be looking ahead to that final later on. But we'll kick things off with an extraordinary match in Miami. France against England. Who cares about this game?

1:11It'll be rubbish. But in the end, it was just madness right from the start. England would be 4-0 up. At the break, we see a brace from Saka. Constant Rice scoring as well. France then coming back to make it 4-3. Saka then with a penalty to convert his hat-trick to give England the lead. France get one back and then in the end, Jude Bellingham scores a brilliant individual goal to save us all from extra time. And England are the third best team in the world. The bronze medal. What a silly match, Macca. It was very enjoyable, wasn't it? But it was almost as if both teams didn't care about the game because it was so open, bereft of any defensive play.

1:58everybody was just individual brilliance and let's be honest it could have been 8-8 the way it was there was so many chances missed so very enjoyable game as you said it didn't really mean a great deal in England they were not bothered about this game as in the country of England and the fans in general but it was a nice spectacle to end up on much better than we thought it was going to be Frank from a French perspective how do you look back well enjoyable especially the first half fourth best team in the world fourth best team in the world I thought we were rank one. No, no, Argentina. No, it was pretty fashion to be with the French a week ago.

2:36But now, I don't know what to think about that game. Yes, it was enjoyable. It was an entertainment. But football-wise, as a former professional defender, you cannot accept that kind of behavior from any side. And the only concern we had today, the six of us, is please, no extra time, please. That's always the only thing. But we saw some nice things offensively because there was nothing defensively. That's it. Because nobody cared. I think they were mostly on holidays. I don't understand why Deschamps put almost his first 11. He didn't give a chance to the other like 2-0 did for England. But otherwise, nothing to...

3:16Well, they did change his whole back four pretty much. Well, a little bit, yeah. But for me, it wasn't enough. But whatever, whatever. That game meant nothing to me. for the Olympics it's nice to have a bronze medal but like I read you didn't win a bronze medal you finished fourth yeah oh yes which medal is that what's the fourth fourth what do they get copper or wood wood medal you don't deserve any type of medal we want to wish to all of them good holidays and come back good for your clubs but that game was one game too many I mean you said six didn't want extra time. I don't think any of the players wanted extra time.

3:57They were all going down with cramp. The referee got cramp. Everybody was trying. Everybody wanted this game to finish. There shouldn't be extra time to make a point. I know. We could go directly to penalties. But we didn't have to. Jude Bellingham. That's the loudest our green room has ever been during that game. It was a bit like the last day of school. That was the Deportes, boys. It's just loud. They're very loud, that's true. Yeah. Well, even an infinite transition, the game. No midfield, no... It was like playing FIFA. It was like a computer game. But that kind of game, you know, the third and fourth, it had to be something like that.

4:38We were just, Mac and I were just saying, you can't have that be 0-0. No. Well, we didn't. Because it's got really little interest anyway from the outside. Yeah, but it's... The fact it was... You know, 4-0 at halftime, you know, for Didier Deschamps, for his last game, that was kind of undeserved result and behaviour from the French players. So it's good that they reacted and that's quite OK. But for the last game, for Didier Deschamps, after 14 years, or 12 years, sorry, that wasn't very nice. Yeah, because in football nothing matters and the game doesn't matter until it matters. Until it matters, yes.

5:16Jürgen, what did you make of it all? No, very, very entertaining, absolutely. And you don't, especially for Dijon, it was important. Yeah, I mean, even losing the game, but you lose it with dignity. And at 4-0 halftime, that looked really ugly. You don't want to get off a job like that in that manner. So it was good. It was highly entertaining. You coached this game, what, in 2006, was it? I coached the game in 2006, but it was a bit different because we played at home in Germany. We wanted to give farewell to all the German fans for the tournament. So it mattered actually a lot to us. And then finishing third and everybody was happy with the overall World Cup, you know, hosting the World Cup.

5:56It's a different scenario like now for France and England because they're both highly disappointed not getting into the final. And for that, it was actually fantastic. I think we got a little glimpse of some of the football the French can play in the second half. All right, they were chasing their tail. but some of the football they played in the second half was just fantastic to watch and England were watching Michael Alisi was it was a kind of what may be tournament for him yes he wasn't quite himself until they got knocked out and then he missed some chances in this game and I was also pleased to see Jude Berlingham come on and finish the tournament the way he did because he was absolutely he had a tough season at Real Madrid like a lot of players but he really carried this I mean him and Kane were the big players but he really carried this England team as far as he could for Thomas Tuchel.

6:47Obviously, he couldn't get them past Argentina, but that's not one man's job. But just the way he came on and took that goal, kind of summed up his World Cup. And I think that bodes well for him going forward with Mourinho at Real Madrid. If he gets a rest, if he takes that form back to La Liga, he's going to be a huge bonus for the new Real Madrid manager. As a coach, Sanzee, how would you have coped? What have your team done in that sort of performance? In Argentina we call it solteros contra casados. Okay. Which is, you know, in a training session you separate the players the day before Christmas between those who are married and those who are single and you play a game.

7:25Oh, yeah? Oh, guys, one. What have you, what have you, what have you, what have you, Frank? When you were married, you were single. When you get divorced. When you get divorced in between, what do you do? We used to just do young 'uns against old ones. That was all we used to do. You did them against single, against married couple. That's unusual, yeah. Married always won. Married always won, of course. The talk, I suppose, going into this was the golden boot. Yeah. Kylian Mbappe, hence he started. He's now the top goal scorer in the history of the World Cup, as well as just this tournament. That's simply amazing because he's only 27.

8:01He's going to play maybe one, maybe another World Cup. So that's insane. 22 goals all time. and we know how it was hard to beat which was the the the the well your your teammate you from a close that was insane 16 goals and and now you see Messi and Kylian Mbappe chasing and that's that's crazy that's simply crazy that that guy so young can achieve something incredible who would have thought the World Cup scorers are at the end of the table 1 and 11 I think is Is that right? These haven't scored in a war? I don't think so. Anybody been sent off? No. Anybody been sent off? Sent off too? You look at that and as Mac has said, Jürgen, only 27.

8:46It's nuts. I'm looking forward for him. It's fantastic to have that opportunity. But I think Michael Alise, he will regret this game one day after his career. Of course, of course. You know, obviously, many years ago. How many goals did he miss today? He could have easily scored five goals today in one game only. Yeah. He will regret that at one point in time. We talked about Alize a lot going into this tournament and what he's done in the Bundesliga. Yet throughout this World Cup, he's now matched the record number of assists, hasn't he? He broke that, breaking Pele's record, but not one goal for him at all.

9:16When you reflect on his performance in this tournament and what he could have given us or has given us in the Bundesliga, is that disappointing? Sort of, yes, it is disappointing because a player like him, you expect at least three, four, five maybe goals in a tournament that length because the first tournament ever with 48 teams, one more round. You have eight games. You have eight games now to score a couple of goals. You know, I should have done five today. Yeah, and it reflects a little bit also, unfortunately, the Bundesliga because it seems to be all easy in the Bundesliga and once it gets another one or two or three levels higher up, then you are not the same player anymore.

9:56That's where I want to go because Olize had a very good start of the World Cup, played crazy four first game. And since Paraguay, he absolutely disappeared. And today, that was the... Great assist. Great assist. And somehow, some action that we found Olize back. But we also saw the Olize from the last three games played for France. And that was exactly a mix of what he was capable and incapable of doing. And so, he has to be more consistent. That was the first time that he was giving his talent to the French team in the competition. No doubt that he's a crazy, fantastic, talented player. But he will have to be more consistent.

10:42We need him if we want to become a World Cup. Mbappe apart, who was in the front line for France? No, only Mbappe. So you're looking at Dembele, who was Ballon d 'Or winner. Dewey and Barcola were switching. Barcola was pretty good. Well, Dewey started the tournament, but Dechamps looked as if he couldn't quite make his mind up which one was going to play. That tells you a little bit about the form and then Dembele, as we mentioned. So, you know, at least it's been a slightly disappointing tournament for him and it doesn't make him a bad player. He's a great player. But he wasn't alone for some reason in this front line.

11:19Is it maybe the fact that they're trying to squeeze, you know, Bayern Munich, they have three. Real Madrid, they have three. He's trying to squeeze all these players in. he's got four super talented players. I mean, did Michael Alisi didn't play in the position that he normally plays? He was playing mostly on number 10. Yeah, which he doesn't do at Bayern, and that's a slightly different role for him. Didier had no chances, no other opportunity to choose or no other thoughts of playing the four. You don't play the four, you're crazy, because he's so talented. And you have five, and you have Bacola on top of it.

11:55So you have no other possibility to do but that one because they were so talented. I just want to make a point about one player who for me surprised me at this level is Upa Meccano. Defensively that guy was very very good. Because we are talking about the player playing in Germany. I think Upa Meccano was great. I want to defend my... It's like Chaka talking always about this goalkeeper. Let's get over a couple of questions that people will be asking at home. If Saka gets a hat-trick in this game, why didn't he feature a tour against Argentina? We're not going there, are we? I'm going to go there because people will go there.

12:35Well, the answer is we don't know. Thomas Tuchel picked the team that he thought would beat Argentina. Yeah. 55 minutes, this plan was going completely correct. And then for the next 35 minutes, he had 12%. I don't know whether Saka coming on would have changed things. I don't know. There was always question marks about his fitness levels and whether he was fully fit. Because you'd think if he was fully fit, he would have played. So maybe there was a question mark about that. But you can't look at it. Today wasn't a proper game of football. You can't take that game into what happened three or four days ago.

13:06Absolutely no chance. No chance. Smoke smart. No, no, no. But it makes you think, though, what would have happened if Saka and Rashford entered into the second half? No, definitely, yeah. Why do you take Anthony Gordon off and put Konser on? You know, these questions are going to be haunting Thomas Tuchel because they've just scored six against France. He said he had no regrets, Michael. No, of course he's got no regrets. He must have. It's the DNA of English football. I mean, the stuff that he came out with after the game was absolute nonsense, wasn't it? And it hasn't done him any favours. He may as well have come out and told the truth and just said, you know, we were awful.

13:39I don't know what we were going to do. I went defensive. To make excuses up was ridiculous. Me, I don't think he deserves to be coached for the Euros. He was brought in with a specific remit to do better than what Gareth Southgate did. As far as I'm concerned, that remit has failed. I think it's failed. I think it's failed miserably. I've never seen a performance. Is that not the English mentality? No, I've never seen it. You just keep changing, you know. Oh, yeah, but I've never seen an English mentality. I've never seen a game like that where England have scored in the semi-final of the World Cup and then get 12 % for the next 35 minutes.

14:10That is unheard of. So it's not so much the result, although as disappointing as that was, obviously it goes without saying, it's the manner and how it came about in the end. Yes, yes. Which is what they're saying back in England. Yes, yes. I thought it was an awful second off. Jürgen, is it self-preservation from him coming out and saying there's no regrets? Well, we've seen that in a lot of teams, actually, in the World Cup, that when coaches win the goal up or they kept still the results, it was still nil-nil, you know, that by the time the game slowly goes on, goes on, become more and more defensive.

14:44Maybe because we end up to 48 teams in a competition and the smaller teams just want to hold on to it. They go into a very deep, low block and become completely defensive-minded. But once you give those signals out to your opponent, especially if you give that signal out to an Argentina, then they're going to roll over you. So in a certain way, it reflects in many of the games the culture of that specific football nation. So you can read that into it. But with England, we always hope that it comes now the moment where they're getting closer to the big success, getting into World Cup final again and smelling it, then you go forward.

15:30But we hope that in the Euro final 2021 in London against Italy, we hope that the last Euro final in Croatia and Russia and all that. And always came this almost automatic reaction by half an hour before the end of the game. Fear. Fear to fail. I mean, imagine if Gareth Southgate was still manager now. and that performance happened, he wouldn't have been able to get back into England. The vitriol would have been that bad. And we're now looking forward to the Euros. England are strong enough to qualify for the Euros. England are strong enough. Yeah, they don't. Exactly. They don't even have to qualify.

16:08Oh, sorry, yeah. England are going to get to the quarterfinals where I was even batting an eyelid because, you know, the Euros is the Euros. And then what? We're just going to wait again to see if we produce a performance or produce a performance like we did against Argentina. I'd rather start again. I mean, I like Thomas Tuchel. I've met him a hundred times, but I think as an England manager, after that performance specifically, I just think, you know. Who's next? The problem is that. You don't have an English coach who can become... We can have Eddie Howe. We can have Frank Lampard. Yeah, but he has no experience.

16:36So what? Who cares? Today you score six goals, Maka. Come on. Yeah. Enjoy that. Don't start, you know, teasing people. Of course, Eddie Howe's got experience, but not many managers have got experience at international level because normally that's at the end. Jürgen Klopp hasn't got any experience at international level. So is he going to be no good? Eddie Howe has been a manager for many, many. He was, Jürgen Klopp dealt with Champions League and everything. So is Eddie Howe. Yeah, but you want it. I know, but I'm saying that experience is experience. You've been a manager. How would you sum up this tournament for France?

17:11Well, as I said, a week ago, we were the happiest nation in the world and everything changed because of a failure. individual failures I would say and it's sad because this generation I said it in this studio where I say maybe maybe I'm wondering if it's not the best generation ever and the day after I followed Kylian Mbappe saying well we have been good everybody said that we are maybe the greatest well if we win something we're going to be the greatest but if we win nothing we're going to be forgotten and it's what's going to happen and people in France they keep testing asking me, Michael, what happened to our team?

17:51We lost everything. We were supposed to party tomorrow evening and we lost 6-4 in the third and fourth position. We're not showing any pride in everything. We are sad. I think people are more than bitter or angry. They are sad because we felt that something could have happened and something great could have happened. But that's football. You have to accept it. You lost to a really good Spanish team. You can accept that and the way they play. If that happens, you need a bit of fortune. No, but you have to fight. And we didn't fight. The four at front that we were talking, since the beginning of the World Cup, didn't exist against me.

18:27So that's the most frustrating thing that we have to get. And Zidane taking over. That's official now. Well, in fact, that's a good thing. A week ago, I was wondering, if France win the World Cup, the way they play, what will Zidane posture? because you just have to repeat it. You have nothing to improve because that team is great. But now, after two defeats in a row, yeah, you have work to do. So that's a good thing that he comes. And, of course, we have to welcome him. And he's great. Has it been announced? Not yet. So stop telling lies again. You keep saying this. September 1st, he's taken over.

19:06He hasn't been announced. It hasn't been announced yet. The people are listening to you. People never take me seriously. It's fine. Don't worry about it. No, but after Laurent Blanc, Didier Deschamps, now Zinedine Zidane, that's absolutely great because we know that these people are going to give their hearts and their lives for the national team. Would France ever have a foreign coach? Yes, in the 70s, in Kovac, he was Romanian. Only for two years, he did well. But I think that was a point for me while we were talking about Turell. I've always been against a foreign coach for a big national team because I think it should be like the players.

19:44You need to belong to the country that you're going to be coached for. Well, a foreign manager's never won the World Cup. So there we go. I think that's true. I thought you said Nadine's a dad. The Gojo's podcast will drop tomorrow. After the final, be sure to join them over on our YouTube channel. So then coming up after the break, it is Spain against Argentina. Tina, how is Santi feeling going in to this final? Check it.

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21:51I'm sure you know by now, Sunday we'll see the World Cup final. Spain take on Argentina, the best team in Europe, against the best team in South America. The Argentina fans in Times Square. It's been horrible weather for them over the last 24 hours, but they are very much looking forward to being the first team to defend their title since 1962. The game of our lives, says the front page of AS, the sports newspaper in Madrid. Here's Rodri. We can even do it better. I think against France we do one of the best games we've ever done as a team. But against Argentina I think we have to rise the level because they are the champions and I'm really confident that we can do it.

22:35I think it's not the same Spain in all the games, depending on the rival. I think the Sunday game will be a different game, a more physical duel, where we will have to be prepared. And I think if something characterizes this selección it's to know how to play the games differently depending on the moment. I think we can adapt ourselves to defend, to attack, to have the ball, I think we are very complete and that's what has led us to this point.

23:33when it has the ball, because nobody manages the ball like Spain. And I don't think you can compete against Spain doing that. Spain takes the possession of the ball, and then without the ball, they have the best high pressure of the tournament. And so they do both things very, very well. So I think Argentina is going to, you know, como se dice, ceder la iniciativa. I think the initiative will be on the Spanish side, and Argentina is going to weigh it a little bit tactically. I think that would be the approach. But if Argentina can put it into the physical, just as Rodri said, and win the duels in which Argentina is very good and make the game long, Argentina has the opportunity to be champion again.

24:17Is that not a dangerous tactic, though, Jürgen? Because this is a property. You look at Egypt, you look at England, you look at Cape Verde, they're at that level. Spain, obviously, we saw against France, took it to another level. And if you're playing the long game, you could find yourself well behind with not enough time left to try and make it up? Well, as long as Spain doesn't get the first call. Right. But it will be an extreme mental game. It will be a mental battle. Now, obviously, as Santi said it rightfully, they will go very aggressively against the Spanish side. Spanish sides will depend on how they react to it.

24:52Hopefully they don't react to it too much because then it starts working here. They obviously have the class. Spain, you know, to step by step also outplay you. There's no other team in the tournament that is so fantastic with the movement of the ball through the midfield than Spain. It's incredible to watch that and to analyze that as well. But then there's no other team in the tournament that can kind of break you in a split moment because of the genius of Messi. You know, one moment is enough for him, a free kick, you know, a brilliant pass. And suddenly you are a goal down. I think this is the deserved final for both teams.

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25:31Let's not forget that after the final was set, Frank said that Spain would win by four goals to nil. Do you stand by that? I do. I do for the reason that I think the reality of the World Cup has to come out for Argentina. They've been very much in the margin to get out for so many games. So because of their talents, everybody's talents, of course Messi, But the fact that you had the fighting spirit, they never gave up, allowed them to carry on for so many times by craziness. But it's against Spain. And Spain is going to be not as naive compared to other teams. And as we talked about, as long as Spain doesn't score, if Spain scored the first goal, it can be absolutely dramatic for Argentina.

26:19Because they're going to try to get back. they're going to open up and I'm afraid that Spain's going to score on a second one and maybe a third one. It can be, as I see it as the Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan. Really? Yeah, that's, you have two very good teams. But Inter didn't have a Messi? No, for sure, for sure, that's a good, that's a good point. But I see Spain being too strong compared to anybody else. And Argentina got through every time, and Santi also can witness that, by really, again, a small margin. And like a miracle, because of that fantastic genius that Messi is.

26:59And some others as well doing great. But for me, it's not enough to win against Spain. Spain, you have to be realistic about Spain. They're incredible. They're fantastic. But don't forget, everybody was talking about France. Who can beat them? Who's going to beat them in this tournament? And all of a sudden, they had a bad day against a very good Spanish time. Yeah, because of Spain. But that performance apart, Spain, as you rightly said, were decent, but not setting the place alight. So they've had one really, really good game at a perfect time against France. They haven't been brilliant all tournament.

27:40They've defended really well. Obviously, one goal. But Argentina had a very good game. When? Argentina, I've had moments. Argentina have had the most guts and determination and resilience in this tournament. And Lionel Messi and one or two others. Argentina, I don't think, will be frightened of the fact that they're not going to have a lot of the ball. And they're just going to wait for moments in the game that Spain cough a pass up or they can win the ball back. And that counter-attack makes something happen. or keep the game tight, as Santi said, for 60 minutes, 70 minutes, and then hope to spend a little time.

28:20If you let Argentina play, Argentina plays very well because it has a lot of very, very good midfielders as well. It's not only Messi, because we are used to talk about Messi, and that's fair because he's the best player in the world. But his teammates are quite good, and some of them are not midfielders, but they have the soul of a midfielder. Like Julián, for example, he comes back and he plays as a midfielder. and the players on the flanks. They are more centre midfielders too. If they're so great, why haven't they played well so far? I don't think you cannot play well. They have played well.

28:53I don't agree with your statement. We feel a bit of bitterness in the question. The brilliant part of the Argentinian side is also that every time they go down a goal or they're getting kind of in a difficult situation, they always have an incredible reaction of stepping it up to levels. So sometimes it really feels like they're waiting for that. They're waiting for the second part of the game. And now we bring it up another level. And then if you need it, another level as well. Yeah, but you're going against Spain. That's my concern. It happens every other game, but that's Spain. The thing is, and I understand, is that Spain, if they score, they are not going to retreat.

29:32They are going to stay with their line and keep playing. But they have to be perfect, Spain. Because they weren't perfect in the first game they drew. They were quite in sippers, weren't they? They were quite boring, actually, and we were worried about them. Against Belgium, they weren't fantastic. France, they were great. So I know what Frank means. For Argentina, to step too far, to game too far, this is the one where they really just hit the wall and Spain go and win. But Spain have to be excellent to win tomorrow. They can't drop their level, which they may do, because we've seen them drop a level.

30:01They haven't been outstanding every single game. Otherwise, they would have been favours playing France. You have another scenario. What if Argentina scores? Go first, yeah. A lot of speculation that maybe some would like to see Argentina win, not only Argentinians. Some questionable officiating we've seen from some throughout this tournament. Laporte was asked about that, say, in recent matches. And we've seen things that really surprised us, actions that were allowed to slide, especially when Argentina, they're a team that they like to leave a mark on their opponent. That sort of thing shouldn't be allowed in football.

30:34It's the referee's job to keep a handle on these things so the situation doesn't get out of hand. If one or two players are allowed to act that way, the match descends into chaos. I think I speak on Barber's thought. Let's hope we're sat here tomorrow. There's nothing about... Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's almost a book. It was almost a book. And I read it... A book of accessories. But why... What is... That was Laporte, right? Yes. I mean, come on. You play any top side, you're going to expect physicality. Right. The suggestion is that FIFA have treated Argentina leniently compared to others. Bias narrative.

31:13Bias narrative. I think you could argue about Messi got lucky in match day one not to be sent off. Yes, that's true. You could debate the Egypt goal. You could debate the Egypt goal. That's subjective. There certainly wasn't anything to note in the England game, which was good because we were talking about a great comeback. But you play any South American side, any South American side, look at it's going to be physical and they're going to try and get in your head you have to accept that exactly look when you play Atletico Madrid you know you're going to get a different type of game than you play Barcelona you can't be worried about that it's just putting something in the referee's mind that's what he's trying to do but we all know it's nonsense it's part of the game ok as long as there isn't a foul I mean they were counting the foul against England there were 35 fouls the ref didn't say anything you have the loss of the game exactly Jürgen how do you prepare for it when you have players saying those sort of things?

32:07Oh, no, they notice that, but it's no big deal. Right. No big deal. I mean, obviously, the Argentinian team is known that they're right off and on the edge. You know, they live that in South America. When you look at the South American qualifiers, it sometimes looks like war. You know, when you really play in Colombia. Copa America is war. The Copa America games. It's insane. So you bring that culture into a World Cup. and then you still get right on the edge. Like Simeone, in the beginning of the first 20 minutes against England, he was right on the edge. He didn't get a yellow. He did five, six fouls.

32:44He should have gotten a yellow at least after the third foul. But he knew also where to step back then. But isn't that the beautiful thing about the World Cup, that all these cultures come together? Absolutely. Yes. There's no better team prepared like Spain. Which is refreshing because we are going to a worldwide football where everybody plays the same. And we used to see England playing differently than Germany, than France, than, of course, South American. And to see South American teams coming with their culture and the differences, it's up to the referee to adjust. But that's it. But otherwise, yeah, the commit ball is a war, that's for sure.

33:18And we have seen that. But that's good for the World Cup because we want to see different football. You go back to, what, 90 final? How do you prepare for those sort of things when you know it's going to be a war on the pitch, Jürgen? I know. you just talk to them. They are aware of it. They show them the examples throughout the tournament. Right. And they just tell the players, keep your cool. You know, that's all you can do. And they know it's the game of their lives. They are, you know, anxious themselves. And game day, you leave them alone because it's just game day. Just, you know, give me that moment now.

33:49And then you're just outside. France against Paraguay, DJ Deschamps took to the players. You know what you can expect from the Paraguay players. They're going to trick. They're going to try to make you getting booked. And so keep your coolness and make sure you work with your football. That's part of the game. But it's easier said than done. Yes, yes. And maybe in that game against Paraguay, that was the moment when Ulisse kind of moved. Oh, yeah, he could have been ripped. And that's why we didn't see the same Ulisse anymore in the tournament. Yeah, maybe. Because he was just happy to get off the field healthy.

34:22Yeah. Another leveler is, in a sense, would be that a lot of these Argentinian players have experience of a World Cup final win four years ago, which Spain don't. So there's a pressure side of it as well, obviously. How are they going to handle that? Is there the same amount of pressure going into this final as there was four years ago? No, it's different. I think Argentina has the same drive to win the World Cup, but it doesn't have the same pressure to do it. So that's good for Argentina. To have that drive is incredible. It is. We have to say. That's what we were saying off the English. Every World Cup winner usually goes home early.

34:57It's probably going to be Messi's last World Cup, is it? He's not going to play another World Cup at 43. Who's going to say no? I mean, it's up to him. Santi, apparently you have to go with your other friends now on Deportes. What's going to happen in this final? I already told you the last time we were here. I wasn't listening. 1-1, extra time, and Argentina's going to win on penalties. Wow. All right. Thanks, Santi. Thank you. Extra time, Santi. Nice to appreciate it. People getting cramped. People getting cramped. It's awful. So we're going to see you on TV tomorrow on the stands? Oh, yes. Are you going to be behind Infantino?

35:36Yeah, big star. Bye-bye, Santi. Next to Arsene Wenger? Is that going to be you? ESPN FC has a special preview show. Unfortunately, Santi won't be with. Are you going to assume you're going to the final as well? Yeah. It'll just be the drake. Oh, no. to the Eastern on ESPN2.

35:59After the break, we'll be discussing what Mauricio Pochettino had to say about his future as US men's national team coach.

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37:12Richard Pochettino was asked about his future. He said we are evaluating it, looking at it. They, US soccer, have made me an offer to continue and we will see. Next week, we'll make a decision. He's busy making a decision. Oh, there he is. What's Adam? How do you know that, Tim? Small pool or big feet? How do you know? How do you know that? Jürgen, you love these questions. Well, they made him an offer. They did make him an offer. If you were Pochettino, what would you do? I mean, to continue, absolutely. If they made him an offer. Yeah, he says they made him an offer. Because it's a team that can grow still, can get better.

37:51I mean, obviously, our coach at the end of the day is measured by the fact, you know, how many of his players really improved over the time being of his tenure. And then you talk, obviously, the names like Pulisic and McKinney and Tyler Adams and all these guys. But if he had the opportunity to continue the growth of those players, then absolutely he should continue. Is there not part of you professionally thinking, it's really four years until I'm going to be tested once again as a coach? Well, you have the Gold Cup here as well. You might play the Copa America with South America together. They're a fantastic tournament, obviously.

38:26I mean, it's a privilege to have the opportunity to coach the AOS. Yeah, it will give him the time to grow and to experience the players and to make sure. I remember Emé Jacquet in 90 and 94 when France didn't qualify. He stepped up and took the team over and he had four years to build that team. And that's a big chance, I think. What finds Zinedine Zidane behind the back of the coach? What are they growing? France? No, not France. What are they waiting for? Whether Mauricio wants to get a managerial job back in the UK or back in Europe, that's all they're waiting for. That's what he's waiting for.

39:07The only way he says yes, if he doesn't think what's out there is... Because if he was happy, he'd surely just say yes, wouldn't he? Surely, yeah. If he's got a better offer in terms of club football, he'd probably take that, I would imagine. Yeah, you would think so. I mean... How big a loss would that be for the US? The US did well, didn't they, in this tournament? As an outsider, I didn't expect them to beat Belgium. I did. Oh, did you? I thought people were galvanised behind them. The three nations, Mexico, Canada and USA, all did well to a certain point. There was a lot of interest. There was a big feel-good factor.

39:40But they all lost at the right time. Canada didn't deserve to win. Mexico lost to England. They lost to Belgium that I didn't expect them to. I thought they were good enough to beat this Belgium side. Yeah. But they really didn't perform under that pressure. And I don't think the balloting situation just was a mess. It was just a mess. It was a bit of a distraction all around. And certainly lit some more fires in the Belgian team. and Rudy Garcia made some big calls, didn't he? Yes. De Bruyne out, Lukaku out, which wasn't a surprise. And he got his tactics absolutely spot on. He put a little bit more physicality and more legs in there because he knew the US were fit and athletic.

40:20And they first and foremost matched him in that scenario and then ultimately outplayed them. So I kind of thought the US could get to the quarter finale. I mean, you look at Jürgen's group in, what was it, 2014, you look at the teams they beat, and then when you look at it in a bigger picture, Paraguay, they had a really bad day, although they were strong in qualifying, in South American qualifying. Australia are extremely average. Extremely average. The Turkey game was done and dusted because they were through. and this Bosnia team are absolutely bang average. So they had a decent tournament and got a lot of the fans behind them, but they never beat anybody not worthy at the tournament.

41:10Yeah, my problem is, it seems to be that every time we talk about a team, we try to see what they have done and what they beat and there is no team that has been good. We say Spain didn't play well, France didn't have to play against big teams, Argentina didn't do well, But at the end of the day, yeah, I'm with you. We didn't expect, you know, Spain to win the World Cup or to be in the semi-final. I think they did well. And to answer to you... I think we did... U.S. U.S. U.S. He means the U.S. The U.S., what did I say? Spain, you said. Spain, sorry. The U.S., I think they did what they had to do.

41:41And to answer to your question, I think Bochettino leaving the national team will push them to start almost, not almost from scratch, but a little bit, you know. There is no continuity. And that's the worst for football. There's no way he's going to be the coach. Is he well liked? Four years' time. No way. OK, OK, OK. Listen, you live in America. You know more about American... I'm not really. Not sure. Well, you do live in America, don't you? Yeah, I'm not sure if I know anything. Not really. No, but I'm saying, what's his relationship like with the players? Has he well liked Pochettino? Does he get on well with the players?

42:10Why wouldn't he carry on? Because he wants a club team. OK, OK. That's what I would suggest. There we go. I'll just take over. Extra time is available where I'll be answering all your questions. Be sure to check that out over on our YouTube channel.

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43:35Cucurella had this to say, if he wins the World Cup, I will get a tattoo of De La Fuente's face on my body and I will announce my retirement from international football. World Cup Euros, what else can you do? Speaking of tattoos, do you remember when Craig had this done when he said Fernando Torres wouldn't score a hat trick? This was a long time ago, Craig. Back in the day. It's rubbed off these days, isn't it? Or have you still got it? You did it? Don't be stupid. Look at that. Don't be stupid. That was a fake one. It was a joke. You know what? There's enough mugs out there and it seems you're one of them that believed it.

44:10Have you ever met anyone with a tattoo of you? Jürgen? Has anyone got a tattoo? Jürgen Klinsmann tattoo? I have. I have, yeah. Yeah, someone's got it of you? Yeah, I've got a picture of it as well. Really? Oh, I thought you'd won a Jürgen. Yes. Somebody's got one of you. I've got one of Jürgen on my way. Liverpool fan, I see. I don't know whether he was a Liverpool fan. Yes, I think he was a Liverpool fan. Frank? I'm sorry, but I only have my name on the bottom of somebody. He put his best 11 on his bottom. On his bottom? Yeah, and I'm so happy I was playing on the flanks.

44:41Which flank? You should have been on the right or the left. You should have been on the opposite flank. On the right flank. It's a bit of a statement from Kukarell, isn't it? Yeah, but where does he do the tattoo? Is that a joke, is it? Yeah, of course it is. No, I don't mean the tattoo of his face. Is he going to retire? He won't retire anyway. He's young enough, isn't he? So, night before the World Cup final, how was it, Jürgen, back in 1990? How are you feeling? I think every player is super nervous. Yeah. Anxious. I can't wait until it gets going. I mean, we were very lucky now with Germany.

45:17I had Franz Peckenbauer as my manager and I always just kind of thought, you know, this guy did it all. He won it all. So why am I so nervous? Did you have many rules in the team at the time or were you just left to prepare? Yeah, you were left to yourself. That's good, yeah. You didn't have, obviously, mobile phones, so it was a lot easier to kind of... Yeah, I mean, that's certainly something that the players need to balance then. The calls that are coming in, the text messages are coming in. I hope they manage that. You know, we were lucky in our days that this was not a lot of disturbance.

45:51Frank? Well, that was, of course, a nervous day for me and the French team because that was the first final that we played ever. And it was at home. It was against Brazil. So that was, we had the big picture. And you want to do well for your country for the first time. You don't want to lose. It's impossible to lose that game. And you know it is the game of your life. and you want it to be remembered. So you don't want to play the game before and you just hope it's going to be good. It's good that Emé Jacquet put us into training in the morning. We touched the ball and that was great. But the day is super long.

46:33It's super long. And when you go into the stadium, it was like 45 minutes away and we were in the freeway and there were so many fans in the freeway. and we took like an hour and an hour and a half to go. So what time was the game then? 9 o 'clock again? 9 o 'clock. And even Mijaki got nervous because he said, we're going to be late for the game because there were people everywhere and when you arrive at the stadium, I saw the people, the flags and everything. I took my heart pulse and I was at 180. Right. And I say, yeah, I say, oh wow, I have to calm down because that's not going to work like that.

47:10And it's crazy. as soon as I got into the dressing room that was over. Can you remember back then when, like, were you aware that Ronaldo wasn't on the team sheet? Yeah, we did. And then he got put back on the team sheet. Did you know there was a lot going on? Yeah, we knew that. We were told around half day, around noon, and we didn't care because you had Rivaldo, you had Bebeto, you had so many others. Of course, that was Ronaldo. But we felt so strong. We were happy to have Brazil and not the Netherlands. Yeah, yeah. Because I think the Netherlands would have been another story. They were absolutely fantastic.

47:45And we thought it would be easier against Brazil because we knew that in the middle of the park they were struggling a little bit. They were great in a forward line. But, yeah, it didn't change. But, again, to go back to the dressing room, it was like we have none in our lives. When we were young, you know, you get undressed, you get your stuff. Is it because you had, like, a routine? Yeah, it's a routine. It's our life. Did you feel extra pressure? Because you were coming in for Laurent Blanc. And there was even more eyes on you coming in for Laurent Blanc. For three days, it was only how can we play, how can we win without Laurent Blanc?

48:22So you feel like very much useless. And I remember saying to my ex-wife, we were playing for Chelsea at the time, and I say, if we lose, it's going to be all on me. So we don't go back to France. I felt it. I felt it. And I knew the responsibility that I had. And I talked to Bichantel Lizarazu like three days ago, talking about the defeat of France and how hard it is to win and to get all the way. And I said, can you imagine how strong we were all together? And he said, well, you had a great final. I said, I had a great final because on my side, I had great people, great players. So I felt confident.

48:59I felt safe when I came in because he had Dussay on the side, Lizarra on the side, Deschamps and Petit, Barthes on the back, Turam on the right side. That was huge. We had the best team in the world at that time. But again, it's only about details. And we did well everywhere. And it's why we won. Was it similar with your nerves, Jürgen? Like once you got into the dressing room, got into that routine, you could kind of, they dissipated a bit. Yeah, and then you go and reflect, you know, who are your teammates? Where are they in this moment in time? And we had the feeling in 1990 that we are the best team in this tournament.

49:35We did well. We kind of got stronger and stronger every game. The key moment was England. It could have gone both ways in the semifinals, penalty shootouts. But when we then matched Argentina, we felt like we are the better team. We're going to get this done. Less than 24 hours to go then until the World Cup final. I think everyone's got a horse in this race. Will it be the European champions or the winners of the South American... What's the tournament called? Cup of America. The reigning world champions as well. That's easier. World champion. We'll redo that.

50:19Welcome to the next edition of Extra Time. Craig is here, as is Jürgen, as is Frank, as is Conor Gallagher, Which somebody called back and we were at dinner. I was happy with that. I know. How bad is this guy's eyesight? Excuse me, are you Connor Gallagher? No, definitely not. Jürgen, are we going to the final tomorrow? Yes, I will be at the final. What are you expecting from him? We didn't get a prediction from you during the show. A prediction, yeah. Who do you want to win? Football. Oh, you're even better. Come on. Come on. No. I mean, I think looking at the entire tournament, I feel like it's Spain's moment.

50:53Yeah. Yeah, I think they were impressed, especially against your lot. Yeah, well, yeah, they were perfect. And you know when you say during the show that I see 4-0, I don't want to see that in a way that I want a very... A good game. A good game, difficult and everything. But I'm afraid that's going to be the scenario where, except as Santi said during the show, Argentina scored the first. But if Spain scored the first, it can be dramatic for the Argentinians. How do you stop Messi? Unstoppable. Good. Very good answer. You do not stop him. If you're spanking, given how good you are against France, do you change anything to accommodate with the fact that he's on the pitch?

51:37Oh, I mean, I look at it a bit like our World Cup final in 90 was all about Diego Armando Maradona. And we decided, or coach, my friends back in, we decided main marking. We had Guido Buchwald on him for 90 minutes. He said, if he goes to the bathroom, we go to the bathroom. And that's what he did. And Diego came after the game, obviously we won 1-0. Diego had very few moments in the game and he gave him a hug and he told him, Well done. You kind of, well done. You got me. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know where to go. He played a brilliant game without fouls. And yeah, his nickname became Diego Buchwald.

52:14I think it's only fair I mean you cannot let somebody like Messi having free will and doing what he wants that's impossible so you have to sacrifice a player they're not going to yeah but nobody went for that it's a mistake Spain won't do that nobody has in the tournament so far I think it's because he's 39 and you're almost like he's 39 he's not and he walks around of course he does we saw that in the last action against England 39 Whatever area he goes in, there'll be somebody there. If he goes to the right, it's Cucurea's problem. If he says centrally, it's Rodri, it's Abbey and the Leaf. Yeah, but that's what everybody thought during the tournament.

52:52Spain are not going to man-mark Messi, are they? No, of course not, but that might be a mistake. That man-marking player that Jürgen... You said they're going to win 4-0. You're contradicting yourself. He's not around anymore, Jürgen. We're going to wait and see. The man-marking player isn't around anymore. If you put somebody on... When Lionel Messi was in his late 20s, 10 years ago, well, he still is flying. If you'd have put somebody on him, they'd have been sent off. Because that player doesn't exist that has got... Yeah, the mentality. The mentality and the mindset how to do a man marking job, but not give a free kick away every two minutes.

53:30Right. You know what I realised? At 98, when I played the final, they were marking me. Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Bebet they were coming to me because I thought I was the weakness Oh, I don't know that guy we're going to go on here Macra, are you still sour on the third place playoff? Yeah, of course, I hate it, I think it's a waste of time Why? We won today we were brilliant The thing is do we remember the third and the fourth to all World Cups? No, nobody Jürgen does. Jürgen, because he played, he was a coach of it. But I don't, I do know the France played the fourth and the third and the fourth in 82 and 86.

54:16Because we last started in Germany. 82. We don't, that was, that was my team. Well, all my idols, I don't remember if they finished third or fourth. Bossis. The thing, the thing is, is that you can see the both teams today. Well done. The both teams today didn't care about the third, fourth place playoff. They played as if they couldn't be bothered because it was so full of, you know. It was fun, though. It could have been a lot worse. It was a really good game. I'm not saying that. I've just got no interest. That's an entertaining game. That's not a good game. No interest. That wasn't a good game.

54:46That was an entertaining game. That's not a good game. It was a better game than we thought. No, that's not a good game. When you concede six goals in your friends, that's a crap game. Really, that's not a good game. That's good for the entertaining and for people who want to enjoy the football. But as a defender, that's an awful game. And when you're a coach, that's awful. And for the last game of Didier Deschamps, I think he's not deserved. OK, so are you still sour on the third place, Frank? Are you still sour? No, I'm not. Frank, he's just angry. No, no, well, yeah. Frank, where does Zizou begin with his team?

55:20Leaning towards stars and moments or taking the De La Fuente approach of stability and structure first? You cannot deny that you have to use the talent that you have and therefore you are forced to play a certain way. And we saw that with Deschamps, that maybe he would have rather played with only three players out front, but he had no choices but putting the four because they were six unbelievable forward players. And I don't even include Marteta, we had a great season this season. So it's hard. You have to compose with the players that you have. I think it's due to the coach to give an idea of what he wants, but it's not a club team.

55:57it's a selection so it's different you have to adapt where do you think in what position do they need to improve when you looked at that with the World Cup do you think they need better left backs do you think they need better centre defenders definitely on the flanks the full backs have to be found have to be found and we don't have Koundé wasn't good enough Malogusto not good enough today on the other side Jean and the brothers they weren't good enough so we have we have question marks there but also in the middle of the park. Okay. Because I think... Chiuamani, Kone... Tramini, Mbrio... Kone had a very good World Cup.

56:34We were unexpected to play first, but we had a great one. But Tramini had what he was capable of doing with Real Madrid, and for me, it wasn't enough. So they have to restrain those parts. And we have to say to the four at front, we are expecting a lot from you. And you failed against England... Against Spain, sorry. against Spain in that manner because you are exceptional but you have to be exceptional every game. Jürgen, this is on Frank's point. From a manager's perspective, was the England-France a fun watch or do you lament the lack of structure and defence? Yeah, you definitely are disappointed with defensive mistakes but it's an overall team composure.

57:23I mean, both teams were maybe running at 70, 80 percent and kept too many spaces open and just invitation and invitation for chances and chances. It drives you nuts as a manager because you want them to have a good structure. You want them to finish off professionally. And Frank is right from a defensive point of view. It is a horror show for a coach, you know, if you concede four or even six goals. but these games are really questionable because after these dramatic losses in the semifinals you're not getting your act together anymore you just want to go home I really admire Mpapé you know at two more and and most likely becoming top scorer of the tournament he was driven a couple of other ones were driven but I would not be mad at anything about Mike Mania today six goals conceded.

58:17So happy. I know. So happy. It must be awful for a goalkeeper. And their son comes on four goals. You go back home and you say wow I'm so useless. So that's the thing is Mignon letting six and he made all kinds of saves as well. He made good saves but as you said imagine you walking off as a goalkeeper and you've let in six. Both goalkeepers don't qualify for goalkeeper of the tournament. No. One game. We were talking about it like that. Who will? It'll probably be Unai Simon. Whoever wins tomorrow. whoever wins the goalkeeper

58:56speaking of awards Macca if Spain win the final should Arasabal or Rodri be awarded player of the tournament or will it go to Messi regardless of who wins I'll give it to Messi why do you have to give in our sports nowadays something individual it's all about individual awards Who decides on the play of the tournament? I don't know. Normally, it's quite early in the second half as well, isn't it? I don't think he has the ball again. No. It'll be messy. Yeah, messy. You know what I liked about that? Oh, Rodri. Rodri could get it. I thought he was excellent in the semi. There's not a lot of energy for this award.

59:32No. You know what De La Fontaine said? It's absolutely fantastic what he said. You see, France was the best player against the best team. And that's what I liked about it, that saying that you have to be a team. And we talked about that. We laugh about that. We keep on saying it's a collective sport. But you can have the best players. If you don't have the best team, you're not going to achieve anything. And it's what happened with France and Spain, where France had the best player, but Spain has the best team. And that's very important. Someone like Aymeric Laporte, he's been excellent. But of course, you're never going to give it to a defender because defenders...

1:00:14And why? No, I know. And why? No, I completely agree. You know, Laporte's back in Spain now, but he's been playing in Saudi Arabia. He's coming to the seam. They've conceded one goal. He's been excellent. Hasn't put a foot wrong. But, you know, he would never be up for an award like that when Messi scored eight or, you know. Or either, instead of calling them best player, he's called them MVPs. These trophies are ridiculous, aren't they? There's not one player thinking about that tonight. No. And nobody cares. Well, they're only thinking about winning the tournament. Final question, Jürgen. Apart from Maradona, who would you say was the best player you've ever faced on a football pitch?

1:00:48Rude Hullet, Roberto Baggio or Marco van Basten? Were you pointing at yourself? Of course he was pointing at himself. We played against each other when he was in Monaco. I loved him. I am? I loved him. I'm sure the feeling was mutual. It was great. Well, I don't care. No, he didn't like me. He didn't like me. I was a defender. Again, a question for somebody else. Frank, who's the best player you've ever played? I love you, Jürgen. It was a great pleasure and great honour to play against you. Right, that's got nothing to do with the question. Shut up. I don't want to say what I want. I have free will.

1:01:16I have a mic or whatever. Don't you know he's a saying now in France? I can sing a song if I want to, you know. Back to the Mavs singer. Getting back to these three names, obviously, same position, Marco van Basten in those times, late 80s, early 90s, was the best striker in the world. Perfect. All right, would you like to add anything to that? Who's the best player you ever played with, Frank? Myself in my dreams. Maxime McMahon, man. Of course. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And Craig Burley. Craig Burley as a teammate. Great. Great, great. Perfect. And that is it. ESPN FC back tomorrow. Let Frank say goodbye, not you.

1:01:51Yeah, you cannot say goodbye. Goodbye to everyone. Enjoy the final and enjoy Unel Messi. We'll have a show tomorrow. We'll be here tomorrow. We'll have a show tomorrow. We'll have a show tomorrow. 2 p.m. Don't forget. I wasn't aware of that. You have been a bit diva about that. But whatever. See you tomorrow at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Beautiful.

1:02:21Buster Olney here for La Quinta by Wyndham. Summer work travel can feel like extra innings. Long days, late nights, and not a lot of room to stretch out. especially when your hotel room feels more like the dugout than the clubhouse. But when you stay at La Quinta by Wyndham, you can step up to spacious suites that give you room to relax, recharge, and get ready for the next day. I always feel like I need that when I'm traveling on the road covering ballgames. Plus, you can earn Wyndham Rewards points with every qualified stay. Because when you've got space to unwind, you're always playing at your best.

1:02:58Tonight La Quinta, tomorrow you shine. Book your next work trip at LaQuinta.com. Terms and conditions apply.

From the publisher

ESPN FC is live after the conclusion of the bronze final between France and England. France and England treated us to an exciting match that was entirely meaningless? What should we take from this? Then, we take a look ahead to the World Cup Final tomorrow before reacting to the news that Pochettino will be making a decision on his future next week. Extratime to close.

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