Group Stage Reaches Its Climax | Day 14 Preview | Morning Cupdate, Presented by The Home Depot

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1:16Yes, yes, yes. A massive shout out to our sponsor Visa, who's made this guide possible. Visa gives local business owners the tools and support to be ready for moments exactly like this one, welcoming you to enjoy the games this summer. Start planning your journey at meninblazers.com backslash cityguides. A word from our friends at 1440. The 2022 World Cup final drew 1.5 billion viewers. It's 11 times this year's Super Bowl. To understand how football became the world's game and what drove it, listen to 1440 Explores with Financial Times journalist Simon Kuiper, who will give you the inside scoop into the depths of the tournament.

1:57Listen to 1440 Explores wherever you get your podcasts. Hello and welcome to Morning Cup Day. I'm Betty Glover coming to you from LA. We are nearing the end of the group stages, which means the games are coming thick and fast. Six games happening today. I hope you don't have a lot planned. And groups A, B and C are all in action. This is your ultimate guide to day 14 of the World Cup.

2:24Hello, everybody. Good morning. Welcome to Morning Cup Day, built by the Home Depot, live from Union Station here in Los Angeles. The Home Depot is your winning assist to host the ultimate watch party with fast free delivery to get your backyard match day ready. Subject to availability. Right, let's get straight into it. starting with yesterday's action. And the big question that we asked in our last episode was all about Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo and the pressure that he was under to score against Uzbekistan after his goalless haul and a pretty weak performance against DR Congo. After watching Lionel Messi break the all-time tournament goal-scoring record yesterday and a couple of other world records as well whilst he was at it, the spotlight was shining intensely on the five-time Ballon d 'Or winner Ronaldo.

3:09Although it didn't take him long to respond to those critics. Six minutes, in fact. And Portugal fans watching in Lisbon absolutely loved it.

3:22Ronaldo fans all over the world in raptures. He is the first man to score in six different World Cups, by the way. That's not half bad at all, is it? He then had a hand in the other first-half goals. Firstly, his free-kick decoy worked perfectly so that Nuno Mendes could unleash Portugal's second goal. And then, shortly before halftime, Bruno Fernandes weighted a perfect through ball to Ronaldo, who finished expertly, almost like he's one of the most decorated players in the world. Portugal then scored two more in the second half to wrap up a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan. After the match, Ronaldo had this to say to the television cameras, you might need to listen closely.

4:04If you couldn't make it out, he says, I'm back twice, locking eyes with the cameras. Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Fox joked that he didn't realise Cristiano had ever gone away. Asked by a Portuguese reporter why he said this to the cameras, Ronaldo simply responded, just so they don't forget. Although when he was asked about Messi, he simply said, next question. It was a little bit awkward. In the second match of the day, England took on Ghana and the English fans in Boston were enjoying their new chant. with Tommy Tukul. Football's coming over again with Tommy Tukul. Football's coming over again with Tommy Tukul.

4:48That was the cry from England fans pre-match. Just a side note, by the way, I think they really need to start adding some lyrics to it. It's a little bit short and it gets a little bit boring. Anyway, maybe they will be reassessing that viewpoint after a poor nil-nil draw against Ghana. Worst game of the tournament so far? Yep. Yeah, probably up there, wasn't it? No shots on target for the entire first half. A full-time in London. There were big celebrations, but it wasn't by those wearing the white shirts.

5:23London-based Ghana fans, they're absolutely thrilled that their side picked up a 0-0 draw against England. It was a defensive backs-against-the-wall performance by Carlos Quiraz's side. England had 19 shots, but very few of those worried the Ghana keeper, Benjamin Asari. And England fans had their head in their hands when Harry Kane blazed their best chance over the bar in the 85th minute. In fact, Ghana will consider themselves quite unlucky as well that they didn't get a penalty when Esri Conce appeared to take out Prince Adou in the area without winning the ball. After the game, much of the talk was about the fact that England's Jed Spence refused to shake garners Thomas Partey's hand, who was charged with five counts of rape and one of sexual assault last year.

6:07Charges that he does deny. After the match, Thomas was asked about the moment by a BBC journalist. Did Jed Spence shake your hand? Then in the other group, El Calas, Panama are out after losing 1-0 to Croatia. For Panama, their only ever goal in the World Cup remains the consolation during their 6-1 defeat to England in 2018. Then, back in Group K, Colombia narrowly beat DR Congo by one goal to nil, with Crystal Palace's Daniel Munoz scoring his second goal of the tournament. Here were the scenes at a Colombia watch party in LA.

6:48That result leaves Colombia top of Group K, with Portugal in a close second. By the way, for those of you dreaming of a potential Messi against Ronaldo quarterfinal in Kansas, That is what dreams are made of. Portugal need to top the group. The decider between Colombia and Portugal will take place on Saturday. We are on day 14 of the World Cup, which means it is officially time for... The Doubleheader. Oh yeah, if you thought four matches a day was a lot to keep up with, get ready for the next few days where we have a massive six games every single day. I don't know how we're going to cope. Sadly, though, unless you have a double screen, you are going to have to make some pretty bold and big choices.

7:32Fortunately, my production team here are on hand to help you make the correct one with their completely expert and non-biased opinions. And by expert, I do mean completely amateur. Naturally, FIFA have chosen the order of the final groups today to be B, C and A, which makes absolutely no sense at all. But yeah, first of all, it is the conclusion of Group B at 3pm Eastern. We've got Switzerland against Canada in Vancouver, and then Bosnia and Herzegovina take on Qatar in Seattle. What are your thoughts here, team? It'll be Canada. Oh, Canada. OK, they've gone for Canada. I don't think there's too much debate here.

8:09Whilst Bosnia and Qatar will know that a win is enough to advance to the knockout, Switzerland and Canada are level on points at the top, so it should be a really interesting matchup. A draw for Canada is enough to advance as group winners, but that Swiss team is packed full of talent and this matchup is today's drill down.

8:31Today's drill down brought to you by Makita is all about the midfield battle that will take place in Vancouver between the Swiss and the Canadians. Now the co-host will be missing their midfield engine room Ishmael Kone after his awful leg break against Qatar. Coach Jesse Marsh summed up how much they're going to miss him by saying that Kone was maybe their best player in the tournament so far. Nathan Saliba, who plays his football for Anderlecht, came on for Kone against Qatar and even got himself on the score sheet. But playing against Switzerland is a completely different kettle of fish, particularly against Granit Xhaka, who in their 4-1 win over Bosnia pulled all the strings in the midfield, releasing the pace of Danendoy and Ruben Vargas.

9:12If Canada's midfield can win that battle against Xhaka, they will likely control the game. For the Canadians winning the group carries extra significance as not only would it mean they get to play a third place team in the last 32 but it also means that their first two knockout games would be played in Vancouver rather than having to travel to the USA. A big win. Next up at 6pm Eastern it is the conclusion of Group C. Right team what are we saying here we've got Scotland against Brazil in Miami or we've got Morocco against Haiti in Atlanta.

9:51It is a banger. It is an absolute tune. I felt like this one was quite an easy choice, wasn't it? So for Morocco, they need a big win against already eliminated Haiti in order to try and claim that top spot in Group C. But the match in Miami between the Brazilians and the Scots has really got a lot of interesting factors. Rarely have we seen scenes like this on South Beach.

10:19Will Smith may have sung that South Beach was for every different nation, black, white, Cuban or Asian, but he probably never imagined it would be full of Scottish men with bagpipes. Would have jazzed up his music video though. Scotland's Tartan Army have been one of the stories of this tournament so far, but a defeat against Brazil could spell the end of their time in North America. It is pretty complicated trying to work out the permutations for Scotland though. Get a draw and they can be very confident of making the last 32. A defeat makes things a little bit tricky, but not necessarily the end of their journey.

10:53The best eight third place teams do make it through. And actually a narrow defeat may be seen by some Scotland fans as quite a good outcome. As long as they avoid a hammering to Brazil, they're still likely to make the knockouts. Keeping this Brazil team at bay may be slightly easier by the fact that Rafinha is injured for the five-time champions. and he is likely to be replaced by Bournemouth's young winger, Rayan, who I can tell you is a very dangerous option indeed. Of course, plays for Bournemouth. Finally, at 9pm Eastern, it's Group A's deciding matches. Should we watch Czechia against Mexico or South Africa against South Korea?

11:31Mexico!

11:35Well, Mexico are already group winners, something they celebrated pretty widely in the streets of Guadalajara.

11:48And those celebrations on the streets of Mexico have actually prompted the authorities to announce an alcohol sales ban ahead of Wednesday's match. Party poopers, if you ask me. However, despite having the group wrapped up, they are predicted to play a strong line-up. The only anticipated major change is in goal, where 40-year-old Guillermo Ochoa is expected to play in what is his final tournament before retiring. Czechia have had a tough tournament and need a win to make it through. Despite Mexico having nothing to play for, winning in Mexico City is no easy feat. They're unbeaten in World Cup games at the stadium and will not want to lose that proud record.

12:25Czechia will have to take the game to the Mexicans, though, which may leave them a little bit vulnerable at the back. Then in the other game, it's the Battle of the South as South Korea take on South Africa. The Koreans know that a draw will be enough to take them through as Group A runners are, where they'll either face Switzerland or Canada, we think. As for South Africa, only a win will guarantee their progression, which would be the first time they've ever gone beyond the group stages. Tonight, there's more Rodger Rory on Nightcup, of course, breaking it all down, along with chief football writer at the Sunday Times and Scotsman Jonathan Northcroft.

13:00They'll kick it all off live after the final matches of the day, right here on the Men in Blazers YouTube. Now, it is time for our prediction challenge against the Night Cup. Yesterday, I took on Rog. We both went for an England win against Ghana, which ended in a 0-0 draw, so we were both wrong there. But in Portugal against Uzbekistan, I went for a Portugal win while Rog backed Uzbekistan, which means today is a win for Morning Cup Dates. Come on, Becky. We're getting another. I just want to shout out one of our producers, Teddy, who keeps saying that he's going to take me off predictions for getting them wrong.

13:36So, Teddy, I hope that's put a little bit more faith in me. Thank you. Anyway, the scores are now up to a respectable 5-4 to Night Cup. Today, I took on Rory and don't believe a word of what he says about his hand. OK, Rory, a massive... Yes, Betty. Right, Rory thinks that I sprained his wrist playing football the other day. The culture of Los Angeles. That's what you are. That is the worst nickname I think I've ever had. You. It was a brutal tackle that sent me sprawling, Betty. It was a clear yellow and probably a penalty. No, no way. That Ghana situation against England was more of a penalty than that.

14:19That was also a penalty, though, to be fair. That was a penalty. Anyway, big game for you as a Scotland fan. Scotland against Brazil. What are you saying? I'm a bit worried. but the crucial thing for Scotland to remember is that they can get through even if they lose, they just have to not lose by very many so I think if they can keep it to less than two a goal difference of less than two they stand the chance of getting through so I'm going to say, I think Scotland will score, I'm going to say 3-1 Brazil and then four very nervous days working out if they stay in the tournament Oh gosh, I'm going to say 0-0.

14:52Oh Betty I would sprain my own wrist for a 0-0 okay right Canada Switzerland yeah well Canada one of the feel-good stories of the tournament you know that win against Qatar felt like a big national moment and obviously they can both go through with the draw I think they will both go through anyway pretty much certainly with four points it should take you through so I'm hoping for a kind of a free and easy everyone cuts loose has a nice time kind of game I'm gonna say 2-1 Canada okay I'm gonna be quite safe and say 1-1 again because I think they're both going to play it fairly safe. Everyone will be happy with the one-all draw.

15:28Canada top the group. Bosnia will get through as well as they'll beat Qatar. Everyone's a winner. Lovely stuff. Apart from you. I'm going back to the doctors. And as the world arrives in the United States for the biggest spectacle in sports, we're going coast to coast, host city to host city to meet the world with the Men in Blazers Matchday Live Tour. These are free college game day style live events It's taking place just before kickoff at some of the biggest games of the summer, where we'll be taking the stage with celebrity guests in front of thousands of fans. It's going to be amazing. Come and be with us in person or from afar on YouTube.

16:05And let's celebrate this summer the way it's meant to be celebrated. Just head to the events tab on meninblazers.com for all the details. To the football, to more together courage.

16:20On today's Finishing Touch brought to you by Bare Paint, we have the reason why Harry Kane missed that massive chance in the 85th minute. Here it is, this is it, surely. To the ball. Oh my god, what are you doing, man? What in the sketches? You heard it from Rog, it's all in the sketches. Now, you'd expect Kane to bury that 95 times out of 100, but for some reason he ballooned his chance well over the bar. Could it be fatigue setting in after a long old season? Or perhaps he's carrying a little bit of a knock? Well, the reason for the miss could be something a little more, maybe, supernatural.

17:10This is a Ghanaian witch doctor who goes by the name of Nana Kwaku Bonsam, and he claimed to have put a curse on the England striker, which may explain why he missed that city yesterday. Witchcraft has been part of Ghanaian culture for thousands of years, and he stated that I'm not wishing him serious injury, it would just be enough to stop him against my country. And it seems to have done the trick. Also, very considerate of him as well. We've been on Nana's website and he is contactable on WhatsApp, Facebook or Instagram, if that's your thing. So if you have any requests for footballers and you want to get some juju over them, get in touch.

17:48That is it for Morning Cup Date today, built by The Home Depot. The Home Depot is your winning assist to host the ultimate watch party with fast free delivery to get your backyard match day ready, subject to availability. Two quick notes before we sign off. Do check out the amazing coverage over on the VAMOS channel. They'll be reacting to Mexico's results straight after the final whistle. And for those in LA, tomorrow will be our third stop on the Match Day Live tour. Rodger and Rory will be at the historic Union Station right next to our bus, by the way. So come and say hello to preview and to raise a pint ahead of the USA against Turkey game.

18:22They'll be joined by the captain of the USWNT, Lindsay Heaps, LA Rams hero, Todd Gurley, and former USMNT icon, Carl Beckman. The event kicks off at 5.45. The link for more is in the notes below. Also, let us know if there's anything cool we should be doing in LA. Hit us up. Put it in the comments. We will be back tomorrow, but as always, enjoy those six games of football.