In short
ESPN FC/Extra Time discussion of Scotland qualifying for the World Cup after a dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark at Hampden, plus broader World Cup/qualifying and club football talk.
Guests (backgrounds)
Kay Murray (ESPN FC host/presenter). Craig Burley (former Scotland player; played in 1998 World Cup squad). Stevie Nichol (former Scotland player; former Chelsea teammate of Frank). Frank (Frank Leboeuf, former France international; World Cup winner; provides a neutral fan perspective).
Key claims
Scotland qualified directly after scoring four times despite Denmark playing better and receiving a red card that changed the game. The result ends 28 years since 1998. Stevie Clark’s substitutions (Shankland, Shea Adams) and crowd tension mattered. Scotland’s qualification is “all that matters,” not style. Nations League playoff access is criticized as unfair. Spain’s 2-2 draw with Turkey doesn’t worry them; Spain remain favorites.
Notable examples
Scott McTominay bicycle kick; Denmark equalizers; Kenny McLean and Kieran Tierney stoppage-time goals; Craig Burley’s 1998 World Cup experience; Frank’s memories of France 98; Germany’s 6-0 vs Slovakia and Wirtz tempo advice; transfer rumors on Antoine Semenyo for Liverpool.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOScotland vs Denmark World Cup Qualifier
0:19 to 1:15
Overview of Scotland's qualifying match against Denmark and the key moments.
“Hello and welcome into the latest edition of ESPN FC.”
Analysis of Scotland's Performance
1:15 to 3:15
Discussion on Scotland's gameplay and manager Steve Clarke's tactics during the match.
“They'll be going directly to the World Cup next year.”
Emotional Significance of Qualification
3:15 to 6:48
Exploration of the emotional weight of Scotland's qualification for the World Cup after 28 years.
“And so when you turn up and it's all or nothing, this is it.”
Scott McTominay's Impact
6:48 to 9:18
Discussion on Scott McTominay's journey and contributions to Scotland's success.
“Well, obviously, the last time they were there, you were in the squad, Craig.”
Frank's Perspective as a Neutral
9:18 to 9:55
Frank shares his view on the match as a neutral observer and the atmosphere during the game.
“And Steve Clackett said today we need a good early start.”
Stevie Clarke's Journey to the World Cup
9:55 to 14:00
Discussion on Stevie Clarke's past as a player and current achievement as manager leading Scotland to the World Cup.
“Frank, you were watching as a neutral tonight.”
Scotland's Historic World Cup Qualification
14:00 to 14:59
Discussion about Scotland's qualification for the World Cup and its significance.
“As you said, they're not going to be buying a drink for a long time, but this is going to now be a generation.”
Spain's Performance in World Cup Qualifiers
15:00 to 18:00
Analysis of Spain's recent match and their qualification status for the World Cup.
“In Group E, unless Spain lost to Turkey A by seven goals or more, a World Cup spot was theirs, and they managed to draw this game.”
Evaluating England's World Cup Prospects
18:01 to 19:39
Debate on England's position as second favorites for the World Cup and their historical performance.
“No, I just want to know because I'm very surprised to see England as the second favourite, you know.”
La Liga Returns to Action
19:40 to 20:29
Discussion of upcoming La Liga matches and their implications for teams.
“La Liga is back on your screens from Friday.”
Show all 22 chapters
Germany's Dominant Performance in Qualifiers
21:01 to 24:44
Analysis of Germany's performance against Slovakia and its implications for their future matches.
“They secured their spot in the World Cup finals on Monday after that 6-0 victory over Slovakia.”
Florian Wirtz's Transition to Premier League Tempo
24:45 to 27:36
Discussion on Florian Wirtz's adaptation challenges in the Premier League.
“How hard is it, Frank, to get up to that tempo of the Premier League?”
Transfer Rumors: Antoine Semenyo to Liverpool
27:37 to 28:00
Debate on the potential transfer of Antoine Semenyo to Liverpool and his attributes.
“Obviously, the January transfer window is just around the corner.”
Evaluating a Rising Football Star
28:00 to 31:36
Discussion on a highly sought-after football player and the implications for Liverpool.
“What do you think of these rumours and reports, Stevie?”
World Cup Qualifying and the Nations League Debate
31:40 to 37:12
Analysis of World Cup qualifying teams and criticism of the Nations League structure.
“It can help you with practically anything on the web, like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50-page restoration block, or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks.”
Arsenal's Defensive Strategies Amid Injuries
37:52 to 38:46
Discussion on Arsenal's center-back situation and their depth in defense.
“It could be chronic migraine, 15 or more headache days a month, each lasting four hours or more.”
Arsenal's Defensive Strategies Amid Injuries
38:52 to 42:00
Discussion on Arsenal's center-back situation and their depth in defense.
“We've got a little bit of friendly action for you.”
Arsenal's Strategic Recruitment
42:00 to 43:24
Learn how Arsenal's recent player acquisitions are designed to enhance team versatility.
“if you manage to do that, then you've been very lucky.”
Reactions to Scotland's World Cup Qualification
43:30 to 45:48
Discussion on the emotions and reactions following Scotland's qualification for the World Cup.
“Welcome in to the latest edition of Extra Time.”
The Silence After Defeat
45:48 to 48:50
Exploration of the atmosphere in the dressing room after heartbreaking losses.
“I'm just giggling at you saying, getting out of your chair and talking about the rugby.”
Surprises of International Competitions
48:50 to 52:49
Insights into the unexpected challenges faced by teams in international tournaments.
“One of the things I remember is you play against the European teams, obviously, and you're more familiar with them.”
World Cup Favorites and Predictions
52:49 to 55:43
Discussion on the potential favorites for the upcoming World Cup and a look at past brackets.
“Well, I didn't really follow Argentina, but I think they have to be named as a possible contender and a possible winner for the next World Cup.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Good energy in good energy outуры
0:08zero sugar 200 milligrams of caffeine and immunity support storm energy for life
0:19Hello and welcome into the latest edition of ESPN FC. Kay Murray, Craig Burley and Stevie Nichol here in the studio. Here for a big game at Hampden today as it was a showdown between Scotland and Denmark to find out who would be going to the World Cup. And in the end, Scotland did it. It got off to a great start with a Scott McTominay bicycle kick. Then Denmark would level. Scotland would go ahead again. Denmark would level. it would all come down to two stoppage time stunners from kenny mclean and kieran tini to seal the deal for scotland and they are heading back to the world cup 28 years since the last time that they did so craig burley was in that squad back in 1998 4-2 to scotland a few moments it got a little scary for you guys watching that especially for you stevie i know that was the case but this is how things do end in the table.
1:12It is Scotland who have qualified. They'll be going directly to the World Cup next year. Denmark will have to take the playoff route. All right. Didn't make it easy. Well, I can tell you the final group game for qualifying for 98. Hello, Frank. Hi, Frankie. The final group game qualification for 98 was a lot easier than that. It was Latvia at home and it was nothing like that. That was an amazing night. I mean, I don't really want to dwell too much on the football side of it because not for the first time Scotland haven't played particularly well. They've done that a lot in this group stage, by the way.
1:50Haven't played particularly well against Greece and others, but yet have managed to drag out results. That's what they did again tonight. I mean, even with 10 men, Denmark played the better football. But that was just an amazing... Burning mind, as you mentioned, 28 years since France 98, where Frank and I played and Frank won it. You may have heard that story. Did he? Yeah. So to have those celebrations is amazing. We broke with tradition today just before we came on this show because you took a little picture of Stevie and I and I sent it to Stevie Clark just to say congratulations from two guys from Ayrshire to another guy from Ayrshire.
2:28We're all lived and born within sort of 20 minutes of each other. Stevie was my teammate. I was a youngster coming into the Chelsea team when Stevie Clark was one of the experienced players and he kind of took me under his wing a little bit. And you can't not be happy for those scenes because, believe it or not, even though he's qualified for the Euros and some other stuff, he's come in for a lot of criticism with the way they've played and with certain players. Why didn't he play Shanklin from the start? Why is he not playing? So he's had a lot of criticism, even though he's had some relative success.
2:59now this is the icing on the cake yeah you've got to go to North America here in a few months and acquit yourself well but that was the big one because make no bones about it Denmark are the best team in this group but Scotland got the better results What does it mean for Steve Clarke and that group of players because the pressure was really on them they were at home tonight in a must win game It's a culmination of everything and particularly what Craig was talking about with the fact that they haven't played well You know, we've sat here over this campaign, these World Cup games, with Scotland fans booing the team at home because of the way they're playing.
3:37And so when you turn up and it's all or nothing, this is it. You know, winner takes all. It really doesn't matter as stuff how you play. It's not about playing well. Nobody in Scotland wants to play well against Denmark and get beat. and none of us could care less that Denmark were the best team and none of us could care less that we kept giving the ball away. Do you know why? Because we stuck the ball in the net four times and Denmark only did it twice. So forget how you play. It's about getting to the World Cup final and the fact that we've not been there for nearly 30 years. Stuff the way you play.
4:18We got there. Enjoy it. But it was a fine line for the manager because until Kieran Tierney puts... I mean, there's two great goals. McLean, obviously fantastic. Tierney was the one that was probably going to get Scotland there. But if that game finishes 2-2 and Denmark only needed a point and Scotland were in the playoffs, Stevie Clark's in for a rough morning with the media because of the way they play and they approach the games. You could feel it in the crowd during the game, particularly when Dorgo scored the equaliser. But for long periods where Denmark were passing it around, you could just feel the tension of why can't Scotland play better?
4:52Why can't they pass it better? He made the changes at the right time. Because we were screaming at the TV, right, we need to get forward. You can't win the game unless you're in the other half of the field. And he made the changes. He brought on Shankland. He brought on Shea Adams. And so Stevie Clark made the changes that made the difference. Now, there's no question the red card is as much of a reason why Scotland won this game and Deadmau5 didn't. It completely changed it because at that stage, Scotland couldn't get the ball. We couldn't get the ball. And just that quick flick, that one decision from the referee, he refereed the World Cup final.
5:34And that decision, if you're Denmark, you're going to be questioning that forever in a day. But again, who cares? It's because Scotland are going to the World Cup. You think about it from a player's perspective. for, you know, since 98, OK, they've been, they were at a European Championship in the last few years, but, I mean, they're great, that's great, but the World Cup is, you know, it's just, it's the pinnacle for a player. I mean, yeah, you only win the Champions League when you're at Liverpool, you know, but playing for your country when you're growing up as a wee boy and you're 10, 11, 12, and you're watching these players go to wherever it is, you know, Spain or Argentina or Brazil and play, you think, mate, and for 20-odd years, there's been better players that are playing now, some of them, and they've not had a sniff to go.
6:20So these boys, most of them, will probably be in the squad. They're going to experience what this is going to be. It's going to be great here in North America. Big stadiums, huge crowds. It's going to be hot, but it's going to be fun. And they're going to experience that. And, you know, from a player's perspective, at the end of your career, you don't want to sit back and say, I wish I'd been at that World Cup. So they've done it. They have, oh, it's not a pretty... It is. There's a teeth. Well, obviously, the last time they were there, you were in the squad, Craig. What advice would you give them?
6:54You're obviously saying what it's like to play over this side of the world. That was actually scoring against Norway and Bordeaux. You can see...
7:04Honestly, that experience for me, and that moment was surreal, actually hitting the back of the net at a World Cup. And it meant something at the time because it drew us level with Norway, which kept us in it for the last game. And that feeling just of doing that at World Cup, I just wanted to do it again. And, you know, my message would be like to most other people, which is you've got to embrace it, but you have to enjoy it. You've got to go there, have no fear. We opened against Brazil and Paris, which was the opening ceremony. So that was huge. But you've got to go and embrace it and enjoy it.
7:42and get the memories from it and hopefully play well, because you don't know. Did we think in 98 it would be, we thought we'd be at the World Cup in 2002? I thought I'd be there. We weren't there. I never saw another one. And so you have to just go and you soak in what the World Cup is all about. Obviously, Frank's got that great experience as well, particularly in his own country. But you've just got to take a breath and go, this is one of the reasons why I play. And on another side of it, What about Scott McTominay? What about a lad who was basically shown the door at Manchester United and went to Napoli and is adored in Naples, scored that volley in the final game of the season to win the league, scored a volley, I would say not as good as this, but not far off.
8:36And you're even making an exception for the high boot here. Yeah, I'm going to... He's far enough away. There's nobody really. He's so high, actually, nobody's making the challenge. But I'm being hypocritical. But the player himself, there's been very few occasions I've seen a turnaround and a player's confidence to go as a squad player from a struggling Man United to one of the top players in Italian football and then have moments like this to get the bus rolling as he did in three or four minutes. What an amazing story. And you're talking about him. He's one of the reasons why Scotland are there.
9:18His goals over this campaign. And Steve Clackett said today we need a good early start. Absolutely, and they got that. But not only McTominay, but there's a generation of Scottish football players that have never been and played in the World Cup. But guess what? There's a generation of fans that have never been there. They'll have heard all the stories for their granddad and their dad probably about going to Spain or wherever it was and all the times they had. And they're like, we'd never get a chance to go. And so you're not only talking about a generation of players, you're talking about a generation of fans.
9:54The only thing is, I don't know how half of them are going to get visas. That's right. Frank, you were watching as a neutral tonight. What did you make of the game? amazing you know yeah i switched on the tv and i said well what can i expect from that game and i thought it would be an easier game for denmark they were better denmark were better but uh the spirit the heart and the pride was uh were scottish and uh and and and and they showed it from from the first minute to uh to the last i mean the first goal the last goal i mean that's that's insane, the atmosphere. And while I was listening to Stevie and Craig, I'm so pleased for the Scottish fans, the Scottish team, because it's rare to see a country, you know, after such a long time, you know, willing to go to the World Cup and enjoying so much that you support them.
10:52Don't forget that they beat the team that was my favourite for the last World Cup, Denmark. are, but really, I was a little bit Scottish tonight when I saw the goals, when I saw the atmosphere, and I said, that's what I love about football. It's what I want to see when I'm on my couch, and I say, well, okay, I'm going to watch a game. That wasn't the best, perfect game, but because of the atmosphere, I say, no movies in the world can show you so much suspense, so much emotion that a game like tonight, and you see that. You see that on the eyes of everybody, even the players like us which have watched like thousands of games in our lives we enjoy that because that's special because of Craig I had the chance also to text Stevie and to say congratulations to him, I had the chance and the honor to give him an award because he was named the best right back of Chelsea for the last century he was my teammate, he was such such a warrior and such a soldier and I'm so proud and so happy for him and I want to add on top of Mike Termini and today with a beautiful goal I want to add McGinn, I mean that guy is a monster he's really somebody, the red card the two yellow cards were on him and what he does on the field since I've known him is very special and today he was a masterpiece again.
12:25Frank asked me just quickly, Frank asked me before, just before we came on air, he went, was Stevie Clark in the 98 World Cup squad? And he wasn't. So he himself, unless he went to Italian 90, which I don't think he did, for him I think this is going to be his first time. Should he have been? He's one of those players, we were talking about Grant Hanley during the game and Stevie looked it up he'd saw him like 65 caps. The likes of Alan Hansen and other greats for Scotland had a third of that. Stevie Clark was, I think Stevie's in single digits for caps. He should have had 40 or 50. As Frank mentioned, he's voted as Chelsea, one of the best defenders of a generation.
13:04But for one reason or another, and I know what the reasons are, some of them, but I'm not going to come out with it, but for one reason or another, personalities and whatnot, he wasn't involved and he missed out in World Cups in Europe. He wasn't in the Euro 96 squad either. And he was better than a lot of the guys that were in the squad. So I think for him, he didn't taste that as a player, certainly not in the late 90s, and now he's going to taste it as a manager. And he said the other day, actually, in a press conference, he said, when I got offered this job, people were telling me, don't take it.
13:36It's a poison chalice. It's really, you know, a lot of managers have fallen foul of these Scotland teams, and they've been hammered and butchered and criticised. He said, don't take it. And he said, but I believed in myself, and I just felt that I could get a tune out of some of these players in this squad, and he was proven absolutely right. They were referred to as the Hamden Heroes tonight by the commentator when that fourth goal went in. As you said, they're not going to be buying a drink for a long time, but this is going to now be a generation. They don't buy drinks anyway. This is going to be a generation that's going to be remembered for a long time because of this, right?
14:09Well, yeah, we're laughing at Hamden Heroes, but again, from the fans' point of view, that's exactly what they are and that's what the kids and all the young guys that you saw and the young women that were at this game, that's what they'll be thinking about to them this is fantastic to us it's just a funny cliche and if somebody wants to break my record playing for Scotland they'll feel free which record? not the scoring the goal there's only two of you that scored in 98 no he got sent off they're sending off as well I'm looking for somebody to wipe the slate clean of me being the last Scotland player to be sent off at a World Cup.
14:50But hopefully nobody will do that, just in case. Yeah, anyway, big congratulations to Scotland on going to the World Cup next year over here in the US. Let's move on. In Group E, unless Spain lost to Turkey A by seven goals or more, a World Cup spot was theirs, and they managed to draw this game. Dani Olmo scoring, as well as Ayar Sabal. Turkey managing to get two goals themselves. They will go through as runners-up to the playoffs, but Spain have qualified their spot in next year's World Cup. How do you look into this game, Frank, the fact it finished 2-2 with Spain knowing they were practically there, virtually qualified already?
15:26Do you see it that way or do you see any concerns for Spain that it did finish 2-2? No, not at all. I think it was a special game for Spain. They already knew that it would be qualified. They would never lose 7-0 against Turkey. Turkey proved that they had pride and they worked hard. but I'm sure it would have been another game if the pressure would have been on Spain to absolutely win that game. So I'm not worried. I mean, Spain is for me, if it's not the favorite, one of the favorites of the next World Cup. They showed during the qualification and so many other games that they are one of the contenders and they are in a different level that they've shown today.
16:09So no worries. They didn't lose, which is a good thing because you need pride when you play for your national team. But no statements whatsoever about that draw. They are the favourites to win the World Cup. Is that fair enough? I think so at the moment, although, you know, I think it's the football that they play or they can play at times is certainly exhilarating. whether or not the French step up in particular and flex their muscles which they've got remains to be seen and then you know England being you know I don't know What England does there? Well I think they are the fans I mean Argentina yeah they're going to be a threat but it's all built still around Messi isn't it in Brazil even though with Ancelotti in there you wouldn't be convinced about it Germany played really, really well yesterday, but then the Slovakian side...
17:06They've been up and down. They just never turned up. So that was a difficult one. And Portugal, we know, have got a talent, but they have their own deficiencies. So I think, from what we've seen in the last 18 months or two years, I wouldn't argue against Spain. But it's not as simple as that. No, the problem is you don't want to be the favourites right now. You want to be the favourites going into the tournament. you know they've been the best for 18 months, 2 years as Craig said, how many teams go longer than that in terms of supposedly being the best side in world football or in Europe or whatever it is these things drop off but these things drop off so yes you want to be somewhat in a rhythm, somewhat settled, but you don't want any of the favourites right now, you want any of the favourites going into the tournament.
18:00Frank? No, I just want to know because I'm very surprised to see England as the second favourite, you know. I know it's an English bookmaker company, I guess, but really, and I think they can surprise. But when you see Portugal being only sixth, you know, France behind England, and Argentina, the former World Cup winner, being only fifth, I wonder why you have to put England second if it's not only for business. I really wish to England to do well, but they have to stop that because it's not fair for the other countries. They shouldn't be second. Not fair. You are right though. I mean, England they've had a better spell getting to the semi-final of the World Cup, lost to Croatia, final of the Euros, lost in penalties, got a more experienced manager, but haven't won anything tangible since 66, whereas France have.
18:58France have got, and Spain and others, have got the historical value of knowing that they can get over the line, particularly this French team. There's a lot of players in this. There's a lot of new players, but there's a lot of players that have been tried and trusted as well and know they can have success. I think the French, I think down to how their manager approaches it. I know he's finishing, I think, after the World Cup, but I do think sometimes, although they've had success, he does hold them back a little bit and it'll be interesting to see if he takes the reins off in North America. They're definitely a bigger threat to Spain, I would say, than England.
19:35Yeah, you can see a lot more of these Spanish internationals in action with their domestic sides when domestic football returns this weekend. La Liga is back on your screens from Friday. On Saturday, we will see Barcelona back at the camp now to take on Athletic Club. On Sunday, it's Elche, the newly promoted team who've made a few waves so far, who'll be hosting Real Madrid. As you know, managing maintenance, repair, and operations is never easy. But for the ones who always rise to the challenge, Grainger has your back. From professional-grade products you can count on to fast, dependable delivery, they're there to help you keep things running smoothly.
20:14Plus, their technical product specialists are here to help answer your toughest questions. And because Grainger knows safety is always a priority, they're committed to being your partner in protecting both your people and your facilities. Call 1-800-GRANGER, clickgrainger.com, or just stop by. So 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 Nordic Club to unlock exclusive discounts, shop new arrivals first, and more. Plus, buy online and pick up at your favorite rack store for free.
20:50Great brands, great prices. That's why you rack.
21:00This is how Germany's group finished. They secured their spot in the World Cup finals on Monday after that 6-0 victory over Slovakia. Florian Wurtz widely praised as a standout in the match, setting up both of Leroy Zane's goals on the night. The hope is that Liverpool see more of this version of Wurtz playing with the confidence and the freedom that we saw him playing with in this game, Stevie, isn't it? Well, yeah, look, this is great for somebody like him who's struggling domestically, to go and play in the national team and get on the ball, to get lots of touches, to be in the positions that he was in order to play the sorts of passes that created goals.
21:41I mean, this is just a fantastic ball. But the key is, look how much time and space that he had for that particular first one. And again, I mean, nobody's closing him. You can see him. He's taking his time. He's picking his pass. I mean, it's very easy. He does not get that time in the Premier League. And that's the problem. What he has to do is adjust his game to the tempo of the Premier League. When he's got time, when nobody's closing him down, we know he can thread the needle. But when you have to do it quicker, every single thing that you do in the Premier League, you have to do at a pace higher.
22:16And that's where he's struggling because he's taken too long to make his passes. When he sees those passing lanes and then he tries to deliver the ball, he's not delivering it quick enough because those lanes have closed by the time he's played it. And that's why he looks like he's given the ball away and he's not making all these chances that he was making at Leverkusen. So it's really not about talent. The guys get more talent than they can deal with. It's about doing everything when he steps on the field in the Premier League. He has to do everything quicker. He has to think quicker. He has to play it quicker.
22:50And if he does that, then you'll see the types of goals that he's making there. Look, it doesn't hurt. It doesn't hurt to put in these kind of performances when you're struggling a little bit or a lot, as he is. But international football, and we talked about this during watching the Scotland game, isn't really a barometer for what your test is back in your domestic league, particularly if you're playing in Germany, Spain, England, Italy. Because of the pace and the physicality, international football is a little bit more tactical. Yeah, the Scotland game was nuts, I'll give you that. But this game was...
23:33I watched this game and Slovakia, I mean, they were so open, it was unbelievable. I mean, Serge Gnabry could have had a field day, to be honest with you, particularly in the first half. So he, you know, he flourishes in these kind of scenarios where one team's fully on top, the other team are all over the place defensively, there's big gaps, and he took advantage of it. That's great, and listen, Arne Slott will not be complaining. But it hasn't really got anything to do with what he's going to do for Liverpool. What he does for Germany and what he does for Liverpool are two different things. And until he starts doing it for Liverpool, they don't really give a hoot what he's doing for Germany.
24:17Because Liverpool fans and Annelies Lott and everybody around that club that have paid the money, they need them to do it and they need them to do it quickly for Liverpool to try and get back in the title race and put some consistency together. So, as I say, it's not a bad thing and it doesn't hurt. But I wouldn't sit here and say, oh, Florian Wirtz was magnificent yesterday and all his woes are behind him. It's just a small step in the right direction. But when he gets back to England at the weekend, there's going to be much bigger tests lying ahead. How hard is it, Frank, to get up to that tempo of the Premier League?
24:58in fact the the space there is between the brain and the foot when he gives direction to his foot when he wants to do it as stevie alluded you have to go faster that's what you have to do uh you have to be prepared to uh to some contacts as well uh and some push from the from the defenders uh but you will have to react more more quickly and that that's the the main thing and And it takes a little while, especially when you play in the middle of the park. In our time, I think it was even more difficult, and Craig maybe can explain that. But I think it's more open nowadays. But before, you didn't have any second to decide whether you're going to do a long ball or a small pass in the back.
25:44It's complicated, but he will have to pick up the rhythm. Otherwise, he's going to struggle for a while. It was a big performance from Germany, the Orca, Slovakia were poor on the evening. But Nagelsmann needed that, big time. Now, how much of that Germany can take forward and say, we can play that way against better teams, I don't know. They've not really shown that in this qualifying campaign. But Wirtz was good, as you mentioned. Goretzka was a threat. Serge Gnabry was getting... And Vultimada as well. Actually, for such a big guy, he's got quite a deft touch now and again. And obviously, he's made this big move to Newcastle.
Read the full transcript
26:25He's led the line here for Germany. And bearing in mind, we absolutely slaughtered him after they beat Luxembourg, but had played terribly and could easily have dropped points in that game. That was a big performance for them, to be fair. And it could have been seven or eight. So Nagelsmann absolutely needed that from his team. As for Florian Wurtz coming back to the Premier League, it's Forrest for Liverpool next. We know how it ended before the international break for Liverpool against City. Does Wurtz start this game against Forrest? I think he will. And I think he will because it's Forrest.
27:00Because Forrest will give Liverpool a lot of the ball. Plus the fact it's at Anfield. So I think when you have a guy in the legs of Wurtz who defensively doesn't give you anything, Liverpool are going to be on the front foot for the majority of this game. I'll be shocked if they're not. And so this is the type of game where you can get him into the rhythm. You can get him lots of touches, get him lots of passes. And then if he does get to the rhythm, then he grows. You know, his confidence goes through the roof. Everything becomes easier for him. And of course, when it becomes easier for him and he's playing well, it helps Liverpool.
27:36And now talking of Liverpool, there's been some transfer news. Obviously, the January transfer window is just around the corner. Antoine Semenyo has been linked with a move to Liverpool, reports stating that the club have been in direct contact with Bournemouth about the player because there is a release clause for him,£65 million reported and seen as a potential long-term successor to Mohamed Salah. What do you think of these rumours and reports, Stevie? I don't think there's anybody in the football world that doesn't want this guy. Well, yes, a number of other teams are also said to be circling from the Premier League, big names as well.
28:13This guy has got it all. I mean, pace, he can run with it, he can pass it, you know. And if he's playing in a side that dominates, listen, Bournemouth are an attacking side, but if he's playing in a team that dominates even more than they do, then he's going to get opportunities and he's going to be on the ball a lot more and he's going to be scaring defenders. so yes, absolutely I'll have him today and twice on Sunday It sounds like Frank would as well if he was a Liverpool fan I mean I would be so delighted that guy, every game that I saw him playing he has been absolutely tremendous and he had a great impact the power that he shows but also the fitness that he's capable of showing too is amazing in his involvement to the team is huge.
29:08And we saw that in Bournemouth, and I'm sure we're going to see that in any club he's going to sign. So, yeah, especially in the middle of the park where Liverpool is struggling a little bit, that guy is strong. He's strong, he's powerful, he's quick, and he's technique. So that would be a huge, huge signing. In January. Yeah. More how can Anish Lott not get a tune out of all these players, you know, if they sign him. You know, Bournemouth is just a conveyor belt at the moment, isn't it? It's a bit like Brighton have been. You know, you think about Zabane to PSG, Kirchiz to Liverpool, Hoisin to Real Madrid, Semenu, Semenu potentially somewhere in January and you've got a manager in Areola who's done a great job again at the start of the season.
29:54He'll be next. Yeah, he's, I mean, it can't continue to pump your finances up like Bournemouth are, which is great from then as a business and expect to keep your manager. So when you... At the end of the day, they are a selling club. They're a small club in the South Coast. We understand all that. But if you want to hold on to your manager, you have to try and hold on to your better players. And they are not. But this guy, as the boys have said, he's powerful, he's quick, can play in a couple of different positions. And Mo Salah is, guess what? Struggling at the moment. And the Africa Cup of Nations is coming up too.
30:31Does that make it even more important to get this player in in January? 100 % they need somebody the thing is if it's Semenyo that is absolutely fantastic because the guy is an absolute dynamite but if it's not him for Liverpool it's going to have to be somebody else if they want to win the title they're going to have to make a move in this January window there'll be a lot more talk about the inevitable transfers coming up in January over on our YouTube channel be sure to check it out every single day click subscribe while you're there over on ESPN FC Are all batteries the same? That's like asking if all soccer players are the same.
31:13Take 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. And Messi only trusts Duracell.
31:36This episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. You think you know a browser, but Gemini and Chrome? That's new. It can help you with practically anything on the web, like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50-page restoration block, or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks. Gemini and Chrome is here for it. Ready to make anything online make sense? There's no place like Chrome. Check responses set up required, compatibility and availability varies 18+.
32:03So here are all the teams who have qualified so far. I won't go through them all and read them all out. No, do it, please do. More names added themselves to the list today, including the likes of Spain and Switzerland. We got to see Germany booking their spot this week as well. And the big one today, Scotland, heading to their first World Cup in almost 30 years. That's how things are looking now. When it comes to the playoffs, this is the picture that we are seeing. As it stands right now, the draw is to be held on Thursday. This is for the UEFA qualifying campaign. It will be four of these teams who will make it to the World Cup finals.
32:41That tells you about this inflated World Cup. You can have a World Cup campaign as chronic as Sweden had. Now, when Stevie and I were playing, Sweden were always a tough nut to crack. They always had good players. and yet through this Nations League there's a potential parachute for them to come and play in a tournament when they're finished bottom in the World Cup qualifying group. It's just not right, I'm sorry. You don't like the Nations League option making it at least a bit more interesting now the way that the Nations League came in? Well, they had this thing called a qualification campaign and they finished bottom in the group.
33:18How can you finish bottom in the group and then be in the playoffs? How's that? I understand. Anybody think that makes any sense? I understand the Nations League is something to make the friendlies more interesting and it gives an avenue. And the only reason it gives an avenue is because they've inflated these competitions, adding more teams to give them that avenue. Now, when you see, you know, the chances of Sweden going through the way they're playing are probably slim. But when you see sides that are getting host in their group and finishing bottom of their World Cup qualifying group, potentially get into a World Cup.
33:52Somebody tell me how that enhances an elite level competition. It does not. So I've got a problem with that. You know, I'm not just Sweden, but any country who have been so poor in their qualification, not even like missed out on second place playoff by goal difference or a point. Just rock bottom of the group still having a chance to go and play in a tournament which should be for the best teams. It's just not right. But that's where we are because FIFA and UEFA want to inflate everything because there's more teams, means more money and more games. That's what it's all about. Let's bring that graphic back up, if we can, of the teams that are in the playoffs, Frank, because I'd be interested to know who you think could be making it.
34:33There's four final spots that will be left for those teams. Anyone that you've got your eye on? Well, of course, I want to see Italy because I think Italy has to be in the World Cup. It's been already some mistakes in the recent past. So I want to see them fighting to get their spot in the World Cup. And of course Denmark. I mean Denmark made a huge mistake drawing out some just before that Scotland game. And they need to show something else to their fans. Otherwise, of course Sweden. When I read Sweden, I said, why is Sweden there? They finished last. you know and they are two points uh okay i didn't know about the nation league's position and and gift to sweden so i think i i think definitely italy should barring another disaster which they have they've had before uh they should denmark are better than they've shown they should have wrapped this group up uh i think not just the game tonight in glasgow it was their home game in Copenhagen against Belarus.
35:42I mean, if they'd taken what they should have taken in that game, the goal difference was too much. Scotland would have had to have beat them, I think, by five or six. And that was never happening. I think Wales have started to play a lot better. I mean, I don't know how strong they're going to be against better opposition, but Craig Bellamy is getting a tune out to those players. And the rest of them, I don't know, pretty much. I mean, there's a reason why they're all there. Yeah. Including Italy, by the way. I mean, why do they have such a divine right? They need to be in the World Cup. Well, no, if you're not good enough, then you're not there.
36:17It's going to be fun to watch those players. I mean, I go back to Gattuso. I don't care, many World Cups you've won. Norway won eight games out of eight, scoring a gazillion goals. They were absolutely... And I go back to Gattuso moaning about it. He's got an opportunity. I mean, there was many a year in that I can remember. If he didn't finish first in your group, that was it. There was no second place. There certainly was no Nations League for Sweden. You either won your group and you got to the major tournament or you finished second and see you next time out. So I don't know why they're complaining.
36:49They have a second opportunity against a lot of teams that are, let's be honest, Italy should be beating. Even Italy and its current guys, which is not a great side, Italy. But they should still be beating 99 % of teams that are in that play-off. Yeah, and we'll find out which teams are facing each other. It will be an interesting playoff road to find out who does make those final spots for the World Cup. Make sure to join us on the latest edition of Extra Time. Frank, Craig, and Steve, you're answering your questions over on our YouTube channel. Hey, I just Venmo'd you for rent. Nice. Now I can instantly spend it whether I'm checking out online with Venmo or using a Venmo debit card.
37:28Say more. More exactly. Because the more you do with Venmo, the more you get. like earning up to 5 % cash back with Venmo stash on a bundle of brands. So order more pizza. The math demands it. Get the Venmo debit card. Venmo stash bundle terms and exclusions apply. See terms at Venmo.me slash stash terms. Venmo checkout not available at all merchants. Venmo MasterCard is issued by the Bancor Bank N.A. I get so many headaches every month. It could be chronic migraine, 15 or more headache days a month, each lasting four hours or more. Botox, autobotulinum toxin A, prevents headaches in adults with chronic migraine.
38:04It's not for those who have 14 or fewer headache days a month. Prescription Botox is injected by your doctor. Effects of Botox may spread hours to weeks after injection, causing serious symptoms. Allerge your doctor right away, as difficulty swallowing, speaking, breathing, eye problems, or muscle weakness can be signs of a life-threatening condition. Patients with these conditions before injection are at highest risk. Side effects may include allergic reactions, neck and injection site pain, fatigue, and headache. Allergic reactions can include rash, welts, asthma symptoms, and dizziness. Don't receive Botox if there's a skin infection.
38:32Tell your doctor your medical history, muscle or nerve conditions, including ALS Lou Gehrig's disease, myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome, and medications, including botulinum toxins, as these may increase the risk of serious side effects. Why wait? Ask your doctor. Visit BotoxChronicMigraine.com or call 1-800-44-BOTOX to learn more. Okay, Brazil against Tunisia here. We've got a little bit of friendly action for you. coming from France. 23rd minute. It is going to be Tunisia who take the lead here. Ali Abdi is going to find Hazem Mastori 1-0. What a story. Sorry. All right, we don't mind a pun here.
39:14Yeah, it was unexpected, I'll be honest. Milito's header is going to hit the raised arm here of Dylan Bron. After a VAR review, it's given as a penalty kick.
39:30I don't like that. I don't like that for a penalty. Who did you say it was? Bron? Oh, you're not going to give it. Dylan Bron? You're not going to give it another one. It was a course shape. Alright. Esteban scoring that penalty. Esteban, yeah. He's a shy lad. The 76th minute. Victor Roque is going to be pulled down in the box. Another penalty for Brazil. looks like you've gone down pretty easy in a yeah yeah I mean yeah I could talk oh good to see he's taking his West Ham form into international football what's pretty close oh my next minute I step over there last chance here to win the game to be fair though he's you know Chelsea fans almost a real like up He's very direct, isn't he?
40:23The bad news at the moment, coming from Brazil's recent friendlies, though, it was in the last game over Senegal that Gabriel was forced off due to injury. We've had an update now that it could be for up to two months. You think of what Arsenal have got coming up. They've got the North London derby when we return to action at the Emirates. They've got a crunch game against Bayern in the Champions League and then they've got Chelsea away from home as well. That's a blow to lose Gabriel, isn't it? Yeah, it is a blow, but it's part of the game, isn't it? I mean, they've actually, you look at the defenders that they've got, you sign Muscari in the summer, he's a little bit inexperienced in the Premier League, but they signed him from Spain, where he's a good player.
41:00Calafiore is a centre-half, you could move him in to the left-hand side. Miles Lewis-Skelly, we know, is a very good player, can fit in at left-back. Huri and Timber can play anywhere along, across the back four. So, it's not... Ben White. It's not, yeah, I mean... If any team... I know Gabriel's... It's a blow. It's a blow. If there was one team on the planet that had to cover its centre-back, it's Arsenal. Yeah, but it's not only defensively that they're going to miss him. It's also on the set pieces. I mean, on the set pieces and corner kicks especially, Gabriel is the X factor. And that's going to be something important for Arsenal.
41:41They have to find somebody else. Yeah, I defensively agree with you. They are players, even if Gabriel was outstanding and has been outstanding since the beginning of the season. But it's more offensively that they're going to miss him. If you think about it when you start the season, the chances of you going through the season without losing one or two of your big players for at least six weeks, if you manage to do that, then you've been very lucky. So I think this is something that most teams expect. And as Stevie said, Arsenal have gone a long way in the last 18 months to try and bulk up. They've bulked up the front line, they've bulked up the wide positions, the midfield and the back line.
42:22And they've done it with players that can play in more than one position, which I think has been quite clever. Calafiore, left-sided centre-back. Lewis Skelly can go into midfield. Timber can cover quite a lot. Ben White's actually a centre-half. Obviously, he's played right back for the bulk of his Arsenal career. So, yeah, of course it is a blow to lose a player, but I don't think we're going to see a marked difference in the way that they play because they have very good players in the squad to come in and do a good job, I think. Yeah, well, we're about to find out. We'll be talking a lot more about those games that are coming off as domestic football is ready to return to our calendars.
43:05But tonight, following the USA-Uruguay game, the Football America team. Have you covered, looking back on it all, Alexis, Herc, Casey and Ale to break it all down for you. Make sure to join them ESPN Plus tonight. And that will do it from us and these happy Scots here in the studio. Stick around though, Extra Time is coming up next and Frank is joining us to answer your questions. See you over there. Welcome in to the latest edition of Extra Time. Frank is with us and we've got Craig and Stevie here on a day that Scotland has qualified for the World Cup. You're very muted by the way. The team wanted me to take some videos of you guys in the room watching the game and I said, I don't think it's going to be worth it because they're pretty chill usually when they're watching.
43:53Stevie, you got progressively a little bit more excitable as the game went on. Because we knew that in terms of football, Denmark are way better than us, right? I said we could smell we're gonna lose. We really could. The fact we didn't, by the way, we're dead and buried twice. It's a miracle. You were more positive in the show. This is what I thought I was gonna get from you. And then the show came and I thought, oh, he's a little bit more upbeat now about what they've just done. No, we've calmed down there. Because it was a little bit... No, no, the thing... We went from zero. Stevie, the thing is...
44:33Sorry, Frank. Before starting the show, I said, how did you feel during the game? And Stevie said, never in doubt. Yeah. There's a little hint of sad. I honestly think if you brought a video in, a camera in, and I mean this in all sincerity, Scotland were playing in the semi-final of the Rugby World Cup, you'd get him and I off a chair. It's just different. It's different with the football. we're kind of used to it you know i mean it's like i mean i i could have taken it either way wouldn't i'm not really i was pleased for you know steve i was frank is saying i was with stevie for stevie clapp for almost 10 years uh so it's hard not to to uh be pleased to see somebody go in there and be criticized as everybody gets but to ultimately do what he's put in to do with not the greatest talent pool, let's be honest about it.
45:32But they took advantage of it, so yeah, I was pleased for that. And yeah, the Scotland fans are going to go and see a World Cup again, which has been so the mess for a long time, because I know how good a time they had in France many, many years ago. They had a great time down there. I'm just giggling at you saying, getting out of your chair and talking about the rugby. Remember when Frank gave away the rugby result to you on the show? Oh, I was raging. Do you remember that, Frank? Oh, yeah. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. I think he wanted to finish me. He hated me so much. That was a classic moment.
46:09OK, first question. Even though Craig isn't playing today and doesn't give a stuff, did he feel a little involved in the Scotland result, if only for how Stevie Clark has brought Scotland back to a point where they're fighting to qualify for major tournaments? Yeah, not really during the game, but when I saw, you know, Stevie said during the game, towards the end, I think he forced a smile, Clarkie. But then you saw the emotion, because he's really not. He is behind the scenes. He's got a dry sense of humour behind the scenes. If you're having a beer in the chat with him, he has got a good sense of humour.
46:39I mean, it looks like somebody stitched his mouth up. I know. He's almost like that. I know, Stevie. He's very guarded with the media. He's very guarded with it. So he doesn't tend to show that emotion as much, but I think we saw it tonight, particularly when the Kenny McLean goal went in to make it four from the halfway line. That was it. There was just no doubt. And I think then the realisation just hit him the enormity of what he's done, which he's the first manager to do it since the late Craig Brown since we qualified in 97-98 for France. So that's a heck of an achievement. We never used to be for Scotland, that's the thing it never ever was.
47:21In my day and his day and before that it was just taken as a given. But those days have sort of gone now. They've been gone for quite some time. So, yeah, it's very nice to see. The other reason we couldn't use a video of you guys is because the language doesn't really work so well. How are you still? He's not the main culprit. All right. OK, for all, you have suffered heartbreaking defeats in the World Cup, which left your country eliminated in the group stage. What is the dressing room like after those losses? Does anyone say a word or does everyone go their own way as soon as possible? Silence.
47:59Silence. Yeah, it was pretty much silence for us in St Etienne. Although it was not as silent. The dressing room was even more silent when I got into the dressing room before everybody else. About 23 minutes. But maybe that record will be broken. Hopefully nobody gets sent off from a Scotland perspective. But yeah, when the boys came in after the game, I mean, I obviously didn't pipe up because, you know, I'd been sent off. And it was silence for the most part. But then it was a couple of fingers got pointed. See, the thing is, number one, you don't know what to say. And actually, nobody should say anything.
48:38Because there's nothing you can say or do to change it, make it right, make everybody feel better. Everybody's on the floor. So just keep it zipped. and everybody will just recover at their own pace. Yeah, nobody should say anything. One of the things I remember is you play against the European teams, obviously, and you're more familiar with them. But I think if you go into a game against, for example, one of the big African nations or, in our case, it was Morocco, there's a little bit of an unknown there. I was actually surprised at the football that Morocco played. They were a pretty good side at the time, don't get me wrong.
49:22And I think that's one of the things that got me. Because we went into the third game in St Etienne thinking, right, all we need to do is beat Morocco and we're home and hoes. We're in the knockout stages. I'm not saying we were blasé about it. You didn't have access to the sides like we'd have now, where we'd be able to see what you're expecting against the Morocco team. I'm not suggesting we sit down and watch a video, but you'd be more familiar. If you're playing a Germany or a Spain, you know the players. You've seen them, you've played against them, you know what to expect. I think sometimes it's a little different now because a lot of these players are multi-nationals, they're playing all over.
49:58But back in the day, you picked up a really good Nigeria team or Cameroon or something like that. Sometimes these guys, you were not familiar and it was the surprise nature, how big and powerful and strong and talented they were. We were a little bit like that with Norway, with Morocco. We did not play well and they surprised us. They were really good. Imagine my team, we had to watch Black White Deli to watch the opposition. Different times. Frank, silence the best policy after a crushing loss. Yeah, I think it's the best and I remember when we got kicked out by Denmark, the last game of the 2002 World Cup that we played.
50:42I was injured, I thought I was on the bench, I was hoping that the guy would do the job for me to come back. And that was, I knew that that was my last game that I was involved. And in fact, I put on some tears after the game and it was very silent. And I remember Michel Platini coming and talking to me and trying to put it like, you know, there are more important things in the world. So don't worry about that. But yeah, you want to leave the dressing room. Nobody wants to talk. I think it doesn't make any sense to talk. Everybody is happy when you win and we all lose together. To point somebody, especially straight after the game, doesn't help anything.
51:27So it's better to keep it quiet and leave the place. With Jarrell Qantas starting at right back for England, do you think Trent is now regretting his decision to leave Liverpool for Madrid? Is he in danger of missing the World Cup? Yes. Yeah Yeah, 100 % I mean, he has been injured So you can't really But even if you take that away I'm not so sure that he actually would have been An automatic starter at Real Madrid Back to Carvalhoff's fit now So yeah, it's a huge possibility I think the problem for him could be I don't think this will happen, but it might is if Carvajal continues to pick up these negling injuries, which, you know, he's came back from, he's in his 30s now, he's a brilliant player, but he's came back from that cruciate ligament tear and repair.
52:19If he picks up negling injuries on a regular basis and Alexander-Arnold is fully fit and Fede Valverde keeps getting shunted to right back, then that's warning signs, you know what I mean? So that's about as low as it's going to get. We'll see if that happens or not, but what you do know is, if his game time is limited, he's going to be absolutely quaking in his boots to see if Thomas Tuchel is going to pick him. Frank, based on the performances right now, who is your favourite team to win the World Cup next year?
52:54Well, I didn't really follow Argentina, but I think they have to be named as a possible contender and a possible winner for the next World Cup. We don't know how MC is going to be, in which level it's going to be, So let's see. But if we follow Europe, allow me to to name three teams, Spain, France and Portugal. I really think Portugal can can trouble everybody. And and of course, France and Spain have showed so, so much qualities and with individuals, but also as a squad. Let's see what England can do. But really right now, for me, the four favorites are Argentina, Spain, France and Portugal.
53:36and I can't name it, it's too early to name really only one favourite. You really must tune in, whenever this happens, you really must tune in for the day that Frank is doing his World Cup bracket for 2026. There could be somebody in there. There will always be one. With the draw coming really soon, I think we should start early. And bear in mind, is it 48 teams? Is it 48 teams? 48 teams. Right, so it's a bigger bracket than the last time. And he's going to be here for the draw. He's coming for the draw. Apparently. So somehow in the last bracket, he managed to shoehorn Denmark and, I believe, Canada.
54:17Canada. Into Canada. And I'm going to put Scotland this year. Frank, I'll give you 1 ,000 to 1 on any amount of money you want. Okay. Any amount. Frank, I'll give you$1 ,000 if you can find a bracket that you can see how Scotland are going to get all the way to the final.
54:42Let's see. I can work it out. Frank's bracket, it is. It's a key moment. It should be a key moment in the calendar. It's coming for the draw, Frankie. When's that? 5th of December? Yeah, yeah. Right. Yeah, I'm coming for the draw. I will be there the 5th. We are ready for you, Frank. We're going to be happy to have you here, and we cannot wait to see your picks. Thanks so much for sending in your questions today. We will be back tomorrow to do it all over again.
55:28network and ESPN app features like multi-view, 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.
From the publisher
The FC crew break down Scotland qualifying for their first World Cup since 1998 and praise manager Steve Clarke for turning around the national team. Plus, the guys argue if Florian Wirtz can translate his good form with Germany to Liverpool this weekend. Also, the crew explain why they aren't concerned that Arsenal could be without Gabriel for up to 2 months.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices