USMNT Win World Cup Group

25:15And so now for Brazil, to Jermaine's point, it's like, hey, man, how about we finish first in the group? Because doing that is going to take some work. Doing that is going to take the best from Brazil. We just haven't seen any of that so far. Brazil have been underwhelming. Jermaine, if it is two to four weeks for Rafinha to be out of this Brazil squad, there's going to be a massive blow for them. Oh, yeah. If he's out, then that's a massive blow, like you said. But let's be honest, they have a couple of players there. They can change the games, right? But it will be still, if you look, Neymar's out.

25:50You don't know really what's coming with him, if he's coming and playing. Now you have Rafinha out. It's an attacking part two. So they have to figure out what they want to do. Yeah, we'll be interested to see. Well, one player that definitely shown for Brazil is Mateus Cunha. He's one of our own. You know my Manchester United allegiances. He had not won but two goals on target last night for the Brazilians. And the boys are making their way over to the sandbox. That's Xhaka alongside Ale Moreno. Guys, what do you have for us? I feel like we're going to talk a little Jogo Bonito. Let's talk a little Brazil.

26:29Why not? Why not? That's why we're here. And here's the thing. There's this narrative about this version of Brazil under Carlo Encelotti that they're better in the counterattack than they are actually with possession of the ball. So it's not so much Jogo Bonito as it is Jogo Feito. But is it effective? And that's the question. The best example of that was the second goal by Mateus Cuña last night, in which you actually get press on the ball. When you get pressure on the ball in this other area, Brazil can be very effective. What are they able to do when they do that? Ah, how about Lucas Paqueta?

27:01Forces the turnover, and enforces the turnover. That's the signal for Rafinha to go. Mateus Cuña is going. Vinny Jr., who's gonna receive the ball from Lucas Paquetá, at this point, he's on the turn and he's going as well, which then puts a lot of pressure on the defenders. What do we do? We're 3v2. We're gonna try to delay because this guy is never gonna get back in time. Vinny Jr. is now getting forward. Mateo Scuña now has a run to pick out. Where do I time it? How do I get in behind? This defender has to make a decision. He decides to step to the ball to Vinny Jr., which then allows Mateo Scuña to get in behind.

27:36Rafinha still have presence here. That's why the other center back is occupied. Finney Jr. finds Mateus Cunha. And now it's all about the finish of Mateus Cunha. And can he go to goal? Did he ever go to goal? It was a beautiful finish from Mateus Cunha. Eventually, we're going to get there. It seemed to work, Xhaka. Against Haiti. It seemed to work, Xhaka. Against Haiti. Tell me about, is this by design or is this by accident? And that's my question. Now, keep in mind, Brazil already won down. You say, Haiti already won down in a game that they need to win. So they are pressing forward. You say that Brazil have to get pressure on the ball in these spaces, all well and good.

28:21I don't just say that. I think that's the plan. Right. If that's the plan, then tell me, why is Casemiro here? Why doesn't Casemiro step into these spaces to join, make a three in midfield, have higher pressure on the ball, win it back as it did effectively? Now, again, Casemiro sitting a little tighter to the defense worked well against Haiti. I'm not sure that this translates to any better opposition. You know what? You have very little faith, Chey. Very little faith. It worked. It did. That principle. Against Haiti. When they're 3v3 going in the other way, it's ideal for Brazil. I'm not disputing that it worked.

29:06It worked really well against a very poor Haiti team in a game that they needed to win and were already down. Okay. Well, as you know, Alexis, I'm a beacon of positivity. It worked in that play. Apparently, Xhaka is not buying it. Ale, you are always the gold standard for positivity. All right, here's a look at the Group C standings then after last night's fixtures. Brazil top of the group, but only just with a superior goal difference over Morocco. Scotland, though, still in it with a shout. Haiti, though, unfortunately, will bow out after their loss in this one. Well, let's talk about Haiti, shall we, and bring Patrick officially back in to get some Haiti Sasson on the show.

29:50And I know, Patrick, of course, not the results you would have wanted, but it was still just an amazing feat for Haiti. to qualify for the World Cup again, especially not being able to play in front of a home crowd. How do you think all the Haitians around the world will be feeling after what we've seen? Mixed feelings, Alexis. Mixed feelings. Again, I'm wearing my dog glasses once more because actually I'm trying to hide my tears, but also the bags under my eyes, right? And you ask yourself why the bags under the eyes. It's because though I shed tears this morning as I woke up last night, I was so proud last night.

30:31We celebrated while we lost and I'm not sure I'm using the word lost properly. I think it's inaccurate at this point, because for me it was not a loss to tell you the truth. You know, we came to tell our story, Alexis, we came to tell our story and you know what, we did it we did it against two of the best teams in the world that might end up being the top contenders for the World Cup and it was no small feat we fought, we battled we did the best that we could and I could not ask for anything more yes, I would have loved for us to be able to score a goal, you know, another goal besides for the one from Manu Sano in 74.

31:23But we still have the next game and hopefully this still can happen. But for now, I must confess, not only myself, but most Haitian people that you talk to, they will tell you, yes, we're sad. But at the same token, we have an immense sense of pride and kudos to our boys. Yes, indeed. Haiti absolutely represented the Caribbean and CONCACAF region. Well, valiantly fought. And hopefully we do see Haiti again at another World Cup. Patrick, we hope you're able to dry those tears and still feel very proud of what you saw from your boys. Thank you so much. You still got a nice jacket, Patrick. You still got a nice jacket and you still got nice glasses too.

32:07Merci, merci. Thank you so much. Patrick there bringing some Haitian vibes indeed. Well, let's have a look at this match now to Scotland. Frustrating Morocco to a certain point, I guess. Maybe frustrating our Stevie Nichol more. But Morocco got the win in this one. Boy, this did not make for pretty watching, let me tell you that. But you know we watch every single game here very closely. Shaq, let me come to you first. Underwhelming from Morocco. Did you, like Brazil, expect more from this? I did. In both. Especially when you get the start that you do. You scored in what was the second minute.

32:43I almost felt like it was sooner than that. And a stunning goal, too. And I just thought Morocco would build on that. Very good performance. They probably, against Brazil, probably come away from that game feeling that they deserve more than they got against Brazil. Come into this game against Scotland. Get the perfect start to the game. And yet you're unable to build on that. And maybe me saying that and being as critical of Morocco as I am for that is not giving Scotland enough credit. They have certainly battled their way to this tournament. One big star, if you could call him that, in McTominay.

33:20Maybe you throw him again in there as well. What did you just say? Don't come at me or us and our own and all. If you can't call McTominay and they start, don't. One of our own and all that. Don't. But let's be honest. When you look at this Scotland team, workmanlike is a general feeling around it. Yes, there's some quality, but workmanlike. You get that start. Now Scotland have to press forward. I just expected so much more from Morocco than they delivered in the next 88 minutes. We're going to ignore what Shaka had to say about the one and only Scott McTominay. Or all the time. Or just all the time.

33:57I was going to say, what's different? JJ, the good thing is, though, Scotland's still in this with a shout, a big shout, kind of. Yeah. You know, for me, what I really like in this tournament is that we say, like, the smaller countries, you know, that they're all really in this tournament. And they make it really tough for the bigger countries or the countries with the name where they come to this tournament and everybody has them as the favor. So, and I think that's beautiful because that helps the game in growing and gets better because you see the smaller countries just developing and getting better.

34:27You know, Scotland put themselves in a position that they have still a chance, where before the tournament, nobody was really, yeah, even having them in that phase, I would say, to be able to come out of this group stage, because you had Morocco, Brazil. So, and then you had planned, okay, maybe Scotland, and then it's Haiti. But, yeah, they kept it open. And then, you know, we say now, what I said before, playing against Scotland with the fans, with the atmosphere and all that stuff, Brazil has the pressure. Brazil has to win. It would be an interesting game. And I think the Scottish, everybody who knows the Scottish football, the Scottish tradition is going against it.

35:07And Brazil wants to play. It would be interesting. They are absolute gladiators indeed. Well, as Jermaine said, there's a lot of pressure on some of the bigger countries, the usual superpowers of football. Germany is one of them. And so is the Netherlands. Two tough tests await them, though. We'll talk about it next.

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36:06So I talked to my doctor about self-injecting with the Vivgard Hytrulo Pre-Filled Syringe, which contains F-Gartigamide Alpha and Hyaluronidase QVFC. It's injected under your skin subcutaneously. It means I can inject in my space on my time. It's my treatment, my way. Visit VivgardMyWay.com. That's V-Y-V-G-A-R-T MyWay.com And talk to your doctor about Vivgard Hattrulo Brought to you by Argenics Welcome back, here's a look at the Group E standings Germany on top with three points, level on points So with Ivory Coast, those are their opponents for today Ecuador and Curaçao, Ecuador still without a point We will see if they're able to get one today Let's welcome in Archie Rintutdo All the way from Germany We've got an Englishman to talk about Germany, but Archie, we know you're there.

36:57You're boots on the ground. What's the vibe in Germany ahead of this one? Because, of course, it was a big and expected win over Curacao. It got people excited, though, but this is expected to be the real first test for Germany. Exactly that. I think that when you see how other teams at this World Cup have gone against the supposed underdogs, then actually Germany's result looks even more favorable now. but that said when I try and capture the mood on the ground here when I'm in the supermarket doing my groceries and I hear behind me yeah but did you hear you know we all saw the goal that Germany conceded and I'm thinking guys you won 7-1 but this is the German mentality there they are very critical in all situations but that is because they have won the World Cup as many times as they have and there is that expectation naturally upon them there is a bit more World Cup fever this time than there was four years ago because there was quite a few fans who were boycotting the Qatar tournament in terms of watching it.

37:58But now you do feel a little bit more here. There is some criticism towards Leroy Sane, you know, Norgzman having to avoid the bait in his press conference. But look, I think for Germany, the tournament starts here and they know from the Bundesliga what kind of weapons the Ivory Coast have. Exactly. We're expecting some serious weapons from Cote d 'Ivoire in this one. How do you see them going head to head with Germany? Yeah, you guys had a point. I think that's the game where they get tested. The first game I watched it too and Germany had to win that game. But still, like the Germans are, they look back and they say, but still we had received a goal against a team where we normally should not receive this goal.

38:41What is it if we play against a better country like now Ivory Coast? And I think that would be the test. But I have to say, in Germany it's an atmosphere of like a young team Yes, there's always a little bit of sight noise with the coach Julian Nagelsmann and he gets questioned because of the decision with Manuel Neuer and all that stuff before. But I think when you look at the team with Havertz, Sané, Wiertz, they're really strong, especially in the front. And you saw it in the first game, that if they get the chances, they score the goals. But now against Ivory Coast, an African team, we will see because I think a lot of African teams showed already in the tournament, they can compete.

39:23And they will be interested to see if this young German group can compete with them. Alec, can they compete with them? I think Germany has a lot of players that are exciting, the German crowd and the German fans, because it's kind of you're moving away from what was the older generation into the newer generation. And so you can get excited about a guy like Florian Verz, of course, even though he had a disappointing season with Liverpool. You see him with Germany and he's just floating everywhere and getting touches on the ball everywhere. And you know that there is something about to happen when he touches the ball.

39:56And then in that same breath, you can talk about a guy like Nathaniel Brown and go, where did this come from? How did this happen? and yet he is the starting left back for Germany. And you see the growth and maturation of a kid because he is a kid. And now he has all the responsibility, but it's a player that you can get excited about. And while Nathaniel Brown may be excited about the opportunity, I don't know about today whether he's excited because in front of him, he's going to have a guy like Jan Diomande, who, let me just tell you, has run circles around Nathaniel Brown before in Bundesliga play.

40:29How do I know this? because, yeah, super, we cover this league all the time. Bundesliga-SAC. And Bundesliga-SAC. Don't forget about Bundesliga-SAC. Yeah, yeah. But to the point of Germany, and how are they going to be successful? Well, I just mentioned the young players, and it's easy to get behind those guys. It is going to depend on some of the veteran players. Yep. I'm still not convinced that the role of Joshua Kimmich is right back for this team. But that's where he's playing. And if that's where he's going to play, if you have a matchup of speed against Joshua Kimmich, you're going to win that matchup, whoever you are, because speed is not his friend.

41:09It's not what he does best. And what are you sacrificing in having him as a right back in the midfield? I think they're short in numbers, whether it's in the midfield or on the right back position. And let's assume that they get broken through. Well, then Manuel Neuer is going to have to come up with a save. So as much as I like to talk about the young guys, it may come down to the older. guys. Archie, would you make up what the boys had to say here at the desk, especially about the battles that we're expecting from certain players? Adding to Ale's point, the biggest role tonight to help Joshua Kimmich is from Leroy Sane to make sure that Kimmich has helped against Yandy Umande.

41:47Nene Brown did very well this season against Lamin Yamal and against Michael Elise, but as Ale says, Yandy Umande, as he did to a lot of people was pretty destructive. I think one more point to add is that the pressure on Julian Nagelsmann has actually come down a bit because of the faux pas from Jurgen Klopp saying, oh, he's still got the job right now. That's been a huge topic here and something that I wouldn't have predicted before the tournament to happen. And it's the first time ever I've seen Jurgen Klopp grovelling in an apology to Nagelsmann on TV after. So yeah, weird times we're living in here.

42:26Interesting times indeed, JJ. I think you told us about that as well. But, ooh, my days. We hear more about Archie and shopping in the central market. That sounds more interesting. Oh, stop it. Stop it. No thanks. We're good with that. Thanks so much, Archie. We're not going to let you go 100 % just yet. Just a quick break because we're going to talk about the Netherlands now. Here's a look at their Group F standings again. What was a disappointing result for the Netherlands in their opening game as it played out to a draw? Now they have one of the tougher games of their group up against Sweden.

42:55Xhaka, what are you expecting from this game? I expect the Netherlands to dominate. I'll be honest, while Sweden beat Tunisia convincingly, I did not see that coming, kind of given their struggles in qualifying. They get off to a good start and look very good in doing that. But I expect the Dutch to win, maybe not by as big a scoreline as I would have predicted a couple of weeks ago before a ball was kicked. But surely the Dutch have got too much for Sweden, who come back down to this with a bump. Jermaine, is that how you see it, too? A big win for the Netherlands against Sweden? I would say a win.

43:26I would not say a big win, but I think they would go with a 2-1. But, yeah, they're a better team. Don't ever listen to Shaq. Just in general. I didn't say a big win. I said not as big a win as I would have expected. Morale-boosting win. Any win in a World Cup is a big win, right? The Netherlands may win, but they better deal with the combo package of Isak and Jokeres who look really good in the game against Tunisia. I'm going to pick the Netherlands. Not as big as Shaq is saying. I did not say big. I think Xhaka said he didn't say big and goals. She misquoted me. Any win in a World Cup is a big win.

44:02Am I right? I didn't say that either. All right. Probably for the best. We're going to take a quick break now, but don't go anywhere because when we come back, we will be talking about our impressions of the World Cup, but what we've seen off the pitch.

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46:40Ben Well, from the Norwegian Vikings to just the Mexican Fiesta to the Tartan Army, all of these scenes off the pitch have absolutely captivated our hearts and attention because this is what the World Cup is all about. Now, if Ale Moreno is our beacon of positivity, then Mark Ogden is our prince of darkness. But we have brought him on anyway to speak about what we think of the World Cup. Augie, of course, there was so much controversy, as there usually is whenever any country hosts a World Cup, let alone three here, what they were expecting. There have been visa issues, etc. But you've been to a couple of games now, a couple of different cities.

47:18What have been your honest impressions so far? It's been fantastic. I think, you know, when the football starts, the tournament often kind of washes away the negativity beforehand. But I just think the football's been great. The stadiums have been full. And I was in Mexico a couple of days ago. And it's right where you belong. Exactly. But that gives you a different flavour of the tournament because to be in Mexico, a Mexico home game, it's a special occasion. But then saying that, being at the US game against Paraguay, again, was a special occasion, but on a different level. But, I mean, Ali, you know, they really feel it in Mexico.

47:47It's different. And I don't say that they don't feel it in the US. They do, but it's different. And that's the special flavour of this World Cup. There's so many different kind of geographical locations, different cultures. It's just, and it's a real melting pot and it's been a fantastic tournament so far. Did you have any good meals in Mexico? I'd be lying if I said that I did. Actually, to be fair, I had a good breakfast. I was recommended a breakfast by an FC viewer, and it was, I can't, was it Chilaquiles? Chilaquiles. Oh, we're living now. Mark arguing is eating Chilaquiles. We're living right.

48:18I'll learn how to pronounce it soon as well. From Manchester to eating Chilaquiles in Mexico, what a time. Archie, what about you, especially from the European and UK perspective? perspective, what's been the response like to all the images we have been seeing, especially off the pitch? So three things that I would point out that I've registered here, which I would say, you know, the World Cup's going on. One, I've watched most games, but when I knew the fact, having gone to sleep before the Turkey game this morning and the fact that I wasn't woken up by horns, I was like, they're out. I knew they were out because in Cologne especially when Turkey win you know about it there is an auto there is a car parade you name it I think also I've registered the fact that Miro Clos's record is coming to an end as the top goal scorer in the World Cup with a bit of sadness as well who can forget the iconic picture that he had with Rihanna once upon a time after he won the World Cup but it does look like Leo Messi and Kylian Mbappe are going to overtake him shortly but lots of positivity.

49:24And you see shirts everywhere from all the countries. It's fantastic to notice that. And yeah, I think it has really captured the imagination. But I think over here, France are everybody's favourites given that opening round of matches. Yeah, that's true. It looks like we're also going to be gearing up for a record-breaking World Cup, as Archie pointed out. Yeah, I mean, I wrote about Mbappe going closer to closer. I didn't think that Messi would equalise on that same night. It's just been amazing. Messi just defies logic, doesn't it? Is he 39 this week? He's just breaking records, and he was outstanding against Algeria.

49:58So lots of records being broken, but will the record of 60 years of hurt end for England? Oh, jeez. On that note, guys. How we reached there. How we reached it's coming home again. You're right. The prince of darkness is back. All right. Don't forget that ESPN FC will be looking back at all the day's action tonight, 10 p.m. Eastern time on ESPN+.

50:23Well, the NWSL returns to ESPN on July 5th. That's a Sunday noon Eastern time kickoff for this one. Boston Legacy up against Bay FC on ESPN.

50:37Pitch preview is brought to you by DraftKings Sports. All right, it is judgment day. It is time to put the boys to the test and see if you can trust them with your World Cup predictions as we get them now. Let's start off with this one. Netherlands, Sweden. Shaq have predicted a ton of goals in this one. I did not. Ale, you first. I was told to do it quickly, so there you go. Netherlands, do you know what? I'm going for the mighty Dutch army as well. Sorry, Zlatan. You know I love you, though. Okay. Shaq? 2-0. Oh. That's not a big victory. I never said big victory. Morale-boosting big victory.

51:14JJ? I am going. Uh-oh. Uh-oh. We got... All right. Okay. Move it. Move it. We got to move it. All right. We're running out of time, but JJ's going with Sweden. Germany against Ivory Coast. Ale? Yeah. Super. Jaka. I feel like I can do Jermaine's as well. We know exactly where Jermaine's going. No worry about that. I think my boy, Amandiyalo might come with me. You got to move it, Alexis. You got to move it, Alexis. Germany as well. This one's for my orthodontist, Dr. Beck, who's German. Who? Who? I could never. I could never go against him. Ecuador, Curaçao. Let's move it along, Alexis. Oh, shocker to everyone.

51:53Everybody over there. And then finally, Tunisia, Japan. I think we're all right. Everybody there. That's it for this edition of ESPN FC. See you later tonight.

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