Cape Verde Crash Spain's Party

24:24I suppose in their minds they would say that they salvaged a point, and now they just kind of set themselves up for what the rest of the group is going to look like. But to your point, Dan, and I think it's an accurate one, this was a wasted opportunity for Uruguay to really put some pressure on the other teams in this group. I think that's really fair. I was very surprised by the performance in that first half, and I was expecting them to have a bit more energy, to be on the front foot, to be thinking of my sort of perception of a Bielsa side. But it certainly wasn't that in that first half, but the second half was much better.

24:55The energy was higher. You could see Saudi Arabia were struggling. The goalkeeper was indifferent. We'll call him indifferent. He made a good save, but yeah, he was indifferent. But I would have liked to see him be tested out more. But for Uruguay, especially given the fact that Spain dropped points, something that nobody really expected, I think it's a big loss for them. And why are South American teams so rubbish? In general? How about it? Venezuela, none of them have won yet. Have they? Paraguay, Brazil, Ecuador? Yeah, neither has Venezuela. I do believe that there has been separation in the qualifiers in which you have Argentina and then you have everybody else.

25:36And in that everybody else group, you have a lot of parity within that, parity that sometimes borders on being mediocre. And so much so that in qualifiers in South America, if you string a couple of results, you're jumping two teams. You're jumping places because it's sort of by attrition that teams are able to survive that qualifying cycle. But now you get to the World Cup and it's a different type of competition. And now you have to bring something else other than the attrition. You have to bring some quality in the attack. You have to bring some dynamic movement, some creativity. You have to bring goals.

26:12You have to bring something different and you're just not seeing it. And Ecuador at times were very good in their match, but they couldn't find the back of the net. They hit the post a couple of times. Uruguay today in the second half, they dominated Saudi Arabia, but they couldn't find the back of the net with any sort of consistency. I just mentioned that. And it just feels like these are teams that were struggling to score goals for three and a half years in a World Cup qualifying cycle. It shouldn't be a surprise that they're struggling to score goals now. There's Argentina in South America, and then there's everybody else, and that includes Brazil as well.

26:45And that parody, as I mentioned, sometimes could be described as mediocrity. That's where we are right now. And that's what the performances have shown so far. It pains me to say that. It hurts me to say that. Because imagine if I'm saying that these teams that are representing South America so far have had mediocre performances. What does that mean for the teams around South America that did not make it? Like who? Which teams? Vamos, Venezuela! No, no, you don't get to say it. They're not even here. It's just... It's just sad. It's funny, isn't it? So the way you're talking about common ball from the perspective of somebody that has been a part of it, covers it from start to finish.

27:22Over in the UK, everyone's like, oh, because of the conditions in North America, all the South American teams are going to be great. They're all going to go and win it. And then you just go and watch them play, and it's been underwhelming, to say the very least. In all honesty, Natum, short on talent. Short on talent. You look at a team like Uruguay, and you tell me in the final third, where are the difference makers? Who's starting for Uruguay up top? It's Darwin Nunes. The reclamation project that is Darwin Nunes. Lovely hair. Beautiful, beautiful. That's how you lost your hair, wasn't it? Absolutely.

27:57In 1994. Yes, it went wrong and it never came back. So Darwin Nunes is starting. And you look at Ecuador, who are they depending on to score goals? Ener Valencia is still the guy that's starting up top for them. So it's not an accident. It's not a coincidence that they're struggling to score goals. As I mentioned, they did so in qualifiers. They're doing it now. What's a surprise for me is that given the environment, which is where I think a lot of the South American teams would have an advantage in terms of the attendance in the stadium, which you're seeing today from Uruguay and you saw from Ecuador yesterday, that that's not making more of a difference.

28:38I am banking on Argentina and I'm banking on Colombia. and their fans to make a difference in the stands, but more importantly, for their players to make a difference on the field. Where's it stands? Uruguay, of course, a tied top, man tied bottom, tied second, tied third, because let's take a look at how Group H stands. Everyone on one point after the opening round of games.

29:06When you're at work, you never know when you're going to get interrupted, like when an office fire drill happens right in the middle of your presentation or constructions going on just outside your window. But with a Dell Pro laptop powered by Intel Core Ultra with V Pro, no matter how many interruptions you have, your laptop won't be one of them. With battery that's optimized for the way you work and built-in intelligence that quiets distractions the moment you're trying to focus, your tech won't slow you down. Even when you're getting bounced from an office you forgot to reserve the dell pro built for those who stay in the flow find technology built for the way you work at dell.com forward slash dell dash pro built for you

29:50grab a cotton candy five hour energy shot and get in on the sweet life you get the classic throwback cotton candy flavor but with zero sugar and a five hour energy boost a tasty caffeine kick that satisfies the sweet tooth without any of the sugar guilt aftermath. Bring on the sweetness with cotton candy five-hour energy shots available online at fivehourenergy.com or Amazon.

30:16Let's go to Group G, shall we? Belgium in action against Egypt. Egypt would have the better of the first half. Actually, it would open the scoring into the second half and it'd be Romelu Kaku's introduction that would disrupt the Egyptian defence and it would be an own goal in the end that would see Belgium get the equaliser. Both teams had chances in that second half. But in the end, it finishes. Belgium won, Egypt won. Fair result, Nen?

30:47Yes, I suppose just about in the end. I think in some ways that's the disappointment because I think Egypt's on paper. They're the historic African champions when it comes down to, say, AFCON and things like that but they have no real standing at the World Cup level they've never won a game so looking at it I was expecting a bit more from Belgium not to necessarily control and completely dominate the game but just have something a little bit extra so for them to essentially have to come back in that manner and maybe walk off the pitch and say oh one point is good enough I'm conflicted at the moment because I want to believe in the idea of building momentum you know Ancelotti was saying you don't win the World Cup on the very first game so I'm trying to see the positives from that but then we've also seen better versions of a belgium side fall short in the past and this doesn't feel like one of those sides at this moment for me but i suppose i'll just take the point and keep keep moving so one one was fair i said yes at the start then i said a bit extra okay yeah thanks though thanks for listening no it's all right i just no no worries thank you sorry no you do whatever you want it's fine you can do whatever you want Sorry, what did you say?

31:54Alley 1-1, looking at it. Belgium go into this as favourites, yeah? But they didn't really play like favourites? No, and actually, in the second half, there is a sequence in which Omar Marmouche turns his defenders somewhere around midfield and goes on a long run himself and looks like he is about to perhaps find the second goal for Egypt, and that obviously would have made it far more complicated for Belgium. He misses a chance, gets a little nudge from the defender. And once he missed that chance, he kind of goes, well, Belgium are kind of pushing. It's more of territorial sort of pressure more so than actual chances being created by Belgium.

32:33And whatever you may think of Romelu Lukaku, he comes on the field and him throwing his body around made it difficult for Egypt to defend. and truth be told what we saw from Romelu Lukaku is the things that we have seen over the years in which he might have been able to score the goal but did not but he was there in the play ends up being a known goal and then he gets a clear glorious opportunity late in the match service coming from the right hand side it's a header that he has at the very least to put on target he does not and it's a sort of image that splits opinions on Romelu Lukaku a guy that has score a bunch of goals for Belgium internationally, but it's actually, in my estimation, more remember about the misses.

33:20And I go back to the last World Cup and the bunch of misses that he had and that you think might have made a difference for Belgium. Today could have made a difference. I thought he did make a difference coming off the bench, but he could have been the hero. Was not. 1-1. Feels like a fair result just because Belgium I don't think did enough to really claim that this is a game that they should have won. You must have played against Lukaku? I do play against Lukaku. Back in the day, Nader? Back in the day, yeah. Decades ago it was. It wasn't a dig, it was a fact. Well, yeah. Fair enough. Fair enough, Dan.

33:54Fair enough. I'll let you have that one. You seem very angry today, Nader. No, just this evening. But I did play against him, yeah. And interestingly, when he's coming on off the bench there, there's obviously people who have their ideas about Lukaku, where they think he's good or where they don't think that he is. But there wouldn't have been any defenders regips who are like oh this is good news lukaku's coming on right you know the impact they can have on the game because ali might remember some of his missed chances but the defenders know how they have to try and defend against them and i think in terms of which is how is it just is it the physicality well there's obviously more to it than that considering the fact that he's the all-time top goal scorer for belgium like the the fellow has scored 90 goals for belgium so yes even though some people might want to remember him for missed chances i think the belgian side remembering for the goals that he scored like he's an icon of Belgian football and the fact that he came on today and had that impact I think uh the Catullary I think it was who started ahead of him like he's good but for me I would rather see Lukaku there and as well sometimes I think we almost look at him as being a bit older than he is you know he's 33 years old just turned and the grand scheme is the way football is now that's you know you've got someone in 41 years of age in Ronaldo that's still playing so I'm I do play against him I'm happy that he's doing well I'm happy he's a record goal scorer and I think he's had a hell of a career as well and maybe, just maybe it can be the difference of Belgium this time.

35:12Colin, talk us through the point from an Egyptian point of view. They'd be happy with that. No, most definitely not. I mean, look, Egypt, as far as I'm concerned, this was not a fair result. I think Egypt should have won and when I say not a fair result, I don't mean in terms of you know, whatever complaints anybody might have had. I think that Egypt did not do themselves justice. After that goal, they had many other, at least two or three other opportunities. And Ali mentioned it with Mamouche, who had a chance to get them in front and decided to go for glory when he could have played a much better.

35:45At some point, I thought he was even playing for Belgium because it almost seemed like he was holding up Egypt's attack. And for the quality of player that he is, I did expect a lot more from him. And like I said, you know, Egypt deserved to put themselves in a situation of winning this game. They were Africa's first ever participant at the World Cup in 1934. and since then they have not got a single win from the World Cup despite being record African champions. And today they had a chance to do that on Mohamed Salah's birthday and they failed to take advantage. And then Lukaku comes on. You're a defender.

36:21You know who Lukaku is. You know how many goals he scored. You know that he pushed his body around and they just switch off. Let him get into that position and get the goal and he almost got a second. So I think it's just kind of infuriating for me because I think that he deserved more from this game. But in the end, I think they shot themselves in the foot. Also, on the Belgium side, what did you make of your good mate Kevin De Bruyne? What did I make of him? I thought the celebration between himself and Lukaku was good. Good, that's what he brings to the table. This is why I've come to America, to tell you things like that.

36:52Yeah, right, exactly. Yeah, obviously. Good decision by us. Yeah, exactly. Obviously, you know, he didn't have his best day, but I think he can still have a huge impact in his tournament. This is objectively talking. This is somewhere between objective and subjective and fandom. But yeah, he's obviously an incredible player. He might not be his absolute best as we've seen in years gone by, but there's still moments which he has which can sort of define games. I think that's what we've talked about, say, for example, with a Lamin-Yemal in the Spain game. And other teams, when you're trying to break down sides who are going to be essentially fighting for their lives, they're playing for their countries at the World Cup.

37:28They will do anything to try and stop some of these attackers. That's when you need that bit of magic, and De Bruyne has still got that in them. Colin, overall, what have you made of the Africans' contribution to the tournament so far? Obviously a great result for Morocco against Brazil. Ivory Coast with that win as well. Oh, fantastic. I mean, six games, six points. Unfortunately, disappointed by Tunisia. They almost always seem to do that. They're just such a dysfunctional unit there. We heard stories that the coach was going to be fired, and then he wasn't fired, took charge of practice earlier today.

37:59and then it turns out the members of the federation say they're going to resign if the coach doesn't get fired and everyone in Tunisia and Africa is thinking look it's good news all of you guys get the heck out of there because you guys are reading Tunisia football the earlier you can get away the better and then we can talk about the coach so yeah overall good for Africa the only dark spot would be South Africa because just based on what's going on back there they're in a position where almost all of Africa is hate watching South Africa from Ghana, Nigeria, everywhere, Zimbabwe, even Botswana.

38:33Everybody just doesn't win. But otherwise, I think it's been a great tournament so far for Africa. And I hope that we continue and get something, probably a couple more wins in the next round. Colin, great stuff as always. Of course, Colin will be joining us throughout the tournament. And just to keep up to date with all the latest news in the World Cup, just go to our YouTube channel. Lays is an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Lays is also the official sponsor of all Bandwagon fans. That's right, this summer Lays is inviting everyone to jump on the bandwagon because win or lose, what's important is keeping the party going.

39:10Bandwagon fans can have more fun, so grab a bag of Lays, gather some friends and keep the party rolling all summer long. Are you looking to rebound from your high interest credit card debt? A SoFi personal loan can help you get back on track. Consolidate your debt with a SoFi personal loan into one loan monthly payment, and you could save money on interest over time. And with as soon as the same day funding, you could hit the ground running ASAP. Apply today with no fees required at SoFi.com slash Debt Rebound. Loans originated by SoFi Bank, NA member, FDIC. Terms and conditions apply, NMLS, 696891.

39:47Fast funds terms apply at SoFi.com slash Debt Rebound.

39:54To the late game then in Group G. A reminder, it finished Belgium 1, Egypt 1. So the winner of this tie would go top of the group. In the end, this would finish in a draw. Thoroughly entertaining to sigh. New Zealand would twice take the lead just with a brace within this tie. But twice within the match, Iran got themselves back into the game. So overall, it finishes Iran 2, New Zealand 2, meaning that everybody is on a point in the draw. It's impossible not to start but to talk about Iran in this game. We saw that emotional interview that the players gave to Jeff Carlisle leading up to this tie.

40:33And today, Iran went on the pitch, played against New Zealand, and it's nice we're going to be talking about the football. Yeah, it is nice that we can be talking about the football. Now that football is over, obviously there are other things that can be spoken about. But from a footballing perspective, you could see how much it meant to them to get a chance to play at a World Cup. If we say, if we for a second think it's not necessarily about the location, but playing at a World Cup itself, it's a dream come true for so many players. Like obviously the ones who were lucky enough to play in multiple, that's a huge privilege.

41:01But for them, they wanted to go out there, they wanted to do their nation proud, do each other proud. And it seemed like as well in the stadium, they had a really good following. A really, really good following. It was really loud in there. every positive action, whether it's a pass, a shot, a tackle, the goals. And that's a great thing for them to be able to celebrate. There were players who were playing today who I believe haven't been able to play in the domestic league for probably three or four months because of the war that's been going on within their country. So it was a huge moment for them.

41:27It's a huge moment for probably football and just geopolitics and all sorts. And just from a footballing perspective, I think it's probably the best game of the day as well. Really enjoyed that game. Yeah, it was a lot of fun. Both teams had chances. Ali went to New Zealand once. He bangs on about it a lot. I played against Chris Wood once as well. There you go, you see. Back in the day or not. Can I say that? We're going to get grumpy again. Eight years ago. Was that back in the day? Yes. Way back there. I'm in my 30s now. I was in my 30s then. This game maybe didn't have the quality that we'll see from other matches within this tournament.

42:00But as Nadim says, the spectacle is fun. Entertainment value from this match. And in all honesty, as we sort of stay late to do this show and you think about the late game is Iran-New Zealand, it's not like we were sitting in the green room going, oh, we're excited. We have to watch this. Speak for yourself. Speak for yourself. Well, I don't know. Grumpy Natum. Let me just tell you, Natum after dark gets grumpy. Real grumpy. And so it was surprisingly a good game, an entertaining game. I thought New Zealand in their combination play that ended up in the goals. I thought that was outstanding. The first goal, hold the play, although it was poor defending from Iran, but hold the play nonetheless from Chris Wood and then a little lay of action and then you find the finish.

42:48The combination for their second goal was also really good. Although you have to say that the Iran goalkeeper did a good job of diving out of the way, which usually makes a chance. Is that not a good thing? No, no. I'm going to go with, officially speaking, probably not. But give credit to Iran that were able to come back twice in the match. And in the end, if you think about who was going to win this match or who was going to be more likely to win this match, it felt like it was Iran because New Zealand were barely hanging on. So again, had this match gone another 5, 10 minutes, it felt like Iran were very much getting close to the possibility of scoring a game winner.

43:27I do think, though, and it's something that you alluded in your question, Dan, is that what made it entertaining is also what tells us that these teams are not quite to the level they need to be. If you think of New Zealand years past, they were not productive in the attack, but they were very good defensively. And had they gone up twice in a game, more likely than not they would have won this match. And that wasn't the case today. And in the case of Iran, I just saw individual mistakes that I think are going to be detrimental to any chances they may have or advancing anywhere in this competition.

44:02Let's not forget, though, this competition offers you a lifeline. Yes, it does. You finish third place. Eight out of 12 will qualify. Which of those two teams are more likely to qualify from what you saw today, given that I'm being presumptuous that Egypt and Belgium will be OK?

44:22I'm going to say... I'm going to say Iran. OK. I'm going to say Iran. I think maybe they've got a little bit of like Team of Destiny vibes about them to be at least beginning to the next round So I'm gonna go for them, but I was impressed by New Zealand because I watched them a week ago play against England And I thought they were rubbish I'm on this. I know New Zealand New Zealand I thought this is we made them after dark But I think New Zealand has just come off losing 4-0 to Haiti to Haiti. Yeah Well, obviously we see a good side anyway, but yeah So I was impressed by this and I thought Chris Wood was great and I think just as well the joint top scorer in the whole World Cup By the way, it's got two cracking goals.

45:02So Unfortunately, I'm still going for Iran. Okay So you gave this whole case for New Zealand, but you're going with Iran? No, I started off by saying Iran Then I talked about New Zealand and then I went back to Iran. Yeah. Well, thanks for listening Ridiculous like why am I here? Who are you talking to? I'm done. I'm done. Did Ben tell you that I went to New Zealand once? No, please tell us. Oh, my Wellington Phoenix. Went to the Lord of the Rings, dressed up. Oh, it was a wonderful time. I don't think either one of these teams is advancing. But the lifeline. Only four teams will not advance to finish third, Alec.

45:40Well, I know. But what I'm saying is that there may be a bunch of draws coming up. and I don't think they are good enough to actually win games. Right. And you're going to need to win a game at some point. And this was the winnable game for both of them. Now they're going to play against the two teams that would be the favorites in this group. I don't think either one of these teams beats Belgium. And they may draw Egypt. I don't think they beat Egypt. That's why I don't think it's going to be enough. You never know. You never know. Well, I don't know. I'm just projecting. The third place thing to get to the knockout, the only time that really rings true in my mind, from talking about European perspective, was Portugal.

46:23Do you remember when Portugal won the Euros? They drew their three group games. Yes. He did not remember that. I don't remember that. I think it was 2016. They did it. And also, I believe, from an AFCON perspective, it's a shame Colin's not on anymore, I think Ivory Coles did it. Two AFCONs ago. Beautiful. Never know. You never know. Let's just remind you then how the group stands. There it is. Belgium, Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand all on a point. The world's biggest soccer tournament has arrived, and you can trade the entire tournament on Kalshi. On Kalshi, you can trade every match from the opening stage all the way to the final.

47:03Spain is currently trading at 17 % to win it all, meaning a$100 trade pays out over$550 if they win soccer's biggest prize. On CallShe, you're trading against peers in a live market, meaning there's no house. And as the probability changes, you can buy in and out of your position. For a limited time, download the CallShe app and use code FC to get$10 when you trade 10. K-A-L-S-H-I. CallShe. Trade on anything. 18 plus only restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices, values, and available markets may differ from those mentioned.

47:41For more information, see kalshi.com slash regulatory. Look, the economy is a lot right now. And if you're a small business owner, you probably feel it. You can't control interest rates or tariffs, but you can control how efficiently your business operates. Automating payroll and HR with Gusto is one of the fastest ways to cut friction and focus on what actually moves the needle. Gusto is online payroll and benefit software built for small businesses. It's all-in-one, remote-friendly, and incredibly easy to use, so you can pay, hire, onboard, and support your team from anywhere. It's quick and simple to switch to Gusto.

48:19Just transfer your existing data to get up and running fast. Plus, don't pay a cent until you run your first payroll. And get direct access to certified HR experts to help support you through any tough HR situation. There's a reason Gusto is ranked number one on G2's highest satisfaction products list for 2026 and trusted by over 400 ,000 small businesses. Try Gusto today at gusto.com slash FC and get three months free when you run your first payroll. That's three months of free payroll at gusto.com slash FC. One more time, gusto.com slash FC. Some of the big boys on show tomorrow. The favourites, France, kick off their campaign against Senegal.

49:09It's Iraq against Norway. Austria take on Jordan and Argentina, the defending champions against Algeria. France against Senegal. Let's look ahead to that with Jules and Gab. Thanks, Dan. Jules, tomorrow, France v Senegal in North Jersey. It's a bit like a build-up to Christmas. I know you're so excited to go and see the runners-up of the last World Cup go out there. What's the vibe? I mean, I won't lie, Gab. It's a tricky game to start your tournament, isn't it? This Senegalese team is very good. The best in Africa over the last 10 years, really. If you were impressed with Avery Coast, if you've been impressed with Morocco as well, they will also impress you because they're a very strong unit in a slightly different way than Avery Coast and Morocco.

49:57But they can play, they can defend, they're solid. there's a question mark over Koulibaly's fitness. But overall, it's a really good team. And remember what happened in 2002, when France were the holders after winning in 1998, and Senegal beat them in that opening game in the 2002 World Cup. So it will be tricky. France are the favourite. Of course, they've got this incredible attacking line, and we know that Dembele, Olysses, Mbappe, and Dwey will start up front. But will they click? How will they click? How will we beat this France team? There's a few uncertainty still around a collective performance from them.

50:26So it won't be easy, undoubtedly. Yeah, we rarely get surprises from Didier Deschamps in terms of pulling things out of left field. So we're pretty confident that this is what it is. But maybe we're not 100 % sure that front four, how the pieces are going to fit together. Yeah, exactly. I mean, for example, there's a reason why Hugo Kitiki would have started on the left-hand side if he'd been fit. It's because he offers a different profile that combines really well with Kylian Mbappe and all his movement. Desiree Dway on the left-hand side is very different. I would start Turam, for example. Just because of that, he's not as good as Dway or Cherky or Barcola.

51:04But when Kylian will drop, then Turam will take his position as a more traditional number nine, really. And you won't get that with Dway. So my fear is that that kind of area of the box is being a little bit empty when Kylian drops everywhere. And when Dway is on the left and Olysee on the right and Dembele more central. So we'll have to see if that front four clicks. On paper, it looks great. But in reality, I'm not sure they all have their bearings together yet. Jules, I hate predictions, so I won't give one extra other than the fact that I'd be concerned about De Hernandez. But give me your prediction.

51:38You know what? Not always. You're really great on first game. So I don't think France will be just ready yet. And I don't think they will hit the ground running straight away tomorrow. But I still get them to win narrow 1-0 win. Early peak of two teams that could be going very, very far in this competition. So let's take a look, shall we? The bookies have got it as France's favourites. I like a draw, by the way, if anyone cares about that. You mean generally or for this game? You mean generally? Generally, I always just go for a draw. Yes. Well, certainly this tournament, I'd be rich. I'd be loving it.

52:14It'd be fantastic. What do you fancy for this? I quite fancy drawing this game as well. Yeah, because I said it. Yeah, okay, I'm not gonna say draw it in the nose. Yeah, I'm gonna go for a draw. I think possibly like a 2-2. Oh, a high one. Yeah, yeah, I think a high one. I think these are two very very good sides and it's gonna be like an emotional element I'm sure when they're playing like Senegal. So yeah, I'm gonna go for I'm gonna go for 2-2 against for you know to stick up for the West African side that maybe won AFCON Maybe they didn't but I think it's still a very good side. All right, man.

52:48I'm looking forward to one of the favourites actually looking like one of the favourites. And so maybe this is wishful thinking, maybe this is hopeful, but perhaps France looking like the France that we think they can be in this tournament, I think France wins the match. A lot more on France's chances in the World Cup. And indeed, to catch up with Gavin Jules and their trips around the States so far, the latest edition dropped today. That is available to listen to over on our website. That is it. That brings us to the end of today's show. Be sure to stay tuned, though, as Nadam is so delighted to be staying late to answer some of your questions.

53:25Ali with us as well. I thought Craig's not here today. It'd be a nice, happy show. Nadam, though, has brought some energy that isn't particularly positive. Even shouted at my salad. Extra time is next.

53:44Welcome in to the latest edition of Extra Time. Ali is here alongside him, Nadim as well. Hello, Dan. We haven't seen the best side of Nadim today. No, no, no. After a dark. Maybe this is my best side. Maybe this is my best side. I had a salad for dinner and he went, grow up. I don't know why it deserved that sort of... I just thought you were enjoying your life, but clearly you just wanted some nutrition. Well, I think that's all right. No, you don't make friends with salad. We know that. No, you do use fun. It's fine. You do use fun. Why have you been so angry? Because you were not angry last night.

54:12To be honest. Is it Kevin? Do you miss him? Yes, do you miss Kevin? Do you hate Dan? Kevin, please come back. Please come back. I've locked him in a cupboard. If you two ever become managers, this is the sort of questions we need. What clothing style would you adopt? Classy suits like Ancelotti, team gear like Klopp, or maybe even what Rudy Garcia wore tonight. What was Rudy Garcia? It was like he'd been called up late to be the manager. Yes, and then decided, it's a little sunny so I'm going to wear a hat. He's got the hat. He hasn't got the jacket on. He just had the tie and the shirt. It looked a bit geography teacher on a school trip.

54:49Yeah, community college. Right. Geography teacher. Yeah, yeah. What would you go for, Ali? Oh, I'll suit up. Yeah? Yeah. Look nice. Nice. You know, clean it up a bit. Mmm, I don't think I'd suit up. I think I'd just stick with… Would you go tracksuit? No, I don't think I'd do that either. Would you kind of this gear? Well, I wouldn't be wearing this. I think I'd go for like… What are you wearing then? I think, I think, I'm trying to get to it. He's got Mario Suarez. Yeah. I think I'd be, I think I'd be. For not fully clothing. I think, yeah, well, yeah. Business up top. But I'd go for like a smart casual, I think.

55:24What was this then? No, because I wouldn't wear a blazer. I just wouldn't do that. So what would you wear on top? I'd wear like a cardigan type stuff, you know what I mean? And then wear like the pundit threes, you know, the shoes with little white bottoms, all that stuff. Okay. Yeah, that's what I'd be. So a bit peppy? Peppy. Pep Guardiola-y. I don't really study what he wears. Yes you do, you've got all those posters in your bedroom of him. To be fair, he's, towards the end of last season when he's got his puma 10 year anniversary stuff, he's got a big P on the top. I mean, if he's got his own clothing line, he's going to wear it, isn't he?

55:52Right. So I'm just saying, no. They're tempting which he's worn some awful looking jaggers. Listen, I'm sure he's been paid very well to do it. I'm sure. Your initials on your training top must have been no. Yeah, that's right, yeah. And he used to be on my boots as well every time I try and shoot. You see a big N.O. on the bottom, I'm like, okay, pass it instead then. Ali, since Norway is basing itself in Greensboro and you became a college legend there, what recommendations would you give the team? Any places they absolutely need to check out? Well, I mean, if they win the match, whatever match, and they're successful, you can go to the corner bar.

56:25It's actually called the corner bar. Where is it? In the corner. Yes! Yes! Look how much he's annoyed by that! Give this man some sleep. What is wrong? What is wrong? No, please tell your story. You want to go to the corner bar? Please tell your story. You can have ice cream and say yum yum. Oh yeah? Yes. Where did you take Melissa on like a first date when you first got together? That must have been Greensboro. We actually watched the movie Varsity Blues on our first date. Okay. I haven't seen that. Have you seen that? Yeah, you've seen this. You've seen this. Pete Van Leer at home is getting angry.

57:03I don't know what he's like with the movies. It's a high school football movie. Okay. You would have seen this. Okay, is there a down and out? Are they the underdogs but then they come good at the end? Yeah, well... Oh, no way. Johnny Moxon is a quarterback. Oh. Yeah. James Van Der Beek, by the way. Oh, wow, the Dawson's Creek guy. Yes, he just passed away. Wow, there you are. Come on. Well, there we go. Yeah, and Paul Walker was also in that movie, who also passed away. Fast and Furious. Yes. Goodness. And we had Classy. I kept it classy. I had a lot of money back then. Even more now. Chinese.

57:40We had Chinese and then went to the movie. Oh, nice. Did you give it the old road? Love you, babe. Oh, nice. We're together as long as we have. Oh, beautiful. And they said it wasn't going to work. It did. Love you, man. It's mainly her family. Love you. What were your impressions of Sweden's win last night? 5-1, 3-1 when I went to bed. I was quite surprised. There's a lot of talk about Tunisia's manager and his future at the moment. Colin Oudo was talking about it. Did you see all five? No. Ali? Your commitment to the late-night World Cup is questionable at best. That's fair. That's completely fair.

58:21Exactly. It's your question. Yes, actually I think that's my takeaway. Isak was explosive. There was a lot of life in those legs. Running around people, using his speed, a little dip of his shoulder, getting inside of people, scoring a goal. And Jokeres, in the combo package with Isak, looking very good, very effective, dangerous, a handful against defenders. Now it is Tunisian, some people may dismiss that, but I would just say that that combo package of Isak and Jokeres looked particularly dangerous, effective and efficient last night. Yeah, I enjoyed the Ayari goals though, especially the second one.

58:58Great strike and it was weird to see somebody playing for a national team score and not really celebrate, but I suppose with, I imagine he's got links to Tunes or something like that, so, you know, fair enough, but great goals for him. Ali, good research. What was that post? It was like, good research. I suppose he's got something to do with something. It's alright. Ali, Aberin to AC Milan. You can keep this short. Makes sense given tactics of Serie A. More defensive? Succeed or no? The bigger question is the quality of the presentation that Ruben Amorin gives to whoever is his decision maker at a club has to be amazing.

59:41This PowerPoint presentation has to be just state of the art, groundbreaking sort of stuff. Because how do you believe this guy? If you've done your homework and your Milan, and you see what they were, what Manchester United were under Ruben Amorim, and then how it dramatically changed when Michael Carrick came in, and you go, wait a minute, it's essentially the same group of players, and the only thing that changed is the manager, and we had a team that had no clue as to what they were doing on the field, and now a team that finished as high as they did, and you go, something doesn't add up. And it cannot be that the next decision is to say, that's our guy.

1:00:20You see that and you go, that's our guy. We believe in that. I don't know how you believe in Ruben Amorim right now. I think his brand would have taken a major blow after what was failure at Manchester United. But apparently not. Maybe this says a lot more about Milan and who actually were their candidates and who was willing to take on that job. Maybe it says a lot more about their current situation than it does about Ruben Amorim. I don't think he succeeds at Milan. But what is the measure of success at Milan, though? Well, if you're talking to a Milan fan, then they would suggest, at the very least, you have to go from where you are right now to finishing top four and eventually competing for the title.

1:01:00They're nowhere near that. I think they'll finish top four if they get Amorim. I think they will. Because of Amorim or because of players that come with Amorim? I think it's more so the players that come with Amorim, but I still think it's going to happen. So is it success with the players? Final question. We had Colin on who kind of dismissed some of the rumours that Tunisia did fire their manager. There's a lot of speculation about his future and the Tunisia Association's future as well. The question asks, what do you think of them firing? How would you feel about a mid-tournament change? How would you feel?

1:01:30How would I feel in what sense? So if you're a player in that squad, you've just lost 5-1 and they've sacked your manager. Are you thinking, oh no, things are getting worse or, oh, this is a lovely surprise. We can go and play better now. I would speculate that if a manager is on the verge of being sacked this early into a tournament, there might have been some issues beforehand. Sure. So I think for some of the players, and I can't say it's going to be all of them, because maybe some like him, maybe some don't, I think I do believe, and it's funny you've mentioned Amarin, addition through subtraction.

1:01:58And I think if the manager is the issue and he goes, then maybe that'll be a boost for those players. It's not saying that there'll be any more successful relative to this tournament, but if the environment improves, then people can enjoy it more and they can make the most of what is a great opportunity. So you thought that Amorim leaving Manchester United was addition by subtraction? I do, very much so, yeah. OK, and now you think that he hails Milan? I think his PowerPoint features all his years of Sporting Lisbon. And as a consequence, you saw this is what I can do with like a Victor Jokeres, or this or that, and this is what I'll do in Serie A.

1:02:32Have I got both of you gentlemen tomorrow? Oh, well, you'll have me in a very lively spirit, very happy feeling the vibes of the World Cup. Nice. As what you get in Atom After Dark, that's completely different. Whilst the sun is up, everything will be all right that time. Oh, Lord, have mercy. That is it. What have we got tomorrow? Good game. Argentina in action. France, Senegal as well. Norway kick off for their campaign. We'll be covering them all on the next edition of the show.

1:03:12MLB.tv on ESPN is your home for every out-of-market game, live or on demand. Catch your favorite teams and players, plus MLB Network and ESPN app features like Multiview, syncing your stats, key plays, bets, and fantasy, all in one place. Sign up now for MLB.tv in the ESPN app. Separate subscriptions required, blackouts, and other terms apply. Visit stream.espn.com slash MLB TV for more information.