Spain back on track, Cape Verde with another stunner

24:01Norwegians, please tell Haaland not to score if he plays any of us. Any of us, you guys are amazing. Norwegians, best of luck. That took a historical turn I was not expecting. Let's be honest there. You liked it, Frank. I loved it. I mean, I'm very impressed. And I wouldn't be able to do that. The guy is a magician of words. The guy is a magician. Maybe he could get that. Do you know when he's going to perform and you have the quotes of what everybody said about you? Frank LaBeouf. The guy is a magician. Frank LaBeouf, World Cup winner. World Cup winner. Magician. Yeah. Look, the guy is a magician.

24:44And if he is a magician, can he give some rhythm to the Norwegian guys that were next to him? I'm just... That's tough. That's tough. I'm just... You know, this is not rhythm. I'm just... They're looking a little stiff. Maybe that's why we're not good dancers. Did he play the music over his rapper? Did he do it afterwards? I don't know. Yeah, so that's why they're out. I'm looking still. Listen, for pure entertainment, if you're on Snapchat, go and follow Erling Haaland right now. That is pure Norwegian entertainment. ESPN FC tonight, 10 p.m. Eastern on ESPN+. Make sure to join the team as they look back on all the day's action.

25:25we got to see a goal and an assist for most seller for egypt who made an all-important impact and got to celebrate yesterday that's next

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27:22Egypt went top of Group G with their maiden win in World Cup, waiting New Zealand 3-1. In the other game, we got to see Belgium 0-0 against Iran, but we did get to see Mo Salah and the team celebrating back at the hotel. Not too sure what that is that he's got there, a little beatbox. Looks expensive. Looks very expensive. Hope he doesn't drop it. They're not wrapping, are they? They look like they've got a bit more rhythm than our weekend. We can definitely say that. They also found their rhythm in this game against New Zealand. 3-1 it finished. We got to see Mo Salah on the score sheet. He got himself an assist as well.

28:00And this has turned things around for Egypt. Things looking good after their laces showing, Colin. Oh, yes, certainly. I could rap. I mean, I could say Frank LeBeouf, welcome, legend. And here is me sitting in the presence of Football Royal. Hey, Colin. Hey, OK. Chris Turner might want to watch his back. Wow. Look, here's the thing. I am thrilled for Egypt. They're the first African team to make it to the World Cup way back in 1934, and they're only just getting their first World Cup win. This is the Egypt we've all been waiting for all of these years on what they played. It's just almost shocking to think that Egypt has been at the World Cup in 1934, 1990, 2018, and now and now, and they're only just getting their first win.

28:48And they are, I mean, when you talk about Frank LaBeouf being football royalty as a World Cup, we are in Egypt, African football royalty. They won the African Nations Cup more times than any other country, in fact, by a record number than any other country. So coming to the World Cup and not being able to get a win has been almost like a black mark against Egypt. So being able to do this last night was a remarkable thing. And I mean, I felt really, really pleased for Egypt. And now they have a chance not only to make it. I mean, they have made it the next round with four points, but, you know, to actually win the group.

29:20If they get a win against Iran in their very next game, irrespective of what happens elsewhere. So I think this is great for Mohamed Salah. He's 34. His last World Cup, probably his last tournament for Egypt. He's a record World Cup goal scorer, has 116 appearances. And so, you know, imagine what would happen if he goes on with it and does a great job for India at this World Cup. Then he retires on the high and, of course, seals his legendary status in Egypt and also in Africa. To Colin's point, it almost feels weird, Nadam, to say that this was Egypt's first win in a World Cup. It obviously wasn't Mosulah's first goal in a World Cup, but, of course, he's the difference here.

29:56We're going to see the best of what Mosulah can offer in this game. See the best of what Mosulah can offer. I think this version of Mosulah, yeah, for sure. And I think it's good that they have made history. And I'm with Colin. Having covered or watched Afcon now for so, so many years, you see how dominant they can be. That tournament like the record holders, but then when it comes down to this world today It's just so so different So for them to finally get that monkey off their back and the reward to be like they could win the whole group You know huge credit to them and most all is gonna be a big part of that But I'll be wary by the way of saying like this could be someone's last World Cup because four years ago I thought it was maybe Messi's and Ronaldo's last World Cup and I think for Salah at 34 Maybe the drive for him is to be at one more.

30:35So yeah credit to him for making a history with Egypt yesterday Mo Salah we have been I think conditioned to be negative about Mo Salah this past season because of the struggles at Liverpool not only for him individually but for Liverpool as a whole and we all sort of package all of that together and say well clearly he's going to struggle then at the World Cup and maybe this is just a chance to breathe, it's a chance to see a completely different picture and to find inspiration in representing your country and all of that would sound like a narrative or rhetoric, but when the guy goes and scores a goal, then it's okay.

31:14It's not so much a narrative. It's not so much a rhetoric. It's actually the reality that you're seeing a different level of performance from him that elevates Egypt, and now they have won a World Cup game. Finally, where does that take them in this World Cup? Remains to be seen. But can they maintain the momentum and sustain the level of performance? That's a bigger question. One team who could do with a win in this World Cup right now is Belgium. Of course, that was the other game. They played out a nil-nil draw with Iran. And just not looking up too much right now. That's back-to-back draws for them, Frank.

31:48Yes, it doesn't work a lot. But credit to Iran. I mean, they worked hard and they scored one goal. It was disallowed because of a right offside, but from very close. And they had another change saved by Courtois. but they fought hard, they fought like they were playing their lives and nothing to say about that. But Belgium, yes, they have to find something. It's like they lost their module, they tried, but they're not convincing to me. And we want to see more, of course, from some fantastic players. And like Courtois is, you have the right to be upset because it's not enough. It's clearly not enough with all the talents you have into the squad.

32:32Yeah, Daryl Midakou is absent, sorely felt in this game. but we have to talk about Romelu Lukaku as it stands right now. And you look at the figures and just how little he played last season. That the boys were mentioning on ESPN FC was there to see for Romelu Lukaku in this game yesterday. They mentioned that he looked tired. 64 minutes with Napoli this season. Obviously some internal problems where Lukaku went off to get treatment that he wanted to do and that went against what the club wanted for him. And so that's what we'd seen there as well. Injuries playing their part in this as well. 38 touches across the whole season, and then it comes to the World Cup here.

33:09It's no way to set up for what you're going to be doing on the world stage, is it, Ale? Yeah, but if Belgium had somebody else who was a reliable striker, a guy that you can count on to score his goals, and was actually creating opportunities and taking advantage of opportunities, we would not be having this discussion about Lukaku. We would not. They would not be depending on Lukaku. But nobody gets excited about Charles de Quetelari. Nobody gets excited. He doesn't get anybody going. And frankly, this team doesn't get anybody going. They are so, so bland. And I mean bland. They need some salt.

33:44They need some pepper. They need the whole thing. Paprika. Put anything and everything. Let's call Bobby Flay. Let's get Bobby Flay to season Belgium because they have nothing going for them right now. Let's get Doku back. Yeah, I'd love to see Doku back. and obviously he will be going home at some point for the birth his first child which i'll go on the record and say i'm backing it 100 by the way 100 but i think when you think about the sort of flair that belgium can have i think he's a big part of that and when he's not playing it kind of feels a little bit paint by numbers but when the final piece isn't like a masterpiece it's not great and at times it did feel boring it felt a little bit slow and i think around well obviously you know they're very compelled to do well at this tournament and they were battling battling battling and Belgium just didn't have the answers.

34:30It's hugely disappointing for a side to be that talented and to lack that much creativity and to miss some of those opportunities. Now they're going to the last game. You know, with something to play for, something significant to play for, but also from our perspective, I believe, I'm not 100 % sure they're going to get the job done, which I wouldn't have thought would be the case given the nature of the group that they're in. Yeah, there'll be a lot more talk about Belgium, no doubt, as the tournament progresses, but let's just see how far and how much talk there will be on them. Colin, thank you so much for being with us.

34:57We will speak to you again soon, my friend, especially rapping like that. I'm sure Frank was impressed. Thank you so much. Yes, more from Belgium. Oh, wait a minute. Who wears a deep v-neck better? Stewie or Frank? No one wears anything better than Stewie, let's be honest. Well, it's a deep v-neck. Oggi, looking very pensive there in the corner. We'll be getting at him later. Messi just got even bigger in Argentina. We'll explain why when we come back and these guys are over at the sandbox. Stick around.

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37:05Will we see more Messi magic today as Argentina take on Austria at 1 p.m. Eastern in Dallas Stadium? Both teams won their opening games, but we all know it was Lionel Messi who stole the headlines on match day one with a hat trick in the opener while the boys are over at the sandbox now to tell us how that first goal against Algeria came about. Thank you, Kay. We're going to give you the keys. Well, not we. Natum is going to give you the keys as to how is it that you go about stopping Lionel Messi. Good luck with that. Let's just set up that first goal against Algeria. Now, earlier on in his career, Lionel Messi would start out in this sort of areas and then he would come on and drift with the ball and he would look to combine but he will start wide.

37:48For years now he actually takes far more of a central position and really loves this area of the field where he is behind the midfield line and in front of the back line. Now in order to find him and in order to make it an effective play for Lionel Messi and an effective place to be you need to search and find them with the ball and you got to give credit to Rodrigo because in this particular sequence he was able to split the lines, hit a penetrating pass and put Lionel Messi in a position where now he has choices and because you're the center back, okay Nader Manua, you tell me. Good luck, how do you go about stopping him?

38:30You know initially that pass from Rodrigo de Paul is an excellent pass. There's risk involved but it's the perfect ball for Messi and as soon as he gets on the half turn this is where you have problems because now essentially these defenders you could argue they're in hell. One of the first problems is you have the likes of Almada, you have the likes of Lautaro Martinez making these runs forward and you have to take those runs seriously because you know with somebody like Lionel Messi there is a chance that the balls could be played in and around these spaces. There's absolutely a chance of that being the case.

38:58So you have to think okay we're gonna drop, we're gonna drop, but then you're also dropping when one of the best finishes in the history of the game is also coming forward towards you. So you're in hell now and in fairness you have to make a decision what What is the least likely option for him to score? And on this occasion, you think, well, let him shoot. But we're talking about Lionel Messi. And then before you know it, there's a ball that goes straight into your net. It's the first of what ended up being a very, very special day for Messi and the Argentina team. Okay. Well, so, Kay, yeah, you came to us and to Nadam to find a solution.

39:32And Lionel Messi still put the ball in the back of the net. So, good luck, Austria. I'm just still impressed with those red lines that Nadam got to draw in the sand. He's really proud of those. The world's largest Messi statue standing at 26 meters in Argentina, weighing 70 tons. It is five meters taller than the large statue of Messi in India. This is Messi. He is massive. He's a Messi mural as well. wonderful stuff that we're getting to see here in Dallas where Argentina are playing later today and we will get to see we went to Natum for solutions and his solution was no solution at all Messi get the red lines and then we see some true art these fans getting ready for Messi they cannot wait to see more after what we saw in round one from Argentina where he did score his first World Cup hat-trick what will we see against Austria Let's get word from Frank Leboff, who is still with us.

40:36Another chance to see Messi, a man who, of course, you have met, Frank Leboff. Oh, well, the guy seems to be unstoppable. And on top of it, again, like in 2022, and I was far away from thinking that would be possible again, is that everybody is sacrificing for him. And the team works for him like crazy to make sure the guy is going to be sure. On that special goal, the first goal, for me, one of the center, I should have gone closer before Messi got the ball. But when he got it in turn, it was over. It was too late. But that guy is a genius. He doesn't need to be strong, doesn't need to be physical.

41:15He has everything else needed to score fantastic goals and to see better than anybody else, to see before anybody else. So it's possible that Lionel Messi keeps on doing great. Just want to talk about the statue, if you don't mind. It seems to be that Ronaldo and him are in contest for everything, even on the ugliest statue. Because that Ronaldo one is very ugly. That one is as ugly as the other one. So they are in a contest for everything, those guys. Oh, Frank's not so happy with the statues as he was with the wrapping that he heard earlier in the show. But yeah, there is that Messi statue. It's a very long arm in the statue.

41:53It's a very interesting position the statue's in as well, but whatever. Who am I to complain? I'm not in the statue business. However, Messi is in the breaking record business. And tonight he could become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup play. He went level with Miroslav Klose in that last game with 16 World Cup goals. Messi getting his in the 27 games that he's played. You cannot put it past him for doing it once again and breaking another record here. No, absolutely not. He's an icon. He's an icon for the sport. You know, basically been the face of it for his whole career this last 20 years.

42:28And, you know, as well, for as good as he is, the thing that was quite alarming in there was I just saw like Kylian Mbappe just a few steps below, just two games behind. So we're going to talk about Messi doing it and then maybe we'll get a chance to talk about, say, Mbappe doing it as well. But I think for how good he is as a player, you know, this is so, so significant. He has statues not just in Argentina, he has them all around the world. This is how important he is to the game of football people from other countries support this player like he is one of their own So yeah, it would be great if he was able to do it And you know, maybe you could hear some words from talking about the significance of that And yeah, every time he's playing you just have to watch them because you just you just know something special is gonna happen Did anybody notice?

43:07After we did the breakdown and Frank was talking about how he would have defended Lionel Messi there was a passive-aggressive tone towards Natum from Frank saying, if I were a centre-back, I would have stepped into that space. I'm not backing off of him. I'm stepping into that space. I think Frank would have done that differently than Natum. We have controversy. No, no, let's not do that. Let's not do that, Ale, because he then said, after Messi turns, you know that it's over. Thank you, Frank. You agreed with us. Thank you, Frank. Don't listen to him. We'll stay together. Don't listen to him.

43:38Kind of. Kind of agree. Kind of agree. All right. some people are not sticking with anything. Mark Ogden was not so complimentary about the USA and his pre-tournament pick saying the United States, the most surprising team that won't make it out of the groups. When Turkey won their World Cup playoff against Kosovo in March, it was bad news for the US. Turkey will be the best team in Group D by some distance. So it heaps the pressure on Mauricio Pochettino's team to beat Paraguay and Australia. But Pochettino has failed to create a feel-good factor and the US team has done nothing in the past two years.

44:11suggest it will suddenly come good now. Now, at least for Mark, that was before the tournament. Julian Leroy is still sticking with his bias against the US, it would seem, even though he does it wearing a US shirt. Here's what he said on the latest Kevin Jules show. Jules, World Cup fever is building in the streets. USA, USA. How much have we heard the USA since they won that second game? And now they all believe here that they can win the World Cup and they're going to win the World Cup. Even Zlatan on US TV said, yes, they can win the World Cup. No, they can't. They're not going to win the World Cup.

44:49Jules. No, they can't, he says. Ten favorites to win the World Cup as it stands right now. Mark Ogden saying bad things before the tournament. Jules doubling down during the tournament. After seeing what the United States can offer, what can you say, Ali Moreno? You were flying that banner the other day for the USA. All I said is get excited and get excited based on facts, based on what you have seen from the team, not on projection, not on what we may think this team is going to look like. Get excited on what we have seen so far. And if indeed there is a reason to get excited, then why tell people to be miserable?

45:30That'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. If that means that this team is going to win the World Cup, that's a different conversation altogether. But I think we're missing the point. The point is that the United States have played really well. They have given their fans a reason to believe in something bigger that perhaps they did not think it was possible. And they have given the bookies a reason to believe as well. Because when we put that list together ahead of the tournament, the United States were nowhere near that list.

45:59And so, look, again, USA, America, number one, flying eagles everywhere. get excited believe in something we'll see how long this goes I'm very upset that you didn't bring your sparkly hat and your glasses that you put on the other day on YouTube let's just let's let's see how this how far this team goes if this team goes as far as some people think they may it will be a hat it will be the glasses it will be the outfit I'll be all America all the time God bless America are you some people are you some people as far as some people believe they'll go Are you some people? I don't consider myself some people.

46:35You're just that guy? I'm just a guy that is happy for the people of the United States to be excited about their team. He's just a man sitting in front of a camera telling the United States that he loves them. Yes, absolutely. Absolutely. Yeah, Frank. Those Frenchies, so miserable. Julien Leran, huh? So pessimistic. I mean, I'm ashamed. I'm ashamed for him, you know. The guy is in the U.S. land, you know, and is so pessimistic, even with the two wins. I'm Ali. I'm going to be ready to wear the all-outfit, you know, to celebrate the United States because I'm super excited. I'm super excited. Two games, we were so far away to expect that, and they played so well.

47:20So, yeah, they have the right to dream. They have the right to even go into fantasy if they want to. But so far, so good. So, I'm with the guys. I'm with the only United States citizen who want to believe that United States can go very far and maybe win the World Cup. Yeah, we're supersizing that dream, all right, here in the US. Yeah, sure, sure, sure. To be honest, the Julian thing, I get it. The funny one is Oggy. Oggy must hate the US, by the way. Of course, we're in the business in our show of never reminding anybody what their predictions were. Sometimes that's why you've got to say nothing.

47:54But Jules had anger within his opinion while wearing the United States jersey. and he's like, I don't want to hear any of that because that would mean that his team, France, is not winning. And he's sort of taking it personally. I'm taking a more global approach to this. If you're winning, be excited. What else could you do if you're winning matches? Mr. Worldwide over there, the global approach. Got to love that. Go check out Gab and Jules and get annoyed at Jules. Or maybe don't. Maybe you agree with him. Anyway, their podcast is dropping throughout the tournament. You can check it out wherever you get your podcasts.

48:29Scotland are in Miami and the 305 has never been so alive. More on that when we return. All right. All right.

48:40NWSL action coming up July 5th on Sunday. Boston Legacy taking on Bay FC. Noon Eastern on ESPN. Make sure to catch that game.

48:54Pitch Preview is brought to you by DraftKings Sports. Slate of action for you today. Coming up, Argentina against Austria. France taking on Iraq after that. Followed by Norway against Senegal. And then it's all rounded out with Jordan against Algeria. So let's get the picks. We're bringing in Frank Leboeuf for this one. I'll do his for him. Okay, Frankie? All right. Just for you, Frankie. Not for anyone else, all right? Okay. Okay, let's get started with Norway. Okay, thank you very much. Yes, Norway against Senegal. No, no worries. because I want the three of them to get qualified. I'm talking about France, Senegal and Norway.

49:29I would say a draw in that game and Senegal will win the last game against Iran and get qualified. So I see 1-1, Norway, Senegal. Okay, all right. 1-1. Okay. Do you know what I like his thinking, actually? Yeah? I want to go for Norway because I have a few Norwegian friends, but I also have a few Senegalese friends. So let me sit on the fence. Okay. Can we get a professional on this, please? You have friends? I have friends. Bias, friends. This is how you make your decision. That's what we do. I'll tell you what, Frank, he's picking a draw, right? There is no draw when he comes who wears a v-neck better.

50:01Stewie wears it better than Frank. I'm not picking with Frank. I'm going Norway. Yeah, I'm not going against Sterling Haaland after what I saw in the first game, so I'm going for Norway too. All right, next up, Frank Leboeuf. I wonder who you've got here, France against Iraq. You know, with the national team, we get a tendency to get a little bit sloppy, you know, in games like that. so I will go for France, of course, 2-0. We get a little bit sloppy, but they won't concede and they're going to score two. I'm going to just bring this just over there. You could have taken me with you. Oh, sorry, I should have taken you.

50:35Yeah, sorry, I didn't want to assume. I didn't want to assume. Well, I'll join the party, why not? Just in case. No, that's all right. OK. Argentina, Austria. Frank. Who does Messi play for? Come on, Messi, Messi, Argentina. Is he going to break the record tonight, Frank?

50:55No, yeah, Messi, Messi, two nil, three nil. Would you like me to, or do you want to do this on yourself? Look, I don't know. Are you not sure? I'm not, it's not my technical ability to put this together, but I'm just saying as a recommendation, we may want to have a different shade of blue here so that we can differentiate the flag. I'm just suggesting something for the production team. Thank you. Argentina and Messi breaking records today. Yep. Okay. Jordan, Algeria, final game of the day. Who have we got? No, Frankie. Algeria, I have too many friends, you know, who told me that they're going to beat Argentina.

51:33They've been smashed by Messi, so I want to put Algeria, otherwise they're going to be very upset. So Algeria. Algeria, okay. Again, the friends. Friends thing, right? Oh, friends. Speaking of friends, yeah, I've got a few Algerian friends, yeah. Might as well support them. I don't know if I have Jordan friends or Algerian friends, but... You can go for a draw. I'm just going to go with Algerian friends. That's a good point, Frank. I don't have many friends. Makeup was done by a Jordanian today, so... Oh! There you go. All right. Professional corruption. Okay. So, one thing that we've been loving is seeing the content now that the Tartan army are headed already in Miami.

52:14These are some of the things that we've seen happening on the plains. and all of the staff get involved as well. It's a gift that came to give me. Look at these moons, Alex. Come on, ladies. Bring it home, ladies. Come on now. I appreciate it. Oh, hello. Here it is. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. America! Oh, my God. America! God bless America.

52:40So this is what it's all about, Frank. So he's bringing the hat and the glasses. What are you going to bring? What's your American attire going to be? My underwear. What? My American underwear. Thank you. Merci for that. That would be great. We will give you a warning to ensure you don't tune in that day. But thank you so much for being with us today on ESPN FC. We'll be back tomorrow with more of the same. See you then.

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