England's Greatest Ever Game? Jude Shines & Balogun's Red Card Drama!

0:00Just before we get started, I just wanted to say a big thank you to our partners Skybet, and please don't forget to subscribe if you like. I hope you enjoy this episode. Why does the same news story sound completely different depending on where you read it? That confusion is exactly what Ground News was built to solve. It's an app and website that compares news coverage, allowing you to see how each story is framed across the political spectrum and the world. For the recent story about the U.S. signing the Memorandum of Understanding with Iran, their vantage plan shows us that. Right-leaning Daily Express framed it as a historic peace deal, while left-leaning NPR notes it resulted in the president's approval hitting record lows, plus data like each publication's source of funding and a factuality rating.

0:42The Nobel Peace Center even called Ground News an excellent way to stay informed, avoid echo chambers, and expand your worldview. Get 40 % off by going to ground.news.com. That's ground.news.2026. Again, ground.news.2026.

1:02What are they, eggs? Eggs, yeah. Little eggs. This is our Nabisco platter today, Gary. Nabisco? Yeah. They've obviously gone all England today. Oh, they've gone England, yeah. England reasons. English-owned strawberries. We're the best at strawberries, aren't we? I would say so. We're good at strawberries. what do England do better than anybody in the world I'm going to start with that this morning breakfasts marmalade sweets

1:31breakfasts sweets is dairy milk English Cadbury's English chocolate I'm having that even though the Swiss might have a bit of an argument they might have a bit of a point or the Belgians the Belgians yeah the Belgians and the Swiss what about desserts what about things like sticky toffee pudding sticky toffee pudding and apple crumble jam roly-poly um i think we could put a shout in there for the french might have a bit of an issue with that and the italians italian desserts oh no tiramisu is minging i love tiramisu tiramisu is awful i hate tiramisu you can't put coffee in a dessert i don't like it no i think we're i think i think we're up there in the top three for for desserts i'm actually going to start with that what do england do because we're it's a glorious day for england what do england do better than anybody else in the world morning Moaning.

2:20Ian Wright: Weaver, moaning about the Weaver especially. Do you know something though? We do moan, but we also, when we actually win, we also go probably too much the other way as well. We're a bit sort of like a rollercoaster, aren't we? I think Roy's got some one-on-ones. He's got some things that have been annoying him. Good. I think I might have included one of them. We might have to edit it. We might have to edit it. I said, by the way, if you just say that, I'm just going to edit it out. Am I in Ireland? Yes, no, you're not earlier, Roy, you're on time. I'm on time. Ten o 'clock start. Some sweets from Ireland.

2:56Oh, thank you. And then sweets. Someone sent me the book. I'm getting this Chinese book for tonight. OK. Because it's an England morning this morning, we're asking the question to start with, what does England do better than anybody? Oh, wait for Ian. Ian, Ian, here you come. Ian, we'll pick it up with you in a minute. I know you're a bit upset about it. I'm not upset. Ian, what does England do better than anybody? That's the question we were answering first and I put out there breakfast piss people off

3:26Breakfast breakfast we do better breakfast No, not the roast we did up in an island Dessert sticky toffee pudding jam roly-poly On a second, what's all this England does better no? No, it's just a question. What does it all does England do because they won? It's just a question this morning. What does England do better than anybody? And I like people. Regal, regal celebrations. Royal celebrations. I mean, we do that pretty well, don't we? You don't do these, do you? Hey, you don't make sweets like that, do you? I think we do sweets. Oh, chocolate, dairy milk. You back that up. Dairy milk, Cadbury.

4:03Irish, Ireland is better. Ireland is better chocolate than England. Yeah, but Cadbury was born in England. Yeah, but... You can't claim Cadbury. Cadbury's not Irish all over a sudden just because they serve it over there. England are very good at claiming stuff. Do you know what I mean? Jesus. Before we start, we're not going to start on Balogun, but I've got one of the best things ever for you, right? So last night... It's not your jokes.

4:25Ian Wright: It's not a joke, right? You'll think this is funny. So Seth Blatter tweets out, Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls. They're overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies. If a US president intervenes with the FIFA president and a player is suddenly cleared before a World Cup knockout match, the question is unavoidable. Corvardis. FIFA. Football must never become a playground for political power. Cara's reply to Sepp Blatter we need you to come back Sepp and clean up FIFA

4:57he's the biggest shithouse of all time Cara, we need you to come back and clean up FIFA that's made me giggle this morning that

5:09this episode of Stick to Football is brought to you by Skybet they're joining us all tournament long and we're delighted to have them along with us for the ride We've got plenty more episodes on the way, so hit subscribe, get your comments in and stick with us all summer.

5:27England, we've got a very disciplined episode because we want to try and get it out later on. I mean, where to start? I'll come to you, Righty, to start with. We didn't watch the game together. Me and Roy did. You sort of went off.

5:37Ian Wright: Yeah, because of bread and my grandkids. Your grandchildren were there. It was amazing watching it with them. What a game, eh, Ian? You know something, I remember when we said, I was saying, as long as we don't start by trying to play out the back and let them bring the pressure on us, and we didn't do that. But it was a game of attrition, man. It was a game where we had to dig in. It was a game we had to manage it. We had to expect the hotel noise, everything that comes with it, the red cards, the goals, the penalties, everything that came with it, all the pressure that come with the game. and we dealt with it, is what we earned.

6:12Ian Wright: I earned the right to fill our fill this morning because they've really done it, man. Even the guys, the guys like Dan Byrne, Jed Spence, felt for Gerald Quantz, obviously felt for him, but everybody justified themselves last night in what they've done. And Jude, I think bonafide superstar last night's performance. Harry, even with Harry with the penalty, I said, there's no messing about at this point. This penalty is going in. But like, it was, I don't know, Gal. It was just like one of those where I was just all over the place and emotions. The jeopardy of everything. It was amazing. It was amazing.

6:46We don't have many moments where I think that we actually feel really proud, do we? To like, I felt, even this morning, I feel like that was a proper game. And I think we've been quite underwhelming at times. And yesterday was definitely a day in the World Cup. Brazil, Norway, England, Mexico. You've said it before, go big or go home. And it felt like you had to either step up or you didn't. We'll come on to Brazil in a minute. I think England right they did go big they went big last night they stepped up yeah especially we look at the games yesterday Haaland turned up yeah right it is about your top guys stepping up obviously all the other players deserve huge credit and Bellingham and Kane

7:22Ian Wright: stepped up again and it was good it was a proper game wasn't it yeah it was a proper game good pace to it a bit of needle there even the delay have they done their stuff yeah of course yeah we know obviously that's what they do of course we've seen it with other teams and yeah listen you have to give credit where it's due but I fully expected England to win and obviously they made a bit of hard work especially with the sending off but they torn up they defended well yeah Mexico ran out of ideas the last 15-20 minutes I know they were putting crosses in but England were like they just didn't have that cuteness they didn't have that cuteness to open England up but yeah they still let the defender Jordan Pickford just kind of made that decision I'm punching everything I'm trying to punch everything he just made that decision right that's it bam I'm going to just take the pressure off he had his best game last night I think so because that I'll tell you what, that header from Jimenez.

8:12Yeah, it's a good save, but the only thing I say, if he doesn't save it, you'd be saying, where's my goalkeeper? That's one of them ones. On that one, though, right, I think a keeper on that one is thinking it's going to be glanced across him. So I was thinking, does he basically... The keeper sometimes just stay a little bit that way, and then all of a sudden... Like he did with a penalty.

8:28Ian Wright: He went way too far with a penalty with a step. Way too far with a step. But with the header, but obviously, yeah, if you're a goalkeeper, but you have to expect it's going to go either way that's why they do all that reaction stuff all the time it was a very good save and it bounced up in front of him but I'm saying if that went in you would be going where is my goalkeeper so I kind of expected him to save it but it was still obviously a good save and England deserve credit but it threw a World Cup and I think what happens with any team we're all obviously our job is to pick holes with teams and look at weaknesses but we could do that for every team and sometimes we look at weaknesses with England the back four they've got the wingers or swap but sometimes you end up just doing that and still end up in the semi-final or the final I think they're I think the manager does credit because all these decision makers he's getting questioned as we do everyone questions every manager's decision whether the stick or twist and the full backs and the injuries and whatever and they're getting through and now they've got another game where you're looking the whole build up to the Mexico game was obviously maybe Mexico were always slight favourites maybe in people's eyes but now all of a sudden England are favourites again to beat Norway and that's another dangerous game of course because Norway doing obviously very well as well I was pleased I was pleased for Dan Byrne pleased for someone like Jed Swinton because they had to come in and it wasn't about anything that wasn't easy that I know it wasn't easy it must be tough though Roy with those guys because people are constantly talking about whether they should be there or not I know but if you're a defender truthfully and you're coming on and the information would have been just sit in and defend like Dan Byrne he wouldn't be coming on if it was an open game Dan Byrne because he'd be going listen you'd be getting ripped so that was the dream that's why he's brought Dan Byrne because he said I had to look at every scenario in different games he said if we're trying to win a game we're trying to get back in a game we're holding on to a lead so you bring Dan Byrne on going Dan you know what all these crosses that mix you all kept putting in they weren't even mixing up he's going oh listen this is this is what I do and he came in and done it same with Jed Spence so that means I'm saying that it's justified the manager's selection?

10:36Of course, of course, but I think if your defender comes around and you say to Dan Burr, what information are you giving him? You know Dan, we're obviously down to 10 men. When you defend the cross, you go, happy days. If he said, I want you to get up that pitch and I get up against the wing, he's going, no, no, just defend crosses.

10:50Ian Wright: So is it an easy thing to do? You're saying it like it's just like, yeah, he's coming to a majorly pressured game to do that. Absolutely. But the whole manager said he's been watching and studying his players and he wanted these type of players who might be in the background like Dan Byrne prime example listen if England were 3 or 4 one up he's not bringing them on is he but if he's thought we're holding on to them then Dan Byrne is your man to bring on because it felt very heroic for me and I think the good thing about last night so these Dan Byrnes who've been cruising they all feel no you're really part of that part of it no you're really part because before the World Cup he was saying remember he said I've got 14 or 15 so now he's thinking actually we're going to end up losing a pair of goalkeepers probably everyone's going to have a good taste of this World Cup and what's that like in the group makes everyone feel better when you talk about stepping up I loved I loved the first half me because they were the most compact I've seen them the two wide players took right back in they were narrow and I saw a shape that I thought right okay they'd not demonstrated in the first four games they could get into that shape at all if you look at the shape in that game last night of how they actually how compact they were with the wide players and the sort of Harry and Jude dropping back in the back four being narrow it was like a million times better.

12:03Why weren't they doing that against... But you're not still thinking they gave up a few chances. Well, which chances? I mean, they gave up a couple. You just mentioned a header. They gave up a couple. Two really good headers. They gave away a goal. I thought they dropped a little bit deep on a couple of occasions. They did. But in terms of the general shape of the team, it was so much better defensively.

12:21Ian Wright: And especially they're trying to get themselves to know exactly what they're doing in this shape. Because like you said, we haven't seen it. And they did it. I know, but you have to be careful. and all that I'm not trying to put a dampening thing it feels like it is no no a couple of days ago when they were maybe drawing or everyone's going oh whatever and I'm actually going no that's a good win so I try and get the balance obviously I'm a neutral but then when they won last I think it was a really good win then don't go too far the other way you're going the shape looked better they couldn't see the two goals there's got to be more you know what I mean just stuff you know what happens when you win a game you think you've done everything right or when you draw a game you think you've done everything wrong so there has to be a balance I think they've executed I understand for England years ago it was a bit extreme but you're thinking surely everyone's getting a bit more cop on now so when their first game or the second game of the World Cup began and people go oh they missed the wipe they go yeah but they're getting but what I like Rose there were three phases to the game there was the first half which was to me I thought we were quite solid and we had to withstand a lot they had a lot of the ball then there was the bit pre-Kwanzaa pre-Kwanzaa being sent off which I thought to be fair was a bit of a shooting match where we just basically it felt like a little bit like a basketball game which was good to watch though yeah and then post-Kwanzaa I thought that was just that was the sort of the grit the goose bump bit where you're just hanging on I know you're not going to get carried away with Roy but that's the bit when I see the so if I'd not seen the first half and the shape I would be a little bit downbeat this morning if they can get into that shape as a team they've got they've got a chance but I think with England so the five games they've had in the World Cup I think it's like a league team I think you've seen a bit of everything you've seen the weird goal track you've seen a bit of a goal that worries me we've had injuries we've had a chopper it's like being a manager at a league club you've seen that in like a short space of time the kind of pluses and minuses but the pluses yeah we go back to it they've got a real goal threat even last night you're going for the bits they scored three goals they were down to 10 minutes for the last 20-25 minutes so if you think you want to score two or three goals in most games if Kane and Bellingham turn up if you're the manager going there's other bits we've got to tighten up Brazil are gone there's other good teams gone out so every team you'll have a bit we go I'm not sure about that but also going yeah we focus on that but remember how good we are it was magnificent like Bellingham stuff into the box last night we talk about coaching the one who fell he was just about to shoot yeah but and all his defensive stuff when he was going past people I think his first goal and it brings me back to people like Brian Robson and this timing into the box right and you've seen him where Saki gets it and you see where he runs from and it's not he's not it's a pretty straight run but it's that timing I don't know if you can coach that stuff because there's I remember speaking to other midfielders years ago and Rob owners at United about a lot of players get in there too early but it's just that calmness to he didn't sprinted it he just arrived he arrived because that's the timing I don't know if you can coach Dan I've seen other Gerrard you see Lampard obviously Scolsey and it's just get it right I remember there was a guy I remember there was a guy and some players are already getting in there too early and it kind of goes behind him or the defenders spot him but these guys are just prowling I remember I got into an argument with a guy talking about Jude Benham especially when he's scoring those goals for Real Madrid from a yard out and two yards out but he's come from I said do you think playing for Real Madrid or playing international football it's easy to be scoring a goal from a yard out work has been done you try to explain it and again it looks like oh he's just running but he's had to make a run to get in there then the ball has to be and then he's got that is the quality of the player even the scores from Cain's cost Roy's right he's a rival he is like he's like and he's moving He's moving at a pace which he can adjust.

15:59He's not moving at a sprint pace, which means that you can... And you're doing that one. But what you can do is get in there too early. Yes. If he's a bit strong, you can still make offer at the end. Yes. But he's coming on to it where it's just... He's not even breaking his stride. Sometimes he's just waiting and just tapping. As you said, the walk is already done. The walk's done. I'm going to read this chair. Right, so you... I think it was probably eight months ago now, maybe November 2025. 2025, righty. You went out when no one was thinking really about England. Because during the Premier League season, not many people think too much about England.

16:35And certainly with Jude playing over in Spain, I think he was injured at the time, you don't think too much about him that much either. Because obviously he's over there. And we're very Premier League centric, aren't we, when we do the show. But you went out on a limb at a time for him in terms of sort of you felt the treatment. And to be fair, there's some articles reappearing this morning that I'm looking at, which is basically, you know, leave Jude at home. don't bring Jude I mean when you look at that to be fair even all of us in the pre-tournament stuff we were saying look this guy's a superstar what do you feel obviously vindicated do you feel happy do you feel angry do you feel like you obviously feel really passionate you know the thing is

17:11Ian Wright: because you see someone and you believe in what he's capable of doing not from a place of like he's oh he's so arrogant he's so flashed it's just you can see he's somebody he totally believes in himself but did I annoy you the criticism of him being Flash or Ari. Because he showed a little more. I know we've had this discussion before. He's a confident kid, isn't he? He's a very confident guy and he's got a lot of belief in what he does. So you think the agenda was more angry? You were more angry with the agenda? I was more angry with the agenda because what you've got to do is you've got to leave these people to be what they're going to be.

17:39Ian Wright: Remember, he's 22. And so you have to be that person who stands and says, all right, I'll die on this hill because what I've seen of him up to this point, I think he's a superstar ready to go. And you saw what happened with that rant, what we've done, was coming from that gal, but you just have to have faith and belief in somebody. And like I've said from the start, if we are going to get anywhere, obviously Harry's gonna be there, but Jude will play a major part in us winning anything or getting anywhere because of who he is, what he's capable of doing and his belief in himself. So I can look back and say, it's like you will see someone say, yeah, he's got this in, I could see that in him.

18:16Ian Wright: I could see that everything about him, the way his team is, the way he's looked after, the way he's managed the way he plays his confidence how he is I can believe in all of that I can say confidently he will do something in the World Cup no danger look Harry's Harry's like I've said it he's like gold Harry he just delivers but this he is a rock star Jude Bellingham in the sense of he's just completely and utterly different and I before this tournament was thinking he's a superstar but if you said to me how many world class players I think I said this Harry Kane is the only world class player we've got and he is world class Jude probably and Declan have got a bit to do to get into that category if you said to me now five World Cup games later how I've seen him play from that first do you know the first image of him in the tunnel when he walked out in that first game in his Croatia do you remember I said to him he was like so relaxed I remember Elliot Anderson it was his first World Cup game and he was fierce wasn't he and Jude just looked like so relaxed and his shoulders were up he's got energy this is what I'm meant to be but what two great players have they have a presence but Roy you don't hand praise out easily and that's absolutely right because you've got massively high standards but even you during this tournament you've sort of spoken about him with a warmth that tells you do you think he's is he world class yeah I think so yeah I think so when you're doing the big games and he's got that presence about him and I think the last year unfortunately that journey particularly young England players they are going to get grossed when he scores what do they celebrate when he scores who else who else so people listen people get upset with all that stuff of course they do we can all be easily upset but yeah Yeah, the kid is doing great.

19:52And the thing in that, to keep going on this tournament, it will come down to Kane and Bellingham. Will, you need that support. We spoke about Argentina, but their players going, listen, we've got Messi, we'll all do our bit. And I think there's a bit of that feeling on the England camp. They must be going, we know that Kane and Bellingham are the ones who will get us over the line. And we'll all be the water carriers for them. And I say that in the nicest way. I've heard a lot of midfield players, you, Graham Souness, Stephen Gerrard, talk on television over the last five, six years and say that the complete midfielder isn't there anymore.

20:21There isn't a complete midfielder. We saw him do it last night. But actually, in this tournament, I actually think he looks like the complete midfield player. The clearance at one end and then the goal at the other. And even the other day of the game where games have been a bit flat, where he's been doing that chasing back and winning tackles. You get your rewards later on for that. You might even get in that game. And that's where I think, and I can remember the kid, he's still learning his trade. He's 23 now. Like, he's got a good few years to go before his peak. Now, physically, he's in great condition.

20:48But in terms of his football knowledge, that's probably another two, three years away so if he keeps fit and keeps playing week in, week off for Real Madrid and we're talking about the pressure of the game last night for England he's at Madrid Kane's at Bayern do you not think they're under pressure every week to kind of win games so I think that pressure I think they would have brought something different to the dressing room the last few days as well the way Kane speaks they're like they're not you always talk about the weight of the England jurors I don't think that affects these lads and them two kind of being the forefront of it will help all the other lads they're going they're missing they're getting on will they if you're a kid watching England now he's your absolute hero he's your he's your Gazast all these guys rolled into one when we were watching World Cubs 82, 86 you remember these figures obviously even 1990 I remember the Irish players obviously I'd be looking up to but these kids knowing England looking back at Gaza they all love Gaza he'd be winning all these young kids over as you said he kind of gets forgotten about it a little bit because again we do focus on

21:47Ian Wright: the Premier League but again as well you know what I saw something the other day and this is why Gal you mentioned about like the do I feel vindicated I'm not interested in those because like I said I'd have died on the hill for him but even the other day he was walking through the tunnel after the game and there was a little fella he was in a wheelchair and he was something to do with Venezuela he was trying to get everyone was walking past him Jude's the only one that stopped there's something he's got something else there's something about even when you're listening to the stuff that the England players are doing now with the mental health and you listen to what he says about, you know, when he's had his problems, when people come from him, when he gets to that low place and how he has to believe in himself to get out of it, he's more than just, he's more than just somebody that we feel is going to play for a bit and fade away.

22:33Ian Wright: He's somebody that's got a higher purpose for me and that's why I can have the faith in him. And where's Adidas? Absolutely. I've gone for Duke. You've gone Duke. You've gone Duke. It's Argentina. It's a nice one. You like that one, girl. Yeah. As he's also, you said, you've mentioned, he's fronted up to the media. Yeah. That would help his image, I suppose. He's led off the pitch. It's important that he leads Roy on and off the pitch. Yeah, of course. It goes hand in hand. This episode of Stick to Football is brought to you by Skybet.

23:07Why does the same news story sound completely different depending on where you read it? That confusion is exactly what Ground News was built to solve. It's an app and website that compares news coverage, allowing you to see how each story is framed across the political spectrum and the world. For the recent story about the U.S. signing the Memorandum of Understanding with Iran, their vantage plan shows us that. Right-leaning Daily Express framed it as a historic peace deal, while left-leaning NPR notes it resulted in the president's approval hitting record lows. Plus data like each publication's source of funding and a factuality rating.

23:38The Nobel Peace Center even called ground news an excellent way to stay informed. avoid echo chambers, and expand your worldview. Get 40 % off by going to ground.news.2026. That's ground.news.2026. Again, ground.news.2026.

23:59Do we think, I mean, the England's greatest ever World Cup match is definitely the final in 66. It can never be beaten until we obviously win another one. But is that England's, do you think, greatest ever game? No, game. I'm sorry. Is that the greatest match we've seen in tournaments? Your memory can play tricks in you. The England-Holland game is amazing, but World Cup-wise...

24:20Ian Wright: Can I say, the thing with... I heard Jude... Excuse me. Jude, on an interview, yes, and he said, in all his time as watching and playing, he believes that's the best performance he's seen an England team put in, going down to ten men in that kind of atmosphere. and everything he said that and you know what it's very hard to look at him and think hang on when did we what did we do obviously against Holland we beat them 4-1 and Wembley it was amazing it was a group game at home yeah but like this feels like with everything that was riding on it all the pressure everything they dealt with coming into the game even going back to is the game going to be brought forward everything what they've had to deal with and then actually do it on the pitch with 10 men it probably goes down as for me as one of the best performances from an England team in a World Cup?

25:11I think we're allowed to get carried away today a little bit. I think, look, there's no doubt. There's no doubt.

25:16Ian Wright: So, of course we can. Look, right, I'm always one for, like, you know, thinking. I think we've been quite underwhelming at times and been worried about us, but to be fair... We had to because of the way we played. We haven't done it. Even the lead up to it. Why were you panicking then? We weren't panicking. We weren't panicking. We were panicking, Roy, because we thought we'd get through. We're looking at the qualifying. You just said there with Bellingham, when he was getting... you were like, always had that belief. Where's your belief in this team and the manager and his preparation? They've got to prove it, haven't they?

25:42They've got to prove it.

25:43Ian Wright: Right, when you watch them. It'll always be... But the evidence defensively, right, the evidence defensively has been concerning. We can say that for lots of teams, but if you're giving up one or two, like Croatia's a great example. The first game we were, tell you what, a couple of goals they had a keeper. You scored four. Instead of looking at the negatives, going, we scored four goals against Croatia. We didn't have anything to do. What was we building it on when you look at the group? You've said it yourself

26:06Ian Wright: Absolutely. We all enjoyed the game. And qualifying matches. We all enjoyed the game. But you're just saying, you've just said it, we're entitled to get carried away. Don't get carried away. No, but as fans, as people, as English people. You just said, of course, not going to doubt on that, but don't go too far the other way where you're going, let's get carried away. No, no, no. We won't get carried away. Because two or three years then you'll be dismissing Norway all the time. No, we won't dismiss Norway. No, no, no. We won't dismiss Norway ever. The feeling you have now, it's very hard to suppress it because of what we watched than what we went through last night.

26:37Ian Wright: Even people probably stayed up all hours of the night, you know, the pubs open, people, it's amazing. To have the feeling, right? It's the feeling you have, and it's not getting carried away. It's just excitement and relief. That's what I'd feel. I know, but two hours ago you were arguing on stairs over breakfast, and I was like, oh, suppressed. Seriously. Yeah, enjoy it. Of course. But don't get carried away. Yeah, but surely as fans, this is the moment where you have to take something from it. This is what you support for. Just on the lovely issue of right-backs, because we've not done an episode without discussing right-backs.

27:09I've never heard someone say about right-backs in my life. Roy, yesterday, by the way, right-backs were key in both those games. The Norway right-back was tough. He had to be taken off when, obviously, Vinicius was struggling with him. Just quickly, Thomas Tuchel after the game, the only thing I was surprised about last night, reading this morning's comments, was that Thomas Tuchel after the game was really heavily critical of the referee and the fourth officials. Watching the game, I actually didn't think... I think I looked at it and thought there was a decision that he got wrong. For the big ones, for instance.

27:36He was brilliant in that atmosphere. Kane was a little bit... The Kane penalty was a little bit soft, but I can see why they gave it. It was a little similar to what you mentioned, the Croatia one with Modric, where he kicks through. And then the Kwanzaa Challenge is a red card. I just think it's a red. Do you think it's a red? It's a red.

27:52Ian Wright: I think we should still appeal it, because people are getting these overturned. You know, you look at Balogun's one. I'm nowhere to speak about it. Article 27. Absolutely, whatever the article is. Is it 27 or 17? No, we know Balogun's not going in to break his ankle. He's just clumsy the way it's happened. I don't think Kwanzaa's going in. No, but Kwanzaa's not going to get away with that. He's gone over the ball a bit. But, like, he's got away with it. Why can't he? Now, this is what I'm saying with the Pandora's ball. We can say, well, hang on a minute. Let's come on to that in a minute. Let's come on to that in a minute.

28:15It's a separate issue. But, Ian, you thought it was a red. You must have done that.

28:19Ian Wright: Well, you can't. Listen, that's in the Premier League. It's a red. I saw it, yeah. Because he just got on the ball and it just went over. So you'd have a feeling he's going to probably go for that. I was worried for him. I was worried for us. So is he suspended? How many games does he get for that? Does he get one for that or two? No, it can't be one. It's straight red, isn't it? I think Keir Starmer makes a call. Make a call, Keir. I don't think he's got the same word. Macron. Macron for Elisa. Make a call. Dude, let's start making calls, Prime Ministers. Ian, why don't you make a call? Make a call, man.

28:51We'll come on to that Balogun one in a minute. But just in terms of what would be a post-the Kwanzaa red card, I mean, the third goal was massive, wasn't it? Obviously, to get that penalty. By the way, I just play such an Anthony Gordon, just quickly, because I know we're going to do the player ratings in a minute. I thought, actually, last night he was outstanding. He was really good last night.

29:11Ian Wright: Yes. Do you agree with a good game? Yeah. I don't think there's anybody else. I think there seems to be a lot more spaces for him, isn't it? Yeah. Yeah, it is. Iman Saka defended well as well. and it's brilliant. But to be fair, we have mentioned the wingers eventually have to, and he's been chopping and changing. Yeah, yeah. That's what happens. You chop and changing, eventually a couple of lads turn up and do the business. Well, we said yesterday, didn't we? We felt like he was throwing the balls in the air and whichever two land. But Gary, but that's what you do as a manager, though. Sometimes, I know on one hand you go, listen, he didn't know his stat.

29:41He didn't know his best 11, I suppose. And that's the case for lots of managers. You might know eight or nine. Yeah. But, so this idea that he doesn't know maybe he's best I think that's I think that happens doesn't it and then eventually you've got to keep persevering with lads and hopefully these few games they'll find a bit of form sack is quality for the first goal we know they've got the quality but again it's because lads can you show it in the big games but it doesn't mean say Rashford and you know these can come back into it and have an effect in the other games different horses for different courses but it seemed to be pitched in it it seemed like it was loads of space and space for Gordon he had the beating of his right back didn't he he could go past it

30:17Ian Wright: you know the 10 men with the 10 men because Because when you looked at their team, you look at our team. I think we've got a better team than them individually. We had a better team. But the atmosphere and everything that came with it, it kind of leveled it up. Yeah. Right? So then when it went down to 10 men, it properly like, oh my gosh, now it's properly leveled. Because I'm looking at them and I think, you're not causing us too many problems. Obviously the header in the first half and that, but because of the occasion and because of what's on it, what's riding on it, it just felt leveled up.

30:47Ian Wright: So even when we went to 3-1, I was afraid. I was still thinking, you know, I think he's scoring. He texts me, Gaz, Gal, can we hang on? You know, you reach out to somebody. Someone give me something. I replied, yes, just. I was right. Because I'm thinking, even if it went to 3-1, I don't think I would have been comfortable if we went to 4-1 for some reason. It was a great game to watch. I loved last night. Honestly, to me, it felt like... What about when you said it was 11 minutes? Yeah, I mean, yeah, but do you know something? That adds to it. Do you know something I felt last night was magical for a game of football?

31:23It was the best football match I've seen for a long time in terms of just everything in it. Sendings off, penalties, you know, delayed kickoff, as you say, weather. Shithousery started. Shithousery, can referee. Everything's there for a great game. We've got the 99 semi-final replay that we had, Roy. Do you remember with Arsenal where there was pitch invasion? Oh, gosh, yeah. It had everything but a pitch invasion. It did. It had everything but a pitch invasion. Just quickly, it was a good edge to it. It was brilliant. So quickly, just quickly, on the player ratings, let's go through Pickford.

31:50I'll throw in a nine to start with on Pickford.

31:54Ian Wright: Yes. You know why? You can see two and you give him a nine. I'm giving him a nine because you know what, Roy? He made the decision that, you know something, I'm going to help this. I'm just going to come and punch everything I can. And he came with violence, Roy. What you'd like. I thought he came and he just came with violence. I'm going nine, Pickford. I'll go nine. Listen. Okay. I'm just yeah it's your gig we've got Nico O 'Reilly I think I'm probably going nine with Nico I thought he was our best defender you know what you've started too high if we start eight then we can go you're not giving us no wiggle room but I think no they're the two players no I do think look I'm to be fair I'm going to I'm going to ten on Jude by the way I'm letting you know now I'm going to ten I think it was a perfect performance that was when you talk about perfection for me Jude Bellingham last night was perfection everything wow everything I wanted in a football player if you've got a hat-trick I might have given him a ten If I'm watching that at home as a six, seven, eight-year-old kid.

32:45No, let's go through them so you can do. Nico O 'Reilly, I thought Nico was our best defender. I thought he was solid again. He was good. Yeah, go on then.

32:51Ian Wright: He's got a great temperament. Nine out of ten for Nico. See, they were trying to get to him as well. Both centre-halves, I'm going seven and a half. I'd go eight with the centre-halves. I was going seven and a half. Because they had to do a lot of dealing with a lot of stuff coming into the box. I thought they were eights. Roy, I'm going to let you decide on that. 7.5 or 8? 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5

33:20Kwanzaa unfortunately for him he gets sent off I'm going to go 7 I'm not going to go 7 I think 7 he made a mistake that's how you learn he was up

33:31Ian Wright: for that game he played well in the first half he did I was really pleased to see that it's so unlucky can he get a trick it we'll find out I think it's a three-game back. One game. One game. But what I will say is that he played so well in the first half, he was quite composed, he was calm. He actually went forward and was an outlet for quite a few of the long balls. Cheers, Kev. Do you know that tackle? That is the tackle of a centre-back going out wide. That is the tackle of a centre-back who's going out wide, who doesn't really... It felt very last-ditchy, didn't it? It was, yeah. So, again, I just hope it doesn't cost us that position during the tournament, but let's move on.

34:04Declan Rice and Anderson, I'm going to collectively give them an eight. I think that's where I'd have them 8, 8 and a half probably max would you have a mate? yeah 8 8 are the best

34:15Ian Wright: 8 what am I going to say exactly I'd probably give him an 8 and a half it's interesting what's happening in games so do you know something I actually think that these two probably the most expensive midfield pair in the world well they are

34:35they've been solid this is a compliment but also I can't work out that they're solid they're a bit doing their jobs anonymously but not being noticed that much by things that they're doing but they're doing the work they're a bit like workmen none of them are doing anything that's sort of like they're making sacrifice for the team yeah they are and even with Bellingham and not in the movie last day but when Bellingham's making these deep runs these lads are doing a bit behind them so eight yeah eight okay we're going into the wide areas first we're going to we'll go to Bakayo Saka I think we're going 8, 8 and a half do you reckon he was good last time yeah

35:11Ian Wright: I'll give him I'll give him an 8 yeah obviously he had to come off he was defending and obviously assisted again ok Gordon we're going 8 and a half are we going 8 and a half I'll probably go 8 and a half for Gordon yeah well done Jude I'm not been a 10 I'm going 10 yeah I'm going 10 I've never I don't think I've never given anybody a 10 in my life I've never been on anything where somebody has I've got a half trick 10 I'm only a 9 and a half you know what But Jude would probably take nine and a half. I don't think Jude would take ten. Yeah, I think Jude would take nine and a half. If you've gone into the absolute lion's den of atmospheres with altitude and you've scored two and you've defended like a...

35:48And you've had a man sent off. And you've had a man sent off. And you're still running, by the way, like a powerhouse at the end. Did you see how he collapsed? As a complete performance from a midfield player... You're going ten. What does ten look like then if that's nine? But you know he plays for Real Madrid, do you know that? I do know that. You know he plays in huge games. I'm aware. What I'm saying is... Against Barcelona and these teams. But Roy, he is carrying us a little bit here in this tournament. For real Madrid, he's got other players alongside him that are like... Not being around about the atmosphere and stuff.

36:12Oh, no. I know he can deliver, but my point is, what does 10 look like if he's a nine or a nine and a half?

36:18Ian Wright: It looks like a performance goal he'd done last night. Have you got a hat trick? Have you got a hat trick? It's a nine and a half. You know what, Roy? You know why I give him 10? Because the save... It's literally a save off the line, wouldn't it? Yeah. I think that should be... He's seconded him in the line. That's the hat trick. I know, but if you want to be critical, he got caught out in the first position. Jesus Christ he did he got drawn towards the bar I knew someone was going to peel off the back of him like Brian McLeary used to peel off at the back love to get goals and they said if he hadn't bunched up they would have scored you'd be saying 9-1 I'd give him 10 because of the clearance because if he doesn't clear that's why I'm at 10 yeah I'd give him 10 okay thanks for listening to me Judy the first ever player to get 10 on stage of football probably the last as well Harry I'm going to go 9 I think Harry was doing some massive shit-outs, by the way, and he's diving when he freaks into it.

37:10Ian Wright: You know what, that's when Harry came into it. When we went down to 10 minutes, I was saying, I need Harry to be Harry now. He was like, what's the German name for Harry Kane? Because honestly, he was German for the last 15 minutes, Harry. You know what I mean? He was proper. He did it. He did. He did it. Oh, dear. He was definitely, definitely throwing himself to the ground. Good as well. Nine? Yeah, I'll give Harry a nine, no problem. And then we've got Dan Byrne, and we've got Jed Spence. I'm sorry, they're easily 8.5s. I thought you had Spence, someone said he had an injury before. Someone said that he got an injury, that's why I wasn't playing, then he came on.

37:40Ian Wright: Everything. Even John, honestly, John Stones. John Stones. Should we give them all 7.5, 8? No, no, no, no. They've got to get 8, 8.5s. The manager's got to get... Say, Thomas Tuchel. Thank you, come on. 9.5? Easily. You know what I mean? Man's stuck to his guns. Yeah, you've been doubting him. Yeah. We all have. When did we doubt him? I don't know what he's doing. We've said his substitutions were great. When do we doubt him? He's done the games. Honestly, you can rewind it and see, listen, I've constantly said this man is stuck by his guns. We can't have a casual chat. No, because you're now accusing of saying we're now jumping on.

38:15Ian Wright: You are accusing. Right from the start, it said about Tom Succo that he's stuck by his guns. Gary's gone on about who's not here and everything like that. He's stuck by his guns. Right back's been my beef. I think it's been disrespected a little bit. That's just because you're a right back. We've brought two right-backs that, to be fair, are continually injured and we've ended up playing five right-backs. So I'm just a little bit nervous. And by the way, we played a right-back last night who was a centre-back who's never played right-back in hardly two years and he got sent off. So it is still costing us a little bit.

38:41So I've got a point on right-back, I think. Anyway, let's move on. This episode of Stick to Football is brought to you by Skybet.

38:52Harland versus Kane. How good was yesterday?

38:56Ian Wright: It was just ruthless, wasn't it? It was a great day, wasn't it? It was ruthless again. people going on about how much he's had. He turned up. The first goal was very good. The second one was even better. Obviously poor defending. First goal for Brisbane. The penalty miss is a huge moment. But Norway, there's no surprise. They're qualified brilliantly. And again, I go back to it. And even this one, they're a proper goal threat. Not just Haaland. Their goal is obviously for qualifying since they got to the World Cup. And there's always question marks in teams that haven't played or Haaland has played.

39:22They go, will they step up?

39:23Ian Wright: They go, of course they will. But Roy, you know the thing when people talk about it? I know, when he's playing against Arsenal, we know he's got like six goals to assist against us. When he's just on the pitch, you're afraid. And that for me is, that's amazing. That's amazing. When you know that, just him being on there, whether he's touched it, whether he's played badly, whether he's done anything. Two great goals. He's going to do something. They were great goals, those. You know what I'm saying? Look, I was furious with Gabriel on the first one. I love the first one, to be honest. Because he's moved out around him and done that thing.

39:53But Gabriel's here. here and Harlan's here and the ball's about to be crossed you literally I was like oh he just you know what Gary you have to grab it you have to stop him

40:05Ian Wright: yeah but when you watch it for a defender of that level I couldn't understand and remember this is somebody I love who's been an amazing season for us probably one of the main reasons we won the league I couldn't understand how he didn't check for him oh no he's stuck there he's a big presence it's not as if you can't see him he's massive look right I've been done on that goal by the way I've made those Gabriel mistakes that he made yesterday not necessarily in the World Cup finals but as a young kid Les Ferdinand did meet the back post at QPR and I can remember it to the most clearest day where I was three or four yards off him he got stood up and he literally jumped and I'm dead and then I remember to be fair sometimes I used to get it done by smaller players that you think you can out jump and they just get across you a little bit you realise as you get to 23, 24, 25 and you still make these mistakes you have to be body to body in the box against players who are good in the air You have to be body to body.

40:55You cannot be four or five yards off him. And Gabriel, I was surprised. I was really surprised. You know what surprised me with these defenders? And we saw Kane do it in a couple of them crosses that in the group game. Defenders seem surprised, don't they? You know, when they pop ahead of him, they go, where did you come? He's behind you, he's prowling. He's prowling, he sees your number, you're in trouble. You might be surprised by Harlan Roy though, can you? Oh, that's my point. Yeah. That's my whole point. This is why when you looked at the way Gabby tried to hit you. That's my whole point, Gary.

41:22You're missing my point. You shouldn't be surprised because they are going to be prowling in the box, in the six-yard box. But these defenders are like, where did you come from?

41:29Ian Wright: If you watch it, watch it back in slow motion, he never looks. And then when he heads, he's almost like, I can't believe that from him. Do you know where I can see someone be surprised? So do you remember Messi the other day against Cape Verde? Right, yeah. Messi against Cape Verde the day when he was just walking. Yeah. And then he just goes in there. So that's the classic. That's the Romario one. That's the Ronaldo, Brazilian Ronaldo one, where they just walk and he's talking to the mate over there and all of a sudden they've gone and you're thinking they're not in the game you're thinking they're not interested but then when you've got these players when you're in the box you have to be on high alert whether he's acting like he's not involved if Kane is there or Haaland is there or Mbappe is there you have got to be literally massive high alert because they are the most clever and them couple of goals yesterday he was literally the only one obviously the second one is just outside the box I understand defenders backing off saying there's runners but there's nobody near him and you're letting him shoot you've got lads that was crazy stop and cross stop the shot on the second one you've got Danilo and Gabriel the ball gets played back I don't know who plays it to Harland again there's no one them two should just converge on him straight away yeah because we're not talking about Harland he's not Mbappe where he's going to do with quick feet exactly you've got to get to Harland can we handle Harland on Saturday that's the question are we going to handle Erling Harland because if we stop Erling Harland you're beating Arby you know the thing is you have to say someone like Gay who trains with him every day you have to hope that someone like gay concerts like physicality as well that they'll be able to deal with that but again that might be interesting because do you know who linked up with yesterday and I'm not his biggest fan Odegaard he was busy yesterday and he was a good busy yesterday it was a couple of mistakes where he should that were obviously the goal for the offside he should have gave earlier but getting top of all that we can say whatever we want we can say whatever we want but if he's if he's in that mode who would you want in your team Kane or Haaland we said this last week you went Kane didn't we we went Kane we went Kane over Harland that could get played back you know something yeah but you know what I think if you I'm worried about yeah but if you if you give the same opportunities to Harry Kane well Harry's goal Harry's goal against oh who was he playing the second round Panama no not Panama was it Panama no no Dior Congo Dior Congo that was similar to Harland's in some ways that was my old point the defender's been surprised if Kane or Haaland pops in the head of them and they're like as you said you're not getting touched tight so who do it with Haaland versus Kane I said Kane the other day I'm probably Kane's got better support around him they haven't got a Bellingham in their group I look we said Kane I don't think you can't be wrong can you you can't be wrong with either because they're both amazing aren't they I mean that's the England are clear favourites for this game now and that's a different challenge do you think that oh yeah clear Clear?

44:21Yeah. I think so, yeah. I think so. I think... You just think Brazil... I mean, you say clear favourites. They've just beaten Brazil. Yeah, but it's not a great Brazil. We've been worrying about Brazil to throw to tournament. They've lacked that mobility in midfield. But we thought they'd step up yesterday. And at the end of the moments, Brazil had the moments yesterday. You scored a first penalty. They go through 1v1 in the second half at 0-0. So Brazil had the moments. I think England would punish them more than Brazil did.

44:46Ian Wright: I'd rather have played Brazil than... I know they've got their individuals. because I'd rather play Brazil than Norway. I wouldn't. Oh, no, no. I still think Brazil can have them. Just the aura of Brazil is just like... No, but it's the aura of them. I don't think that our team would be afraid of the aura. Of course, you're going to be wary of Vinny Jr. But in respect of the aura of their team, it's not the same kind of aura of the team. No, they said that their players are right. Especially when you look at those goals, what they conceded. Harry Kane could do the same. True enough, I know. They were looking at the goals England conceded, like two yesterday.

45:19The only thing I'd say with... The only danger for England is to let everyone get carried away and almost disrespect Norway. Obviously, the manager's not going to do that. I don't think we would. But it's almost a feel... I think Brazil, in a strange way, mentally, might have been a tougher game, I think. Yeah, I think Brazil... Brazil World Cup... Brazil World Cup in Miami. Miami, yeah. I don't know. Just quickly on the... Maybe they might have not been against us. Last week, we answered the question about would Ancelotti be the greatest manager of all time. The substitutions were a little bit...

45:47Yes, they were strange, weren't they? The Brazilian ones, bringing Neymar on and leaving him up top on his own. You've lost your point, you've lost your running, you've lost energy. If you had Thiago with him as an example or you had somebody up there with him that could sort of like... He did score. Yeah, he scored a penalty, I know, but I just... I'm just saying, if you're on a tackle... But he didn't look great, did he, when he came on? No, he just looked like... It was his face and everything. I said to you, I felt like it was almost like we're trying to build a documentary ending, bring Neymar on, score the winner.

46:17rather than that towards reality. You just feel, again, you just... Remember Casemiro got in that side, and if he actually gets across... It's a terrible loss. Naira stood in there, you know what I mean?

46:27Ian Wright: There's lads, there's Mormons. Brazil definitely could have... It felt like a sad ending for him, even though he scored the last kick in the World Cup for him, he scored a goal for his country, but it felt sad. Yeah. Because the last few years for him, especially with the disrespect that he's had as well, people kind of forget how great he has been. Naira. Yeah. And so for it to end like that for him, you could feel it when he's crying. And you know what it means to Brazilians because when you look at Brazil as a whole country and what they give the world, they give the world, the main thing is football and the sport.

46:59Ian Wright: That's why their sports people are so in my regard. Why is everyone extra sad for a Brazilian world? Because they're... No, it is. Even the neutral world. They always cry, don't they? They did. Because it means so much to them, the football. We fight, they cry. The football means so much to them. We've scrapped over the English too, yeah. This episode of Stick to Football is brought to you by SkyBets.

47:46NPR notes it resulted in the president's approval hitting record lows, plus data like each publication's source of funding and a factuality rating. The Nobel Peace Center even called Ground News an excellent way to stay informed, avoid echo chambers, and expand your worldview. Get 40 % off by going to ground.news slash 2026. That's ground.news slash 2026. Again, ground.news slash 2026.

48:15So here we go, Balogun. After the US-Bosnia match, these are timeline events. Andrew Giuliani alerted Donald Trump to the red card. Trump and Giuliani have been talking multiple times a week since the start of the World Cup and regularly before that. In the evening, Giuliani, Lutnik and US soccer field began activating on plans to challenge the red card. Thursday, Trump dialed Gianni Infantino and asked about FIFA rules around the red card. This is all apparently a time, this is a report. I told Trump to be busy, did you? And around the red cards, they've known each other for eight years, obviously.

48:48FIFA declined to confirm any specific discussions, but reiterated to Politico that the decision to spend the one match ban was made by an independent disciplinary committee. As US soccer's legal team formally prepared and submitted its appeal to the FIFA, Giuliani and Lutnik offered to make White House attorneys available to assist. This is incredible. So you carry on. We get to Sunday. FIFA announced that Balogun's one match extension would be suspended. So they put this big sort of what would be legal document in, apparently, and said that we need it challenging. They then basically, FIFA have announced that the independent 18-person committee basically have said they've suspended Balogun's ban for the game against Bosnia.

49:29UEFA, I think this is the most damning statement, apart from Karras to Sat Blatter. Representing the Belgium national team, UEFA have said about his red card in a statement. Yesterday's decision to suspend for a probationary period of a year The implementation of a one-match automatic suspension Following the red card issued to the player following Bolligan Crossed a red line Football, like any other sports, relies on rules Which are based on a fair, honest and transparent competition A minimum automatic suspension of one match following a red card Is not a discretionary option It is a principle embedded in regulations Which cannot be made subject to exception Let alone in the middle of a tournament where several other players have been in the same situation and regularly served their suspensions.

50:13It also adds, and does not require the decision of a competent body to be enacted. When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of the competition is undermined. We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision. That is strong from your ace on behalf of Belgium. Yeah. Welcome to America. Living in America. You know something. So we've seen this... Barry, there's an ongoing press conference at the moment with Donald Trump. I've just seen a couple of messages on this. It's probably worth mentioning with the timeline.

50:46So Donald Trump apparently is doing a press conference right now and we're just going to get some breaking news. Where have you sent it to me, Barry? To our... You haven't? Group. Oh, you have just, yeah. What group?

50:57Ian Wright: Are we in Ryan? I'm missing out. What's that mean anyway? Donald Trump is speaking about the decision. I'm a person that loves sports and was a good athlete and I understand sports really well. I'm a good athlete this is Donald that wasn't a foul I mean this is absolutely ridiculous that was two guys running full speed that happened to crash into each other like you can't take your foot and properly place it on somebody else's foot these were two great athletes that got tangled up this is Donald Trump speaking somebody's briefed him this referee is a little bit suspect wow wow if you check his past I don't want to say that because I don't Talking about checking someone's past.

51:37I don't like to create controversy, but very suspect. The US president reiterates, I didn't think that was a foul and praises FIFA for a really brilliant decision. You know what I'm saying? There's one more second. Let's keep going. Trump continues. All I did was ask for a review because I didn't think it was a foul. Is this real? This is f***ing real. This is football. This is what I'm saying. Right now. This is f***ing America. This doesn't happen to any other country. This doesn't happen anywhere else. What's your swear on, Nev? Yeah. I know. Excuse my language. Room 101 next, actually. I told him you've got some but this is it's made me angry reading this is me I've got somebody else for room one all I did was ask for a review because I didn't think it was a foul again I'm good at this stuff is this Trump still speaking yeah I didn't think it was a foul I thought it was two great athletes who crashed into each other you said that before if they wouldn't allow a top player maybe among the best players on the team to play I think it would have been a big stain and I related that feeling I didn't tell them what to do I can't tell them what to do I don't believe he made the decision I think it was the committee that made the decision and they made the right decision because number one it wasn't a foul and i want to see your best players how would you feel if it if it took messi ronaldo or kane out you can't do that yes you can if they do a bad we've got to have our best players and belgium's got a great team by the way we've got to have our best and they go of their best and

52:52Ian Wright: if we win or we lose it's fair that's what he said and i love belgium i love belgium that's what he'll probably say ian do your little uh your little impression no it's like it sounds Sounds like a mafia. It sounds like two mafits. He's phoned him up. Do you know something? It's just crazy, girl. I have never seen, to be honest with you, I have never seen or heard anything like that in my life. FIFA, to be honest with you, they've got a real problem here. This is not going to go away. This is Donald Trump. This is the president of America, the guardian of free speech. He's the ruler of the free world.

53:21The ruler of the free world. And this is basically interference at the highest level, it looks like. Well, he's admitted it. He's contacted them and asked them to review it. So this is interference with power at the highest level into football and into a World Cup.

53:34Ian Wright: I can't stop thinking about something in my head. It's like the Mafia guy who phones someone up and says, you know the guy, the guy that did the thing? That thing, you know? I want that thing to go away. Let that thing go away. It feels like Donald Trump is just sitting there and he just... No, no, no. But you know what? All jokes aside... He was a good athlete himself, though, wasn't he? Yes, he was a great athlete. But, girl, it's not like he's just done that. He's not just phoned up because this has got a whole team behind it. Whole team that he's got involved. It's sad, isn't it? For what's happened to football, coming to America with Donald Trump and this happening and everything else that's happening, Gal, we can't go into.

54:12Ian Wright: Power, control. It's just so bad. It's sad what's happened, what we have to sit around and just take as like, okay, does America want to win that badly that they'd rather do this? They'd rather do this. How do you feel for Balogun? They'd rather do this and the integrity of the sport's gone just because they want to win so much. It's so bad, Gal. Do you know something? America have got so much love in this tournament, the team, for how they play. Oh, yeah, yeah. For how Pochettino... You know what I'm going to say? The USA fans must be... The real proper USA soccer fans must be devastated. Pochettino?

54:48Ian Wright: Oh, absolutely. What do you think of how he's feeling? Absolutely. He must be thinking, you know what, I won't play anymore. You've got a little asterisk here, haven't we? Massive asterisk. It's not a little asterisk. it's bigger than the whole name. If they win they'll think it's unfair if they lose you think you deserve it you know what I mean they're backfires against the team. No one wins. Do you know something if this was England especially Balogun if this was England now and we had one of our sort of what would be prime ministers contacting football organisations even the contact itself even let's say FIFA it is disgusting.

55:15But should we surprise the FIFA if you know what I mean FIFA. What a sham. What a sham. It's sad.

55:21Ian Wright: Where does this go from here though because this is as low as it gets in respects of like We're talking about the integrity and the transparency. This is as low as it gets. What happens if this... This has to be stopped. Something has to happen here. The Vatican shouldn't be able to play. This shouldn't be able to happen because what's going to happen in the future? Like I said, how can you get somebody... Pandora's box will open. It's going to be crazy. How can they talk about a decision that happened? What about the decision you're talking about in the game about the referee? Oh, no, God. The referee's a...

55:52Ian Wright: No, but they're saying because, again, they've looked back at the referee and he might have done some things. So Donald Trump, somebody's briefed him, Donald Trump is now saying this referee, look back, he's got history. He's saying that to somebody. He's just literally destroyed a referee's reputation publicly. The most powerful man in the world. A referee. Who himself, got a couple of bits going on. You know, to keep it like light. What makes him think he knows about a red card, isn't it? He doesn't. He does not. Talking about the tackle itself and the way they land it. To be fair, Roy, one thing I would say here, I did think it was a harsh red and shouldn't have been a red.

56:27That's not the point. I also think it's ridiculous, by the way, that there isn't an appeal process during the tournament to actually say, can we challenge this? I think you may have... Howard Webb every week comes out and says, basically, we're going to overturn that decision. Or the PMGL... That's a different point, isn't it? So FIFA have not got the right process in place to start with. But once the process isn't in place, you can't then just... Put it in place. Literally, free will, just go and basically make a decision on behalf of one team. Well, they don't know about Ronaldo. Obviously, that was pre-tournament.

56:53Yeah, that wasn't great either. Look, to be fair, you've missed a Champions League final, Roy, through suspension. I missed a Euro 96 semi-final through suspension. You've probably missed games through suspension, Ian, where you just know... Did you miss a final for hours?

57:07Ian Wright: Yeah, I did, yeah. Yeah, so we've all missed finals or massive games through suspension. It hurts, it's bad, you don't want it. And to be fair to FIFA, they have now sort of brought in where you abolish yellow cards after group stages. They're trying to help it. And so I think the point around that he makes, trump around you know players you don't think your best players missing but if they get sent off that's just that's just unfortunately are you getting you accumulate your other cards just even when you listen to him say oh if it was messy if it was ronaldo like we're going to say yeah because it's them it wouldn't happen it would happen it would happen if it's them because that's how football is football don't work like how he thinks he thinks that we're going to say oh yes you've won the argument because if it was messy we'd say yeah he's got to play No, Messi would get suspended as well.

57:53I mean, look, I'm not going to bring Bruce Springsteen into it, but I am going to bring Bruce Springsteen into it. He's done a political tour in the last six months where he starts off his concert, and you were away to Manchester last year, and he talks about the America that we are living in now. This is happening now. You know, this is happening right now. And he goes on and lists about 15 different things that have happened in America right now. And it's just, I must admit, growing up, I did have America as being the guardians. Oh, absolutely. Because if you're brought up in England or in Britain, you're thinking of America as being the people who came over to fight, obviously, in World War II and literally help us from what would have been a disastrous situation.

58:31You're always thinking that America is there to protect everybody. That's what you think. That's what you think when you grow up in England. That's what I think. And now you look at it and you think, oh, my goodness. It's the exact opposite. I don't think that way right now. No, no, no. It's different. And I mean, this is sport, obviously, but the interference in sporting decisions in the midst of a tournament by a host country's president is incredible. People say, did that really? What happened in that time in the world? And Josephine, it's got to the point now where you're starting to question sort of, is this really that bad?

59:10Because actually it wasn't a red card or is it just all right? Or is it normal? and you start to question it and you start to lose your mind and then you think, no, it's a disgrace.

59:19Ian Wright: Yes, let's just all wake up. Let's wake up. Come out of this trance that is a disgrace. And FIFA, fingers crossed, we'll do something. We've got a few World Cups, Qatar, Russia, America, no. So much, yeah. Power, the dollar. Sad, really sad. Okay, right, we'll do room 101 to like. I want to say as well, before we finish with Harlan and Bellingham, one of these great, is going out. one of these two Harlan and Kane Harlan and Bellingham Harlan and Kane Harlan and Bellingham is that how it works if one team loses they have to go but one of these great players who's trying to go ascend is going up we lost Vinicius Junior yesterday this is now quarter final this is right it's real it's real now it's been real all the way through it's been brilliant but it's really real now it's really real now there is like it's heartache type times like in Star Crazy when Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder realise they're actually in prison in prison Yeah.

1:00:14Yeah, that's brilliant. And they're walking in. And they're walking in. What's going on? They're sacked off. They're sacked off. This is real. How good is that movie?

1:00:24Ian Wright: That's great. We've got Roy. You know what? We should watch that together. We should watch it together when he says, I can't take it. Okay. This episode of Stick to Football is brought to you by Skybet. Roy, you've had a few one-on-ones develop. I've had one one-on-one develop. I had two, but I tried to... The one that... Yeah, no, two, going for breakfast. No, that was... You know, I... People on their phones on loudspeaker when they're having their breakfast, and you're sitting there, and they're chatting, having a proper loud conversation, and breakfast. Yeah, it was really funny. Shouting, I was like, a young girl, they go, yeah, like, if someone rang you at breakfast, you'd go, I'll ring you back in five minutes.

1:01:02But they're having the proper conversations, and also breakfast. You know, when you're having breakfast, and two or three people come in who've been to the gym.

1:01:12They strut in as if like, we've been to the gym, we're amazing, you're like, you're scum because you've not been to the gym. And they're sweating, they've got leggings on. And then they say, oh, don't hug me, I'm sweaty. And they've got a toe on their necks as if like, aren't we amazing? And I say, sit down, eat your scrambled egg. And they're strutting on like, oh, because they've had, they went to the gym.

1:01:32Ian Wright: I love that, yeah, I love that. I go to the gym, but then go up and have a shower, but don't be coming in all wet and sweaty. Go, I'm amazing, you're nobody. to the gym. Does anyone agree with that? Anyone? I have to agree with the gym. Oh, the gym. Because I went to the gym. I had a shower. You see them come in. There's three or four more. Are they coming in like they're tired? But look, they're like a gang. Warriors are coming in. We're the gang. We're the gym gang. What are they coming in? I said, we're taking over. We've been to the gym. We've done two minutes on the treadmill. I've been to the gym.

1:02:05Ian Wright: Oh, I love it. That's a good one to put in. The phone. The phone. The phone. He's trying to look at, you know, he's trying to get her attention, but she wouldn't look, Roy was trying to get attention, so he could do one of those cut-eye looks. Am I the only person, if someone ever called you at breakfast, you go, I'm going back and flavor, I'm busy. I was saying, Roy, leave it, leave it. Guess what, I'd have a proper conversation when everyone's around, I'm loudspeaker. That was fucking trying to get her attention. Mine. She's Norwegian. What was she? She's Norwegian. Mine is football players posting out pictures on the private jets.

1:02:35Yeah, that's not good at Ben, is it? Yeah. Not having it. Not having it at all.

1:02:39Ian Wright: That happens for years when they're on holiday. You think it's okay using private jets? No, lads, no problem at all. Go for your lives. We know that, obviously, you're in big contracts. We earn big contracts. We earn money now. So you fly private jets. It's not a sustainability thing. It's not a Greenpeace thing. But do you think, generally, a football fan that is paying 50, 60, 80, 100 quid a week to come and watch you play wants to see you on a private jet? Do you think that's a good look? Do you honestly believe that's going to bring you any favour whatsoever? But is that part of players like brand now where they want people to know what they've had?

1:03:11You don't have to brag about the fact that you're on a private jet. But loads do it though, don't they? Loads of players do it. I just don't get it.

1:03:17Ian Wright: There's no benefit to it apart from vanity, is there? There's no benefit to it. The idea of... And again, not just footballers, but they want people to show them their lifestyle. I agree with you, I think it's wrong, but I'm trying to get in their mindset. Why are they sending images? I have no idea. It's got to be insecurity. It's not vanity. It's pure vanity. No, but brand, if you're being advised as a football player by your PR agency or brand agency to put out pictures on your private jet, you need to sack that fucking company straight away. They are not advising you right, trust me. Because it's absolutely...

1:03:51But they're obviously doing it now. Yeah, I agree, but they must be doing it for a reason. Yeah, but Roy, look, I think football players also should go have a drink in this summer. What reason could that be? Football players should travel to all this private jet. If we ever spoke to a modern footballer who does all that, I'd be interested to ask them, go, why do you do that? And they go, oh, my fans want to see me. There's no way there's got an answer. They won't have an answer for that. The other thing is, if I was a football player, I would also just, my advice would be, never have a picture on holiday with a glass of alcohol.

1:04:18Even though you can drink to your heart's content on your holiday and do what you want. Drugs, okay? No. No, but honestly, don't have a, just don't put a beer in. No, no, no. Right, seriously, I'm saying. On holiday, don't go. No, absolutely. Drink, of course they can have a drink. Do what they want. but just don't post a picture out on Instagram with alcohol or on a private jet. So then you're trying to fool people that you don't drink. No, no, no.

1:04:41Ian Wright: What happens if you're out and you're just having a drink? Oh, no, that's fair enough. And someone takes a picture of people. You're still on holiday drinking. That's fair enough. But why would you post it out on your own Instagram that you've got a bottle of beer or a glass of wine in your hand? Why would you do that? Why would you even think to do that? Because there's no point. There's no benefit. I'm relaxed, I'm on holiday. But you know we're on holiday. Just do that. Post a picture out on the beach. No problem. You don't like the players posting out pictures of them. That was your other one.

1:05:07Players posting out pictures of them training in the middle of summer. Yeah, and I was there, yeah. Lads posting off sprinting in a field with professional coaches. We know you're fit. Look at me. I'm doing doggies. Doggies in terms of sprints. Doggies, remember the doggies? Anyway, that's just my little wind in the middle of summer. That was a good one. Yeah, players training.

1:05:30Ian Wright: Players train. Right. And do you know one other one? People are swearing all the time. You're not great at it. People swear. Yeah, I'm working really hard on that. Yeah, it's not great. You swear a lot. I don't swear that much. You do? Yeah, when you get... You do. I feel like... I get angry sometimes. I catch myself now. I never used to catch myself. I don't know. See, really. Easy. Because I know when... You can stop yourself. I know. I'm doing that. I don't swear that much. I'm trying. You do. You swear a lot. You know what we should do? Fine. We should find something. You should have fines now on here.

1:06:00Ian Wright: Fines for swearing. Absolutely should have fines. We're not talking like stupid money, proper money for fining so people can give it to a charity at the end of the season or something. And breathe. England are through and will play Norway on Saturday where another£50 ,000 is up for grabs with ITV7 football. With almost£200 ,000 in jackpots given away so far, could you be the next big winner on Saturday night? Kane and Haaland have 13 goals between them this tournament, but will you be predicting one of those to score the first goal? Completely free to play, simply answer seven questions now on the ITV7 app or website for your chance to win.

1:06:34Good luck, 18 plus and TNCs apply. Right, what's this one? Right, here we go.

1:06:41Ian Wright: So before we start, we've had over half a million play the ITV7 so far. Amazing. That's amazing. Well done, everybody. Well done. So the question today is, I want the last seven England players who have failed to score in a World Cup penalty. The last, no, don't say last, it doesn't say last. it is the last seven it's a lesson that's what I mean that's what I mean you're feet in one in World Cup so they might have missed in a penalty you out England one there's only been seven there's only seven there well Waddle and pace is definitely two aren't they yeah well then batty input is that bat batty and into the only seven and talk you're saying there's only seven ever yeah sorry yeah yeah yeah yeah that's inance waddle and pierce so do you want to lock them in yeah that's it it's waddle and pierce okay so here they are david batty batty into you said piercey waddle so we got them four yeah yeah you've got them four that's a good start three more caro's one you know was that in the world kind of six yeah caro's one 100 was that world cup world cup 2006.

1:07:53Ian Wright: cara yeah correct jamie carrigan he's number one as well well done cara you're number one at summit that's the first time he's ever been number one in his life

1:08:04uh so who else missed in that game because obviously cara came on who someone else has

1:08:09Ian Wright: missed oh in our greaves no he's scored he's got a great one who missed uh who missed that so which which which which world cup you talking about here now it's 2006. there's one one more from 2006 but I can't wait in 2002 we got knocked out by Brazil I could feel the 2006 in my head it wouldn't be someone I'm just throwing it like a Scott Pack or people like that lads who mightn't have been right believe me I was on the pitch at the end I was there watching it like I'm trying to think who it was that missed out of the lads I can't believe you you that would be something miss no are you sure Scolzing Scolzing on take one was he your own Scolzing wasn't in there he he retired in 2004 so who would have took one at the end on the pitch there Bex was off so it wasn't Bex Wazza was off because he got sent off Michael Owen I don't think I don't remember him taking one wasn't a centre half did Ashley Cole Ashley Cole took one but I think he scored he scored I think Ashley Cole took one John Terry will have took one you know I think he might have scored as well I think John Terry took one I think he scored I think Sterling I've got three no I think Stephen might have missed, you know.

1:09:17Stephen G. Stephen G or Frank. I think one of them two missed.

1:09:21Ian Wright: I like your hair. I like what you've done with your hair. Thanks for an IT. Well done, right? Well done, Gail. So is it that year then we're talking? It's definitely 2006. It's definitely one of these. And I think Stevie... Let's come back to that one. Well, we've got two guesses. I think Stevie or Frank. I think one of them must have missed. Steve Gerrard. You locking that in? Well, we'll just go Stevie and Frank. You're Stevie and Frank. It's a clean sweep again. Yes! All of them both have missed! Oh my God! I'm going to see you've done. I was sure about Stevie. I was sure about Stevie. I hear that's 5-2 now.

1:09:59So I think it's one more win and Jill gets the money. What was she getting? 7 ,000. OK. Right.

1:10:09Ian Wright: You know what, you've got a couple better than that. That was too easy. I'll go more difficult for the next one. This episode of Stick to Football is brought to you by Skybet. What is the best celebrated day in the world? Like a Christmas or... St. Patrick's there. We haven't just had the 250... What do you think of the fireworks, by the way, at the July 4th? I said, didn't I? I know that Roy's not a firework man, but if I'm really totally honest, for 2026, it's just the same as when I watched him as a kid. just stuff going up and blowing up I thought I would have seen something more 3D with messages yeah and I don't know I agree you know 250 and that's what they give us do you know what I would have liked I'd like to have seen music I'd like to have seen ships and things sailing across the actual river and like things going off and I'd like to have seen messages and then a crescendo there was no crescendo it was just completely an obliteration of fireworks and did you see over the other side things were on fire yeah that was on the bridge yeah it was on fire I was like Harry Kennedy I'm on my just go I just thought that in this day and age, the fireworks would have been something.

1:11:17Ian Wright: No, and Room 101, people recording fireworks. I was doing that. I know you were. Imagine recording fireworks. It's never going to look the same on your phone, is it? How was he going? But watching his phone, loads of people at ITV were doing that. You're actually missing the actual... It's why you're missing the fireworks. There we go. There we go. There we go. And he's watching me behind me on my shoulder. He's like, actually, he's at me.

1:11:48Ian Wright: He didn't even watch it, he was filming it, gal. It was good though, eh? No, gal, I thought it was very... You know what, I'll tell you what was really good, Roy. The stuff that was come off the bridge. Yeah, the bridge. It was kind of like a waterfall of... Oh, it was brilliant, a waterfall of fireworks. It was like, oh, it's really easy. Deathbed, you won't be lying to go, oh, that fireworks are amazing. No, you won't be. But I did like the way it came down. There you go. There it is. There you are, off the bridge. Yeah, that was good. Off the bridge. I got that as well, five minutes, that one.

1:12:19Ian Wright: I was like, how did that happen? How did they do that? How does the fireworks go down like that? So clever. So what's the most celebrated day in the world? Christmas Day. Christmas Day. St. Patrick's Day. It's not celebrated by everybody in the world, though, Christmas Day. What, Christmas? That wasn't a question. Would you say Chinese New Year? is celebrated, that's a massive celebration over in Asia. Modern Christmas? Modern Christmas? Well, let's put it in. I'm going to put it in, I'm going to put it in co-pilot. Well, you've asked us what we enjoy, is it? No, what's the most celebrated day in the world?

1:12:50What is the best celebrated day in the world? Yes, Gary. Let's put it in. Let's see what comes up with the answer. New Year's Eve? The most celebrated, yeah, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Yeah? Five to six billion globally celebrated on December 31st. that's what you do innit yeah do you like New Year's Eve do you like

1:13:09Ian Wright: I used to like it I just go to bed now it's a bit silly everyone ends up kissing people who don't know they do that silly song let all the quents they forgot it's a nice it's a reset it's a reset they need to do it they need to do it here ok this question if Argentina win the World Cup does that settle the Messi Maradona debate forever I don't know if he wins the World Cup he gets two World Cups yeah but then are we basing it on how much he won. But what I'm saying, you do tend to measure Pelé through his greatness of his World Cups. They're different players, different characters. Maradona will never...

1:13:44We all love Maradona. Do you know what? Because he was a bit of a boy. And that's the thing.

1:13:48Ian Wright: And he's flawed genius. Yeah, exactly. You know... Not sure about... Was it... What's his fitness coach said? He loved Diego. He loved Diego. He didn't like... No, he loved... Diego. Diego, but he didn't like Maradona. Split personality. I think... I think if he wins it, it settles the Ronaldo. Yeah, I suppose so, yeah. Not Maradona, Messi, Ronaldo, because I'm sure there's Argentinians that won't have Messi over Maradona. So England would play Argentina maybe in his semi if they got through it in good game, wouldn't it? That would be horrible. You've got that top on his own Argentina top. He's kind of Argentinian, that top.

1:14:25Ian Wright: I'm reading a lot about Argentina. It'll come off for then. Yeah, I'm reading a lot about Argentina at the moment. I'm not really a big fan of them anymore. But this is not Argentina, is it? It's just a... It feels... That's not the Argentina blue. That is not the Argentina blue, is it? Giving me Argentina energy.

1:14:43Right. So New Year's Day. New Year's Day. Shall I find another one here? Which World Cup team has surprised you most at the tournament? Kate Birdie? Oh, without a doubt. Probably Kate Birdie, yeah.

1:14:58Ian Wright: Without a doubt. That was unbelievable tonight. That was... Yeah. Did you see what Infantino said there? Even what he said there. You know what I mean? I suffered alongside Argentina during that game, man. My God, this man is just disgusting. But he has no understanding of football properly, does he? He suffered. There were people celebrating around him because Argentina beat Cape Verde. It was so bad, man. And Cape Verde, what they've done in this World Cup, they brought more joy than anything in what they've done. I think it's a football match that people have watched and genuinely were disappointed that they didn't get something out of it.

1:15:38Ian Wright: It was brilliant. You know what, again, at the end of that game, when you looked at those players, how they were crying, they weren't crying or, oh, happy to be here. They genuinely thought they had a chance of beating the world champions. That's what the World Cup does. That's what the World Cup's supposed to do, give you hope like that. One-on-one, players crying after a game.

1:16:00Ian Wright: I'm glad I didn't have water in my mouth. Did any Irish players, Roy, cry after going out of a tournament in 94 or in other court tournaments that you were in? Did anybody cry? I didn't know. Depends on what time it was, the pubs were closed.

1:16:16No, I don't know how many players cry, no.

1:16:19Ian Wright: No? Seriously? I don't think so. No. I don't remember actually any English. You can understand that people are upset, but then they go into the stand and cry with their families in the stand. It's like, you know what I mean? Did you ever cry like that? Any game like that? I don't think so, no. When was the last time you cried, Ian, Roy? I watched Toy Story the other day. You watched Toy Story 5? No, no, no, not 5. I just had one on my finger. I watched, honestly. I'm a clean-ass thing with England one. You know, I watched the other day. I watched the Toy Story 3 when Andy when Andy left all the toys with the little girl next door and then he drove off and they were all sitting on the thing honestly just went for half Ian we've seen this in the last four or five tournaments haven't we right when Roy's watching England obviously at a certain point he knows they need to get through because obviously we want to watch them on television the ITV game but then there's a point where he says right that's fucking it now get him out he's coming fucking get him out you can feel it you can feel it now yeah He's just getting there, isn't he?

1:17:22He starts having to go at, like, the defenders and Panama's left-back. It hammers them.

1:17:27Ian Wright: Honestly, it's a beautiful thing to watch. I'm starting to get worried now. Oh, gosh. Can you imagine it? Qualifying is when I start worrying him. Who do we play around to? Who do we play in the second? I can't remember who we played. Four or five days ago. Congo. Yeah. DL Congo. It's too different. He was having DL Congo's defenders, wasn't he? I know. It's caning them. Absolutely battering them. These poor guys who were fighting for their lives. I'm worried now semis I'll be a panic hey by the way have you changed your mind a little bit that you think I mean you said that Argentina you think there's no way they can get and I would have been with you three or four days ago what happened with England last night well not really does Mexico change your view on how it'll go against Argentina if they got through no because listen I can obviously England are a are a trend obviously because they've got a couple of brilliant players but no I'm going to stick to what I've said and even Argentina I think sometimes it's good for a team to get a fright they did get a fright We said quarter semis, didn't we?

1:18:20We said quarter's bad, but semis for England, generally. You know something? Argentina. No, I'm not changing my mind. No, but Argentina would be a tough thing. They'd put play in England, yeah. But you want them out now.

1:18:32Go on, Norway. Yeah, of course. Yeah, no, I'd be panicking at semis. You'd be singing at the final. Roy on Saturday night. He'll be dancing on that balcony with Alfie Harland. That's the game, wouldn't he?

1:18:44Ian Wright: And infantino. He's with infantino all the time. That's another thing. Room 101. Dads? Why did he just show Harlan's dad at the match? What about all the other dads? Why did he just show his dad after the match?

1:18:58Ian Wright: Are there any other dads at the game? No, none of the other dads are sitting with Infantino as well. Why is he sitting with them? On that note, that's the end of another episode of Stick to Football.

1:19:18This has been a Global and the Overlap production.

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