USMNT Progress to Round of Sixteen, Plus Day 22 Preview | Morning Cupdate, Presented by The Home Depot

0:00Hello and welcome to Atlanta. I'm Betty Glover and the USMNT have just made it through to the last 16 of the World Cup. Loads of fans milling around. They've just watched their team down to 10 men. Kling on to get the job done. So they joined England and Belgium in the last 16. Three more teams will be joining them on day 22. Let's see what happens. Sit back, grab a cup of coffee and join us for Morning Cup Day.

0:31Hello and welcome to another episode of Morning Cup Date built by the Home Depot. Join the Home Depot to welcome the world to our backyards to get fast free delivery on everything you need to get match day ready. Subject to availability. Let's get straight into it then. The USMNT have their first knockout win in 24 years. You know what our favourite sport is here? What is it? Competition. Oh yeah, they're certainly competing well, aren't they? In Reggio Pochettino's side, despite star striker Flo Baligan being sent off with a red, have marched into the last 16 thanks to a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

1:06Pure exhilaration. America is going to bring it home, baby. You know it. USA! USA! USA! Why not just win the whole thing? F*** it. He's not short of confidence, is he? That lad. It was a performance full of energy and creativity, but one that once again relied on Flo Baligan to spark it into life. These were the scenes when he put the US ahead with a goal on the brink of halftime.

1:37His third of the tournament, that, and he once again broke out the LeBron James silencer celebration and the legend himself responded on X saying, hell of a goal, young man, go USA. But after the break, that elation came crashing down as Balogun was sent off. A VAR review showed it stomped on the ankle of Bosnia defender Tarek Mirarevic. A bit of a contentious red, isn't it? It didn't look like it was an intentional foul at all, but more him sort of landing slightly awkwardly. And if you slowed it down in slow motion, it did look like a harsh tackle. Shouldn't have been a red card, by the way.

2:10That's at most a yellow. Clearly it was not intentional. I think Florian Balogun, definitely a red. Yeah, certainly one that divides opinions, isn't it? Even amongst the fans. Whatever you think, though, the fact of the matter is that Balogun will miss the USMNT's last 16 game against Belgium, and Poch will have to look for either Riccardo Pepe or Hadji Wright to lead the line. The good news, though, is that the USMNT responded brilliantly. A man down, the clock ticking, and Bosnia beginning to pile on the pressure. But the US were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box. Malik Tillman stepped up with no clever routine, just an unbelievable finish that went over the wall and into the back of the net for a moment of sheer ecstasy.

2:59Pure brilliance, that. Unbelievable free kick to earn the US just their second knockout win in history. Their first since 2002. It's also the first time that they've beaten European opposition in 10 games as well. By the way, there's a beautiful symmetry to this. The last win we had against the European team, 2021, 1-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sometimes the poetic universe is trying to tell you things. Now they've got a date with Belgium next week. A rematch of that famous Round of 16 game in 2014 when, 12 years ago to the day, USMNT fans, shut your ears, Belgium beat the US 2-1 in extra time.

3:33They also smashed the US 5-2 in a friendly earlier this year. But Belgium haven't looked too bright this tournament. Some might even say they look a bit old, but you'd think the US will cause them issues with their athleticism as well Let's go back to our mate Ethan that we spoke to earlier I think the Belgians are pretty old, pretty slow, respectfully I mean, you've got to respect them as opponents, they've still got some all-timers Kevin De Bruyne, what a guy, but you know, he got subbed off like today in the 60th minute They don't have the legs to go against us with the amount of pressure that we're putting on them I mean, just look at the people at the front four The absolute insanity that was going on, they couldn't handle our pressure I don't think the Belgians are going to either.

4:09We're going to turn them into waffles. Ethan with all of the bold takes. If the USMNT are hoping to turn Belgium into waffles, then England will be looking to turn Mexico into churros. What am I talking about here? You can tell I'm tired. It's been a long, old night. After they beat DR Congo 2-1 earlier in the day, England have booked their spot in the last 16. It was a bit of a David against Goliath affair, this. DR Congo's squad is valued at around$165 million, whereas England's is worth$1.7 billion. Just puts it into perspective, doesn't it? England may have been favourites, but DR Congo fans weren't lacking in confidence pre-game.

4:47We are going to win. England is going back home and they're going to drink their tea and we're staying here. DR Congo had already made history, reaching this stage for the first time. In fact, all four of their World Cup goals in their history were scored in this tournament. So you can imagine the atmosphere when the African nation took the lead. Brian Sipenga beat Jordan Pickford at the near post after only seven minutes. Comedian and DR Congo supporter Eddie Caddy was broadcasting live on BBC News as that goal went in. Now that the game has started. Oh my God, we just scored. Oh my God. Congo just scored and as you can see, it is going crazy.

5:29Also, I just want to shout out that lone DR Congo fan who was amongst all the England supporters, just celebrating on his own. Big energy and quite rightly as well, joy for DR Congo, utter disbelief from the travelling England faithful. Thomas Tuchel's team struggled to break down DR Congo's low block, with their keeper, Lionel Mappassi, making a string of heroic saves. England's superstars were 15 minutes away from a humiliating exit. But who do England look to in their time of need? Obviously, Harry Kane.

6:06It is always Kane, isn't it? Always him. He then put his side ahead with a stunning second, four minutes from time. It's still coming home. Is it, George? Is it? I think so. It wasn't pretty, but England, they're through. Next for them, it's Mexico and Mexican City on Sunday. That could be an all-timer of a World Cup fixture. You won't want to miss it. Finally, we've got to quickly talk about the epic match that took place in Seattle between Belgium and Senegal For 85 minutes, this was straightforward. The West African side were 2-0 up and absolutely cruising. Game done, I hear you ask. Well, not quite.

6:41Out of nowhere, Belgium scored in the 86th and 89th minute to snatch the least deserved draw that you have ever seen. Then, in the final minutes of extra time, VAR reared its head and awarded Belgium a penalty. Generally, the threshold for VAR has been very high this tournament, but this one really did feel very harsh. Not that the Belgians cared, though. I don't know!

7:11Yuri Telemans stuck it away and hit the back of the net in the 125th minute. That is the latest recorded goal in World Cup history. What? Somehow, Belgium will be back in Seattle to play the USMNT on Monday evening. Don't know how they did it. Now I'm thinking about all those waffles again. Let's dive into the next round of knockout matches, then three more on the way as we start to reach the tail end of the last 32. It's going to be over before we know it. It all begins in LA at 3pm Eastern as Spain take on Austria. The Spanish may be tournament favourites, but they weren't as convincing in the group stage as you might have expected.

7:51They drew with Cape Verde and narrowly beat Uruguay 1-0. Their only win was against Saudi Arabia in the second match. But maybe we found out exactly why Spain weren't quite ticking as expected. Yesterday, Laminya Mal told a reporter the group stage means nothing. The World Cup starts now. Spain are also getting slightly overshadowed by France's dazzling displays. A Spanish reporter asked Laminya Mal if France is a better team. And I don't think you need to be fluent in Spanish to understand his answer. Francia? Mejor que nosotros? No. No? No. Yeah, I think we heard that one loud and clear. Didn't you?

8:29But if Spain are to prove they're better than France, they will need to break a record that I have had to fact-check several times, or my producers have, because it simply cannot be true. They haven't won a knockout World Cup game since they won the entire tournament in South Africa in 2010. What? What? In fact, that win in 2010 is a complete outlier in what is otherwise a remarkably average World Cup record. They haven't even reached a semi-final apart from in 1950 when there were only 13 teams in the tournament. Boss Luis de la Fuente will be sweating over the fitness of Nico Williams who picked up a thigh injury late in that Uruguay game.

9:07Meanwhile, Austria have no fresh injury issues and actually with Austria's intense pressing game, we could actually be in for an entertaining match that should, in theory, deliver those goals. Moving on, and the game between Portugal and Croatia at 7pm Eastern is giving a little bit of this. How do you do, fellow kids? What? All eyes will be on 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo and 40-year-old Luka Modric as the former Real Madrid teammates meet in Vancouver. Between them, they have just under 2 ,500 career appearances, but for one of them, this is probably going to be their last dance on the world stage.

9:47Today's drill down brought to you by Makita is the battle between Portugal and Croatia's elder statesmen who will meet in the last 32. We assume, although never say never, that this is the last World Cup for both of them. So no matter what happens here in Vancouver, it is going to be a historic occasion. Both nations are still utterly reliant on their ageing superstars for goals, although in slightly different ways. Luka Modric pulls the strings in midfield with his reading of the game, freeing Croatia's pacey wingbacks. Meanwhile, Ronaldo is at the sharp end of Portugal's attacks, with players like Bruno Fernandes trying to get him clear sights of goal.

10:23After Lionel Messi's record-breaking start and Ronaldo's blank against DR Congo, many were writing Ronaldo's career obituary after the first game. And you can hear the annoyance in his voice when he was asked about Messi's goal scoring this tournament.

10:42I don't want to say anything. I can do the question. It depends on the question, otherwise I don't answer.

11:12had the opportunity as well. He's played in eight games and even had 29 shots in those matches. Luka Modric doesn't quite have as much left to prove. Against Ghana, he became the oldest player to register a World Cup assist. Few expect Croatia to replicate their runs to the final and semi-final in the last two tournaments, but don't underestimate a team determined to give their captain one more shot at glory. The curtain will come down on one of their careers tonight. Just whose will it be?

11:42Finally, at 11pm Eastern. What? Oh. Yeah, it really is 11pm Eastern. Which one of you is going to get the coffees in? That's on me. Ah, Thomas. Thomas, I'll have an iced flat white, if that exists. Anyway, yes, at 11pm Eastern, it's Switzerland against Algeria in Vancouver. I'm not going to lie to you, this isn't the most mouth-watering tie of the knockouts, but it's always the games that you least expect that end up being absolute classics, so don't rule it out. The Swiss won Group B, beating Canada in the final group game. Algeria finished third after a crazy 3-0 draw against Austria, one that many Iranian fans are still claiming was a fix to knock them out.

12:23Algeria's head coach, Vladimir Petkovic, spent seven years in charge of Switzerland, and he was at the helm when they famously knocked France out of Euro 2020. He knows this Swiss team inside out. Another day of football, it means another night of night cup. after Portugal against Croatia, Rogan Rory and Humphrey Kerr will break down another massive slate of matches. As always, there will be football. There will be pints. There will probably be conspiracy theories about Freddie LA7. Breaking. Freddie LA7 has deleted his Twitter account. What do we think is happening here, America? Interesting tangent on the France against Sweden sidecast when Rogan is tin hat called Freddie LA7 a CIA plant.

13:07Really makes you think, doesn't it? On to predictions then. Yesterday, I took on Brad Friedel. We both went for an England win, but there were no correct scores there. And it was the same story for the USA game. So it means it's a draw. It is still 8-6 to the nightclub. Nice doing business with you, Brad Friedel. Today, Rory stepped up to the plate. So Spain, Austria. I think Spain. I think Spain have got enough to beat Austria, but I don't think it's going to be easy. Austria's press is full-on Ragnet ball. It's intense. It's quick. They worked really hard. Defensively, I don't think they can stop the Spanish scoring, but I think they will cause them problems.

13:43So I will go 4-3-1 Spain. A couple of goals from Laminia Mal. Portugal, Croatia is really hard to call. Two full-on Unc teams, Luka Modric, Cristiano Ronaldo, both nearing their pensions. Someone who is a World Cup kind of legend is going home after this game. I think on balance, Portugal probably have more threats. Obviously, Ronaldo being in the team means that a lot of them are blunted. Croatia were quite good against Ghana. They've not been great otherwise. I think Portugal will probably sneak it 3-2. OK, so off the back of that, I think I'm going to go for a 2-1 win to Spain. And I think Portugal are going to win 2-1 as well.

14:25So, easy. Nice play. Let me know your thoughts in the comments about our predictions, by the way. We're very intrigued to know what you think. 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 Match Day Live Tour. These are free college game day style live events taking place just before kickoff at some of the biggest games of the summer. But 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.

15:02and let's celebrate this some other 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.

15:17We're on day 20 of 39, just over the halfway point. And already this World Cup has been record-breaking. I mean, goals. It's a good place to start, isn't it? What a pass, Martinelli! Goal!

15:39We've got goals. Goals. Always believe in your goals. You've got the power. Anyway, the floodgates have truly opened. The group stage alone produced a staggering 215 goals. That is an average of three per match. We've had absolute cinema. For context, the previous all-time tournament record was 172. That was set across 64 matches in Qatar 2022. That record was shattered after just 59 games. The attendance records have also been broken. During the group stage, 4 ,644 ,000 fans attended games, eclipsing the previous all-time record of 3 ,580 ,000 set during the 1994 tournament in the USA. What a long time ago that feels.

16:23The Americans did it their way, of course. The brash and the beautiful went side by side, but only rarely did they look like failing. Things have come a very long way since then. A long way, in fact. If there was ever any doubt that football has arrived in the US, you just need to have a look at the TV ratings. USMNT's opening match against Paraguay pulled in 18.03 million viewers, almost double the previous record for an English-language World Cup broadcast. Individual milestones also being reached. Lionel Messi, of course, continues to rewrite history, becoming the tournament's all-time leading goalscorer.

16:58He also became the first player to score in seven consecutive games and also became the oldest player to bag a World Cup hat-trick. It is mad to think we're only halfway, isn't it? We're only just getting started. That is it for Morning Cup Day 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. Later today, join Rog and Rory for the third official Men in Blazers watch-along presented by Google. The boys will be live on Twitch during Spain against Austria, joined by another stellar cast, including Humphrey Carr, LA Chargers star kicker Cameron Dicker, kicker, dicker, iconic chef and massive Spain's supporter Jose Andres and legendary football insider Fabrizio Romano.

17:48No, producer George is laughing at me. Here we go. Indeed. It all kicks off at 2.45pm Eastern. The link is in the notes below. We're going to be back tomorrow. But until then, have a brilliant day, everyone.