Electric Mbappe cements France's place as favourites

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0:39Alan Shearer:hello and welcome to the rest is football on today's show we're discussing france's march towards the semi-finals killing mbappe and all of those french superstars will be with joe cole Micah Richards, Alan Shearer, and me, Gary Lineker, the core four. And don't forget, if you'd like to watch the show, it's available on Netflix every single day. France, so impressive. Killing Mbappe again, Joe. I mean, wow. He's superb. Wow. He's almost unplayable. I think we're seeing his peak years at the moment because he's got that explosive speed, but he's got this maturity about him now. He's a goal scorer, but he's a scorer of great goals.

1:26The way he took that one, he whipped it around.

1:29Gary Lineker:Beautiful. Got to work on his penalties a bit, though. What is that with these great strikers? Stop, stop. I'm not...

1:37Alan Shearer:I think he did score 15 in a row. I think what it is, we've seen a lot of penalties, haven't we, missed at this World Cup? But I think the stuttery thing, I think goalkeepers have worked it out. They wait, they wait. it's the first as I said it's the first he's missed in 15 and when you do that kind of penalty it just looks worse where the goalie's hands it's a really bad penalty he was on the floor in the middle of the goal

2:01Gary Lineker:you know what the brilliant thing is though is that you have that setback we said today about Messi you have that setback but the very very very best it doesn't affect them they just go boof and his goal was brilliant so you two both goal scorers did you have that if you'd missed a chance How did you get your mind set on it? Because I think it would affect, as a midfielder, it affected me of missing a big mind. You're absolutely desperate for another one to come along straight away. Give me another chance. Give me something to go at. Yeah, it hurts, but that's, I mean, those two, I said, Messi and Mbappe, that's the very, very best.

2:39Gary Lineker:The elite mentality is, give me the ball again. Let me make amends. Let me do something different to try and get the team back to whatever. and that's I think the difference.

2:49Alan Shearer:It's just missing a chance. As a striker you know you will miss chances therefore the more chances you get eventually the more goals you score. So you know you're also going to miss so you've just got that's just part and parcel of being a striker. There's interesting stats here there's only been four occasions in the last 60 years that a player has scored, assisted and missed a penalty in a World Cup match. Two have been in the last three days. and there's Messi against Egypt obviously Nbappe against Morocco can you get the other two anyone if any of you get one of these I'll be so impressed really Benzema Joe Cole Joe Cole Kareem Benzema versus Switzerland I can read it I can read it can you read it from there yeah he's got better eyes than us I played midfield I can remember can you see the other one no I can't Asamoah Gyan okay yeah remember him okay Just on the penalties while he was talking about them.

3:48You know the stop-start that you mentioned, but did you actually see, correct me if I'm wrong, when he actually was taking the penalty, he wasn't looking at the goalkeeper? So what is the point of the stutter of the run-up there? Is he just doing a stutter and then picking his place? But I thought the whole point of the stutter of the run-up and slow down is to watch where the keeper's going to go. I don't think it is. The keeper only dived to one side and he went there.

4:12Alan Shearer:Do you know what I think it is, Mike? I don't think that is necessarily the case. Some players, one or two, obviously we've seen, do genuinely wait and watch the goalkeeper. But I think what the stutter does and the reasoning behind it is that a goalkeeper is on the line. When you're stuttering, they don't know exactly when you're going to kick it. They can't afford to go early. So they have to wait until you kick it. So what it does, I think it just gives you a little bit more space because you know the keeper can't get to the corner. so I think it gives you an extra yard to score in but Mbappe obviously still didn't put it wide enough

4:48Gary Lineker:Just before we go any further on that point by the way he had nearly three and a half minutes to wait it was an absolute shambles for the referee he put him on this spot he walked back he had to go again he had to walk back again all while they were checking whatever they were checking I mean I thought it was a complete nonsense it was

5:08Alan Shearer:it was also the Argentinian ref that gave the penalty immediate. I'm not saying that's an excuse for missing the penalty,

5:16Gary Lineker:but when you're under huge pressure in that situation, in the World Cup quarterfinal, the last thing you need is a referee to go, yep, go, and then stop it, stop it, stop. I thought it was ridiculous.

5:29Alan Shearer:It took them a while, didn't it, France, to break down that low block. They had the chances. They had way more shots than Morocco. But when it does open up a little bit, as it inevitably does in football matches, Mike. Can anyone cope with them? It's going to be tough. I mean, Al called them, didn't he, as his favourites? I said Spain before a ball was kicked. But they're electric. When there's no space, I think they find it a little bit difficult. But as soon as the space opens up, it's a nightmare because they can run in behind. They've got individual brilliance. They've got Elisa who's always looking for the ball to Fred to Mbappe.

6:13If that's not Mbappe, then you've got Dembele. They're just too good. They're definitely the favourites for this competition because they can increase the tempo like no other team at the tournament.

6:26Gary Lineker:The one thing that I was slightly concerned about with France is how do they get all the big hitters into this? How does Dechambe keep all of them happy? and I tell you what, he's done a brilliant job up to now because Barcollo's been left out, Cherky's been left out, but he's used them and when he has brought them on, they've more than played their part, but that front four is pretty unstoppable.

6:51Alan Shearer:Interesting thing, of course, despite the fact if they do make it to the final, it'll be their third consecutive final in the World Cups and Deschamps's been obviously in charge of all of them. There's a little bit of unrest around the fact that he was still in charge Because I think the Euros two years ago, when he didn't get that, couldn't get everyone buying into the system and they were a little bit negative. But what a job he's done in turning that around, Micah. Yeah, I think he's been outstanding. Obviously, I'm very close with Thierry. And they talked about that sort of disconnect. It was sort of square pegs in round holes in terms of the way they play.

7:30A lot of the talk in France was, yes, we've got great players, but we don't play great football. I think that's turned now at this World Cup. Everyone knows their jobs. I like the little tactical tweet that Deschamps did in the first game where he switched Dembele and Elyse around. I think it just helped. A lot of managers might have persevered with the same, but he is a top manager. We're talking about one of the best in international football. If he goes and wins it again, it's a real talking power.

8:00Gary Lineker:I also think he's got a great rapport there now because he went back for the passing of his mother, the funeral. I think when all the players got together and they sort of hugged and got... I think that was a great sign that they were going to be brilliant in this tournament. They have been. They haven't disappointed.

8:19Alan Shearer:I think all the other teams in the competition were hoping they'd all fall out, but it's not happening. France in 2026 are the first team to have two players score five plus goals in a single World Cup since Brazil in 2002. And they're only in the quarterfinals. Mbappe and Dembele have got eight and five. And then Brazil's were Ronaldo and Rivaldo. They got eight and five. They also had Ronaldinho. Who's your front threes here? OK, Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho or Mbappe, Dembele and Alise? Well, I was in. I was in the squad for that game. I was on the bench, young man, and watching them three, I remember when Ronaldinho had done his move on Ashley Cole, it was so fluid and beautiful about three players from the England bench just naturally, because excited, stood up and went, oh, and they're going to score here.

9:12And then they scored. But they could take your breath away. And I've never remembered the movement. And I think the similarities with this year, I think this France team are quite clearly the best side left in the tournament. In 2002, they had four Ballon d 'Or winners because Kakao was a young man as well. So, like, watching them play, I think, the 2002, Kakao and Carlos, like, it was like the Harlem Globetrotters watching them play. And this France team's a bit like that.

9:40Alan Shearer:I still think at the moment, I mean, obviously, Elisa's still quite young. I think Mbappe's definitely in his absolute prime. But those three, I mean, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Rivaldo. Tasty, Michael, are you having? No, it's too hard to call, is it? Because it's different generations. You're mixing that nostalgia. R9, apart from Messi and Ronaldo and probably Pele, R9 was just ridiculous. He's my favourite ever footballer. Messi's probably the best, but Ronaldo's the best. And then you add in Ronaldinho, watch his documentary. It was just incredible. And then Rivaldo too with his left foot. Oh my God.

10:24It's too early to say. They're too young. They've not finished yet. I would go with Brazil. I have to go with Brazil because it was just mesmerising.

10:32Alan Shearer:It was so good. So good. Agreed. Do you think, I know it's difficult. Could Morocco have more of a go? Go. Miss Saibari, big miss up front. They really struggled going forward. Three goals in the tournament. Saibari Gaz up front is so important for them because he's a big lump and he puts himself about. And I thought the thing that they got wrong today, I don't think they were humble enough. I thought because they're so good, because they've been on this mad unbeaten run and they've been so successful, I think you need a game plan for France. And I think they didn't do the low block as well as they could.

11:08They didn't make it uncomfortable. They wanted to play with... You can't play with France. You've got to stop them first and take whatever you can out the game because they're just so good. And if the game becomes end-to-end, you're fucked because of the pace and the strength and the speed. So they got it wrong.

11:26Gary Lineker:I just think sometimes you say, you know what, they were better than us. And whatever way they set up today, France are going to beat them. They just had better players individually. They've got the most exciting front players in the World Cup, there's no doubt about it. So I just think they were too good. And whatever way Morocco tried to play, France were going to beat them. Do you agree with that, Micah? Yeah, totally agree with the guys today, which is an absolute shame, to be honest. But in terms of, I thought they grew into the game a little bit and they started getting confidence because they had a few counterattacks.

12:06But the difference was they didn't have Saibari to run in behind. So when they went forward, they didn't really have an outball. I would have done a Cape Verde where I'd just go ultra, ultra low, force France to have shots from outside the box. That was the only way, really, they was going to win. And Hakimi was getting pushed back also, wasn't he? So he's normally an outball for them, and it didn't really have the effect that maybe we all expected. But he's playing against France, and he's constantly having to defend. I think that was a difference. But what would I have done different? I would have just stuck to my guns in that low block and not worry about it.

12:43Try to sort of see out the game as long as we possibly could and then just wait for that counter-attack. You've got to make them cross the ball, Big Meeks. That's what you've got to do with France. I think if England play France, you have to go to a back five. You have to play with a back five. Really? I would because you're going to need double. You have to double up on both flanks, whether it be Douay and Mbappe. and then, and as best you can, frustrate them, make them lob it into the box. Because Mbappe's not going to score too many heads. But did you see that though? Did you see that though, Joe?

13:15That's a really interesting point. With the players on the pitch, I think you're absolutely right. But did you see, as soon as Mateta came on, they started changing the way they played, they started getting crosses. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm thinking to myself, if they sacrifice one of their wingers and say, OK, Elisa, you go one side, Debele, you go the other side and just get crossing into the box to Mateta and Mbappe just running all over. That scared me because I don't think France are one-dimensional because they've just got so much quality. But one thing I thought that they're not that great is getting the balls into the box.

13:51And then as soon as Mateta came on the pitch, I was like, oh, my God, they've got a plan B, C, D, E and N. Oh, my God, it's going to be difficult for anyone against France.

14:01Alan Shearer:Definitely difficult, Michael. Also, I think before the tournament, we're going, well, if there is possibly a weakness, it's can they cope with playing four up like they do, but then with a two man midfield. But even that's working at the moment. I know it might be different against Spain. That will be a real, real challenge if Spain obviously get past Belgium, which I expect they will. You know who needs a lot of credit in this tournament? Rabiot. He was sort of, he can't really run now, but the way he controls that midfield, obviously Choumeny's been in and then out because of injury, but Kone, who I told you before the tournament, lads.

14:40You did, you did tell us. Kone, I give you it, and he's been outstanding. I think against England or Spain, they'll find it more difficult because there are areas in which you can get at France. I think Uwe Mekanu at the back. Saliba looks nice and solid. But if you see one of his clearances and if you watch him for Bayern Munich, there is areas where he can get out of me. He's prone to mistake at times. But I just think the two good going forward, if you have Kone and Robby just sat there and say, you four go do it, it's going to be very difficult for anyone.

15:20Alan Shearer:Zaire Emery came off the bench as well. He's a talented individual. Chouamani's fitness is not quite right. A word on Morocco, because they've had a good tournament. They've had two good tournaments now. That's a semi-final and a quarter-final. I suppose the positive... I think they're unlucky with the sidebar-y thing, the injury. But I think we've got an emerging star in Boadi. Youngest player to play in a quarter-final of a World Cup since Pele in 1958. Big shoes to fill. I went to interview Giroud. And so I went to my old club, Lille. Lovely. I saw all the old masseurs and the doctor and all that.

16:01And I was chatting to them. And different times in the day, I said, what players have you got here? All of them said, Boadi. Unbelievable. And often at a football club. In a mathematics degree. Yeah. Yes, mental. And often at a football club, the people that have been there for years and seen all the great players at the club, so they know, they watch them every day. and all of them eyes lay up when they talked about it so I watched this kid he's even impressed you Alan

16:24Gary Lineker:well I did him I did when Morocco played Brazil early in the tournament I did that game Co-Combs and he was man of the match he stood out massively and if it's not this summer it'll be next summer that he'll go for 70, 80, 90 million I'm pretty certain

16:42Alan Shearer:I think a lot of clubs will be chasing him Michael where do you think he'll end up? well it's tough He's a young superstar, isn't he? He's so calm on the ball. You know, when you're looking at attributes as a player, can they pass, can they track runners, all them sort of things. But it's his calmness on the ball for me, you know, in that team for someone so young. Like, everyone's going to be after him. Absolutely everyone. But just quickly, Joe, you was at Lille. What was that like? You know, I've not heard you speak about that many times. But what was it like going over there and enjoying France?

17:19I loved it, mate. I was, like I said, I was at a difficult time in my career. And then you go somewhere and you see... I feel like now, we've all played with French players, but you don't really understand the French players until you go over there and their culture and how they are. You know, I went over there, big man, I started drinking coffee. I got L 'Equipe every day, pretended I was reading L 'Equipe. started drinking because they had a lovely no they did at the training ground you had like a middle bit right and they all went there and they all had the paper and had a little coffee I thought I'm missing out here I need to get myself involved so I didn't drink coffee until I went to France now I can't get off

17:57Gary Lineker:the stuff

17:59Alan Shearer:I was just about to say what about the football yeah and I love the football when was it when was it you went to Mexico and got the Mezcat I bring back the great things from everyone's culture and bring it into my life. The Mexicans have given me mezcal, the French have given me coffee. I'm happy. No, but the football was great. They're known for the red wine and champagne. Look at him. Look at what he's doing there. Love it. Love it, big man. What, you on there? The brandy out the bottle. Good man. That's what the Caribbean taught me, Jim. Yes.

18:34Brilliant. How was your French? Un petit peu. A little bit. Yeah. I know what that means.