In short
Pitchside’s World Cup review after England draw 0-0 with Ghana, plus a long debate about Cristiano Ronaldo (“HEATED” framing) versus Lionel Messi, and what England must improve to beat low blocks.
Guests
No guest names appear; it’s a multi-host panel (no distinct guest bios provided).
Key claims
England were physically set up well and tactically disciplined, but lacked attacking creativity for most of the match; centre-backs (Gehi/Concer) recycled possession too slowly; Kane missed a penalty (retake mentioned) and should be more clinical; Rashford and Saka changed the game after coming on; Bellingham and Elliot Anderson were standout duel-winners/best performers.
Notable examples
Ghana’s physicality and low-block; Pickford hesitation in a dangerous moment; Tuchel’s quotes about patience and “right moment to be brave”; England’s inability to break down Ghana compared with earlier Croatia performance; Ronaldo’s “I’m back” celebration and finishing debate, including goals against Uzbekistan.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOEngland vs Ghana Match Overview
1:20 to 2:06
Analyzing the disappointing draw between England and Ghana.
“They were saying Massachusetts on the stadium.”
Ghana's Tactical Strength
2:06 to 3:05
Discussing Ghana's physicality and tactical approach during the match.
“100 % is, but it doesn't mean it's not annoying, though.”
England's Struggles and Player Performances
3:05 to 4:23
Exploring England's lackluster performance and key player struggles.
“I think Harry Kane kicked the ball three times today.”
Substitutions and Tactical Adjustments
4:23 to 6:11
Assessing the impact of substitutions and tactical changes made during the match.
“I think he should have started personally, but it is what it is.”
Key Players: Bellingham and Anderson
6:11 to 7:20
Highlighting standout performances by Bellingham and Anderson during the game.
“is that a bit of a concern now that we've seen two different games two different styles of opposition and Rashford's been better than Gordon in both.”
Goalkeeping Concerns and Defensive Issues
7:20 to 8:28
Discussing goalkeeping mistakes and defensive vulnerabilities in the match.
Analysis of England’s Style Against Different Opponents
8:28 to 12:04
Examining how England's playing style adapts against varying levels of opposition.
“You touched on obviously Gehi and Konza.”
Looking Ahead: Future Matches and Key Players
12:04 to 14:00
Speculating on future performances and the need for standout players in upcoming games.
“that's what we were famous for under Southgate though wasn't it let me throw this Let me throw this to you.”
England's Disappointing Performance
14:00 to 14:42
Analyzing England's lackluster draw against Ghana and the implications for their World Cup campaign.
“Messi won a World Cup and they lost to Saudi Arabia in the first game, didn't they?”
Player Performances and Expectations
14:42 to 15:26
Discussing key players like Bellingham and Kane, and their impact on England's success.
“Maverick in these games, man, because we need us one today.”
Show all 20 chapters
Frustration and Fan Expectations
15:26 to 17:05
Exploring the frustration of fans and the team's need to perform better against lower-ranked teams.
“But when we play Panama, hypothetically, we're going to beat them 4-0, let's say, whatever happens.”
Tactical Discussions and Team Selection
17:05 to 19:36
Debating the best England lineup and tactical decisions following disappointing performances.
“I'd have to know how capable he is if he's capable of playing then I'd play but otherwise I'm happy with Madweke who's your left back?”
Concerns Over Future Matches
19:36 to 21:18
Assessing potential concerns for England's upcoming games based on current performances.
“Better arm wrestles Gay he's bigger than him Is he?”
Ronaldo vs. Messi Debate
21:18 to 24:20
A heated debate on the current status and legacy of Ronaldo compared to Messi.
“The same way 0-0 wasn't going to happen today then?”
Ronaldo's Confidence and Controversy
28:01 to 29:30
Explore the conflicting opinions about Ronaldo's arrogance and his statements after victories.
“I don't want to see Ronaldo Are you not entertained by that shit?”
Debate: Winning vs. Entertainment in Football
29:31 to 30:54
Engage in a spirited debate on whether football is primarily about winning or entertainment.
“You know if we've gone a 4-0 today Messi couldn't do that No, no, no, I'm asking if we beat Ghana 4-0 today and Harry Kane ran over to the camera and went, I'm fucking here to stay.”
Cultural Perspectives in Football Celebrations
30:55 to 33:51
Discuss how different teams and fans celebrate draws and victories based on expectations.
“You just said everyone should try to win.”
Ronaldo's Legacy and Current Form
33:52 to 36:15
Examine Ronaldo's current performance and how he compares to his past self.
“okay that's not like it's not you don't have to make it more more specific than that that's fair you're over cooking the egg there brother What have I done?”
Messi's Penalty Struggles
36:16 to 38:14
Analyze Messi's extraordinary skills and his surprising inadequacies in penalty shooting.
“And Piers tweeted him saying, haters must pay for their crimes.”
Adidas Experience and Future Predictions
38:15 to 40:51
Share experiences from the Adidas event while predicting future match outcomes.
“Mexico, South Korea, Canada, Switzerland.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Reev:Now, time to thank our partner of this episode, XTB. Now, boys, the game is starting and you know what that means. Your investing should too. If you think about it, football and investing actually have a lot in common. It's about backing your picks, playing the long game and hopefully making some smart decisions along the way. And this summer, XTB is making it easy to get started. If you sign up with XTB, enter the court pitch side and deposit£50 within the first seven days of opening an account, you could get a free share of Nike. Yep, a free Nike share and get it cheaper than a Nike jersey with XTB.
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0:51Reev:Capital at risk, investment values can rise or fall, limited free stock availability TNC supply. Well then boys, welcome back to Pitchside. A very, a very, um, deflated, deflated. I think some would say, eh? I just said. Yeah. Some would say as in you. Yeah. I'm sorry. Yeah. Nice segue, bro. Yeah. What the hell, bro? Uh, we have just got back from watching England drew Neil, Neil to Ghana, not in Boston. No, no, no. In Foxborough, guys. Oh, was it? Yeah. Miles away. It's bloody miles away. It's an hour and a half to get there. They were saying Massachusetts on the stadium. Sorry, where? You're an idiot.
1:32Why am I bothered on? What's Massachusetts?
1:35Theo:It's the state that we're in. I thought the state was New York. No, we've left New York. We left New York yesterday. Sorry, guys. I didn't realise. A strange individual, bro. You know that four-hour train journey we had? We went across, like, three different states. On the map, they're so close together. yeah Rhode Island's in between as well there's plenty as you can tell guys there's not really that much great football to talk about unfortunately what do you mean man it wasn't the best of performances from an England side but you know before we get into the England breakdown and stuff I will say credit to Garner I think they actually played well for what they wanted physically they were brilliant I thought yeah what
2:14Reev:they were brilliant
2:16Theo:physically yeah they were they were they were in
2:20Reev:we sort of just talked about the game didn't we they were in good
2:22Theo:tactical shape for the whole game they set up
2:25Reev:exactly how they needed to to get a result out of the game they wanted a point
2:29Theo:from the game sit back
2:30Reev:defend and try and hit him on the break and they nearly did they actually nearly caught us once or twice I just want to clean myself at the start of this pod if you're an England player watching this I mean you know you all watch because you're fans of the show we love you I want you to know I love you's and I forgive you's and you don't even need forgiving but what I will say at this pod just ignore it and skip past it because I need to vent some frustrations and that will come out is this not a little bit Is it a bit dramatic? Yes, it is dramatic. 100 % is, but it doesn't mean it's not annoying, though.
2:57Reev:Yeah, we weren't necessarily as good attacking-wise, but I feel like Ghana were much better defensively than Croatia. I think Harry Kane kicked the ball three times today. One of them is over. Oh, cheap shot. And I was sitting in the reef, I'm like, normally you would jump.
3:12Theo:That's true. We're just going to ignore the fact that he missed from a place that he should be scoring. Like, Harry Kane, like, I love him, but one pen miss, luckily got a retake, and that's like, Like, come on, mate, we need you on this fucking Bayern Munich form, like clinical. Like, normally he would drop deep in games like this and actually pick up the ball. He didn't need to do that because Ghana were never having possession of the ball. That's the problem. Yeah, but like the majority of the time when we were trying to create something, it was Koncer and fucking Gehi on the ball. And I'm like, why are they on the ball?
3:42Yeah, that's a good point.
3:43Reev:Especially the last 10 minutes or so where you thought, like, we're going to try and... I know we made positive substitutions again, which was actually quite a positive thing. but Gehi and Concert spent far too much time on the ball at the back
3:54Theo:far too much time I don't think I don't think the end of the game is a fair no but that's what I said but at the end of the game we were way more direct in the last 15 than we were at any other point do you not think
4:03Reev:you know the last even the last fight in injury time added time right we were still constantly passing it backwards I think throughout the game we were the centre backs were sitting on it
4:11Theo:way too long go for the win here we didn't have players to break down their shape that was the problem
4:17Reev:we didn't have players to break down their shape we're two tens on we do but we didn't but they're not on the ball yeah but
4:23Theo:yeah so why not but that's not Constantine Gahy's fault like they give the ball and then it's recycled back to them that's not nothing to do with I just feel like one of these more creative better players should drop deep and have the ball in that centre back position where we're on the half and everyone's pushed up and make something happen because Constantine Gahy that's not what they do that's exactly why we brought on two tens though because we wanted we knew we were going to have way more of the ball and then be more attacking We just couldn't break through.
4:50Reev:Rashford was good when he came on. He was far more direct than Gordon. Saka was good as well. It was too late for Rashford.
4:56Theo:I think he should have started personally, but it is what it is. I think we've... Turkey's gone really well against Croatia. I felt like he earned the right to start. And obviously, because Ghana, in my opinion, were never going to have that much of the ball, you don't need Anthony Gordon to do all the backtracking that he probably is good for in a team against an actual good opposition. You give more creative and more threatening players like Rashford the time to
5:20Reev:take their men one on one and beat them do you think Gordon had a bit of an issue on that left hand side with DJ Ed Spence behind him rather than a Nick O 'Reilly I thought O 'Reilly was really good when he came on
5:29Theo:so yeah I think exactly that I think that was an O 'Reilly game rather than an O 'Reilly I was surprised it was an interesting drop
5:37Reev:does anyone know what do you think the reasonings was physicality but it's not like but Nick O 'Reilly isn't slow
5:45Theo:yeah he's not
5:46Reev:he's a physical he's a physical chap I think I think you can see with his head you can see with his head either but then by the way we were much better I thought we were much better like Saka coming on as well he was really positive and Rashford like I love Gordon but like it was night and day when Rashford came on it was no pissing about on the wing trying to find the perfect opportunity it was cutting in and just whipping whipping anything in there and it was it was it was a lot better
6:11Theo:is that a bit of a concern now that we've seen two different games two different styles of opposition and Rashford's been better than Gordon in both.
6:20Reev:I think he will start now. He will start now. I think he'll start against Panama. I thought there were two players who were sort of our best players. Bellingham and Anderson again. I can absolutely say Elliot Anderson was the best player
6:33Theo:on that pitch. Certainly from our perspective. I don't think he lost a duel. I think he was really... What he does brilliantly is he does... Well, just simple football. Like if he knows he doesn't need an extra touch he'll release it to somebody else. if he knows he's got time on the ball he'll try and find an actually better pass but he does the basics I know it's really crude to say because obviously all of the England footballers do that but he's really good at doing the basics incredibly efficiently what I love about him though is it's not even the fact that he only does that because he can't do he can be so creative and skilful he's touching the ball he's so good at that sort of stuff but he doesn't force it he'll wait for that opportunity to come so that's why he's so good it's like there's no ego he's like willing to do that but when it comes to it he can be really creative he's been raised doing the doggy work Jordi Maradona that's what he he's Jordi Maradona note on Bellingham
7:26Reev:another good performance obviously not as good as against Krejci but I still thought he was I kind of feel like he was shot out the game
7:32Theo:a little bit it was frustrating a bit for how good he is
7:35Reev:he was trying to make things he was the one he was the one trying to make things happen though again he was demanding the ball he was trying to feed the opponent well yeah but it's easier said than done it was a bit annoying because it was like it was Gittery and Concey sat on it and then they'd have like their back five and we all our players were just matching like man on man on that back five and we just couldn't get it to any of them like it was crying for anyone to drop deeper and just pick it up and I think you're right though
8:01Theo:I think they're the two players that you can look back at that game and say they actually won all of their duels and obviously we said at the start that Ghana were physically up for the game they were kind of just like trying to bully us off the ball Bellingham and Anderson held their own certainly in that by the way Ghana had some chances on the count I mean that we got away with one on the Pickford situation hang on yeah is that Pickford one not a foul we need to see that replay but it looked dodgy in the stadium watching it live it looked like fucking hell he's going to be sent off here
8:33Reev:so I I was adamant he won the ball in the stadium I'm an England fan he didn't look confident approaching the ball it looked like my immediate response was fucking I was a red yeah in person it looked like he hesitated I haven't seen the replay but it looked like he hesitated and that's always scary when the keeper's coming out and collecting the ball because that's where you end up with fucked up situations like that. You touched on obviously Gehi and Konza. Are you surprised that Stones didn't start? Was that a game?
8:56Theo:We were talking about this just before we started the pod. That's a perfect John Stones game. If you want someone to bring the ball forward and try and play between the lines and actually try and create something from a deeper position, John Stones has done that for years at Manchester City. Why did he even start? Is it just a physicality thing? Do you reckon you reckon Tusha has gone a little bit pragmatic and gone and fitness yeah fitness and physicality he made he made what three changes two changes when today two changes no he made more he brought Saka on he brought Rodgers on no from the starting 11
9:31Reev:I mean oh sorry yeah yeah it was Spence and Spence and Gahill Tito in defence yeah which is an interesting one because I know we conceded two but like we already said like they were decent goals from Croatia I didn't feel like yeah Yeah, I felt like that was maybe a bit harsh. Do you think... What's this? I'm just going to give you the changes he made. Sorry, what? I'm just going to give you the changes he made. Oh, the changes he made. Yeah, he brought an Eze Saka, Rodgers and Rashford. Do you know what? When Rodgers came on, by the way... I know Raleigh. Brought an Raleigh. I thought... Rodgers obviously always shows his talent, but he was dribbling a lot.
10:02Reev:He was trying to make it sort of happen himself rather than... Do you know what? I don't mind that because he did come on and it looked like he was trying to... I remember there was a dribble where he came all the way down to the left. they dragged quite a few men out and then we had a cross that came in from the result. So he was coming on and he had to try and force something because the game was stale for like 80 minutes. There's not much you can break down from a nil-nil. Ultimately, when he made the changes we did actually have our biggest opportunity and if Harry... Harry Kane... He scored that nine times out of ten.
Read the full transcript
10:31Reev:I'm so baffled. Ten out of ten. Yeah, yeah.
10:33Theo:I'm not... Do you reckon it's just because he wasn't warming the game? No. It's just one at hand.
10:39Reev:It should be. He's just skied it. That's it.
10:41Theo:is his bread and butter
10:42Reev:yeah is that it that's a that's a bit frustrating but it is look they had a chance as well though remember when they came through I don't know who made the last ditch tackle yeah what a fucking tackle because they were straight through the adult pants down on the counter but they weren't
10:55Theo:the thing is Ghana weren't afraid to play direct I kind of feel like England didn't want to do that until it became too late and we started going really really direct you know playing through balls wide when it was too little too late I just thought we moved the ball really slow yeah we did It's so easy for them to just sit back. It's just moving at half speed. I don't know what they're doing.
11:17Reev:I've got a few quotes here from Tommy Tuchel after the game. Before I touch on this quote, still trusting him? Of course, yeah. Absolutely.
11:26Theo:Here's a question before we break down what you said after the match. Do you think if Gareth Southgate was managing that team, we'd be there going aside? Why? Really? No, I'm asking. Who knows? statistically statistically if Steve Bruce was managing that England side we'd be Ghana like you know what I mean the team's so much better it is a bit of a fluke result overall like 9 times out of 10 we beat them
11:50Reev:I think you know what I mean so it's like maybe so but like long term like Southgate I think we're all we just didn't create enough
12:00Theo:it wasn't a case of like not taking chances we actually just didn't create much at all that's what we were famous for under Southgate though wasn't it let me throw this Let me throw this to you. Do niche. Yeah, which is why that sounds problematic. Which is why that's not a good thing. Do you think we're better against better teams? Yeah, I think so. I don't think England are necessarily a team that break teams down. Why? Because I don't think the way that England are coached and the manner in which English players grow up, it's not like a Spanish side where you do a tiki-taka until you're a professional footballer and you're an adult player.
12:38Theo:When you're an English player, primarily you learn to be physical first. You learn to be less technical. I know we have great technical players in the side and they came on and they stretched the game and stuff later on. But England aren't necessarily a team that break teams down. They're a team that overpower teams. Overall though, like... Do you see what I mean? Overall, realistically, in the late stages, ideally we won't have to do that because we play in teams who actually are decent and will be coming at us. Like, you can't draw your way through fucking knockout stages all the time. But the issue is when we are in the round of 32, I can't be asked going extra time if it gets fucking slow.
13:14Reev:Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's kind of worrying that we can't actually break low blocks. You're talking about going extra time. This is what Tishul said. He said, he wasn't frustrated after the game. He saw it coming as he knew this game would be difficult, garner a physical and committed. Full credit to them. They were difficult to break down. You need to be patient but the right moment to be brave. We only conceded two dangerous chances. At the end of the halves, we grew into it and found rhythm. Of course, fatigue crept in, obviously in game two. Is that a little bit of a concern? Or do you think it's just natural game fatigue?
13:47I don't think there'll be fatigue. A lot of these players are playing tons and tons. I like the attitude,
13:52Reev:but you need a bit of luck. We had enough shots and a cross and a big chance of Hurricane. It is what it is. Ultimately, it is what it is. Lads, do you know what? We were fucking shit today. We were. We were classed against Croatia. we haven't lost we'll smack in it is funny
14:06Theo:it is funny how we've like gone to full stage full blown disaster but it was still no nil yeah if we had to win conceded a goal I will say though that Will's just sent me this only three teams in World Cup history have won all of their group stage matches and gone on to win the tournament in the same year Brazil in 1970 France in 1998 and Brazil in 2002 so we're more
14:24Reev:likely to win it if we don't win all our games technically yeah read the hat
14:28Theo:technically
14:30Reev:it's coming home don't get me wrong I'm like, put it back on, Will, put it back on, quick, quick.
14:35Theo:Messi won a World Cup and they lost to Saudi Arabia in the first game, didn't they? That's true. I just want to see who's going to be our fucking, who's going to be our fucking Maverick in these games, man, because we need us one today. Bellingham. It should be. It's Bellingham. I didn't have Messi. He what? That's Saka. He's not a Maverick, Saka. He's great, he is great, but he's not going to leave the team. Saka's just very efficient. He's also,
14:55Reev:he's clearly not fit either, so I think he won't be on Maverick this tournament. It should be Harry Kane It'll be Kane and Bellingham man Yeah it should be Harry Kane It'll be Bellingham We can't have Sorry
15:06Theo:We can't have conversations About Harry Kane being The best player in the world And him putting Performances like that I don't know like Get him on the ball Drop deep Do what you fucking do You can't You can't watch him For 90 minutes Have six touches One of them Blazed it over the bar From seven yards And we still say This is the Harry Kane That we need from Bayern Munich
15:24Reev:Reeve is that credit to Garner? I said this at the start Block him out of the game
15:28Theo:I think Garner Were excellent know what they needed to do and they execute the game plan that they were set up for brilliantly but it's still not good enough now we're trying to beat fucking every we're trying to beat every team in this competition and we're not showing how good we are is that not just really frustrating to watch the first game well we did in the first game we should be but we should be building on that but
15:50Reev:we could shouldn't we go backwards is this not is this not a bit dramatic like when we play panama of course it's dramatic but I'm a fan of england I want us to be everywhere We're very good at being dramatic. But when we play Panama, hypothetically, we're going to beat them 4-0, let's say, whatever happens. We all predicted 4-5-0.
16:06Theo:We all predicted 4-5-0 for today. 0-0 is not acceptable. No, I agree. Mate, I have sat here and slated teams for only winning 1-0 or not getting results against these small teams. We've just done the exact same thing. If you look player to player, there is no world ever we should be drawing with Ghana as soon as Spain drew with Cape Verde we wrote off Spain for winning the World Cup it should be exactly the same if we're going to play bigger teams in this tournament at the later stages based on that game we don't look good enough to win the World Cup but you can't judge a team with one performance
16:44Reev:you can't Spain then went out
16:46Theo:and won the next game you can't but it is evidence that it can happen and then we just at later stages become Spain look good in their second game but ultimately all we have are these two games what do you mean yeah of course
16:57Reev:but like but you ever write them off first game then the next game they go oh actually they might still win it no but Theo
17:03Theo:I'm not sure Spain will still win it they just look better Portugal no you're saying we can't judge a team off like one game but we have to judge England off these two games because that's all we've got so far who's been the best team in the tournament so far if you were to rank them Argentina correct and what did they do they beat both teams pretty comfortably France who beat both teams pretty comfortably yep Spain well yeah but England should have been we should have won that game 3 or 4-0 today and I'm not trying to sign England what do you mean why? because they're shit we're class yeah exactly not to be rude not to be entitled but like we are much better than Ghana we should be smashing player for player we should be beating teams like that easily the stadium was 90 % English fans all sat there in silence because we had literally fuck all to watch and then the one time we had a little bit of chance at the end it went way up and also we saw more energy from players and that pisses me off because I know the crowd makes a difference but don't wait until you hear a cheer that you're going to fucking put in that extra mile you had 80 minutes of absolute no intensity slow moving balls it was a shit watch
18:05Reev:well Luke alright you've seen two games then what would be your best England 11 I would go with what we had in that first game minus take off well I'd swap the wingers out I'd take off I'd put in Rashford and I'd put in Saka were you not impressed Madweke looked good Madweke's great but Saki's just a better player but even in his current fitness form though you'd still start Saki over Madweke? I'd have to know how capable he is if he's capable of playing then I'd play but otherwise I'm happy with Madweke who's your left back? Rashford comes in O 'Reilly I think you'd just go for the technical ability and class of him he plays for Man City for a reason he's fucking class and also he can pick up some goals himself he almost did didn't he?
18:50exactly
18:51Reev:what are you saying?
18:52Theo:just Rashford in for Gordon? No, I think fitness warranted, I think I'd start Saka as well. I think he'd...
19:00Reev:Have you not been impressed by Madweki last two games? I have been impressed by Madweki. Especially down the left-hand side. Oh, sorry, I would go Stones concert. I've actually went a U-turn. That concert tackle has got me. Not that Gehi even had a bad game. I'd actually... I like the experience of Sons, but that concert tackle was fucking brilliant.
19:14Theo:I'd actually go Stones-Gehisi. Really? Yeah.
19:17Reev:Mix it up again.
19:18Theo:Yeah, I think that should be our start. if we didn't start in 11 everybody fully fit before the tournament started I think my centre-back partnership would be Stone mine would have been too but like seeing Concert and I do like that physical element I want the physicality with the experience of Stones
19:34Reev:away from England
19:35Theo:what, yeah he's not what experienced no physically he's not no when I say physical attributes I mean just like general height like Concert's just a bigger lad isn't he are they not similar height are they not no Concert's bigger than him Constance's bigger than Gay
19:51Reev:I don't know about height wise But I think he's just a broader lad Isn't he? Stronger Do you think? Better arm wrestles Gay he's bigger than him
20:00Theo:Is he? I'm pretty sure
20:02Reev:Constance seems Wider Do he? What? Constance seems big He's a bigger boy
20:06Theo:I don't think
20:07Reev:What? Well that's I'm chatting out my arse Constance can bench Breast more than Gay How have we ended up
20:11Theo:Just glazing both Constance and Mark Gay here I guess I'm chatting out my arse I apologise
20:17Reev:Speaking of chatting out your arse Lou alright I don't have one he's back can't be arsed lads I'd recommend turn it in the pot he is back lads
20:29Theo:Cristiano Sunaldo yeah before we move on to the Ronaldo show that you're obviously so really obsessed with for some weird reason Panama are ranked 43rd sorry I was trying to do Panama are ranked 43rd in the world and Ghana are 64
20:40Reev:I know we've already talked about this yeah but is that not concerning that it's 0-0 again no but I think Ghana on paper I have a better team let's not look into FIFA rankings Garnet and Pabba have a better team. Like, the FIFA rankings is bollocks. Belgium have been one of the best teams in the world. It also depends what teams these guys are playing. Like, who are these guys playing? Exactly.
20:59Theo:Another 0-0 is a big concern, though, isn't it?
21:01Reev:Yeah, it's not going to happen, bro.
21:01Theo:We're going to win 5-0, bro.
21:02Reev:Yeah, Belgium would rank best. You said we're going to win 5-0 today. Yeah, sometimes wrong, sometimes right.
21:08Theo:So, actually, so to answer the question, then, if we draw 0-0 against Panama, is that a real concern? Not going to happen. Not answering the question. It's a concern. It'd be a concern.
21:16Reev:It'd be a concern. The same way 0-0 wasn't going to happen today then? Nah, because it won't happen twice. Tommy T won't do that. That's not true. I'll put a bet on it. A bet on what? It won't be 0-0.
21:28Theo:Well, yeah, because you'd get really good odds for that. Do it then. What do you mean do it then? How have you flipped this on me?
21:35Reev:I asked you a question.
21:35Theo:You think England were going to lose against Panama? No, I didn't. Just say it, admit it.
21:38Reev:I said, would 0-0 be a concern if we went on to do that again? Oh, yeah.
21:42Theo:That's the correct answer. I said yes.
21:44Reev:No, you didn't. You hate England, admit it. I don't hate England. I want the best for England. fan.
21:49Theo:I'm the only one. We're criticising the team. You're saying it's always fine. It is going to be fine. We don't know that.
21:55Reev:What does that mean, though? You don't know that it's not going to be fine, though.
21:59Theo:We're not doing a prediction of the future here. We're just trying to
22:04Reev:based on evidence, see how far we could go in this tournament. You're also ignoring the fact that we played a much better side in Croatia and did a really good job about it. Yeah, and didn't continue it. We've stepped off the gas. It's only been one game. it can get better it can but there's signs that it might not but there's also very good signs that it will yes exactly that means this debate is completely pointless because there's no way to know do you see what I'm saying though no but we're going around in circles here look because anything could happen
22:31Theo:Lewis Bowden only one eventual World Cup winner France in 2018 has recorded a 0-0 draw during the tournament that is bad by the way I hate those stats the shit stat the shit stat
22:42Reev:they mean nothing they literally mean nothing them stats all history stats all history stats are shit and pointless None of the same players In like these teams Were playing like 30 years ago When the stats mattered No one cares about the stats
22:54Theo:It was 2018 No but you know what I mean You know what I mean You have a worse chance Like it's bullshit It's bullshit It's bullshit It's evidence Shit stats
23:03Reev:Shit stats That's Wolvesport anyway Shit stats Look 2R7 Got a brace He actually Against who?
23:11Theo:Uzbekistan Debuting in their World Cup It's level Then His level
23:20Reev:Numenj's level What? Numenj's He scored Is that his level? Uzbekistan? He's a left back Is that his level? You're talking about
23:29Theo:You're talking about one of the If not the best Most effective number nine goals
23:33Reev:Is his level Uzbekistan?
23:35Theo:No What? I'm saying give credit where credit's due bro
23:39Reev:What's the argument? He just started naming Portuguese players You just said is this Ronaldo's level? Ronaldo's playing in a league that's a similar level to fucking Uzbekistan, lad. So is it fucking Pessy in MLS, mate. And Nuno Mendes. Nuno Mendes, who's just off the back of winning fucking Champions Leagues, lad. You can never give... You can never just give a little bit of credit that he played well. Never do it, can you? You're such an over-hater on Ronaldo. He's just Uzbekistan. Wait, wait. He's supposed to be the goal who rivals Messi and we're celebrating him scoring against Uzbekistan.
24:08Reev:Well, if you can't do that, what can you do, mate? You can only score against the team you're playing against in the World Cup. I'm off enough of the pitch scored. I'm back. I'm back. What ranking is Bekistan out of interest? 50. Better than Ghana, mate.
24:20Theo:I like, by the way, I like... Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Ghana's drawing near-lil against... That just backs my point. So is it Harry Kane's level? That backs my point.
24:27Reev:Harry Kane's level can't even score against Ghana.
24:30Theo:You're just backing my point. Drawing near-lil against Ghana. They're 50. Drawing near-lil against Ghana is a concern. Live update. Still better than Ghana.
24:38Reev:Than 5-0. So what? Is this Kane's level? Can't even score against Ghana. His argument's terrible.
24:44Theo:He's playing for Bayern Munich. That's not a discussion. I'm more worried about us drawing 0-0 to Ghana because Portugal put 5-0 past a team that they're clearly much better than. That's the difference. Look, Christiane Rourdes is the first ever player
24:58Reev:to score at six different World Cups. Name them. Name the World Cups.
25:05Theo:Were they just the last six?
25:08Reev:Do you want me to do my four times table? 2026 2022 2018 2014 Ronaldo used to be a world class player unfortunately right now he is an older man and he is not at that level anymore no one's saying he is though except Piers Morgan the only reason I say to him is when I get frustrated at people talking as if he is still that player because I don't think anyone is though no but Messi actually is still that player Messi
25:37Theo:he's not that's also just not true international level he can't run mate have you seen Messi try and run you could slot him into a European top 5 league and he'd still do the job right now I don't know if that's true I don't know
25:50Reev:if that's true no no no
25:52Theo:Messi in a top Messi at his current ability now wouldn't be the Messi that you'd expect from previous years you've just said he's still at you just said he's still at his level he's not as good as he was personally neither is Ronaldo how about this Messi being here Messi dropping his level Is still miles above The majority of football players Yeah but I don't I'm not saying he's the best in the world But there is an argument No one is saying Ronaldo's best in the world There is an argument right now That Messi is one of the best players in the tournament Oh yeah absolutely There is Ronaldo
26:27Reev:But Lewis no one's saying that You're creating an argument in your head No one's saying Ronaldo's the best player in the tournament He also didn't say that He said one of them
26:36Theo:He said there's an argument for Messi being one of them Yeah that's true There isn't an argument for Ronaldo. Yeah, that's true.
26:41Reev:Yeah. So what's your point? So you agree Messi's better than Ronaldo? At the moment, yeah. What about all time? I think it's closer than everyone thinks. No, wait, but I don't get... Hang on, I'm a little bit confused by your whole point. No, can we go back? Closer than everyone thinks, that's fair enough. What do you think? Who's better at all time, Messi or Ronaldo, once and for all? I think... How does he think about this? I think it's... I think... Here's what I think. You think it's closer than everyone? I think they are the both best of all time, right? Yeah. But at the moment, I think the level of hate that Ronaldo is getting at his age...
27:17Reev:Not the question. Not the question, lad. Can you not let me talk? I'm getting round to it. It's a podcast. I'm elaborating on my point. No, no, no. Can you just answer the question? Can you just answer the question? Who was the best all time? Messi or Ronaldo? I think they both are. What? I think they're both the best of all time.
27:34Theo:He said one or the other and you went, they both are. Messi or Ronaldo? Most people in football think they're both the best of all time, but most people would say that Messi is remarkably clear. Not Piers Morgan, but...
27:46Reev:I think probably Messi is, if you had to say edgy, you're edgy, isn't it? I don't get why it's so hard. No, but I'm saying, my point is, do you not think the level of hate he has got, especially of recent time, is just a bit like, it's a bit stupid? Do you not think? I mean, he is. But that's not... He's a billionaire. You can even see it. Even when pitch-side comments are saying it, that's when you know it's gone a level too far
28:08Theo:yeah but that's because people don't like him as a person not because he's not an incredible footballer yeah like by the way I merely slay Ronaldo wind you up number one that should be obvious to anyone number two I do think he comes off a bit arrogant of course he does I'm back I much prefer the humbleness of Messi where Messi was being interviewed and he asking about his greatness and all that and he said I just want to go celebrate my teammates Ronaldo would be there Messi's a bit of a dirty player sometimes Me Me And that's why I don't like him Have I been baited By social media Or did he say I'm back He said I'm back He did didn't he Fucking Too right I fucking rate that Fucking hell
28:50Reev:You also rate it Who gives a shit mate They won five He's gone I'm back Fuck yeah Like when Declan Rice said It's not over yet Everyone's like Oh it's so Gambled it mate And we went and Fucking won the league Love that shit That's what you want to see in football People doing shit like that Football's all about entertainment You're not entertained by that? I don't want to see Ronaldo Are you not entertained by that shit?
29:11Theo:By Ronaldo saying I'm back
29:12Reev:Fuck yeah he's back I don't want to see Ronaldo
29:14Theo:I'm not entertained by Ronaldo saying I'm back For beating a team that have only just Gone into their first ever World Cup Fuck yeah he's back Oh my god man It's actually really Honestly Ronaldo It's actually embarrassing by Ronaldo He brings it on himself Alright let's flip it yeah You know if we've gone a 4-0 today Messi couldn't do that No, no, no, I'm asking if we beat Ghana 4-0 today and Harry Kane ran over to the camera and went, I'm fucking here to stay. It's completely different.
29:41Reev:Harry Kane is one of the best rikers in the world currently. Completely different because Ghana are better than Uzbekistan.
29:45Theo:That's what I'm saying.
29:46Reev:No, so Harry Kane is quite literally could win the Ballon d 'Or.
29:49Theo:Yeah, but you said that's... He's never left, bro. Yeah, but you said... Harry Kane's never left. You said that's entertaining for Ronaldo. He's fucking entertaining. You're not entertained by that shit. By him... No, of course not. Him saying I'm back. It's a fucking good watch. That's the reason why people hate him.
30:03Reev:Why is it a good watch? It's funny. Why is it a good watch? Because he's going on back. It's like he's going to Sunday league. And then next game. And then next game. And then next game. He's going to all the kids who just peed. Do you know what I think? All right, Lewis. I'm like Ronaldo. Lewis, as a Ronaldo hater, right? When he says, I'm back, I have to do it. And then next game, he's like dog shit and doesn't do anything. Are you not entertained by that? But no, because then I'll get ridiculed. There you go. I get told, you're overhating him. He just said, I'm back. He threw out stinkers. What is football all about?
30:33Theo:Answer me that. What is football all about? Football's an entertainment sport. No, not entertainment. Winning. No, it's not all about winning. It's entertainment. What? Football's not all about winning. You support a club where you never win. No, but it's about trying to win. Bro, it's entertainment. Yeah, well, that's the primary objective. It's about entertainment. The sport isn't about... Yes, it is.
30:50Reev:I don't like that.
30:51Theo:Why do you think people pay tickets to go watch? If the sport was about winning, why did every single Ghana fan celebrate that nil-nil like a win? Because that's their pragmatic. That is a win for them. Why do you think... You just said everyone should try to win. They didn't try to win. in the grand scheme of it if they're trying to progress and have a successful tournament why do people pay for tickets and then they've got a draw against those they're on the borderline of securing okay so why did every Cape Verde fan celebrate the 0-0 against Spain because it's a massive it's comparative it's this Ronaldo situation no but you've just said
31:20Reev:every team goes out to try and win Lewis why have you slated why have you slated Arsenal all season why have you slated Arsenal all season because you don't like the way they play but they're getting the wins why because you're not You're entertained by it, bro. What? I said what? And he just went... You've slated Arsenal all season, right? How they play and all this and that because you don't find it entertaining. Yes. I'm not an Arsenal fan, though. When I watch Newcastle, I would mind shit out in a few games as long as we win. But not an entertainment sport. I would happily play like Arsenal if we won the amount of games you did.
31:57Happily. Do you really do?
31:59Reev:I want to be entertained by you because I'm a neutral to you. but when it's my own team all I care about at the top of it all is I want to win you don't support Portugal either yeah but we're not about the football we're not about individual teams you say what's football about it's about winning you want to win it's an entertainment sport it's the whole point of football
32:18Theo:again that's not true it doesn't have to be one or the other by winning you are entertained if you watch your team win you are entertained it comes together
32:26Reev:not for the masses overall ideally ideally you would want to be entertained whilst winning of course and if you're at Liverpool that's why Liverpool complain because their team was a bit boring but isn't this the whole
32:37Theo:World Cup argument that you had like these smaller teams would come in and then you know not really give them a game and the teams that have you know like the Curacao's and the Cape Verde's that have got massive points against great nations I'm not talking about them you're making me no no no I'm trying to flip the point I'm trying to ask you a different question because you've said that it's not primarily about entertainment but them drawing new and little against massive nations is really entertaining for the people that support those clubs I love it countries sorry I love it, I agree But you've said it's all about winning Football is about winning But they've had the best moments of their life I agree Yeah, but for them, winning isn't realistic They're never going to win the World Cup They're not going to win a football match
33:14Reev:Yeah, they might But a draw is a win for them This argument is quite pedantic My actual overall point Football's about winning That is overall true You can go into very niche scenarios Where you have a smaller team playing a big team Yeah, you're going to celebrate a draw 100 % I'd celebrate a draw against a Barcelona because they're better than us yeah but
33:35Theo:but that's not the same point then is it you saying you saying winning is everything in football it was just a general point I think football I'm not trying to ask you a question no no no but like I'm drunk here in certain situations you will want to draw of course but like generally football's about trying to win
33:52Reev:okay that's not like it's not you don't have to make it more more specific than that
33:56Theo:that's fair you're over cooking the egg there brother What have I done?
34:00Reev:I've not said anything For the last five minutes You're looking up How drunk are you? One with GMF Columbia I play in the Congo After this I didn't even mention How good his finishes were For Portugal He's gone through Ronaldo's finishes were good What? Also we didn't even talk About the free kicks
34:19Theo:It's still Cristiano Ronaldo He's got it in there Oh I'm on the side So you're saying
34:24Reev:He's found it again So you're saying He's back That's what you've just said I'm saying he's always... No, no, no. What you just said, no. It never left him. Freudian slip. Never left. Oh, it never left.
34:35Theo:He's still in Cristiano Ronaldo's body, isn't he? Like, he's still Cristiano Ronaldo. It's a different body, though, bro. There's still muscle memory on how to score a goal. Through the cells of age. He's scored, like, over 900 goals. Yeah, well, all right.
34:46Reev:Say you have the ship of Theseus, right? If you keep adding to the ship and replacing the wood, is it still the same ship? Oh, it is.
34:55Theo:So are you comparing Cristiano Ronaldo to the ship of Theseus? I think it's a great point, actually. It's not a great point.
35:00Reev:It is a fantastic point. You said he's the same, bro. Is he the same? Is he the same?
35:04Theo:He's Cristiano Ronaldo,
35:04Reev:but is Cristiano Ronaldo toned down?
35:05Theo:But for him to say he's back is crazy.
35:09Reev:Because it's like,
35:10Theo:he's trying to prove that he was at the top for ages. He's 41, bro. If you kept changing body parts on Cristiano Ronaldo, I would say is it not Cristiano Ronaldo? That's his point. Fuck knows, mate. That's shit with these ears. What are we doing here? Is he the same guy? Cristiano Ronaldo, though. But you're flexing on him like... you're flexing on him like he was never good no but like
35:30Reev:he is older he's 41 he's way older
35:33Theo:than not playing that he was both of his finishes
35:35Reev:were first time finishes should we do punditry he's 41 but it's a lot harder to do
35:40Theo:his fucking biological biological age is like 24 no that's a lot of shit you've seen him run he looks like he has poop in his pants
35:47Reev:say the same for Messi by the way yeah he doesn't run he just stands still they just stand still and score age catches up to everyone I don't care how much like what I will say about Ronaldo He's so impressive At what Nicky's in Like he is an Absolute unit He's clearly dedicated As out But like
36:03Theo:Yeah he's one of the best Professionals of all time Honestly genuinely amazing No jokes aside But Jokes aside Time catches up with you
36:10Reev:Well look we haven't Before we move on I need to address He's still got the Finishing ability though It's not like he's lost that No that's the last thing That leaves you isn't it
36:16Theo:Yeah so that's Him saying I'm back When he scored two first Also that may not be true
36:20Reev:Because we've seen some Of the misses Yeah yeah I've seen the missed kicks Actually let's take that Also Messi did miss A penalty
36:27Theo:he's actually really
36:28Reev:shit at pens I mean he scored five goals in this football campaign isn't it weird that Messi isn't it so weird how good Messi is at fucking everything on the football pitch except his penalties are the most mediocre thing about him they've never been the most convincing have they they really haven't
36:40Theo:yeah but Messi's perfect finish is like a cultured finish he just puts him in with aura
36:46Reev:fucking hell
36:47Theo:get up off his fucking dick bro
36:50Reev:he's right though did you see Tom's tweet yeah oh FFS now We got to hear about this from Piers Morgan for four weeks. And Piers tweeted him saying, haters must pay for their crimes. I will say, like, honestly, I don't even think I hate Ronaldo. I just think I hate, like, Ronaldo. Some Ronaldo supporters like Piers Morgan. So it's like, I therefore have to go from Ronaldo because of them.
37:12Theo:Yeah, exactly. He's actually by association. Yeah. Worse because of the people that support him. Yeah, it really is. Like, the kind of people who pick Ronaldo over Messi, no offence. But, like, it makes... I picked Messi? Overall I think Messi edges it
37:26Reev:We had to pressure him This is where you don't This is where you got Fucking blind ears mate Blind ears
37:34Reev:We got some games Happening later today We got No we don't By the way Yeah we do We got one He said this is where You have blind ears And he pointed you To his forehead Bro this goes out 8am tomorrow mate Oh fucking hell yeah So later on today We got another Fucking 20 matches Today You're right
37:52Theo:Scotland beat Brazil By the way Yeah I agree I think they do Scotland beat Brazil How or why What do you mean how or why How or why I don't fucking know It's just a thought It's an opinion It's just a hunch Well I thought Brazil don't look amazing
38:05Reev:And Scotland look Actually alright Yep Scott McTominay bro Been quite Scotland beat Brazil
38:13Theo:John McGinn's played well But I mean
38:15Reev:For the most part Yeah
38:17Theo:Yeah what are the other matches Sorry
38:19Reev:There's so many matches bro You can't go through all them I can't There's like 50 games No we're not going through them
38:23Theo:Oh wait Are they all just Playing tomorrow
38:25Reev:And Friday And Friday Oh okay Yep And Friday Your laptop's gonna die Yeah and Saturday And Saturday There's like every Oh wait You had the groups up though
38:35Theo:There's everything I want to see the actual
38:37Reev:Fixtures Mate We're not going through 25 fixtures lad No no no
38:43Theo:I want to I want to read them It doesn't mean I'm gonna Every group Jesus
38:52Reev:We've got names Two teams plus eight third place teams.
38:59Theo:Mexico, South Korea, Canada, Switzerland. People, nah. Scotland, Brazil and Morocco. People are skipping past that anyways. USA, Australia, Paraguay.
39:12Reev:Shut the fuck up. One thing we got to say before we finish though. We all got a present at the end of the game, guys. because Adidas Adidas kindly took us in the V R P oh yeah
39:26Theo:what did that mean Lewis it means I didn't belong there but I was very good
39:30Reev:oh you belonged there brother because you were necking them free drinks
39:33Theo:weren't you it means we sat next to David Beckham basically for the entire game yeah he was like he was a buff he was in the box he was nearby I didn't get his sight you're not the only
39:42Reev:David B we saw
39:44Theo:David Bentley and Mumford and Sons and Kit Harrington Glenn Murray Glenn Murray friend of the show Fabian Herzler We didn't realise he was there Oh my god
39:52Reev:The back of Fabian Herzler's head Mate we were talking to Glenn And he was like That's Fabian I was like Who? He was like Fabian He was like Who's that? He's like Fabian Herzler Oh fuck Stunk it Stunk it He must have seen us We didn't realise We didn't realise
40:08Theo:Are you going to show them?
40:09Reev:Yeah we're going to show them
40:10Theo:Mate look what we got But anyway This was the gift that we got And it was lovely We had a choice of a Plate A plate A bowl This is the best one
40:18Reev:A bowl style plate Or the golden snitch
40:20Theo:A glass Like a whiskey glass This is the best bit I think this Costa, very cool Costa's very cool And then Like a whiskey glass Got the whiskey glass
40:27Reev:And got the vodka glass Very cool This is a bloody
40:31Theo:This is hedging Is this yours by the way Because Lewis actually put this bit in his mouth Mine's upstairs I think it's yours Mine's upstairs That's mine That's mine That's actually been in his mouth Did you hold that? That's been in my mouth He's got that entire thing mate But hey We want to thank you guys Because without you None of this would be possible And we wouldn't experience These amazing things every day and thank you very much for supporting us every single day every day yeah so moving forward what do you think the England score is going to be against Panama 5-0 England bro 5-6-0 Harry Kane scores 6
40:58Reev:well don't you understand mate Bellingham is scoring 6 goals you said he was getting a hat trick today yeah and he almost did oh yeah he was just
41:04Theo:threw away my lucid dream lads lads lads what today's proven is it doesn't matter what we predict because we have no fucking clue let's just enjoy the journey alright
41:12Reev:the journey juice make sure you like and subscribe and rate us 5 stars and Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Try and hit 400K, so make sure you do that subscribe thing. And share this with your sister.
41:25Theo:Your mom and your dad. Bye. Bye.
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