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In short
The episode is a World Cup Daily/Guardian Football Weekly roundup of group-stage results and what they mean for qualification, plus previews of upcoming matches. Scotland are discussed at length after losing 3-0 to Brazil: they have three points and are “almost certainly” going home, with panelists citing cheap early defensive mistakes, poor chance conversion, and limited attacking impact. Haiti are eliminated after losing to Morocco. Group B: Switzerland top after beating Canada; Bosnia qualify for the first time after beating Qatar. Group A: Mexico advance with a perfect record and no goals conceded; South Africa qualify for the first time ever after beating South Korea. Notable examples include Scotland’s disallowed goal vs Brazil, McTominay’s missed chances, and Bosnia’s Ali Begović goal. Guests/panel: Barry Glenn Denning (Racing Post), Mark Langdon (Racing Post), Nicky Bandini (panel), plus audio guest Ewan Murray (reported from Miami).
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOWorld Cup Match Recap
0:30 to 1:02
Discussion about recent World Cup matches, including Scotland's struggles.
“Scotland had the odd chance, but they're almost certainly going home.”
Panel Introductions
1:02 to 1:32
Introduction of the panel members for today's discussion.
“And that's today's Guardian Football Weekly.”
Scotland vs Brazil Analysis
1:32 to 2:18
Ewan Murray shares insights on Scotland's performance against Brazil.
“at full time in Miami How was that for you Ewan?”
Scotland's Tournament Performance
2:18 to 3:47
Discussion on Scotland's overall performance and key players' shortcomings.
“Like, that start is so, it just felt like a balloon being popped that first goal didn't it?”
Management and Strategy Discussion
3:47 to 5:16
Exploration of Steve Clarke's management decisions and strategies.
“Yeah, and do you think Steve Clarke has done well?”
Scotland's Future in the Tournament
5:16 to 6:33
Debate on Scotland's chances of advancing in the tournament and upcoming matches.
“And that last one in injury time could be so, like, it wasn't an easy chance, but it could make such a difference that.”
Ewan Murray's Insights
6:33 to 8:02
Ewan shares thoughts on Scotland's psychological state and fan reactions.
“But yeah, Neymar, they turned their attention to Neymar, I think, because the game was settled.”
Overall Team Assessment
8:02 to 14:01
Panel discusses Scotland's weaknesses and the impact of their past performances.
“If I was an eternal optimist, this would cause me a problem, but thankfully I'm not, so I'm perfectly relaxed about the whole thing.”
Scotland vs Brazil: A Tough Match
14:01 to 18:00
An analysis of Scotland's performance against Brazil, highlighting their struggles and key moments in the game.
“The Titan Army had been everywhere in the US, but even in that game, there was a lot of Brazilian fans there.”
Morocco vs Haiti: A Competitive Encounter
18:01 to 19:42
Discussion on the Morocco vs Haiti match, focusing on key goals and Morocco's advancement in the tournament.
Show all 22 chapters
Group B Overview and Canadian Disappointment
21:13 to 27:23
Review of Group B results, focusing on Switzerland's victory over Canada and its implications for both teams.
“Switzerland top it with seven after beating Canada, who comes second.”
Group A Highlights and Mexico's Success
27:25 to 28:00
Analysis of Group A, emphasizing Mexico's strong performance and potential future challenges.
“One of those hosts that kind of feel like they're growing into the tournament.”
Analysis of Recent Matches
28:00 to 29:08
Discussion on recent match performances and standout players.
“I think they've been comfortable in most of the 270 minutes they've played.”
Reflections on Czechia's Exit
29:08 to 29:42
Thoughts on Czechia's poor performance and player injuries.
“I thought they were the better team in that playoff when they lost.”
Highlights from South Africa's Victory
29:42 to 31:39
Review of South Africa's historic win and discussion on their performance.
“Mexico have not conceded in the first half of any of their last 13 World Cup games.”
Canada's Key Player Absences
31:39 to 32:48
Discussion on Canada's missing players and their potential impact.
“And Alphonso Davies has become this, I don't know, this almost feels like a literary character waiting for Alphonso in the background.”
Closing Thoughts on Canada
32:48 to 33:26
Further thoughts on Canada's hopes and player injuries as they move forward.
“well I'm not so convinced Ismail Kone was actually there today and he was sort of wheeled to the dugout in his wheelchair and got great reception.”
Review of Colombia vs. DR Congo
33:26 to 35:38
Analysis of Colombia's performance against DR Congo and upcoming matches.
“and we'll look ahead to tomorrow's games too.”
Upcoming Group Matches Preview
35:38 to 36:56
Preview of upcoming group matches and potential outcomes.
“Even though they beat Turkey in their first game, I haven't been particularly impressed with Australia.”
Implications of World Cup Format
36:56 to 38:38
Discussion on the fairness of the World Cup format and its impact on teams.
“I know Pochettino with the US is going to, it sounds like he's going to rest all of those that are on yellow cards and then maybe a couple more.”
Listener Interaction and Food Diary
38:38 to 41:08
Listener comments and a humorous discussion about food and players' diets.
“what result they need to go through, whereas Sweden might be in a position of knowing, well, we can afford to lose by a goal, two goals, and that'll be okay.”
World Cup Highlights and Personal Stories
42:00 to 43:05
Discussion of personal experiences and tournament highlights, including humorous anecdotes.
“Matt from the social team he cooked sausage and mash tonight.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00This is The Guardian.
0:30Mark Langdon:and Mateus Cunha in the second half. Scotland had the odd chance, but they're almost certainly going home. Haiti gave it a good go, but eventually overpowered by Morocco. Then in Group B, Switzerland topped the group after beating second place Canada. The hosts really got it launched late on, but it wasn't enough. Bosnia's win over Qatar means they're through as well. And in Group A, Mexico were already topped, but joyous scenes at the Azteca as they sent the Czechs home, while South Africa shocked South Korea to come second and qualify for the knockouts for the first time in their history. We'll try to preview tomorrow's games without going down an S &M cul-de-sac.
0:59Mark Langdon:Someone offers to make Barry's dreams come true. Let's do your questions. And that's today's Guardian Football Weekly. On the panel today with me in LA, Barry Glenn Denning. Hello. Hello. From the Racing Post, Mark Langdon. Hey, mate. Hi, Max. And on the night shift tonight, Nicky Bandini. Hi, Nicky. Morning. Let's start then with Group C. Brazil come top, seven points from three games. Morocco threw as well on seven points. Scotland have three points, almost certainly going home. Haiti definitely going home with none. We'll begin in Miami then. Scotland nil Brazil three before I get the panel's thoughts I caught up with Ewan Murray at full time in Miami How was that for you Ewan?
1:36Mark Langdon:Predictable Yeah I mean I did say after the Haiti game when we spoke I feared it would go this way I feared it would lose the next two games maybe by a few goals and they would be left clinging on with the goal difference I think the mistake was not beating Haiti more comfortably and actually probably not having a bit more of a go against Morocco I think they maybe overstayed it how good Morocco are. So here we are. We're going to be in no man's land for a few days in terms of the last 32. And it's been, it's just been a bit deflating. You know, I felt at times the Scottish team doesn't look as if it belongs in this environment.
2:11You know, I don't want to be overly down on it. They could make the last 32 and I get the significance of that. But I think their shortcomings have been laid pretty bare in this tournament once again.
2:19Mark Langdon:Yeah, and you mentioned deflating. Like, that start is so, it just felt like a balloon being popped that first goal didn't it? Yeah, the first few minutes they actually played okay. They looked quite composed. They didn't look nervous or panic-stricken at the start, but in defence of the manager, you can't legislate for a moment like that. It's a football cliche, but it's true. I mean, just a moment of complete madness from one of your centre-backs and Brazil are not the team you want to give that advantage to. I thought they were lucky. I thought the disallowed goal, I thought Hendry initiated the contact in Vinicius.
2:52I thought they were lucky to get away with that and at that point and you're clinging on in this game and undoubtedly you're clinging on in terms of the goal difference and the wider third place scenario.
3:06Mark Langdon:Do you think it's a psychological thing? Like people, lots of people talked about the number of really good players in this team, right? Especially in midfield, really good midfield. And you feel like none of them really, okay, you've got to, everyone's got to be great to beat Brazil and Brazil have to have an off day. But even still in any of these three games, they never really delivered. Yeah. And again, that's a theme that's happened before. I thought McTominay, he got a bit better in the second half tonight, but he was dreadful in the first half. Incredibly bad, just giving the ball away under no pressure at all.
3:35I don't know if that's psychology, but what I do think is when you have such a limited pool of talent as Scotland have, you need your big guys to perform in these tournaments. And once again, that hasn't happened. So yeah, I think that's a sensible and obvious thing to point to, absolutely.
3:51Mark Langdon:Yeah, and do you think Steve Clarke has done well? Could he have done anything different in these games? Yeah, I mean, I would need to look at that more broadly and maybe even a bit more calm and sanguine about it. I do think, and I've written this in my match report, I do think there's a problem where three tournament qualifications now under the same manager, they've been pretty similar. They've all felt the same. They've all felt a bit deflating. And listen, I'm the first one to say that I think the lack of Scottish talent and physicality is a big deal when it gets exposed at this level. But I do think you've got the same group, the same management, the same players largely.
4:26and a third turn in a row it's felt, I use the word again, deflating. I think you have to ask questions of the manager and what's happening there. I mean, the Morocco game, for example, he picked Kieran Tierney on the left side of the midfield in front of Andy Robertson and I get why he did it. He was trying to combat the threat of Morocco's right side but Scotland haven't played that way. That wasn't a system that has been practiced or tried out in friendly games and I thought, where did that come from? So things like that, I think tonight, I didn't have much grievance with this team selection tonight And again, I stress, a defeat to Brazil can happen, but it just felt, again, a bit ragged, a bit messy and pretty punchless when it needed not to be that.
5:05Mark Langdon:Yeah, and look, we don't know, do we? Like, they are going to be right on the edge of getting through. And that McTominay chance, like, he actually, he got in positions today to score goals that he has scored, like, for Napoli. And that last one in injury time could be so, like, it wasn't an easy chance, but it could make such a difference that. Absolutely. I mean, that would have been weird. I mean, that goal could have been very, very important in the grand scheme of the tournament. So that would have changed the complexion of it, although I would argue really to what extent. But yeah, you're in that weird movie.
5:38I mean, I was watching the live third place table as a game was going on. I think Scotland slipped from second to sixth. I think Cape Verde will beat Saudi Arabia. So that's going to be one problem. They'll move above us. Well, Cape Verde will at least draw with Saudi Arabia, which will put them above Scotland. I think Congo will probably beat Uzbekistan, so that's another one. And then at that point, you're right on the borderline. Yeah, again, I did fear and predict it might come down to this kind of situation.
6:04Mark Langdon:Yeah, and that's difficult then because Scotland had to keep training and hang about, but with just this kind of just fearing every time a game happens. Absolutely. They'll go back to Charlotte. I think tomorrow they'll go back to their training base in Charlotte. I think by Saturday night, Saturday evening, we should know exactly what's going on but yeah, it won't be easy for them psychologically to stay up for this tournament but they could, you know, a couple of results elsewhere the whole thing could end again quite abruptly and quite disappointingly never mind the poor journalists who are also on no man's land You'll be alright I'll be alright I pray for you what was the noise when Neymar came on and it is, you know, Neymar feels a peripheral part to most people watching this tournament but the noise seemed pretty intense from just watching on the TV well the Brazil I reckon at least 80 % of the crowd here was Brazilian fans and that was actually part of the reason I thought they would turn up tonight because they weren't going to let these people down in Miami and I think also because they were ahead and culturally ahead the fans could you know shout for Neymar and that was really audible that was obviously a big thing I don't know if you saw Ronaldinho was at the end of the tunnel before the game shaking hands while the Brazil players as he went onto the pitch that was quite quite cool as well.
7:20But yeah, Neymar, they turned their attention to Neymar, I think, because the game was settled. So that was the only thing left. He didn't get a goal and I think he was even peripheral when he came on, to be honest. But I thought it was interesting. He was brought on before Hendrick was brought on, which seemed a strange substitution for Anciotti to make. But anyway, the fans got what they came to see in terms of, I think the first time since October 2023 we've had Neymar in a Brazil strip. So that was good for them. And listen, the colour and the noise provided by the Brazilian supporters was, as you would expect, was fantastic here.
7:53Mark Langdon:Good stuff, Ewan. Well, look, stay strong in this no-man's land that we find you. Put the jazz on and hopefully we will speak to you again. You never know. Cheers, Ewan. If I was an eternal optimist, this would cause me a problem, but thankfully I'm not, so I'm perfectly relaxed about the whole thing. Good man, pal. Thank you. Ewan Murray there, and Mark, that chat with Ewan was before the Group A games and you've been on the brackets all day, which sounds more sinister than it is. What's the latest for Scotland? Well, it's not looking good, Max. I think it's fair to say. So that South Africa victory, that was one of the groups where it didn't look like before this round of matches that they would overtake Scotland.
8:38But of course, South Africa beating South Korea means that South Korea have slipped into third spot and have got a better goal difference than Scotland. So that's another one ticked off. I think there are different models kind of doing it differently in terms of how they foresee Scotland's chances. But the ones that are giving them a higher percentage chance are not really factoring in the carve-up opportunities that are ahead for the likes of Paraguay against Australia, where a draw suits both teams, Algeria and Austria, can play out a mutually beneficial result as well. So I think that Scotland were in a hole before the Group A matches and now are in a terrible spot.
9:22I think Steve Clarke said after the game that Scotland were going home and that might have been the only thing he's got right this summer. Yeah.
9:30Mark Langdon:Before the pod, you were becoming like a really boring episode of Quantum Leap where you were like, Ziggy says there's a 40 % chance of Scotland going through. Anyway, two shots on target in two games against Morocco and Brazil. so it was a difficult draw Barry but it has been disappointing
9:45Max Rushden:We said after the win against Haiti that they hadn't won by enough goals some people thought we were being a bit too hard on them but that what we thought might happen has happened I think they were extremely fortunate to only lose this game by 3-0 the goal that was disallowed shouldn't have been disallowed Vinny Jr missed another two excellent chances one-on-ones with Angus Gunn. Rhea and Mr. Brilliant Chance, Matthias Kuhn had one hacked off the line. There were other not quite as good chances that Brazil missed. And Scotland's main chance was a Scott McTominay header on goal, which was pretty much the only...
10:27Max Rushden:that was saved, which is pretty much the only thing of note Scott McTominay has done in three matches for Scotland in this tournament. He's been surprisingly poor. and basically indicative of everything that's been bad for them, I suppose. But not for the first time in this tournament. They coughed up a really cheap early goal through a stupid mistake at the back. Before this game, the BBC pundits were praising Clark for his adventurous selection. And I'm looking at the selection and going, at least pick Ben Ganondog. That was, I suppose, a bit adventurous. And he ran down a few blind alleys, but didn't get much in in the way of crosses.
11:13Max Rushden:Kieran Tierney came on for Andy Robertson at halftime. I presume Robertson was injured. He got a couple of crosses in, but Scotland achieved very little. And I think they were damn lucky to only lose 3-0. It could have been a total, total humiliation for them.
11:28Mark Langdon:Nicky, how much is this on Steve Clarke? And how much is this on a sort of lack of quality in the side and the fact that they drew? Steve Clarke said afterwards, look, only Scotland can get a winnable first game and then number five and number six in the world. So like the quality of their group. Yeah, it's hard to answer, isn't it? Because clearly there were some really bad individual mistakes at the start of this game. I mean, obviously in the end, McKenna just can get rid of that ball and not get himself in the position that he does to concede the first goal. you then have what should have been the second goal as Vaz was just saying with Jack Hendry where he just there was a level of lack of urgency I suppose with some of those situations that you have to put on the players because they've played enough football to know you can't just dally on the ball when you've got Ryan and Vinicius Jr.
12:17snapping at you all game and I think that was also something really predictable in the fact that Brazil were going to press like that they were going to look for those opportunities it felt very Carlo Ancelotti Real Madrid didn't it that you weren't entirely always sure, even if Brazil were playing that well, but they certainly looked threatening with Vinicius up front. Having said that, it did also feel like in this game that there was an element of almost defiant willingness to try to play out from the back, especially at the beginning by Scotland. And there were a few times where I was looking at it and thinking, why isn't McTominay just playing that down the line?
12:51Why are they not just trying to play a bit more direct and get the ball out of there in the first place? And perhaps there's a mindset thing that does go to Steve Clarke, which is actually maybe there needs to be a bit more recognition that this is Brazil and you can't get away with that. Mark? Well, Scotland, a bit of shambles really if they go through and the format would be humiliation I think for FIFA if a team can go through having scored one goal against Haiti then gets beat by Morocco then loses 3-0 in their last game and still finds a way through. I just felt that they're too negative in terms of a lot of their own downfall in those first sort of 20 minutes came from them going backwards all the time and not being positive enough.
13:35And maybe they haven't got the quality right at the front end in terms of a striker that can either hold the ball up or score goals, sniff out an opportunity. He chose to leave Olly McBurnie, who was one of the championship best players. He chose not to pick him, so that was on Steve Clarke as well. The way where I will give Scotland some kind of let-off is the fact that it was in Miami. It felt like a home game for Brazil. The Titan Army had been everywhere in the US, but even in that game, there was a lot of Brazilian fans there. The heat and the humidity is not going to suit Scotland in that game rather than Brazil.
14:15but it was mentioned on the pod right back at the start of the competition when Scotland didn't go after Haiti and didn't try and beat them by more goals. I think that will come back to bite them.
14:27Mark Langdon:Barca Jim was making the point, a friend of the pod. Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland all had big and meaningful tournament wins and Scotland have never had a moment. And if you think for those brilliant fans, I hadn't really considered that. They've never, ever had a game at a major tournament where they've come off and they've won a game that they perhaps weren't expected to win.
14:48Max Rushden:Well, to their credit, they've given quite a lot of other nations their moments.
14:53Mark Langdon:So there's that. There is that something, I guess.
14:58Max Rushden:Look, I feel a bit sorry for them. You cannot fault the players for their effort tonight. They worked so hard, so hard. And they're just not as good as Brazil. But to cough up the first two goals they conceded, you're just blunderbossing yourself in both feet. You have to give yourself some sort of chance, and it's game over then. If you're 2-0 down against Brazil, having gifted them two goals, good luck. And we spoke last night about the format of the tournament and how it's now head-to-head instead of goal difference, And how this group played out exemplified it, because Haiti went a goal up against Morocco, and then they went 2-1 up against Morocco.
15:44Max Rushden:But there was no jeopardy in that regard for Scotland, because no matter what Haiti did, they were out. And that seems so unfair.
15:53Mark Langdon:I can't work out how it makes sense in any sense, but maybe there is a rationale. We should talk about Brazil for a second, Nicky. I mean, the third goal was lovely. The Gimmaras pass is very clever. We've seen them three times. What do we make of them? I think that's the thing. I'm not sure, Max, is the honest answer, that they're a threat because they've got some very, very good players. And it certainly looks like Vinicius is in the mood at this tournament. I thought it was kind of interesting that he was on the pitch at the end. It felt a lot like he really wanted that hat trick. And he was really going for that at the end of that game.
16:28And you think to yourself, do you need to still be out there? should you be um not that it feels very ridiculous to be picking at him for trying too hard but but players can get hurt as as um as we just saying was really hot out there and you know i think it that there certainly could have been a case for saying on 70 minutes well we're going to win this group the situation is is such that we're not going to not win this group now um maybe you shouldn't be out there anymore but but i think they they have their tails up and perhaps they wanted to let the players keep enjoying that. It really felt like there was a huge gulfing class here, which surprised me some, because while there is some positions, Scotland did not, I think it's worth reminding ourselves, Scotland did not have shown up with a bunch of players who are just playing domestic football and who aren't playing top-level European football.
17:20I mean, you have got guys in that team, obviously with McTominay being the one that everyone looks to first but McGinsey, Villa, Ferguson's been very very good for Bologna as well there are some good players in that team and I think that it felt like it was a real mismatch and that while we are bringing up the problems for Scotland is of course to Brazil's credit as well
17:44Max Rushden:I think we spoke about the conditions there apart from tyranny coming on for Robertson at half time which was a forced substitution he didn't make any changes to the 82nd minute which seems incredibly strange and then as is now becoming customary he gave an extremely ungracious interview after the game which I get that he's fed up and annoyed and hot and sweaty and hot and sweaty but it is part of his job true and it is the one part of his job that's very easy to do you know well it's just talk to a reporter and not try to make her or embarrass her or make her look stupid or whatever yeah
18:32Mark Langdon:the other game briefly Morocco 4-8-2 but they gave it a go Haiti you know they scored a couple of goals Isidore's goal is a brilliant second one it's so good oh it's a sensational one into the top corner took the lead a couple of times the Bono own goal put them in front, they were very attack minded and I think Morocco enjoyed that and Haiti were desperate for a win that would have meant that at least they could take something out of the tournament and gave it a good go but Morocco through Hakimi, Saibari who's really caught the eye so far in this tournament, got them back into it and the second half, Morocco were much the stronger side, they took off Diaz and Saibari because they knew that they weren't catching Brazil in the goal, different states likely to play Netherlands in the round of 32, assuming the Dutch win that group and that will be a tasty match for more than one reason, two very talented teams but also there's players with Dutch roots that play for Morocco as well so it could be a really interesting last 32 tie.
19:42Mark Langdon:Alright, that'll do for part one. Part two, we'll do group B Hi Pod fans, Max here, Barry's here too Hello Double Weekly is supported by Gradient FC Now Barry, with the World Cup underway We know player performance will be under a microscope From superstars cementing legacies To upstarts vying for big summer transfers But with 48 teams and up to 6 matches a day It's hard to catch every moment And that is where the Gradient FC app shines Their player rankings update daily during the World Cup So you know whose performances are trending up or down on the world stage How does it work?
20:43Mark Langdon:grades and metrics. It's easy to build and defend any prediction. And here's something else that will appeal to you, Barry. It's free. Fantastic. Explore it for yourself at gradientfc.com or download the Gradient FC app from the Apple Store or Google Play.
21:10Mark Langdon:Welcome to part two of the Guardian Football Weekly. So Group B looks like this. Switzerland top it with seven after beating Canada, who comes second. They're on four points. Bosnian win over Qatar means they've got four as well. And they'll go through Qatar, go home. At a reasonable hour for you, Nicky. but what did you make of the Switzerland-Canada game? It was quite an entertaining game. I worry that Canada are certainly going to feel hugely disappointed about the way it's gone because, of course, they had an opportunity after smashing in all those goals against Qatar. They had this huge opportunity to not just go through but to guarantee themselves continuing to play in Canada, which was obviously a huge thing, a home advantage at a World Cup and they're obviously now going to be the first home nation at the World Cup to play games not in their home nation.
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21:56But it felt like they were too predictable, maybe, Max. I was watching the way they play with that 4-4-2 that's almost like a 4-2-4. And there's some really good things about it, right? It's a really fun, they're a fun team to watch. I've enjoyed watching all three candy games so far at this tournament. I've enjoyed them. But it felt like Switzerland were maybe the first team who just arrived being like, well, we know exactly what you want to do because you do the same thing every time. We're going to find our overloads and then, yes, punish some very messy defending as well. And while Canada did show themselves still threatening even after 2-0 down, they did have that series of chances really at 2-1 after the last hydration break.
22:40And their goal, by the way, was brilliant. One of the most fun goals I've seen in the tournament. But I worry that Jesse Marsh has plan A and doesn't have much after that.
22:51Mark Langdon:Okay, the Ange Postacoglu of the World Cup. I mean, I thought this game, Barry, when at 2-1, and Nicky mentioned the Canada goal, Nathan Saliba's assist, that control and volley pass, I said that is the best skill of this World Cup, and producer Joel said, can you name any other skills from this World Cup? And I had clearly forgotten all of them. But then they really got it launched. I was really enjoying that last 20 minutes.
23:14Max Rushden:Yeah, I mean, the first half of this game was diabolically bad. It was so bad. And I thought this had the potential to be one of those carve-ups. Mark alluded to earlier, and I thought, yeah, that's what's happening here. It's going to be a scoreless draw. But then Switzerland tore up the script right after half-time when Ruben Vargas put them ahead. And then Manzambi doubled their lead, and the Canadian crowd seemed a bit, oh, this isn't what was supposed to happen. so Canada pulled a goal back with that excellent cross and yeah then just got it launched got it launched had four very very presentable chances towards the end and couldn't score but they're fine they come to Los Angeles now I think they can all stay in our flat you'll love that Max won't you all the Canadians go hey Max at half two in the morning it'll be someone to talk to at least and Switzerland stay in Vancouver so you know it's fine but I'm sure Canada would have rather stayed at home so Canada will play South Africa
24:26Mark Langdon:is that correct Mark? yeah it is so I think just looking back at that probably after the game they would have been really disappointed but they are playing a surprise qualifier in that last 32 yeah could work for them and Switzerland will play a third place team from somewhere else we did get an amazing email saying they were very frustrated with how uncategoric the final whistle blows from referees were. And this ref really went for it when he blew for full time, arms everywhere conducting. It was a good moment for whoever that... I hadn't noticed the lack of emphaticness. Now you'll be looking forward to the 100 games left.
25:03Max Rushden:Well, I look forward to the final whistle of all of them.
25:07Mark Langdon:But now I have even more reason to look forward to it. Get on the bins, Barry. Bosnia 3, Qatar 1. and so Bosnia-Herzegovina reached the knockout rounds for the very first time. They have to wait for confirmation. I'm thinking about they're through, aren't they? They're 99.9 % likely to be playing the US. I think we can give them that one. Yeah. So that is a huge moment for Bosnia-Herzegovina, Niki. Yeah, and that's what they were looking for when they qualified for the World Cup and I think it was, on a personal level, I was pleased that it was Ali Begovic scored another, it was a few great goals last night, another great goal because on one of the shows I did before the World Cup was asked to name a player who I thought would be the breakout star of this tournament, the one who'd catch everyone's eye.
25:51And we haven't really mentioned Manzambi doing that for Switzerland again and looking very much like he's going to be the one that everyone's trying to sign. But Alain Begovic scored a great goal for Bosnia and I think it felt like after the success of knocking out Wales and then Italy in qualifying, they were waiting for that World Cup moment. and finally they got it. Everyone seemed very delighted about it, except for, not on the goal specifically, but Edin Dzeko looked absolutely furious after being taken off, was throwing a bottle around. And I think that was possibly personal frustration about not scoring a goal of his own.
26:27But yeah, I think that was the moment that ever since Bosnia won that playoff, their fans and their players have been waiting for. And they hadn't really taken off at this World Cup, so it was nice to see them get to do that.
26:39Mark Langdon:Yeah, Lucy Ward pulled out, I remember the name for Ali Albegovic, to which I suggested we already know the name Asmir Begovic in our minds. It's quite easy to remember the name Ali Albegovic, and that has your seed of approval, Nicky. I will never forget him.
26:52Max Rushden:I thought his name was Albegovic. I didn't realise it was Albegovic. It was his surname.
26:59Mark Langdon:Weird Albegovic. He's got songs back in the 80s, didn't he? To Group A then. So that looks like it. It's Mexico, 100 % record. No goals conceded. South Africa, as we've said already Bafana Bafana through to the knockouts for the first time ever on four points South Korea should make it through you're nodding, Mark yeah, I think so check your out and at the Azteca, Mark they were already through, they topped the group already so it was kind of a celebration in the tournament, it's a nice place to be for Mexico but in the Azteca they got to bring on Achoya they scored some lovely goals the sound in that stadium It was a brilliant night.
27:41One of those hosts that kind of feel like they're growing into the tournament. Group A looks fairly weak. Czechia, South Africa, South Korea. Tougher tests will definitely be awaiting Mexico, potentially England in the last 16. But they haven't conceded a goal yet. They've won every match. I think they've been comfortable in most of the 270 minutes they've played. And as you said, their goals were really fun. The first one from Chavez, he's supposed to be the left-back, but he's storming down the right wing, taking players on and then slotting it in. Quinonez, who's been one of the kind of eye-catching players, scored a lot of goals in Saudi Arabia this year, wasn't certain how that would transfer across to the World Cup, but it's definitely going well for him so far.
28:32I mean, that was incredible defending by second goal. Yeah, I mean, I did have in my notes, and I wasn't sure if it was a crap joke, but I'll go with it anyway. Yeah, here we go. Ladies and gentlemen, Mark Langan's first joke of the tournament. You can certainly pick holes in Thomas Hollis is defending. Okay, yeah.
28:48Mark Langdon:I mean, I wouldn't open with it, but, you know. I didn't. I loved it for you. No, no, you didn't. You didn't.
28:53Max Rushden:We'll be walking past the comedy store in about half an hour, Mark. Maybe you could ask them to go in and workshop it. A couple of pints first. We'll see how we go. and yeah the third goal was a good finish as well wasn't it yeah from Fidalgo the only sort of sour note from this game I'm glad Czechia have gone out because I thought they were terrible really and like denied Ireland and Denmark I think teams that would have done better in this tournament but Socek looked like he suffered a bad injury yeah yeah he went down really sort of heavily on his ankle hopefully he's okay but they've not done much to light up this tournament I think it's fair to say Barry Barry looked slightly confused when he said Ireland would have done a better job here.
29:37Mark Langdon:That's very generous of you.
29:39Max Rushden:I thought they were the better team in that playoff when they lost. Great stat from Opta. Mexico have not conceded in the first half of any of their last 13 World Cup games. Is that right?
29:50Mark Langdon:Did it have hashtag impregnable or something like that?
29:55Max Rushden:I'd say it had hashtag Arriba. Okay, good.
29:59Mark Langdon:Their goal music is great. and is exactly what you want Mexican gold music to be. Is it a mariachi band? I think it is, basically. And then South Africa threw to the knockouts for the first time ever. And the scenes at the full-time whistle, Barry, were brilliant there.
30:14Max Rushden:Yeah, they deserved to win this game, but I couldn't believe how awful South Korea were. They were just terrible. No urgency. Well, it's almost as if they weren't interested and they didn't care whether they won or not. I mean they're not out of the tournament now they look pretty well placed because they've got three points and a zero goal difference so that should be okay but their manager had a face on him the whole game that just would have stopped the clock or turned milk sour during the hydration breaks he was standing around not really giving any instructions there was no urgency about the players and when they went a goal down the first thing the head coach did was replace one of his central defenders with a defensive midfielder who slotted in as a centre back, so you're going like what you at?
31:08Max Rushden:But hats off to South Africa to Pelo Maseko who has been quite impressive in this tournament, he scored the winner and it was a really good goal, pulled inside the near post from distance, good finish and obviously at the end of the game they were beside themselves with delight because I I have a feeling they probably weren't expecting to go through especially after the way they played against Mexico in the opening game they'll be delighted to go through and I'd say who did you say has got them in the next round South Africa has got Canada yeah Canada will be delighted
31:44Mark Langdon:to have them as well and actually South Africa would be pretty happy to have Canada when you think who you could get so everyone's happy so that's nice isn't it yes Nicky the thing we didn't say with Canada before which maybe just worth mentioning because with reference to that is we didn't get Alphonso Davies again. And Alphonso Davies has become this, I don't know, this almost feels like a literary character waiting for Alphonso in the background. Maybe he'll show up at some point. And Canada could certainly do with him. It is worth saying. I almost just felt we didn't acknowledge this with Canada before.
32:15They're missing a lot of players. They're missing not just Davies, but obviously Ishmael Kone, who was having a great tournament before getting injured in the last round. They're missing Bombito at the back, who didn't play. they're missing for this last game Estakio ended up coming off the bench but didn't start so I think Canada will hope they can come a version of themselves that will be much stronger for this next round although of course Kone is not coming back and I do wonder if the Davis thing is just entirely a decoy because every round it's like Jesse Marsh goes oh no we just thought we'd save him this time but you'll definitely see him in the next game well I'm not so convinced
32:50Max Rushden:Ismail Kone was actually there today and he was sort of wheeled to the dugout in his wheelchair and got great reception.
32:58Mark Langdon:Reminds me slightly of, we'll all remember, I think it was Ian Miller, Cambridge United centre-back, who broke his ankle or leg in injury time when we played Gateshead to get promoted from the National League into the Football League. But he was at Fez Club in Cambridge that night being pushed around with his teammates in a wheelchair. So anyway, that'll do for part two. Part three, if you can remember Columbia, Dio, Congo, we'll do a little bit on that and we'll look ahead to tomorrow's games too.
33:34Mark Langdon:Welcome to part three of the Guardian Football Weekly. So in the break, we were discussing who could cover Columbia, Dio, Congo. And Mark said, well, I faced a TV screen. So there you go. I had it on.
33:46Max Rushden:I also faced a TV screen,
33:48Mark Langdon:but I can't really remember what happened. Luis Diaz had a lot of goals disallowed in a short period of time and Colombia won 1-0. Yeah, I think Barry was distracted because we were sat next to somebody who looked like Robert Snodgrass and wasn't Robert Snodgrass. That's always going to put you off, isn't it? That took up most of that second half.
34:08Max Rushden:Unless Robert Snodgrass has started speaking with an English accent.
34:11Mark Langdon:Maybe that's what he does to disguise himself.
34:13Max Rushden:Well, he is a very good mimic. Is he? Yeah, I believe so, yes.
34:17Mark Langdon:What do you mean? Like some Alistair McRoy Bremner? Yeah Robert Snodgrass is an impressionist I think so yeah
34:24Max Rushden:It's either him or Charlie Mulgrew Okay
34:26Mark Langdon:Well you don't know which one it is Well maybe yeah One of them might be impersonating the other
34:31Max Rushden:I think it's Snodgrass That does good impressions Okay well there we are Anyway back to the game Yeah Columbia definitely deserved to win Munoz was a constant threat Down that right hand side Luis Diaz just running him behind Every time He plays right on the edge of offside and sometimes he goes a fraction too early, but he just offers them so much. I was impressed with Colombia. I have been impressed with them so far. They have beaten two weak teams in Uzbekistan and DR Congo, but Portugal couldn't do that. They're a team that I hadn't really factored coming into it as a decent side, but I think it will take a good one to knock them out.
35:15Yeah, a draw against Portugal will mean they'll win the group.
35:18Mark Langdon:And DL Congo need a win against Uzbekistan to have a chance of getting through. Tomorrow then, Group D, E and F. So we've got Paraguay, Australia and Turkey, USA. So USA have topped the group already. And Australia, Paraguay could be one of those games, Barry.
35:37Max Rushden:Yeah, it could. Even though they beat Turkey in their first game, I haven't been particularly impressed with Australia. they were really bad against the US. Paraguay stank the place out in their opener against USA. I think this could be a handshake affair, but I think Paraguay are probably better than Australia, but I'd say a draw and they both go through.
36:02Mark Langdon:I did see someone I think called Luca got in touch to show me a video that Australia have brought their own barista with them as part of their team. It's very Australian, that. So the perfect strong three-quarter flat white for the Australian team before they win or lose against Paraguay. Group E sees Curacao Ivory Coast and Ecuador Germany. Germany threw already. They've won the group. And so I guess it's between Ecuador and the Ivory Coast for second place there, Mark. Yeah, Ivory Coast should finish second. So I think the big thing is can Ecuador get the win against Germany and be one of the best third-placed teams if they do?
36:39Obviously, that would be bad news for Scotland. I expect Germany to rest players. As you said, they've already got the Group 1. Relatively quick turnaround playing, I think it's on Monday, their game. So, I would expect Nagelsmann to make changes as well because you want to keep everybody that's not playing feel involved as well. I know Pochettino with the US is going to, it sounds like he's going to rest all of those that are on yellow cards and then maybe a couple more. So there is an opportunity for Ecuador, who some people have labelled them as the Dark Horses. I mean, my Dark Horses have already gone out in Turkey, but there were some people saying Ecuador were a Dark Horses.
37:17Yes, Barry, he's putting his hand up, saying nothing. Barry, I think they've struggled in the fact that they were almost expected to beat Ivory Coast and Curaçao. Maybe against Germany they can actually play the way that really suits them and hit on the counter-attack. I don't think they're a team that wants the ball necessarily. So I wouldn't say that it's an absolute done deal that Germany beat them, given the likely rotation.
37:40Mark Langdon:Group F is Japan, Sweden and then Tunisia, the Netherlands. Netherlands have four points. They're top. Japan have four. A second. Sweden have three. So Japan, Sweden, Nicky, is actually a really interesting game. Yeah, it is. And Sweden have had this World Cup of extremes so far, haven't they? They obviously got absolutely smashed 5-1 by the Netherlands, but they also smashed Tunisia 5-1. so which version of them shows up. It does feel like this is the point where this format becomes really unsatisfying. I think a lot of us have actually felt like the 48 Team World Cup has had lots to recommend about it.
38:14Yes, the quality's been uneven, but it's been really nice seeing more countries with more chances to express themselves. We've seen some teams really surprise us and delight us. But there is just no escaping the fact that this system makes it entirely unfair in the fight for best third places because the teams that are left have more information than the ones that have already played. So Scotland play their game not knowing what result they need to go through, whereas Sweden might be in a position of knowing, well, we can afford to lose by a goal, two goals, and that'll be okay. We can't lose by three goals.
38:50And maybe it makes no difference, but it is unfair. It's not the same playing field for everyone. And yeah, I suppose that's going to be a question is how that affects Sweden and other teams that are on the bubble, I guess.
39:02Mark Langdon:Yes, I take it back. Japan-Sweden may not be a good game. Yes, Mark? Well, it will be for Japan, I think, in terms of the fact that if you finish second in this group, you've got Brazil in the last 32. So definitely would prefer to win the group. Now, Japan will have to go to some... Would you rather finish third then? Maybe you do. Yeah, I mean, Japan, if they lost to Sweden, might be in a position where they finish third and go through. Well there was that double disgrace of Hihon where Algeria playing Austria and I think Rory Smith was saying somewhere that you might want to lose that because if you come second you'll probably play Spain and if you come third you won't so you might have two teams trying to lose a football match which would be fascinating Some AOB, James says, hi Max Barry and the Football Weekly family after listening to the latest pod and Barry's yearning to break up the everyday drudgery of being paid to cover the World Cup in LA with a day on the bins, I can confirm that his vision may not quite match with the reality.
40:00Mark Langdon:Last Friday, I lived Barry's dream for the day and subbed in as a loader on the food waste collection, which is currently being trialled in a small area of Nottingham City, primarily as research in my role as the Waste and Recycling Schools Engagement Officer. While it is one thing being told that the smell of rotting food waste in the summer is a barrier to residents participating in the collection, it is quite another to experience it in the extremely putrid flesh when a liner bag I was carrying split right in front of me, spilling its guts onto the road before I swept it up. Selling sunset to this is not, he says.
40:32Mark Langdon:Our loaders no longer ride on the back of the lorries either or would risk being swept up by the bin lifting mechanism and crushed. Another potential hazard our front line crews face each day at work alongside the increasing number of vehicle fires caused by electrical items and lithium batteries incorrectly disposed of. The crews are still out every day this week in the current heat wave, starting an hour earlier to avoid the hottest temperatures in the greenhouses that the cab is at the front of the vehicles inevitably become. And we're all grateful for their commitment to keeping our city clean.
40:59Mark Langdon:Barry, let me know when we can schedule a win into the rota for a day on the bins in Nottingham. Thank you all for your coverage of the World Cup, the daily vlogs and our Mark Landon's food diary. Please keep this as a regular feature going forward. James, are you more or less interested now on a day on the bins? Less interested, yes. There we are. Mark, vegetable count, please, since recording, including last night's dinner of a Ben Fisher burrito. Oh yes, last night we had what's now labelled the Ben Fisher burrito. It's about the same size as Ben Fisher. There must have been a vegetable in there.
41:30No, no, it was potato, rice refried beans, tiny bit of onion I suppose. No, that was good and then I polished off Barry's chips, he couldn't finish them. This morning still had the honey nut Cheerios which are going down absolute treat at the moment. Good stuff. went to the supermarket and bought from the deli a family sized mac and cheese which I didn't realise I'd ordered there's still a little bit left of that in the fridge and then Matt from the social team he cooked sausage and mash tonight. He did and there was a whole tray of broccoli, courgette and brussel sprouts I didn't see that and then I had key lime pie key lime pie, lime?
42:13Yeah, that was very nice so we're still at nought this is what I wanted I'd be surprised if we go above nought I'm not sure where it comes from
42:24Max Rushden:I'll be honest I think I'm on about nought as well really yeah because I don't like Brussels sprouts yeah I had chicken wings and chips last night there was no celery with that I don't like celery okay so I'm I'm giving him a run for his money
42:39Mark Langdon:suddenly this is more interesting than who's going to come third in group D isn't it it's who will get one vegetable to top the group. Extraordinary stuff. Phil says, having two kids under two, my World Cup experience is catching the odd highlight and listening to the pod before falling asleep while it's still light outside. Easily the highlight of the tournament so far is Barry's gimp revelation. This is genuinely true. I'm not blowing smoke up your arse, although I'm sure Barry would enjoy this. You had me crying. So thanks. Thank you, Phil. A reminder before we go, there's lots of good World Cup stuff on the Guardian app and website.
43:11Mark Langdon:You've got the excellent bracketology game, ability to sign up to receive live activity notifications for one or more teams a persistent notification that displays I don't know is it a selling point to say a persistent notification look at you rolling your eyes a persistent notification that displays updating scores and key gameplay events on your lock screen it's all good stuff we're on TikTok and Instagram although our diary our diary was not good today Barry well I
43:38Max Rushden:you didn't do anything today no apart from watch
43:43Mark Langdon:for football matches. Better enough. I went to the Academy Award Museum. It was very interesting. I thoroughly recommend it. Anyway, that'll be it for today. Thanks, everybody. Thank you, Nicky. Thanks. Thanks, Baz. Thanks. Cheers, Mark. Thank you, Matt. Football Weekly is produced by Roy Simon and Matt Bentley Viney. Our executive producers are Joel Grove and Tayo Papula. And we'll be back tomorrow.
44:09This is The Guardian.
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