Egypt's Elimination Complaints

21:37Couldn't do that with any sort of consistency. And when you see that, it's not so much whether you have the ability to do it or not. It's that you're afraid of the moment. You're afraid of all that it means and all the conversation and all the talk. And we thinking this is all going to elevate the United States, that indeed being at the forefront of the conversation in the sports world in this country was going to elevate this team. And instead of elevating this team, what it caused was for this team to be tentative and passive. And they were not that over the course of the tournament leading up to this game.

22:15In fact, one of the things that had us thinking that they were capable of something bigger was because they were the front foot. They were dictating how the game was going to play, and they were not able to do that. One of those things is because I think they were overwhelmed by the moment, but another thing is that they were playing against a better team, a better team with better players, more talented players. And to Ali's point, and believe me, I love the fact that you have said what you just said. This is coming from a U.S. legend, soccer legend, not insignificant guy from Venezuela. No, U.S.

22:49legend. But the insignificant guy from Venezuela is going to tell you this much. This team, when you contrast it and compare it to what you see from Argentina, you go, they were never capable of giving me that. That sort of effort. That sort of character. That sort of fight. Let me see it. Let me see it with my own eyes that this team is going to give me absolutely everything. And we didn't see that. This team was down in the game, and it never felt like they were going to come back. It's almost as if they were just accepting the fact that, you know what, it just isn't our night and we're just going to move on.

23:22No! No! Don't accept it. Fight it. You may come up short anyways, but fight it. And I didn't see enough of that. And certainly when you see what Argentina did in 12 minutes, you go, man, these guys, and these are players that don't have anything to prove. These are champions of the world, world champions, World Cup champions that have nothing to prove to anybody. And they were out there doing it for their country. This team came up short. Even if it was against better players, they came up short in the quality of performance, and they came up short in the mentality of the performance and the execution of the performance and the heart of the performance.

23:56So the only person that I saw do that and give that was Bear Halter when he came into the game. He started that fight and that energy, and he was the only one that I felt had that willingness to want to do the job. and you work your entire life to be a part of that team, to be on this stage, to be in that tournament, to be involved and represent the country and your friends and your family. And to go out like that in the round of 16 or not be able to get there, that was just so disappointing. And to me for, you know, luckily I played in a few, but you never lose that pride of wanting to represent your country and to leave everything out there because you never know if you're ever going to play another tournament.

24:38And that just didn't happen. I didn't see it. Yeah, I agree. I totally agree. And I think it's interesting because as I look at them now, you can kind of see that they did have fight against Australia. They did have fight against Bosnia. Yeah. But they're also the better side. Yeah. And now you enter the stage where there are better teams out there that have the fight with you as well. Well, maybe, unfortunately, for the U.S., this year it's shown that they are essentially frontrunners. And as we look at the last day they're in here, some of the teams have made it into the quarterfinal. They've made it through means, which aren't just good football.

25:07Look at the way France had to play against Paraguay. Look at the way that England had to go and play against Mexico You know these are even Switzerland playing against like a really like tough robust like Colombia side This is the side where all of a sudden it's more than just playing nice football It's more than just being the best because everybody is good So how much fight how much heart do you have the US team? Unfortunately for them on this occasion to show that it didn't have enough. Yes, they made those mistakes But when you then arrive for the first time in the tournament as a sort of slight underdog, you show the character to be able to win that sort of game and instead they were rolled over.

25:41I was left with the feeling and I don't know if you guys would agree, but that they got punched in the face and instead of punching back the reaction was don't punch me again and they backed away from it and that honestly, and it wasn't just one player. It was throughout the field. You saw you got that sort of sense and And no better example of that than Christian Pulisic just walking off the field as he is, quote unquote, injured. I suppose he is. But it was just a bad look to see your flag bearer, the face of everything that has been U.S. soccer leading into this World Cup. And during the World Cup, walking off the field as the team is struggling and they're losing in a knockout state match.

26:20It just wasn't a good look for anybody.

26:22Dan Thomas:So we asked the other day, Ali, should U.S. soccer want Mauricio Pochettino to stay on? Yeah, I think he should. I think he's done really well. I think if you change the coaching staff again, I just think that that is going to ruffle too many feathers. I think he should stay in the position and continue the work that he's already done and give him that chance. I do believe that he should stay in church. Why do you believe that? I think it would disrupt a little bit too much if we look for a new coach already. Sorry to interrupt. From my perspective now, I need to learn this from you. but what are the objectives of the U.S.

27:00men's national team? Because things like the Gold Cup and so on, surely they'll be heavily favored to win that type of thing anyway. So if they're going to be judged based on it. Which they don't always do, by the way. Yeah, heavily favored to. But if they're to be judged essentially by how they perform at World Cups, then is Pochettino going to be the right guy for four years' time? Yeah, but also you're working with the personnel that's available to you. And as a coach, you are in the position that he's – I think he's a really tactical, smart, knowledgeable coach. I think he needs more time.

27:26But I also think that we have the personnel that, you know, we have. And I think this tournament, they did show well. They won the group. We can't forget that. We won our group. But now it's getting to that point of not just being a good team, being an elite team. How can you be an elite team? But I do think it will just ruffle too many feathers in getting rid of him.

27:48Dan Thomas:We have so much U.S. reaction over on our YouTube channel. Make sure to check it out. Sure, it's all positive. If you'd like more of that. Please subscribe while you're there. And it is that time where we send our panelists over to touch screens because Racketology returns to ESPN FC. Is Alec Grieger going to participate in this? Yes. Today I'll even get involved myself. I need a recovery. Okay, Nadim. What have you got for us? Okay, so if this doesn't go well, it's because I'm lacking match practice. I've had some time back in England not focusing on the football, but I'm going to start here, France, Morocco.

28:26and I think for this game, I can't help but see France getting their way through, but I think this will probably be the tie of the round. And meeting France in that or the semi-final, I'm going to go with the rankings. I think it has to be Spain. Belgium, they've had a great run. They did really well, obviously, against the USA, but I think that's going to be that semi-final. Then this one, hold on a second. Is my bias about to come out? Yes, it is. So I'm going for England, beating Norway in what will be a tough game for England. because not least of all, because these players, they know each other, play against each other throughout the season.

28:59And then on the other side, I can hear, see all the Argentinians saying, of course it's Argentina. And I think they're going to be right. Like, I'm not really someone that believes in FIFA too much, but I think they've stumbled upon the 1, 2, 3, 4 in terms of rankings and getting these teams into the final four. And then from here, it's going to happen. Can I get through this or what? It's going to be France. It's going to be France. I think Spain aren't dynamic enough to be able to beat France in my opinion. And then on this side of things, I think we're going to set up a final that we haven't seen before.

29:34Mmm. France in the final. Yep, clearly I've been to England recently. Ay, mama. And then, do you know what? Ay, mama. Do you know what? Ay. Do you know what? Ay. No. Oh. Oh, it's coming home. It's coming home. Oh, boy. And I'll see you guys there. All right. We'll see, yeah. What do you think about that?

29:53Dan Thomas:You're at the parade? Yeah, I will definitely be at the parade. Don't even worry about that. It's as if Nadam's been back in the UK, soaking off all the atmosphere with the England fans, isn't it? France and Morocco kicks off the quarterfinals tomorrow. We will preview that game next. Are all batteries the same? That's like asking if all soccer players are the same. Take Messi, the most decorated player ever. Is there any other player who has achieved that? No, just him. Now take Duracell. Is there any other battery with power boost ingredients inside? No, just Duracell. Remember, goats only trust goats because they're built different.

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31:10Check responses for accuracy.

31:12Dan Thomas:Boston Stadium sets the stage for France against Morocco tomorrow. A rematch of the 2022 semifinal in Qatar. Ahead of it, French World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf gave us his thoughts on Morocco's strengths. You have talent everywhere. Starting from Hakimi to that Boadi and to some others, the Saibari. I don't know if he will be on the field back, but they have talent everywhere and they have a real tactic. They know how to be patient. They know how to counterattack. So you have to respect them. I think France are better and should win. But if you don't respect Morocco, you're going to be surprised.

31:51Dan Thomas:Yes, and this is what we see when we look at France against Morocco. And what we've seen so far from the Morocco knocked out a co-host in Canada comfortably. They beat the Netherlands on penalties and they drew 1-1 with Brazil in their opening game. As for France, it had pretty much been plain sailing for them until they put the flair aside and had to show their feist against Paraguay. But Frank did mention Ashraf Hakimi and his importance for Morocco, and that's just what the boys are talking about over at the Sandbox today. Thank you, Kay. I want to focus on the role of Ashraf Hakimi and how important he is for Morocco and how important his role is going to be in terms of attacking and defending for Morocco.

32:35Everything that Morocco does in the attack seems to go down the right-hand side because Hakimi is not your typical right back. A typical right back would take this position as El Anaoui gets the ball. Instead, Hakimi, more times than not, he's already up here. He's already ahead of the ball. He's already ahead of Barcola, who would be the attacking player for France. He would be ahead of the attacking line of France. And so as El Anaoui finds him with the ball, let's assume that he's going to find him. Is he going to find him with the ball, Nathan? He's going to find him in the box. He's going to be patient.

33:06And now, Hakimi, because he's a guy that doesn't think defensively first, okay, I'm going to go. I'm going to combine. Here we go. All of that. He's going to do all of that. But in the meantime, Nathan, what's happening? Oh, what's happening with this space? Yes. What is indeed happening with that space? And when Hakimi is committed forward, then I'm concerned about the roles of Elanawi and Boadi. Are they coming across? is Diop coming across, are they recognizing that? Because if you want him to be your outlet, you have to have the discipline of this guy's covering here, or Diop covering here, and Ayla Naui tracking in this sort of space, and the other center back coming across, and Masraoui better not think that he's going anywhere, because he is going to have to come and defend.

33:50Now, you tell me, you're a center back, you see Hakimi, who is your playmaker, really, even if he is a right back, and he gets forward, what do you want the rest of the team to look like? I think this is a great point that you've made, Because you are right. Hakimi is the heartbeat of this team. He's been the heartbeat for Paris Saint-Germain as well. And to mention Paris Saint-Germain, somebody in Bradley Barcala is playing against his teammate. So he knows what his tendencies are. But so is the same for Hakimi. Does Hakimi know that he can play the same game that he's played throughout this tournament?

34:20Maybe not. Are France going to have more of the ball? Is it going to be a case of Morocco trying to get their foot down and sort of move the ball as well? You posed a really interesting question. But behind it, you're exactly right. From the Morocco standpoint, they have to be organized. if someone like Hakimi is going to be able to thrive in this game. Because if they don't, they'll be the same as every other team that France has come up against through this tournament so far, and they will get torn to pieces. But it's a brilliant match if it's a case of who will show their personality more. Well, and if indeed that's the case, and Hakimi doesn't get forward, then France have an advantage.

34:51But if Hakimi pushes forward, does that give the advantage still to France because they're spacing behind him in something that Morocco's going to have to figure out?

34:59Dan Thomas:Julian Leron joins the show now. He has time for us little people covering soccer, the world's most popular sport. The news is that he went on NBA today. Oh. Yeah. Well, we're glad to see you back with us. I see. That's nice. On the soccer coverage that the channel has to offer. Jules, what did you make, Jules, of their sandbox today looking at Morocco? Yeah, very good. Again, obviously, and they're right. I think that right-hand side, Hakimi especially, but also his relationship with Brahim Diaz on the right-hand side against Luka Ding, a left-back for France. And very likely, after tonight's training, Desiree Douai, a left wing, and not Bradley Barcolas, like we might have expected.

35:35I think it's one of the keys of the game, probably the biggest key of the game. If you can restrict the influence that Brahim Diaz and Hakimi will have on this Morocco attack, while exploiting the space that Hakimi might leave behind him by his movement and his runs forward, then I think the French will have a great chance in transition, really. So Nedim was right as well. There's a lot of players, there's five PhD players in this France team who all know Ashraf Hakimi so, so well. So I think the French will be prepared. I think they might have a plan against the Brahim Diaz, Ashraf Hakimi, link up on that right-hand side.

36:09Dan Thomas:Any team news to bring us, Jules? Yeah, so Dwayne is the starter. The other big news was that Chouameni was back at training with the team, which is very important. He missed the Paraguay game in the round of 16. He's not going to start tomorrow. I think it's a bit too early, but at least he's there on the pitch, which is not the same for Saibari from Morocco, who was not at training today, which means that he will miss the game. And that's a massive blow, I think, for Morocco not to have, arguably, the best forwards. Jules, thanks so much for being with us. Glad that you could make time for us here on ESPN FC.

36:44Dan Thomas:True professional, really. Always. We'll be hearing more from Jules, and you can do so throughout the tournament over on the Gavin Jules show. So these are the odds, as it stands right now, of who will be going on to win the World Cup. It is time to find out, though, if Ali Krieger agrees with the odds makers. Krieger. Yes. Big jump off the Ls4, isn't it? So here, France and Morocco, we'll start there. France, I think they have so much quality. And I think they're going to take this. Spain over Belgium. I think just control and the possession and the quality that they've shown, I think that'll be a win for them.

37:28England for sure. Holland can obviously affect any game. Thank you. Thank you. But England, they have different abilities and different tactics to win. So that will be them. Argentina, Switzerland will make it difficult for them. But I think ultimately with the messy magic and the mentality that they showed last game, they'll get through. Moving on here. This will probably be one of the best games of the tournament, but a complete team, I think, with France. And then their pace and transition, I think, is going to win. Here we go. Here we go. Here we go. I do think England's going to take this for the first time.

38:06For the first time and get through. And get through. So you're welcome to all the England fans. They'll do the right thing. And then finally... Here we go. I do think France is going to win again. I know. I'm sorry, Natum and Kay. But that is my decision. The quality, the talent, I think they're unmatched. And more importantly, you got through this without going back and forth. So there you go.

38:29Dan Thomas:Yeah, you guys were actually kind to someone on the bracket for once. We've got the most memorable moments coming off. When we do return, there have been many of them, and the World Cup's not done yet. The panel will give you their takes when we return.

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39:19Dan Thomas:The stories are true. The story has just begun. From Disney. Moana of Motunui, daughter of the chief. Let's say farewell. Ready? It's Maui time. I'm gonna eat whatever that is. His name is Heihei. Boat's not. Disney's Moana. In Theatres Friday, rated PG. For rental guidance suggested, get tickets now. On and off the pitch, there have been some brilliant moments so far in World Cup 2026. But what have the panel made of it all? And what stood out to us most from what we've seen up until this stage? We are about to make our picks for the most memorable moments of the World Cup so far. And Julian Leron is groveling.

40:04Dan Thomas:He's decided to come back and join us. All right. Here he is. Might as well start with you then, Jules. what have you liked so far? I mean, they've been great moments. I think it's a great World Cup anyway. The best moment for me that I've seen being in the stadium has to be the Mikel Olisse scissor kick against Sweden, where I just, I think it was a moment of genius, and I know he hit the post and he didn't go in. But for him to do that then, at that time, in the position where the ball was coming from and where he was on the edge of the box, was very special. I think I said Sweden, it was Norway, sorry It was just incredible The creativity, I think his whole World Cup Has been very special But that moment, especially if that ball had gone in Would have been fantastic So that moment for me And then being here when the Knicks won the NBA title This is ESPNFC, it's not NBA today This is ESPNFC Making my debut on NBA today I love you guys but that was special.

41:09Jules said, this is my memorable moment and I just don't remember who France was playing against. That's how memorable it was.

41:16Dan Thomas:His head's full of basketball. That's the problem. Ali Krieger, who have you got? What have you got? So I have three. I think I have Norway when they beat Brazil. That was incredible. The second one was Messi's emotion and him being so overjoyed with that but just overwhelmed in the best way. And then the third, I think, was Tillman's free kick when the U.S. were a man down. Playing against Bosnia and Herzegovina. That will stick in my mind for a long time because the U.S. were down on them for a long time. And they were able to come back and even score a second goal. So those three were probably my favorite.

41:49That one didn't last too long, by the way. That didn't last long. But you know what? We're going to just hype that up for the moment. What if you call Ale? Oh, for me, and I don't think it's close, is seeing what was close to the end for Lionel Messi. And him knowing that it was close to the end. And him knowing that his team was about to be bounced out of the World Cup. And part of the storyline would have been, a big part of the storyline would have been him missing a penalty. He was affected like no other. And yet, when this team needed him the most, he found something from somewhere, deep within his soul, to continue to push this team forward.

42:31and what we saw from him was an explosion of the emotion of this could have been over it's not over we could have lost we somehow won I was in the middle of it and I can't explain why I'm crying so much but this is how much it means to me to see that from somebody who has nothing to prove to anybody that is what the game is all about yeah so just a couple of things from me and I'll start with the point that you've made there and it's the tears of Messi the tears of Ronaldo the tears of Neymar and these are people who have inspired generations through their play across so many years but for a couple of those this is the end and these people who we almost feel is superhuman you see that human side to it now because they know they'll never get the chance to live that dream anymore whereas at a point you know they get used to it they do this it's normal it's the World Cup it's the club side it's success like everybody sees the end at some point so to see that humanity come out from them but then the other side and this is very much I think one of the best games in the tournament was when Mexico played against England in Mexico City and being in England the reactions in terms of or the ideas in terms of how difficult it's going to be and the fact it was 40 years since the game where Diego Maradona scores with his hand the hand of God the greatest goal of the century as well and England to be able to go there and not dominate the game but find a way to win it and Mexico to perform not to their absolute best but make England suffer.

43:54The game was at two in the morning and I was watching it feeling like I couldn't fall asleep. The game was incredible. Well, I think from an England. Well, thank you. Thank you, Nathan. That your memorable moment is because you did not go to sleep. Thank you. Listen, I wanted to be asleep, but it's one of the best games at a tournament. And I think for me, yeah, that and seeing the tears in the end for so many players, it stands out for me.

44:15Dan Thomas:Mine's from that game, but it's a viral moment because social media has been brilliant. Hang on a second. You know what it is. It's Javier Aguirre asking Jude Bellingham for his shirt for his father-in-law and then telling Anthony Gordon where he can go basically it's it's brilliant it's so wonderful it's such a great moment Anthony Gordon laughs along with it and every time I see it on my feed I can't skip it do you know I thought you're going to say Jordan Henderson who got a yellow card and broke his arm yeah I'm not going to be that mean I'm not going to be that mean yeah that's the thing making us Jules, we will let you go now.

44:51Dan Thomas:We know that you've got lots of people to go and be mixing and rubbing shoulders with. Basketball season is over, Jules. Summer league. They have nowhere else to go on the show. But you can catch Jules on the Gab and Jules show. Wherever you do get your podcasts and over on our YouTube channel as well. And I'm worried now because I haven't practiced over on the predictions board and yet I find myself here. Easy. Finally, doing your job. All right. Do I press the top? Yeah, sure, go ahead. Just tap and wave. Feel it. Tap and wave. All right. Here we go. Here we go. Okay, thank you for the analysis.

45:27Thank you, yeah, okay.

45:28Dan Thomas:France, the favourites. It's had to pass them right now. We've not only seen their flair, we've seen their feist and their fight too. Okay. They're going to show more of it, I'm sure, against Morocco. And Spain seem to be growing into it, so they're going to join them. Oh, there we go. That's it. That's the charm. That's it. Obviously, I'm going to go. I support you. England here. How dare you. Great job. Never in doubt. Did you just do prayer hands? Yeah, I know it was a thank you to Ali Kreen, but not to you. Okay. I got you back. It just seems inevitable right now with Argentina. And you're going to dance as well?

46:03Dan Thomas:That's nice. Yeah, now this. Yes, yes, sure. Woo, look at that. Easy. All right. Easy. Amazing. It's a tough part now. It's a tough part now. Yeah, the country I used to live in and gave me so much, Spain. And you're going to reject them? Yeah, because I don't feel that they've been given as much as I expected of them during this World Cup. I said they were building into the tournament a second ago. Yeah. They're not building enough. They're not fighting off when it comes up, the France and crew. All right. Goodbye, hand of God, as we keep talking about it. Hello, England, and yet another final.

46:36A bit further. Was that a bad omen?

46:39Dan Thomas:No, no. Yep. Here we go. Do the right thing. Do the right thing. Do the right thing. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Oh. Yeah. There's a lot of England. There's a lot of England. Had to be. Had to be. Okay. So there you go. Ale Moreno, on your birthday, I finally made a prediction. Make sure to go in the team tomorrow. The morning show will be back. Kevin Egan will be in the hot seat at 9 a.m. Eastern on ESPN News.

47:12Dan Thomas:NWSL action coming up on Sunday. A big derby between Seattle and Portland. and be sure to catch it 4 p.m. Eastern on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. But it is time now for the birthday boy to take to the predictions part. What could possibly go wrong? Okay, we'll start here with best team in the tournament. We'll advance. We'll go in the semifinals. Spain has been my pick all along. They will continue to be my pick. Oh, you've changed. Okay, all right. You've changed.

47:47Fine. Yeah, I got chocolate today from. Fine.

47:50Dan Thomas:Fine. Argentina. Argentina. Okay, we move along. Come on now. You know me. Yeah, of course. Stick with your team. Yeah, back your team. You know what? Yes, I do. The one team that can get the ball away from France and keep the ball away from France. And I'm stubborn. I'm going with Spain. Spain. I got chocolate for the last round, didn't get chocolate for this round. Argentina. Argentina. And Argentina gets to our final with Messi. They don't lose, do they? Yes, they do. Because my, uh-oh, let's go this way. Almost. España. It was my pick to begin with. I'm riding with Spain because if for no other reason, I am, as my wife likes to tell me all the time, stubborn.

48:36Dan Thomas:I don't believe that, though, because for me, when I think of Alejandro Moreno on this panel. I think of sunshine. Yes. Light. Aha. Airiness. Brightness. Is it mentirosa? Is that the word? No. Definitely not that happiness. And in fact, if you don't believe me, you can listen to the man himself. In his own words, this is what Ali Moreno is. As you know, Alexis, I'm a beacon of positivity. It worked in that play. Apparently, Xhaka is not buying it. Because all those followers, whatever, they're all going to disappear after this World Cup is over. But I'm a beacon of positivity, and I will tell you it's an outstanding performance from Curacao.

49:13You feel like all of that pre-tournament negativity is gone? Well, it wasn't coming from me. I'm a beacon of positivity, Alexis. You truly are, Alexis. And if indeed there's a reason to get excited, then why tell people to be miserable? That's not what I do. I'm a beacon of positivity. So, yeah, be happy and be excited and get on the bandwagon. Believe in something.

49:33Dan Thomas:A beacon of positivity, and so we gave you a lighthouse. Oh! Happy birthday, Ale! Happy birthday to you! I don't know what to do here. Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you, Ale! Happy birthday to you! You know, I honestly thought that our producer hated me. Well, maybe. But he doesn't! He loves me! You haven't tasted it yet. He doesn't love me. He loves me. Let's see if he makes tomorrow's show. All you that I lost that see, follow the light. The beacon of positivity, Ale Moreno on his birthday. You're welcome. I'll be back tomorrow. See you then.

50:25Dan Thomas:Welcome into the latest edition of Extra Time. Forgot about this bit. Yeah, that's a bit funny. I thought we were good. I know, I thought we were good. As you can see it is Alejandro Moreno's birthday and given that he is a beacon of positivity I don't even know where to start I think that the beacon is edible. I don't I feel very uncomfortable Hanging on holding that right now You do you Ale You don't want it to all come collapsing down by ruining the foundation This is hard work. This is hard work here. I don't even know what to do here. While he gets through that, let's get through your questions.

51:06This is beautiful. Let me tell you what. Costa Carifides, usually I give you a hard time, and rightfully so. But this is gorgeous. I don't know what you did. This is amazing. Let's take a picture of it first. Oh, Mike Rodriguez. Yes, Mike Rodriguez. You know, Mike, he loves me. I know Mike loves me.

51:24Dan Thomas:He even made a call to check that we got the whole memo. Man, this is something special. You guys, you know what? You touch my heart. Not many people do. You touch my heart today. Mike Rodriguez, you touch my heart today. All right. Costa Caripides. Costa Caripides. Costa, oh, man. Okay. First question. How do I cut this? Does Big Dan Byrne start for England on Saturday? He has a phenomenal record against Haaland in the Premier League. What? Does he? Was he not playing for Newcastle last year when he lost five out of six times against City? Did you not hear Adrian on the show the other day said the Mexican journalists were intrigued by Dan Byrne?

52:03Dan Thomas:They weren't very familiar with him, not watching a lot of Premier League, the ones who he was speaking to anyway, and they were like, who is this giraffe? Giraffe is fair. We think somewhere between you can call him giraffe, call him a tree, but I don't think he's going to be playing, to be honest. And it's going to be really interesting, actually, this game because Harland is so familiar with so many of those players. That's a generous helping, that is. That's your nod. World Cup champion, Ali Kriker. Two times. Two times, no? Two times. Two times. Two slices. Thank you. Look at this. Do you want a piece or are you...

52:33We're technically working. Your points on your points.

52:35Dan Thomas:I'll fit it in my macros today just for you, Ali. We're technically working. All right? I don't know. I don't, you know. You get a little sensitive about that. I didn't think he was going to get a game. Happy birthday. But for him to come on in that stadium. Oh, we're still analysing? Fair play to him. He's going to remember that forever. But he's not good. But you don't want him starting. I think he's probably played his last minutes, in my opinion. Ali and Nadem as defenders do you think that Reem should have been able to clear that ball that Rhys mishandled on Belgium's third goal you think right in there so I do know Tim I have played against him a lot I have spoken to him a lot and I'm not going to say anything else past this point I'm going to go to Ali Krieg it'll end up with Ali Moreno answering this one won't it Ali Krieg would you have anything to add here thank you Yeah, I think that's a toughie.

53:23But yeah, I do think he should have been able to clear that ball. That's not a toughie. The answer is yes, he should have cleared that ball. I also think that Fries mishandled that massively. And I don't think that's uncharacteristic of both of them. So in the moment, you should never let the ball bounce. I think Fries, despite the fact that Reem missed it or not, I think Fries should have just handled that before that even got to that point. Yeah, he knows he should have done it. And I think what makes it worse in fact, so Herc has been quite strong about him getting dunked on by the That's yes.

53:56Yeah, I think that's really really tough because as a defender when you are moving backwards It's very hard to also be jumping off with say that he was moving backwards. He's like leg. It was just sometimes You just hope that they miss That's Larry was not having any of that on the day.

54:10Dan Thomas:No For Miss Krieger too early prediction who wins next year's women's World Cup Golden Boot Wow Yeah, a member of Triple Expresso or someone else? Yeah, great question. I do think Sofia Wilson has been unbelievable, even getting back from maternity leave and back to the level that she was before, even better. I do think that if we go far in the tournament, which I believe we're going to win, that she will get the golden boot. She's our number nine now, and she's been playing brilliantly, so I think she could have a great chance. Do you know what a mukbang is? Yes. Is this what we're doing now?

54:50Dan Thomas:A little bit, yes. I find it very hard to look past Spain. So I think one of their players, I think, not that the question is for me, but Paraguelo in recent months has looked exceptional. You're a big enthusiast of women's football. Absolutely, yeah. And Paraguelo has looked incredible, so she's come back from her ACO. So if Spain keep her and those other players fit, I think she's going to have a big say in that. OK. Ale, if Brazil had gone into this World Cup without Neymar and Portugal without Cristiano, do you think either team would have gone further, done worse, or finished in exactly the same place?

55:23Dan Thomas:Were they still helping their teams or were they holding back the tactical evolution? For both. And I think the same answer applies. 100 % they would have gone further. For both. In the case of Brazil and Neymar, Neymar, when he came on the field against Norway, he conditioned everything about Brazil's attack, where players who had been effective over the course of the match creating chances, Vinny Jr., were yielding to Neymar to be the one to create for them. That happens because it is Neymar, and these guys, they respect him, they look up to him, but quite frankly, this guy cannot do the job that he once did.

56:03As for Cristiano Ronaldo, I have no doubt whatsoever that Portugal would advance further in this competition had Roberto Martinez made the only decision that he needed to make, and that is have Cristiano Ronaldo start on the bench. It does Cristiano Ronaldo a favor. Have Gonzalo Ramos run Defenders' racket for 75, 80 minutes, and then you have Ronaldo come off the bench if you so desire, if you need him to, so that he can have some sort of change of pace, fresher legs against tired legs. He never chose to do that. If it were up to me, I would not have brought either Neymar nor Ronaldo to the World Cup, And I would lean heavily on the talent around Cristiano Ronaldo, who we can all agree is among the most talented teams in Europe, in Portugal.

56:46So both, in both circumstances, I think they would have been better off without Neymar and without Cristiano Ronaldo.

56:54Dan Thomas:OK, next question. Ale, what do you think? I'm trying to do my cake here. What do you think of your all-time favorite player and GOATS performance in this World Cup? Lukaku. Well, first of all, not my all-time favorite. Can you give us a Lukaku, though? Lukaku? That, for people that do not know, that comes from Stevie Nichol. Every time he mentioned Lukaku or somebody brought up Lukaku as a potential game-changer, he would say, Lukaku! And so I've taken it on from there. I think he has been better than people would have expected. But you see his role? What he has for Belgium? That should have been the role for Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal.

57:35That role in which you can come off the bench and do something productive for your team, but not be the difference maker that carries the whole team. So far, Rudy Garcia has gotten that right. Okay.

57:47Dan Thomas:Ale, it's all for you. They just don't want you to have your game. I'm trying. Ale, looking at how brilliantly individuals like Bellingham, Vinny and Mbappe have fared in this tournament, would any team in the world be able to stop them if they ever got the chance to play together at club level? Doc, we've seen this before. Okay. Three superstars? Yeah, three superstars. If you separate their performances in the World Cup and you see Mbappe playing for France and you see Vini for Brazil and then particularly Jude Bellingham against Mexico and Mexico, you go, what? What? Why is this not happening regularly for the club team?

58:28If I were a Real Madrid fan, I'd be asking that question. And so it has to be said that at some point the players have to shoulder some of this responsibility in that Juve Belgen can be the guy that he was from Mexico for Real Madrid. And Vinny Jr. can be the guy that he was from Brazil. And Kylian Mbappe can be the guy for France. If all of that came together, it would seem unthinkable that this team would be stoppable. And yet, for whatever reason, they cannot get out of their own way because of egos, because of their brands, because of who they are, what they are, what they represent. How about you just go back to playing the game when you were young?

59:08Go back to playing the game when you enjoyed it and what made you a good player instead of what is it that you have become far too good for this or far too good to defend here or far too good to chase down there. Now, go back to basics. Go back to what made you a good player to begin with. They do that. Real Madrid will be fine. Good luck, though.

59:27Dan Thomas:Do you want to wait in on that one, Nadeem? No, it's fascinating. I just want him to have another question. Can you give him another one? No, no, no, please. Can you please? We're done with questions now. We actually can finish our cake. Thank you so much for sending in your questions today. Thank you. Thank you, everybody, that was involved with this. Thank you to the three of you. This has been a very nice celebration. And I, honestly, it's a good group to share this with. It's good to be back. Happy birthday. Great. Happy birthday, Ale. Thank you. It's a great cake, too. It is a great cake.

59:55You're welcome, America. You're welcome.

1:00:00Dan Thomas:See you tomorrow.

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