Belgian Blunder

23:49playing with house money. Is that the feeling over in Oslo, Archie?

23:56Kevin, the problem is Jan said most of what everyone's been telling me. I'm going to have to tell you something a little bit different, which is namely that when you walk around the city, I've been here for 24 hours now, it feels like Erling Haaland is watching me. From every vantage point, from every shop window, he's looking back down at me, and sometimes I'm having to jump. But there is really such a wholesome feel to it, and it's not just because I've seen Martin Odegaard advertising chocolate milk on the TV. Every person that you talk to here is really so friendly. However, they do have to add one line.

24:27They go, where are you from? I'm from England. And then they go, okay, we will win tonight. And that is the thing. I have heard almost unanimous support that they will beat England today. But the only thing is I've met one guy, one guy. And I will mention Ulrich because he was wearing a John Carew shirt. And he says, I think England will have too much. And my eyes were bulging because I've just not heard that line from anybody. Such is the belief that they will go through today. But as Jan says, if they don't win as well, everyone will still come out on the streets and party. The national holiday, Jan, as I've now learned, is the 17th of May.

25:03And yet, five times as many people have been out on the streets just for Norway in this World Cup. Unprecedented scenes here in Oslo. Jan, you're in Austria right now, broadcasting. there must be a massive part of you wishing you were either in Oslo or in Miami at the game right now because this match must be pulling at the heartstrings Absolutely and I get live updates all the time but the biggest, I said it in another show the biggest surprise of them all I saw my wife in a Norwegian shirt and she didn't even have a Norwegian shirt when I played for the national team and but as Archie is saying I mean, there is a party and it's so peaceful, this party.

25:49And after the party, they go up to the castle, want to get the king out. And after the Brazil game, the crown prince came out doing rowing. I mean, you have to love a country like that. But I also need to say, and that is important because we also love England. I mean, we are very big fans of English football. As the guys know in the studio, we love our English game. but still I mean I love my son I want to beat him in every game I do but I do love him Jan brought up a point earlier on if they lose today Norway if England lose today what happens back in England well the manager will lose his job I think that goes without saying he was brought in to get them over the line and if they lose in the quarter finals it will be a catastrophe of course it will as Jan rightly said we're all here laughing.

26:43The relationship between Norway and England is brilliant. Everybody adores each other. It'll be more of a shock if England don't win. If England lost to France or if England lost to Argentina, no disrespect to Norway, but this'll be a bombshell if England lose tonight in the quarterfinals. Yeah, I totally agree. I think from the way that FIFA have done it, the four top seeds are meant to be making it to the semifinals. Meant to be. You see on one side of the bracket, France and Spain are already there. So England not making it would be a huge shock, especially, you know, this Norwegian side. They're making history and it's great that they've got everything in their favor, not in their favor, but they are playing with house money and rightly so.

27:19You know what they've done is incredible. But what I would say as well from from this sort of like standpoint, the way the English media works is when the squad was announced, you saw every critique of this England side, every single critique. Why is this guy not here? Why is that guy not here? Then as the tournament goes on, they start to write a different story. but that draft remains there. So the moment they get knocked out, if they get knocked out, then before you know it, all those grievances will raise their heads again. Macca, you say Tuka was brought in to get them over the line. Are you saying that if they don't win the World Cup, he's gone?

27:48I think so, yeah. No, if they get to the World Cup final and are beaten by France and play well, I think he'll be okay. But if they lose in the quarterfinals, I think he'll be gone otherwise. Why are you paying a manager an extraordinary amount of money to replace Gareth Southgate? and do a worse job to a certain extent. And as Naden rightly said, he will have his critics because he never chose Trent Alexander-Arnold, because he never chose Cole Palmer, because he never chose Phil Foden. This is waiting in the background to come out. So he'll have to win it, and let's hope he does, but he'll have to win it to just banish all that.

28:22Absolutely. The taste of it in terms of stuff that's been drafted in the past was when all of a sudden Rhys James got injured, and it was like, well, why would he pick Rhys James? Rhys James has been injured all this time, and then someone comes in there, why would you not do this? Why is Alexander Darnold not there? But when they were winning the games before, there was no discussion around it. But as soon as there's a slight blip, they go all in and sort of emphasize the points. Fully fit squad today. Thomas Tuchel is saying, aside from obviously the suspended Quanta and Henderson's injury, jumping over the barricade, which I'm sure in the group chat, he's getting fierce amounts of stick about.

28:51We will have teammates going up against each other today, Adrian. It could very well be Stones and Gay alongside each other with Quanta right back going up against Haaland. I have to ask you about the big man. He's doing the rounds on social media. He's so unbelievably popular. What is it about Erling Haaland that's just capturing the imagination of everybody at this World Cup? Well, Kevin, it's not just the way he's playing. We talked about this a little bit yesterday. He's playing with a freedom and a smile on his face. He's so relaxed about everything he does. It's almost as if playing for Norway somehow is a little easier for him than City.

29:29Or somehow the expectation, the pressure isn't as much. whatever it is, it has resulted in a phenomenon because Haaland is the clear superstar. Norway have been here in Miami all week and they've been out and about, obviously, and Haaland has been followed by the paparazzi, basically. Photos being snapped everywhere that he's been eating and playing a little golf. He has just been sort of the iconic image of this World Cup. And I think even the locals, the Americans, the people here in Miami, just recognize that he is someone that they can get behind. It's unbelievable. I mean, my son is seven.

30:04He has no real interest in the game, but now he's obsessed with Erling Haaland. It's the Minecraft. It's YouTube. It's all the things that are resonating. There he is. There's my son, James. It's quite magic, eh? Oh, beautiful. Before bedtime. I never knew it was. Oh, bless him. Little Jimmy going to bed there. Jan, I have to ask you about Haaland because he portrays this uber confidence. So comfortable within his own skin, But in a moment like this, behind the scenes, what's Erling Haaland really like? He is, I think one of the reasons he is so popular, he is behind, he's the same guy. He's the guy next door who, he looks like he's one of the best players in the world, maybe the best goal getter.

30:45Hello Harry Kane, but he's a great, great goal getter. But he still gives you the feeling that he is that guy that somebody said, listen, you can play in the World Cup. Nobody will believe you, but you will be there. and he's so just happy and that is the way he is i've had the pleasure to follow him since he started in in dortmund we'll be following a big time there with jude bellingham of course and he hasn't changed a lot sometimes they call it in germany they call us arrogance listen he was 18 or 90 years of age he's getting more and more mature he's more and more there he's also on a mission because playing for your country at the world cup for a french guy for a spanish guy for English guy, that is what happens every fourth year.

31:25That hasn't happened for us since 1998. So for him and a new generation to do this, I mean, he's a very polite young man. He, in every dressing room he's been, he's been one of the most popular guys in there. And now he's just taking it on, listening against Brazil. I mean, for me, the clip of the World Cup is when he's waiting for that header against Gabriel against Brazil. Talking about waiting like a gepard or their tiger, whatever. I mean, he's just there, but you can see his head. He's still there. He's waiting, waiting, and that's how he is. And Storle Solbach, and I have to give him credit as well, our national coach, as Pep has done it at Manchester City.

32:08They let him be Elling Haaland. And I think that's the main thing. What you see is what you get. What you get is what you see. Haaland has had so many battles with Gabriel. He's had more battles with Gahey and Stones on a daily basis. You guys have both played for Manchester City. You understand the fabric of what goes on behind the scenes there. How fascinating is this matchup for you today, Nathan? Yeah, I think it would be really, really interesting. And I've got to say as well, from Haaland, the person, anyone that supports Man City that sees the channels that they have at their football club, none of this stuff surprises you.

32:38You know, this is who he is, and this is the way he's always been from the moment he arrived at City, and even before that when he was playing elsewhere. But I think from a sort of playing standpoint, I think what's different, and I think maybe this is why a lot of people like Haaland now, is that he's a superstar playing for a nation without a ton of expectation. So the things that he's doing, you praise. If, say, someone like Harry Kane was doing the same things, you'd call it almost like arrogant and not taking it seriously. And I think for the way that Harlan plays and the way he's playing for Norway, like Norway in the grand scheme of things, in my opinion, for as good as they are, they're still probably not as well respected as, say, they would have been or should have been if this was, say, three, four years down the road and they've done everything they've done to this point.

33:15So he'll play in this game and there'll be a different level of service coming from different types of players. and Gehi, Stones, whoever's playing against him or even Consue's played against him twice a year, three times a year for many, many years. You're not playing against him when he's got City players behind him. You're playing against him when he's got Norwegians behind him and the service is different. So for as much as you know his tendencies, you don't know his tendencies within this group of players because the way he does things is obviously now just a little bit different. Yeah, I mean, I totally agree.

33:41It's a completely different side. He's universally liked Erling because you can see his character. He's not an arrogant person, is he? He's very humble. he comes across really, really well. I mean, you've got people here, you know, who are not big followers of football and they instantly get drawn to Erling Haaland because of the person he is, isn't he? So I wish him all the best. He's an incredible footballer. But of course, I want to see him going home and being a national hero but going home today. International, of course. Going home today. No chance. For those of you guys that are casual viewers of the show, let me tell you, Norway are massive underdogs in this game.

34:18back at the World Cup for the first time this century, going up against the three Lions with a star-studded team. I've got to get the predictions from the three fellas out on site here. We'll start with the man in Miami. Let's go to Adrian first. How do you see it playing out in the sweltering heat, Adrian? And who's getting the win? Yeah, it's going to be very, very different conditions for England from their last game in Mexico. And this may surprise you, Kevin, guys, but I'm old enough to still have some trauma from when Jan's Norway team beat England in the last competitive game they played in a World Cup qualifier.

34:52So I've got some wounds that need to be healed here and it's going to be tight. It's going to be very tight. I think it's going to be kind of perhaps a slow and cagey game. I'm taking England but it may take extra time. 2-1, 1-1 after 90 minutes but then Bellingham pops up with the golden goal winner. He's giving us the goal scorers and everything now. That's why he's got paid the big money, eh? There you go. It says it could be over 100 degrees around kick-off, which is crazy to think that it could go to extra time. I want to leave Jan till last. Let's go to Archie here and get your prediction on how you see it playing out.

35:27And the winner today, Archie. Fulham has made me an eternal pessimist. So as a result, you add that into the equation, you add the fact that I'm here and I've been brainwashed, and that I generally believe in calculated pessimism. For my own safety, I have to say Norway 2, England 1. Wow. Wow. Norway. Don't come back. Don't come home. It's not Norway, it's Norway. Norway. My third destination is Jan. Over to you, Pat. Definitely stay there now. Archie, definitely stay there. Well, first of all, Archie, you're safe. I told my people to look after you. You don't see them. So you're safe. Listen, I have got so many English friends.

36:17I work every weekend in England. So I need England to be humiliated. So I want us to win on penalties. So I want 1-1. I want penalties. I want pizza-hucked adverts for the guy who missed the ball. I want everything. I want Arjan Nyland to take the decisive penalty and beat you, English, on penalties, as the Vikings did back in the day. Wow. Show love to the goal. There's a lot of inner hatred there. No, no, mate. It's only love. Love, love, love. Kev, I told you, they've changed, mate. I'll tell you what. They've changed, mate. A couple of Norwegian victories, and this has happened. I mean, calm down, boys.

36:58That's my worry. Calm down, boys. Before Brazil, I had to have to take pills and tablets before the game because I was so nervous. Hey Adrian, Jan, Archie, top class. Cheers fellas. Cheers boys, thank you. ESPN FC following the Norway-England game in Miami. It's live on YouTube. Do not miss a beat. Coming to you from the fellas in New York. Leal Messi in action later on today. Looking to go back to back with World Cup success. Taking on Switzerland. That and more next.

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39:55Argentina, the take of the Kansas City. The champions on the road yet again in the World Cup quarterfinal. taking on Switzerland. Perilous situation there. Very perilous. Here's the road to the quarterfinal for Argentina and Switzerland. Argentina cruised through the group stages. But then, as Craig Burley perfectly said last night, chaos would ensue. Cape Verde go to extra time. Against Egypt, they left it late. They were trailing by two goals to nil late on. For Switzerland, remember that first game when Qatar equalised late in that game? Who would have thought that Switzerland would be in the quarterfinal stages of this World Cup?

40:30They keep a clean sheet and they get it done against Colombia. Argentina, Nadim. Where are you at with Argentina right now? Not a good place. Yeah. Not a good place. Not at all. I think when I saw the draw that they had to get to this stage, I thought they're just going to roll over these sides. But then instead you're seeing them sort of scrape by. I think even, say, the Egypt game. Egypt obviously have made history for their country by winning the game at this competition for the first time. But the manner in which Argentina did it really surprised me because I thought this isn't, not an easy passage, but an easier passage than other teams.

41:03But instead we're seeing some of the frailties. I think the talk is around them being a little bit tired. You're seeing them missing penalties and having to have really big moments. And I think for those moments, it's great when you have them, but can you rely on them happening every single game? I think I'd rather see a team whose performances make it just be clear that they're far and away better than whoever they're playing against. And that hasn't been Argentina in the last two games. I think one of the biggest issues for Argentina is an inability to keep clean sheets. So they always have to outscore the opponent.

41:31The thing for me as well is, and I think you saw it most prominent in the Cape Verde game, where Cape Verde were organized and played more on the front foot. And while Argentina took the lead, Argentina just weren't able to cope with that. And that came as a little bit of a surprise to me. When all the way, as you mentioned, Kevin, slightly different against Egypt, because Egypt take the lead and then drop very deep into their own half. And the Argentinian pressure eventually took over. No, I expect Switzerland, I expect everybody else in this competition to play more on the front foot in the way that KV did.

42:05I'm not sure that Argentina can cope with that against a better quality opponent playing in that stand. For Argentina, they've got a fellow by the name of Leo Messi that scored more World Cup goals than anybody else. He scored in six consecutive World Cup knockout games, Macke. My question to you is, if they get a penalty today, is Messi taking it? Yes. He's missed the last two. Does it matter? He'll still take it. I think the fact that he's missed, he'll just take a better penalty. But I don't think he will give the ball up at all. He is chasing records. He's chasing goals. He knows Mbappe missed a penalty, but he's one behind.

42:37So he wants to stretch this out as long as he possibly can. And he's the hero. He's the focal point. So he will definitely take a penalty. But I can care exactly what the lad said. I think if they come across a better team, they look very vulnerable, don't they? They look old because they are. Too loyal to the side. Yeah, I think so. I don't know what he... He knows the squad better than we all do sitting here. But when you look at it, I think they're very narrow. I think the fact that he's gone with Leo and Rodrigo de Paul, he's virtually gone with the same team of four years ago. And they are four years older.

43:10And they're not as energetic as they once were. They've laboured to victories. They could easily win today because of the crowds and the atmosphere and the fact that it's quarterfinal time. But there are better teams than them in this tournament. And I think, you know, I can't see them going on to win this trophy. No chance. You can see them getting by today. We'll get your predictions a little bit later on. But tonight, 11 p.m. Eastern time. Catch up with ESPN FC and the folks in New York. It's live on ESPN2. So do join us for that one. So for Messi, we talk Ronaldo. Ronaldo to 2030 and the World Cup at age, what, 45?

43:48Sure, why not? We'll discuss next.

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44:58The big news in Portugal is that George Jesus is now their head coach, a man that's had success from Portugal to Brazil to Turkey, over to Saudi Arabia as well. Here he is on the future of Cristiano Ronaldo at 41 years of age, saying, quote, he'll never be a problem for the national team or for me. As for the controversy, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Chris is a symbol of Portugal. He'll go down in history. It has been a great pleasure working with him. He's incredibly easy to work with. If he is in a position to be called up, I will do so. This is a man who's just finished up managing Al Nasser, Cristiano Ronaldo's club.

45:34The World Cup is in Portugal. It's also in Argentina in four years. Natham, hello. Messi and Ronaldo for the World Cup in 2030. I don't think either. I don't think either. I think, if anything, for me, Ronaldo might have some sort of like coaching role in four years' time. But for him to be 45 years of age, trying to play for Portugal at this competition, I think it misses the point, even with this manager in charge. And also, let's be clear. Do we know for sure this manager will be in charge in four years' time? So much stuff can happen with international football, not least of all, because in two years' time, there's some Euros which need to happen as well.

46:05If they aren't really trending towards something positive, he will not be in charge. But I've got to say, I've never heard anyone call him Chris before. I'm not sure how familiar it is. When the manager says, oh, yeah, Chris, he's never been a problem like that. He's 71 years of age, George Jesus. He's a tremendous three-time Premier League winner with Benfica. This is not out of the realm of possibility. When we're talking Cristiano Ronaldo, Shekka, we're talking about a completely different species. Come on, come on, Karev. I'll be honest, you have to ask Ronaldo. I think, and Jesus is kind of making the point, one that we felt throughout with Roberto Martinez, whether Ronaldo plays or sits on the bench or retires comes right down to Chris.

46:46Yes. It's his decision. Chris. Christopher Christopher Christopher Christopher Christopher I don't think that's just that's just clear it's just in writing now from George Jesus I think we all agree though is that Ronaldo should be in this Portuguese team and he probably should be playing Gonzalo Ramos Xau Felix if it was me I'd be picking Ronaldo in front of them as well so I've got no qualms with that but you know exactly what the lad says it's not up to George Jesus whether Cristiano is playing in the next World Cup it's up to Ronaldo he has to retire or he has to say I'm going to carry on but if he's fit and he plays he'll be called up into the squad because he's too powerful I think he'll be retired by then I think some people do treat Cristiano Ronaldo like he's an idiot I think you said yesterday you posted a picture of the Nations League trophy it's a reminder that Portugal haven't won a ton of trophies and he's been a very much a big part of that and that national pride is everything to him if it's in four years time the corpse of Cristiano Ronaldo he will not be playing he's humble enough to understand that when the time is up A thousand percent It's a coach A thousand percent And I want you And he has a chance To go to the World Cup The trophy You're talking about Four seasons time Four seasons time I don't think There's a chance That he will play In the World Cup In four years time I think he would have retired And would be given His flowers Which he very much Deserves for an iconic career When do you think He'll retire from Portugal I think he'll retire Probably the latest The next Euros In two years time The very latest But I wouldn't be surprised If he wasn't playing At those either I think he's done Everything he needs to do Within football He's had the highs He just needs to get to 1 ,000 goals, doesn't he?

48:20I think that's his step. Listen to what we're saying. He needs to get to 1 ,000 goals. Oh, I know. Oh, I know. He needs about 25 goals, I think, something like that, isn't it, to get to 1 ,000. And it'll be interesting then. But I'm with him. I can't see him playing for his country at 45. Were we saying this four years ago? Well, he has to retire. It can't be up to the manager because it has to be up to Cristiano to decide whether he wants to carry on or not. By the way, you're very close. Hashtag Opta Mecca. 24 goals. 24, OK. Very close, yeah. Producer Pete in the year there. We're going to jump aside to break very quickly when we come back.

48:50It is predictions time. And these guys were chatting about Ronaldo as well, ESPN plus. Frank LeBuff, what do you think he was saying? He hates me. He should probably tell people that he's won the World Cup. You don't want to know. Did Frank say he won the World Cup? Oh, Macca, it's your favourite time this year. No predictions from the little cuties. We'll be right back.

49:21Welcome back into ESPN FC NWSL action coming your way right here on ESPN Sunday 4pm Eastern. It is a Cascadia clash you simply do not want to miss. Seattle, Portland doing battle at 4pm Eastern. Later on today Norway and England do battle in Miami. England very much the favorite for this clash. Norway back at the World Cup for the first time this century and the animals have been getting involved. Ah, there we go. What happened to the two who got it wrong yesterday? Are they? Oh, you don't want to know. Oh, we don't want to know. Sorry, sorry. You don't want to know. It was like Beethoven. There we go.

49:57I knew. Look at that. Wise. Look at that. Wise. Wise. Oh, man. Time to get stuck in here. Let's start with you, Maka, shall we? Nathan, you do it for me. I'm on the court. What's the reason? Well, I just think England, in the circumstances, has got a better team. Simple as that. But when I look at the starting 11 of both of them, I think England are better. So that's how I chose my France game, my Spain game. And that's why I'm going to choose England to beat Norway. Yeah, I'm going to go the same way. And I think from a Norway perspective, they've obviously been excellent. But it feels like it's a reliance on Erling Haaland.

50:30I think from an England perspective, there are more players that could step up and be the difference in this match itself. So I'm basically saying I think they've got the better team overall. So I'm going England. Two New England so far. I'm going to join them in saying that while Norway have Erling Haaland, I think England matched that with Harry Kane. And then you look at the rest of the squad, England are the best of the two I think England will go through. You know what, you guys are making a lot of sense. Yes, ouch! Yes!

50:57Considering I'm pulled up, it's hard to quantify. The momentum is building. You said this for Belgium yesterday, so I'm glad you've chosen Norway. He makes a fair point. Alright, here we go. The favourites for the Argentina-Switzerland game is obviously the World Cup. Wow! Animal predictions, do they agree with these odds? They're Messi. And Scaloni's men taking it. Oh, patient build up here. Is that in slow motion, surely? No, that's a dog that understands television. Cat making her way out. Oh, hang on a second. Like an underdog story, Maka. I actually think this game is a lot closer, really, but I am going to choose Argentina only because of experience.

51:42They'll have a huge fan base and I think they'll get it seconds. Okay. I'm sorry, mate. I'm gonna say the same thing. Yeah. Okay. Just. You know what? Ah, he's bottled it. Ah! Before you jumped on Steven's private jet. No, I did not. No, I did not. No? Didn't fix it to the no. Okay. Hey, Kev's been a pleasure. Yeah, folks, I love you. We gotta go. Nice work on, mate. Thanks for having me. Appreciate you. Take care, guys. Enjoy the match.

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