Portugal Escape Croatian Comeback

23:06That they are going to be the team who is going to try to propose more. but they will have to take care with the loss of the ball they can have because Portugal is what they did on the final of the National League so I think it's going to be a very tight match but I think Spain is favourite I like more the way Spain plays but let's see you never know in a kind of match like this Poor Cristiano catching strays Mario saying he doesn't even move at all Anyways Don what did you make of this matchup? Spain favourites for this one? I think so but I have in truth since I've been here flip-flopped big time between the two because we're still waiting to see the best.

23:42Since you've been here, you flip-flop? Since you've been here? That's 10 years. No, because I think I'm guilty when I look at Portugal as looking at the players that are on paper. And I'm waiting for that midfield to catch fire. Yeah. Because I do genuinely think it's the best midfield three. But I think with Spain, there's more harmony. There's more belief. There's loads of quality. We touched on the numbers before. They don't concede any goals. They're prolific up front. They can't take the ball away from me at any given time. So I'm going to lean towards Spain. Going to lean towards Spain. All right.

24:09Mario Suarez, thank you so much for hanging out with us. Marito, we will catch up with you again soon. Ciao, Mario. Ciao, Marito. Bye. He's a happy boy. Anyway, speaking of a happy boy, Lionel Messi in Argentina in action later on, plus Australia. Can the Socceroos go one more? We'll talk about them next.

24:39Turn it up. Storm has zero sugar and 200 milligrams of caffeine, so you can turn that workout up a notch. Good energy in, good energy out. Energy for life. When you're 7-Eleven's hottest fire chicken sandwich, people think you're intense. Well, yeah, I'm hot! Oh, yeah, intense. Want to see if you can handle the heat? Then try me. With pickles or spicy mayo and jalapenos. Oh, and it's all just$4.99. That's a deal almost as hot as I am. Almost? Sweet? No. Spicy? See for yourself. $4.99 and only at 7-Eleven. Followed through 825-26. Participating stores only while supplies last. Visit store for full terms.

25:26Help people affected by the Venezuela earthquakes. Your donation through redcross.com slash ESPN enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to, and help people recover from this disaster.

25:43Let's talk Argentina right now because they are in action against the sweethearts of the tournament. Cabo Verde, who have already exceeded all expectations, there's a look at how they did in the group stages to make it to the round of 32, and now they face off today. But it doesn't get bigger than Lionel Messi for talking headlines heading into this one because we talk about how Spain may have had an over-reliance on Lamin-Yemal, whether Portugal's relying on Cristiano Ronaldo for magic. But one person, Ale, who consistently delivers is still Lionel Messi. And this one, we could argue, is probably the easier of the round of 32 matchups for the world champions.

26:21How dare you? I mean, respect to Cabo Verde. The disrespect of Cape Verde. They do have Bozinha in goal, though. Well. The Great Wall. It's inconceivable that Argentina doesn't advance past Cape Verde. I cannot begin to tell you the historical ramifications that this will have. We've seen some wild things happen, though. You just said that Bocinia's not stopping Lionel Messi, and now you're trying to bring the possibility that it could happen? He's a great one. You've got to pick a side. Either you're making the case for Cape Verde or you're not. I'm not going to make a case for Cape Verde. This is about Argentina.

26:57And if you look at the bracket on Argentina's side, it's looking wide open for them. No offense to Kay Verde today and the opposition that is about to come up next, which is Egypt or Australia. On paper, Argentina, looking at these matchups, would be more than happy that these are the teams that they're playing against. And I believe that Argentina is far too much for Kay Verde and Lionel Messi is far too much for Rosinha. I don't think that's a hot take. That's not a hot take, Ali. We agree with you. That's why you're the pro. Well, Lionel Messi, of course, as you know, is involved in quite the golden boot race with Kylian Mbappe level on goals right now.

27:31But this is a game, Don, with all due respect to Bozzini and Cabo Vergi, where he can try and put some distance between him and Mbappe. 100%. And that's exactly what he will be thinking. And I love the way, I mean, take this whichever way you want, but I like the way Scaloni manages Messi. And in the last game, he rested him. So he would have had the conversation. Messi would have okayed it. He's still the top man there. But I love the fact when you watch Argentina, it's a side that's built for Messi. And it's a side if Messi's not scoring with Julian Alvarez and Natada Martinez. There's goals in this team, there's firepower.

28:03So I look at them and Messi's golden boot. I will still die on the Maradona Hill, the best player that's ever played the game. But if he went back-to-back World Cups, I'd seriously have to reconsider. Yeah, absolutely brilliant stuff that we've been seeing from Lionel Messi. Ali, you just expect him to kind of pick up where he left off? Yeah, absolutely. I think he's going to definitely dictate the match. I think Argentina is proving to be the best team in the world. But either way, I think Cape Verde needs to be proud of the way that they've been performing in this tournament. I think either way, if they do lose, they're still going to think of it as a win because they have gotten to the stage of the tournament.

28:41And they've made their country proud. They made themselves proud. They made their team proud. and I think this has been a Cinderella story of the tournament and a small nation to get this far has been unbelievable. So congrats to them either way, but obviously it's Argentina and it's Messi. It's Argentina and it's Messi. It's an inspirational story. Yeah. But the dream is going to come to an end. And I think they'll be happy. This tournament has already been a success. Absolutely. It's the first thing I say, inspirational story. And a lot of our countries could take examples from Cape Verde. Yep.

29:14Jamaica, Venezuela. Scotland. Ali doesn't know what it's like to be an underdog as a two-time world champion. Scotland been shoehorned into this. That's supporting Scotland. I think they should approach this match, not K-Virte as the players, because they're going to go out and try to do the best they can to make this happen. But those that support K-Virte understanding that, man, this is being such a ride already. Yeah. If the miracle were to happen, then we're having a completely different conversation. But they've already won the World Cup, in my estimation, KVR has. Getting to where they've gotten, I think they have opened eyes and they have summoned respect from people that didn't even know where KVR was on the map.

29:58That is very true indeed. And as an underdog, that's all we ask for, a little bit of respect. We just want to be seen. We just want to be seen. We just want to be heard. All right, well, Australia and Egypt know what it's like to be seen and heard, but maybe Australia, slight underdogs going into this one as well. This is a look at how both Australia and Egypt made their way into the round of 32, and they're going to be facing off in just a few hours on a very, very hot day. And someone who is used to very, very hot days is our Joey Lynch, who is standing there getting ready to watch the Socceroos in action.

30:31Joey, what's the vibe heading into this one? And I know the Aussies always bring the good vibes and the roost fighting spirit. But do you feel they're underdogs heading into this one?

30:44I think they definitely are underdogs heading into this one. You have to pay respect to the pedigree that Egypt brings to this game. Maybe not so much at a World Cup level, but certainly on the African continent, their exploits in AFCON over the years. But I would also say the vibes are indeed very high here in Dallas. Egyptian fans walking around, Australian fans walking around, witnessed a large cohort of Aussie fans cross the road with chants of we're going to Walmart before hitting up their pre-drinks and then Iggy Azalea joining them for a shooey. So the vibes are certainly high amongst the Australian fans in the Lone Star State.

31:20Absolutely brilliant stuff there. I mean, you expect the Aussies to bring the good vibes, don't you, Don? 100%, 100%. And I want to see the best version of Australia. You know, it's codependent on when you watch Egypt play, if Mo Salah's fit and Mahmoud is fit. They're a decent side, as Joey said. But Aussies, whatever sport they take part in, they commit 100%. That's exactly what they're going to do today. Can I ask Joey a question? Of course. What does Australia have to do today, in your estimation, Joey, in order to win this match against Egypt?

31:53I think the most important thing for the Australians to do will be to keep the Egyptians in front of them we saw the only game where they've conceded at this World Cup against the United States the United States was able to get in behind the Australian backline and that's where the trouble arose whereas if you look at the games against Turquia and Paraguay where the Socceroos kept a clean sheet they were able to keep the action in front of them and ensure that they could scramble numbers behind the ball get in front of shots and block shots. I think this Socceroos side is one that even when they don't have the ball, they're very capable of being comfortable.

32:27They'll set up, they'll get in their shape. They're more than happy for you to knock the ball around in front of them. It's when you attack them that they'll try to step up, block you off and then ping the ball forward to some of their real difference makers in attack, such as Nestria Nkunda, Mohamed Toure, Christian Volpado. So I think it doesn't really matter if the Socceroos do or do not have the ball. It's whether they're able to dictate terms of the general tempo and flow of the game, regardless of that. And Joey, just a final one, because of course, we know that we're still waiting to see the fitness of Mo Salah as he recovered from a hamstring injury.

33:00We know that even though he's not the Mo Salah that we saw a year ago, he still can be a threat, especially when he's playing for his country. Is he someone that the Socceroos will be planning for to target from the start if he does start? Or what would the game plan be?

33:17I think certainly the Socceroos, the coaching staff of Tony Popovich, they're known for their exhaustive attention to detail. So they'll have come up with game plans for if he doesn't feature at all, if he starts, if he comes off the bench, they'll be prepared. They'll be prepared for him, Marmouche, Trezeguet. And when you look at that Australian backline, it really is the strength of this side. Lucas Harrington, reported Barcelona target. Ale Cercati, target of PSG and Atletico Madrid. Harry Sutar, who turns into one of the world's best defenders every four years. He misses a year with injury, comes back for the World Cup and dominates.

33:51So they'll certainly fancy their chances against the Egyptians of keeping them out. But they will have to play, as Tony Popovich acknowledged, the best game of their World Cup to make it through to the round of 16. Joey Lynch, thank you so much for hanging out with us. I know that as an Aussie, you do love the heat, but you do look very hot, so we're going to let you go inside and get some air conditioning.

34:13All right, Joey there. Good-looking guy. I don't know if a hot, good-looking guy. Great hair, right? As Aussies do have. They do have, like, a natural swagger. Anyways, if Australia can get that natural swagger to one-up Egypt, they will go into the round of 16, and look who would await them. Am I the winner of Cabo Verde against Argentina? But I think we can pretty much put our money on Argentina safely, right? 100%. 100%. All right. Well, this, of course, as we said, Ali, what are you expecting from this game? I think that Australia is very disciplined and organized. I think they're very physical.

34:52But I do think Egypt has enough in their attack, the quality that they have, to be able to capitalize on those mistakes. and it is an intriguing matchup. And if Salah can play and impact the game, then I do think Egypt can win. I mean, last World Cup, we did see the Socceroos take the game to Argentina. They frustrated them until a moment of messy magic, of course, Ale. And the truth is, Egypt, as Joey was pointing out, you know, when you look at the individual talent that they have, you expect big things, but at least at this level, they haven't quite gone as far as many expect them to. I think what Australia can do against Egypt today is in an effort to frustrate them by being organized, it may just force Egypt to get disorganized.

35:36And if indeed that happens, then Australia will thrive. Australia are going to do what they do. They're not going to change for anybody. It's how they play. Even when they feel as favorites, they're still going to wait for you. They're not a back and forth sort of team. And Egypt is going to have to show some discipline. is going to have to show some patience as well in the attack. And if they don't, and Australia are able to force a turnover in a bad area, and you get Inancunda running, now Australia are cooking. And that's when I think they're going to be at their best. Again, that patience for Egypt and whether they get disorganized is going to be the key for them.

36:11I think Australia is going to frustrate them. Ever see a kangaroo fight a pharaoh? Nope. Well, in a couple of hours, we will. We'll see who comes out on something. I thought you were going to show me a video or something. No, we'll do it. Probably after, after the game. I'm sure we'll see a couple of them dressed up in the crowd, right? Okay. No fights. Just love, guys. Just love. All right, we're going to take another quick break, but when we come back, the Swiss get to their first knockout win in almost 90 years. We'll look at them next.

36:43So good, so good, so good. New summer arrivals are at Nordstrom Rack stores now. Get ready to save big with up to 60 % off brands like Rag & Bone, Levi's, Adidas, and free people. Join the Nordy Club to unlock exclusive discounts, shop new arrivals first, and more. Plus, buy online and pick up at your favorite rack store for free. Great brands, great prices. That's why you rack. Get business done with the new American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited card. With unlimited 2 % cash back on all eligible purchases. Unlimited 5 % cash back on flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel Online.

37:23and a flexible spending capacity that can grow with your business, you'll have the confidence to keep building. Apply today and earn a welcome offer of$1 ,500 cash back after you spend$50 ,000 in qualifying purchases on your new card within the first six months of card membership. Terms apply. Learn more at go.amex.com.

37:43Welcome back. It was a great night for the Swiss against Algeria. A 2-0 win is all they needed to book their spot in the next round. goals from Mbola and enjoy absolutely seal the deal for the Swiss who like I said are returning or just getting their first World Cup knockout win in almost 90 years. Long time that none of us will know about that age though but I know we're going to talk about the goal scorers but Don you want to talk about one specific player and that's Manzambi. If you're Newcastle United I knew it. Get the boy signed because he was outrageous last night. You know there's a whirl outside of Newcastle.

38:21I know. I know, but not big. No, no, no, but we've been linked big time. Wherever we get gazump and someone goes in there bigger and nicks him, the kid looks a player. And his performances now have just proven all of that. Got goals, he's got energy, his assist. Yesterday was off the charts. I like this Swiss side because the spine of their side were Koblen gold and Akanji, Granat Xhaka, Mbolo, and then Manzambi running off him. I think they look a dangerous side. As Stevie Nicholls said, you don't want to face a Swiss. You don't want to face It's a Swiss. Great chocolate, though, but tough players to beat.

38:51Ale, what did you make of Switzerland? Because they've kind of been flying under the radar. That's a great cutting-edge analysis from you on the chocolate. I mean, great chocolate from Switzerland, for sure. And that's important. Very important. Sorry, Belgium. I thought that they made this game look easier than I thought it would be for them. Yeah. There, I say, efficient from the Swiss. Clockwork. Yeah, clockwork. Swiss clockwork. Absolutely. And I didn't think that that was going to be the case because they haven't been efficient and effective clockwork throughout the tournament. I thought Algeria, because sometimes they go off script and they're able to provide some things offensively that don't seem to be very structured, would somehow exploit some of those things against Switzerland.

39:42But that was not the case at all. Yeah. So we're very organized. And because of their organization, I think they overwhelm Algeria. They forced turnovers. And when they went on the attack, Manzambi was really good. And Bolo finishes his chance. And then it felt like after that, there was a desperation from Algeria that didn't lead to urgency in the way that they played led to mistakes. And the Swiss were just more than happy to say, yeah, you continue to mess up. We'll sit right here. We're going nowhere. We're in no rush. They made it to nothing. Game set match. Yep. Like clockwork, as the boys said, I, funnily enough, did have Algeria winning this one.

40:19But I think Algeria underwhelmed in this game when it mattered. Ali, did Switzerland give the rest of the team something to think about? Yeah, I think so. I think they could be, you know, favorites. And what? It's been 88 years since they won a knockout game. So they should be really proud to get to this point. But I do think at the very beginning that Algeria did have good possession. They were connecting. They were sharing the ball really well. And then, yeah, Switzerland just capitalized on the mistakes. And when you finish your chances, you might only get two. And in games like these, they matter when you put them away.

40:49And that was a difference. The issue for Switzerland, as you look into the future in this tournament, in the crossover matchups, eventually they're going to meet up, we think, with Colombia. And Colombia plays with a different speed. Yes. And they play with a different purpose. I think they're going to speed things up for Switzerland. and if you speed up things against Switzerland, then I think you can do some things to hurt them. We saw in the group stage that they can be vulnerable if indeed you speed the game up. If you allow Granit Xhaka to control the pace of the game, then they're going to be all right.

41:20But I just don't feel that you're able to do that against Colombia, assuming that Colombia advances past Ghana. Yep, that's the game that we're looking at later on. Colombia up against Ghana. Two amazing fan bases. It's going to be sad to bid one of them farewell, but you almost feel like wherever Colombia go, they do have a way of making it feel like they are right at home. This is a fascinating contest or could be done. How do you see this going? I think it depends on how Garner approached the game. If they want to be defensively solid, if they want to stay in shape, if they want to try and make Colombia suffer, they might get some joy.

41:51I just agree with Ali. I think when you watch Colombia play, they play with speed, intensity. They've got very, very good players that can hurt you. I think it'll be tight from going for Colombia. I'm sorry. Just to jump in. about Colombia is that they've been winning games and they won the group without having Luis Diaz play at his best just yet. That's still to come. And if it does show up, then Colombia becomes exponentially more dangerous. Ali, what do you like about this one? Colombia all the way. I think they've been so impressive. I loved watching their style, just the identity, the pace that they have.

42:25They've been so fun to watch and I'm learning a lot in those games. But you know, it's a tough matchup for me because I love Ghana as well. Yeah. And they've been enjoyable to watch. We can't love everybody, Ali. We can't love to give, Ali. I mean, well, there's a lot of love to give, but you've got to make a choice. Yeah, I know. I say Colombia, but I love watching good teams perform well. Ali said, Colombia all the way. But I do love Ghana. I do. The smile on the Ghanaian's face when he had scored the goal at the very, I think, in the group stage game. I will never leave my memory. And he was so excited.

43:01A lot of love over there today. Up until you pick Colombia all the way. Absolute love fest. I love that. I love that. Great fan bases either way. Vamos Colombia. Vamos Colombia. She don't like Ghana now, does she? Nearly lost my pen there. Ghana's gone. What about the smile? All right. So I guess everyone's going for Colombia in this one. No love for Ghana. No, there's plenty love for Ghana. We did say that. I don't think Ghana have been great in this tournament. And in fact, I think it's one of the teams from Africa that although they made it into the knockout stage, I personally was expecting a little bit more from them and being more attack oriented that they have been.

43:42They have been far more about defending than they have been about attacking. And they have some firepower with Semenyo. Well, yes. And you think about the game that they won against Panama. And Panama is long gone from this tournament. But in that match in particular, Panama dominated Ghana. And had they been better in front of goal, we would have had a different conversation about Panama altogether. I don't know that we have seen enough offensively from Ghana to trouble a center back pairing from Colombia that has been outstanding in John Lukumi and Davison Satchez. So I'm going to take Colombia.

44:14Although the predictions are later on. Yes, don't give off predictions. Maybe I'm not going to pick Colombia. But I would say that an African nation should win the World Cup. watching how impressive a lot of these nations have performed. They should eventually win a World Cup. Go ahead, big Ghana. Big Ghana. We'll have a segment of big Ghana. They might, and then we'll all go down to Ghana and join that party because it definitely does look like a party. We'll see if they're partying later on tonight because, as I said, we do have predictions coming up. But actually, this World Cup can either make or break you if you're a coach, and it has broken a lot of them because since the World Cup, eight of them have either been fired or been forced to resign.

44:54And when I say forced to resign, it's this man, Julian Nagelsmann, after what was an embarrassing exit again for Germany. He has been forced to resign. It was officially confirmed today. And now Germany has also confirmed that they have been talking to Jurgen Klopp. Now, that's probably the world's worst kept secret. But Don, Alec, do you like this one? Well, I like it from everyone's point of view. if you're a German and you fire Julian Nagelsmann and you try and approach Jurgen Klopp, it's an absolute no-brainer. It's whether they can convince Jurgen Klopp to come back into or get back into management.

45:32Nagelsmann's a guy that I've watched for a long, long time and he really frustrates me. I think he tries to micromanage every single player on the pitch and you can't stand that inch there. You have to be one inch there. How about trying to put your team in a structure defensively but then allowing the forward players to kind of express themselves and I was very underwhelmed with Germany, especially, as I said, with Portugal. When you look at the team on paper, the Germans should still be in this competition, but not how they played. They don't deserve to be in the competition. How about you play your best midfielder as a midfielder?

46:06Joshua Kimmich in the midfield, not as a right back. How about that decision? And how about you have a team organized that is ready to take penalties just in case you get to penalties? That's part of coaching. That's part of managing. That you have organization, which we have equated to the Germans for such a long time. That wasn't the case going into penalties, mismanagement all over the place. Yes, we'll see if Jurgen Klopp definitely gets confirmed. But when we come back, we will be giving you predictions for Friday's matches. Even though we tease them, stick around to see who we choose next.

46:40Welcome back to ESPN FC. Just a reminder that NWSL Action is back on our networks with this game. Boston Legacy up against Bay FC. It's a noon kickoff. Make sure to check it out on ESPN. All right, here's what's coming your way today. In just about an hour's time, Australia will face off against Egypt, Argentina against the tournament sweethearts at Arca Bovergi, and then Colombia against Ghana is the later kickoff. And now it's time for us to put our money where our very big mouths are. All right, guys, let's get some predictions in. First one, Australia, Egypt. What say you, Ali? Let's start with you.

47:20I'm going to go with Egypt. Oh, no. I think, yeah. Oh, no. Oh, no. No love for Australia? No, not today. I think just they have a better attack in their, yeah, if they can capitalize on the mistakes, then I think it'll be a good game for them. I tease because I'm with Ali. Oh. This to me over this side, that's like massive win. The more I go into there, tight. But I'm going to go tight. Egypt win. What were we saying, like a 1-0? Yeah. Ale? Okay. You know what? I love Joey. I like Joey. I'm envious of his hair. And I'm going to take Australia because I do think that Egypt may get disorganized.

48:05And if they do, Australia will take advantage of it. They'll be hard to score. And when that happens, Egypt will get frustrated. I'm going to take Australia. All right. Well, you know what? I am absolutely going to agree with Ale Moreno because I'm going with the socceroos as well. You know kangaroos have a little punch up, so I'm going to go with them. And like I said, Egypt have the individual talent. We know it. The Mo Salah of old is not the Mo Salah now. I just think Australia know how to frustrate their way to probably be an ugly 1-0 win. Makes me second guess my choice. Oh, because I went with it.

48:37All right. What about this one? I mean, we probably, I could probably just move everybody. We're all going to go. Hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on. Done? No, yeah, but I'm going to go right up there, like 6-0. 6-0. Ale, I'm going to leave it up to you. Cabo Vergi. Thank you for allowing me to do my job. You're welcome. I don't think it's going to be 6-0. I think it's going to be uncomfortable at the beginning from Argentina, but eventually they'll do enough and they will advance. But thank you, of course, to Cabo Vergi. Please invite us over. We will happily come and hang out. And then this one now, I am going to go with Los Cafeteros.

49:12Cafeteros, I think Ali already told us she's going with Colombia. Has she, though? Has she? No, no. No, no, no. She said it in her second letter. Did she? Yes. There was loads of love for Ghana. There was love for Ghana, but she said, vamos, Colombia. What about the smile? She said the smile in her heart. No, she's going with los cafeteros. There we go. Guys. Los cafeteros as well. No love for Ghana. Vamos, Colombia, papito. No más Colombia. Colombia. Vamos, Colombia, los campeonatos. Ay, Carlos, vive Shakira. Hey, hey. El minomio de oro. Juanes. I love me a Juanes. All right, well, we were absolutely loving some Colombia.

49:53Do we have a little love fest? No. Do you have a little love fest for a certain Don Hutchison? What are you talking about? Oh, no. We had a special message for you, but we've run out of time. Oh, well. Because we're going to love on Don. Thank you so much for watching. We'll see you again tonight.

50:13Have no fear. Chosen Foods is here to defend your favorite foods from the forces of seedy oils and sketchy ingredients. With cooking oils, salad dressings, and mayo, all powered by the good fats from 100 % pure avocado oil and simple, delicious ingredients. Chosen Foods.