WORLD CUP Bonus Episode: Entering the Knockouts

24:08No, but we haven't got to the knockout rounds yet. But now we are. You can't judge a man by a round he didn't get to. No, no. I'm saying in the past and even now. I'm looking at their past performance. So, look. For me, the way I consider Harry Kane and Ronaldo, I think of them as the Harden, James Harden, or Russell Westbrook of international football. They'll put up big numbers in the regular season. When the playoffs come, they disappear. You know what you are, Joe? They disappear. Can I tell you what you are? Yes. You are a hate merchant. No, no. That's what you are. Trevor, they are good players.

24:33No, no, I don't think you've heard me. Russell Westbrook and James Harden. You are a merchant of hating. Listen, Russell Westbrook and James Harden are future Hall of Famers. And they are future Hall of Famers. You are a merchant of hating. But you can never put them in the same conversation as Michael Jordan or LeBron James. I'm going to issue you a challenge. Okay. You're not allowed to say the words Messi. Okay. You're not allowed to say the words Harry Kane. Ah, no. We can't have a conversation. Ah, you see? Okay. Let's talk about Declan Rice. I'm taking all your merchants here. Okay, let's talk about Declan Rice.

24:57That's all you are. Let's have a conversation. Okay. About Vitinha. Yes. What's going on with Vitinha? Vitinha. Wait, wait, wait. I'm going to break down why we're talking about this. Vitinha has been considered one of the best midfielders in the game of football over the past few years. Yes. Playing for PSG. The man has won multiple Champions League. He's won multiple La Ligas. has been viewed as one of the most potent and dynamic players controlling a midfield, right? Coming into the World Cup, I would argue that Portugal has been called one of the favorites primarily because Vitinha is running the midfield.

25:26Bruno Fernandes is in front of him. People have said, this midfield can shut everything down. They can create anything. Good luck to any team that faces them. And yet, and yet, in the games where we've watched Portugal play, it looks like Vitinha, and this is not like me guessing. If you look at his passing map, most of his passes are lateral passes from side to side, short passes that aren't really creative. They don't move the game. Very few incisive passes. Very few chances created. Yes. Very few opportunities. Yes. And what's the difference? And so my question to you is, okay, now remember my challenge.

26:07I'm actually going to add one thing. You cannot say Ronaldo. You cannot say Messi. And you cannot say Harry Kane. You're asking me to diagonalize the position. problem without actually mentioning the problem. Wait, Joe. So when you have a striker who is static, when you have a striker who is not mobile, however progressive a passer you are, there's no one to play the ball into. You need someone to play the ball into however progressive you are. Pedro Neto's there? Pedro Neto is not in the... So that's why it's sideways, because it's going to the wing. But it's not the same. At PSG, he's playing the ball into Kvalasqueria.

26:37He's playing the ball into Dembele. Who's on the left? Yes. Who's on the right sometimes? Yes, but who's making runs inside. He's playing the ball into Dembele, though. Dembele is very mobile. Now, when you consider, look, I'm a huge fan of Messi, yes. You're not allowed to say Messi, bro. I'm a huge fan of the God. I'm a huge fan of the God. But I'll tell you one thing. I'll play, Trevor. Trevor, you've seen us play on Tuesday. One of my arguments every time I'm playing on Tuesday is where are the runners? I'm a midfielder. I'm a very progressive passer of the ball. I hate passing the ball back.

27:06But if there's no one running, I have to pass the ball back. I have to pass the ball sideways so that I don't concede possession. because if you're a midfielder, if you concede possession, then the counter is on. Okay, now let's go to another player who you love and then let's figure out what's happening with Pedri. Pedri has had a bit of a tough World Cup partly because he has had to switch between two positions. So he started as a more advanced pivot and then they took Fabian Luiz out. Then they played him and they played very well in the second game. Remember, they played so well against Saudi Arabia.

27:35But that's because Danny Olmo... They played well against Saudi Arabia. That's because Danny Olmo... Did you hear your full sentence? Yes. Yes, but I'm explaining why. Man, Mike Tyson did really well in that fight at the kindergarten. He was really, really good. But I'll tell you why. Come on. So he struggled in the next game because they played Mikel Marino. Mikel Marino can't play with him in the same way that Olmo plays with him. Yes, but Joe, this is my problem though. This is what I'm trying to say. How great are these players? And I'm not saying they're not. Because again, I love Vitinha.

28:04I love Pedri. I love the way they play. But the question many people are asking is, are we over-inflating the greatness of players around the world because of the teams they're surrounded by right so we can bring other players into this conversation Antoine Semenyo he's not showing himself as the Bournemouth guy or the Man City guy you watch most of the game and Semenyo's making random runs he doesn't seem to like keep the ball at his feet he doesn't seem to you know what I mean there's multiple players where even Valverde at Uruguay and again some people say it's the coach. But I'm saying, is that not the true measure of a great player?

28:38Is the fact that they can perform in spite of the national team that is around them, right? I totally agree with you because I feel like you're coming around funnily enough to my argument, which is the players. So the player, like you're saying the measure of greatness. So I'm saying Harry Kane, Cristiano Ronaldo, they've been doing it for their club. Then they come to their bring them in. No, no, no. Yes. No, no. Let's not bring them in. No, Joe. What you're doing here is slick. Let's talk about the players we're talking about. Okay. Vitinha, Pedri. Yes. Let's just talk about them. Okay, I'll say this.

29:13I'll say this. And you can quote me on this going forward. Pedri is going to come good because Pedri always comes good. He's going to come good in the tournament. Okay. Vitinha is not going to because he has a problem that can't be solved. Oh, interesting. So you think Pedri is having a moment? Yes. Vitinha, it's systematic. It's a problem. Systemic rather. in front of him. And I know Gonzalo isn't like the best striker, but Gonzalo Ramos has legs to at least be mobile. There's a reason why. Okay, can I disagree with you? Let me tell you why. Let me tell you why. I actually think this is what the issue is.

29:45And maybe it actually leans, this is where our Venn diagrams might actually overlap. I think, when I watch Argentina play with Messi, a player who steps up both for club and country, which is why he's the coach. One of the things I think people miss is this. Messi has an advantage in his position in the team because he is neither the furthest forward player nor is he the last man of defense. The reason I say this is if you are a player who's at the back and you do not perform 100%, your team is going to concede a goal. If you're a player who's at the front and you don't perform, your team is not going to score goals, right?

30:22Everyone goes where the goal is going to come from. I argue that Messi, and I do think this was wise of him and the teams he's played for, by moving into the position he's moved into, he's now made it that the game is less about his legs and more about his vision his touch and his talent he's adapted and that's part of what being a GOAT is in my opinion is knowing how to adapt to knowing how to adapt your body to the game yeah yeah completely completely I think when I watch the Portugal team one of the biggest issues they face is let's think of all the great 433 teams and their formations whether it's Barcelona whether it's PSG whoever it may be even Liverpool in its heyday Mo Salah Firmino Mane etc One of the most crucial things you want to do is make sure that your wingers have the permission to cut in ferociously.

31:11And what often happens is you'll find a switch of play. So if your midfield has the ball, let's say they have it on the right. You find the most dangerous incisive pass is the pass that's actually going to favor that Mbappe run that he loves doing. It's a diagonal run that cuts across players. and the reason I always think that's so hard to defend against is because you don't know whose man it is. Is it the man who was with him when he started the run? Yes, or the man whose job is running. Or does it switch over to the next man? In many ways, it's like a basketball pick. Yes, pick and roll. But it's a much faster version of a pick and roll because you don't stand still.

31:44But who's supposed to defend it? Do you mark with the man? Do you mark with... And those things are so dangerous. Like when Mo Salah would do that, Bobby Firmino would move to one side. Mane or Salah would do it. You see it at PSG as well. You see it at Bayern Munich as well. Once a player pulls and the wingers can cut in, all sorts of chaos breaks out. But my issue, this is where I say we might be overlapping. I don't see Ronaldo pulling people in now. Thank you. And then I don't see the Portugal wingers cutting in. The moments where I have seen it is Rafa Leal. Rafa Leal, but only because of his pace, has been making that for himself.

32:21Gets the ball on the wing, flies past the defender, cuts back down into the box. But I argue he should be meeting the ball there As opposed to having to run all the way there with it Yeah but the thing is Where I disagree with you And I see the convergence you're talking about Where I disagree with you is You're making it seem like this is a recent problem For me when it comes to Ronaldo No no no Let's not talk about that No let's not talk about that No no no listen I don't want to go back to that No no no no No listen I don't want to go back to that The reason I'm saying it is I'm just saying for Vitinha specifically And even I'm saying for Vitinha So I'm saying I'm saying Pedro Neto and those guys I don't know if this is a coach saying don't go into Ronaldo's zone or if it's Ronaldo saying don't go into Ronaldo's zone.

33:00But my issue is that the game seems like it has a predictable shape and there's not enough throwing defenders off of their positions and dragging people out of positions in my opinion. But I don't want to get stuck on this forever.

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34:40I do want to talk about some of the big news that's getting everyone. Number one, yo, one of the saddest stories from the World Cup is what happened to South Korea's coach. Yeah, you hate to see it The team got knocked out Of the competition Really put in Sub-part performances And The Korean coach Hyong Myung Bo Was I mean a hero Coming into this tournament A legend Legend of South Korean football And I was watching clips From Korean national television Where they're talking About the team They've blurred His whole body Like Personal non grata In a very literal way They've blurred him Like a You know like The way the news would blur a dead body.

35:19They don't, they say he mustn't come into stores. They say like... Okay, so a couple of things. One... That seems like it's too... Come on. One, so just a little bit of history. Hong Myung Bo led South Korea to their greatest ever finish. Semifinal, yeah? At the 2002 World Cup, yes. They lost their third place playoff to Turkey. So he was, actually he won the bronze ball at that World Cup. He was the third best player at that World Cup. He's a legend, legend. So, you know, he becomes a coach. It was a controversial appointment in South Korea, but then the worst thing is South Korea has been fighting with the media.

35:48And I don't know whether you saw the reports of the media like Mocking, Heung-Ming. So they've been fighting with the media. And then they didn't put up a good enough performance, lost to South Africa. And so this has now happened. It has gone from hero of South Korean football to like, and in South Korea, no matter when you fall from grace, you really do fall from grace. But I think, I think the team came in a bit like Taki. They came in very high on expectation. And when you have... It's the curse of the world Cup, when you come in... Uruguay? And people have already chosen you to go through, I do think it's one of the curses.

36:22Look at how Team USA has performed because they were not the anointed ones. Look at how even South Africa performed. Look at how... Cape Vod and... Yeah, but those are small. They were always like the... I'm talking about the middling teams have sort of done better because they didn't have the presumptive pressure on them. The burden of expectation can be too much, yes. And I argue that it's not keeping your eye on the ball until it's in your hands or on your foot. Okay. In which way? You know, great athletes always say, no matter the level of game, whenever you see an athlete make a mistake, 99 times out of 100, it's because they took their eye off the ball at the last second.

37:02They were shooting, they took their eye off the ball. They were trapping, they took their eye off the ball. They were passing, they took their eye off the ball. And really, all it is, is keeping your eye on the ball until the point where it feels like it's unnecessary, then taking your eye away. Yes. Right? I think teams that came into the World Cup looking at their next games already... You're right, yes. ...took their eye off the ball. They assumed they had already qualified, yes. They took their eye off the ball. And so, you know... And the opposite of that, though, is African teams. I mean, South Africa is knocked out now.

37:33Yes. But nine out of ten African teams made it through to the knockout stages. It's so funny you said about... It's so funny you brought up that, you know, old adage about, you know, keep your eye on the ball because... It's almost like when you come into World Cup... It sounds like a tired, tired phrase, but they were like, take it a game at a time. One game at a time. Take it one game at a time. Don't plan for the future one game at a time. So African teams, they actually expanded and increased the number of representatives from Africa from five to ten. Yeah. And so many Europeans, Gennaro Gattuso, the UEFA president, they went like, oh, this is a charity case.

38:11It's going to make the World Cup worse. How are these teams going to compete? and look, Italy didn't even qualify for the World Cup. Italy didn't make it and then Africa, 90 % of our representatives have made it to the knockout rounds. For me, this, you know when Shakira said it's time for Africa? She was 16 years too early because this really has been, apart from Tunisia and Tunisia has been, I feel bad for Tunisia because they considered six goals. Was it five goals in their first game? Yeah. Fired their coach, considered four in the next game, then considered three. So they were like, you could see the improvement coming game by game.

38:46Yeah, but way too late. It was way too late. And I feel sad for Tunisian fans because they have produced some of the best defenders I knew growing up from Rade Jaiidi to, you know, the Hatem and Samuel Trabelsi, the keeper Chokrieroa. They have always had a good defensive side and to see them fall apart the way they did. But let's not talk about Tunisia. They had a tough World Cup. Let's talk about the African. Every African team has really shown up and shown out. But I'm worried now. We need another spot actually. Now we are demanding two more spots. But now I'm worried now. Because Nigeria stayed behind.

39:15Can I tell you why I'm worried? Okay. I'm worried because I don't think the African teams still in the competition. Okay. Maybe barring Senegal have shown, in my opinion, enough incisiveness in front of goal. That's the problem. That has been the problem. Like, I was waiting for DR Congo to, like, maybe this is the awakening. I'm really excited for this. but like like Cote d 'Ivoire I thought they would be like more more dangerous in front of goal you know I thought that Morocco would be more dangerous in front of goal I thought that like I just thought apart from Ismail Saibari they have really struggled yes you know and I hope it's just a moment I'll say this way I disagree with you I think okay that favors African teams you think so going through the knockout rounds because then if you get a draw you're going to do penalties yeah but you see I think that's why South Africa got knocked out yes because I think sometimes African teams and maybe it's because Because again, sometimes you can't win.

40:12For a long time, African teams were told, you don't know how to defend. You just play the game casually and that's why you lose. Now African teams actually defend really, really well. Very disciplined, yes. But I think that can lead to a knockout sucker punch like South Africa experienced. Because you only need to consider one goal. Also, you're saying the pendulum has swung from one side to the other. Because we used to be very attack-minded. South African teams, not just South African. African teams used to lose like... The final match score would be like 4-3. Yes, yes. That was an African match at the World Cup.

40:41Full of excitement, losing, but man, what a great game. And then now it's always like 1-0, penalties. 1-0, penalties. 1-0, penalties. And my problem is in the knockout stages, when you play against a team that has like moments of excellence with maybe players who are slightly better than you, if the Netherlands goes into a knockout match with Morocco, I worry more for Morocco than the Netherlands in the knockout part of a game. Yes. but in the match itself I think Morocco can come back they can swing things back and forth you know what I mean they can survive the momentum shifts but I worry about teams who like who are too structured going into the game I worry that they may not they may not come out on the other side that's what I worry about I think for me that's a huge advantage because if you can stop goals because you know and again it's another of those old proverbs tired defenses win your championships attack you know defenses win your games for me I think if you're Cape Verde let's say you're not going to get into a scoring contest with Argentina you'll never win it yeah but that's Cape Verde yes I'm saying you'll never win it but you can hope to stop Argentina you can hope that's like your best hope yeah but my problem is you know you need the structure to stop Argentina people use this so if you let's say you're in a boxing match with somebody yes blocking is a great way to stop them from hitting you but you know it's also a great way to stop them from hitting is punching them knocking them out yes not even knocking them out the fact that you throw a punch means the other person has to think about throwing a punch at the same time, you know?

42:12And I just worry that in some of these games, the teams are less worried about throwing punches and more worried about blocking every punch. And I think that gives the other team a lot of time to figure out what's happening. To build momentum, yes. Calibrate the attack, et cetera, et cetera. In fact, the one thing I will say that might help them is the hydration breaks, actually. I do think the hydration breaks are going to help African teams. Break momentum, yes. because it segments the game into four and it's a lot easier to keep your concentration in 20-minute periods than it is to keep it over 45 minutes.

42:44Let's survive 20 minutes. Boys, let's do it. 23 minutes, well done. 23 minutes, well done. Okay, 23 minutes, well done. I do think it's easier to defend four quarters of a soccer game, football game, than two halves, which brings me to another rule change since we're now changing rules, since we now play football in quarters. I love how they tricked us into that, by the way. Slowly dangled it, dangled it, and then before we knew it, yes. No, I mean, they tricked us. Let's be honest. Is it time to change the offside rule? I think here's what I believe. So I'll answer and then I'll, you can, so my answer is yes, but tell me why I'm right, Joe.

43:19I think it's become too much draw lines, this and that, and this and that, and this part of the body and this tiny little nail does have a longer foot. Toes, bro. Yes, toes. Toes. I think the offside rule, I think Wenger is trying to change it. Yes, yes. To whole body. And I like it. But here's what I believe. I believe if the referee goes, I feel it should be the way it is. But if the referee goes to the VAR monitor and can't see it in 15 seconds, the goal should be given. Oh, interesting. We should remove the lines. If the referee can't notice his mistake in 15, if he can't see it and go like, oh, it's offside, then it should be given.

43:54No, I don't like that one. Instead of spending three minutes drawing lines. I don't like that one because now we've put the burden on the referee to notice or not notice the mistake. No, I feel 15 seconds in front of the monitor. Yeah, but Joe, let's just make it simple. if there's daylight because remember the origin of offside was a specific one the origin of the rule is we did not want one player to sit on the other side of the field which they used to do by the way they would just sit on the other side of the field like you see it in basketball sometimes you're all the way on the other side of the court they just throw you the ball you're under the hoop Nikola Jokic yeah and you just drop it in okay that's why we have offside when you understand what a rule is for I think the logic behind the rule is as important as the application of the rule.

44:37Oh, you're saying the spirit of the rule, yes. So, the spirit of the rule was not about, is a body part of yours edging out over mine? No, it's... Denying an advantage, yes. Are you playing the game in such a way that it's not like, you know, I don't want to say like fair, but it's like you're spoiling the game. Because really, you could also just wait in the goals, wait for the ball, step in front of the goalie, etc., etc., right? So that's why the rule exists I think it's time to change the rule I think we lost great goals and great results Because of this rule I think Iran didn't deserve to get knocked out I think that Colombia deserved to beat Portugal And what I mean is Football gets robbed Because even as a neutral I'm watching that game going Wow, what an ending No, it's not an ending because of a toe I would say the offside rule has been the most controversial And for people who are not fans of the game every time they change it.

45:35They've never changed it and everyone is on board. Every time they change it, it's always like, ugh. Remember when you guys broke it at Barcelona? Yes. It's always like, everyone, it's like, they have tried, you know, I'll give the International Football Association's board, they have tried time and again to try to figure this thing out. But it's like, because footballers, every time you change it, guess what footballers do? They try to find a loophole around it, a way to exploit it. Yeah, but I mean, here's not even a loophole here's just feet I don't think somebody shortened their foot to find a loophole I just think this didn't it just didn't help the game it hasn't helped the game and then now you have teams getting knocked out and Iran by the way you know what I mean I think the only team that has had such a cruel rollercoaster of emotions than South Africa now worse way worse now way worse I don't think South Africa comes close yeah I know it was come on Iran comes into the World Cup they don't stay in the US they have to fly in for every single game they're getting visas checked and they're doing like immigration customs and immigration which is already a nightmare if you're traveling with your family imagine now trying to go play a World Cup match you know what I mean and you're worried about all your documents and stuff like that you don't get to just drive to the game you leave and make it into the country and forget here and then on top of all of that and this is something we need to figure out there needs to be a blanket in my opinion there needs to be a blanket agreement because it has to be applied uniformly formally iranian players were constantly being forced to answer questions about iran the country and its politics and then at some point they're like asking them about lgbtq issues which in my opinion is like a trap by the reporters and i'll tell you why you can't ask iranian players about lgbtq rights when you know what the rules are in their country yes because people are quick to have that arrogance now, people forget like, America didn't have, hasn't had like gay marriage for a hundred years.

47:31Yes, yes, yes. You know what I'm saying? America hasn't had gay marriage for 50 years. America hasn't had gay marriage for, you get what I'm saying? So for them to now be like so arrogant about it, like, oh, your country doesn't, it's like, no, guys, guys, guys, we have to be fair. If you're going to do it, do it to everyone. If you're going to ask, if you're going to ask Tarami, if you're going to ask Tarami about gay rights and if you're going to ask Tarami about what's happening in the Strait of Hormuz, then you must ask Christian Pulisic about gay marriage in America and the possible ending of gay marriage and the Strait of Hormuz.

47:59If you're going to ask Tarami those questions, then you must ask Messi about Argentina. Then you must ask people about what's happening in Europe. You can't... I think that's an extra level of pressure. But the player doesn't need when they're playing at the World Cup. Yes, but not even need. It's just the fairness for me is the issue. Yes. Some people will say with great power comes great responsibility. But the greatest of the powers don't have any responsibilities. Yes, I understand it's selective. I'll say, if I'm Iranian, the reason I feel it's unfair is because people are never, especially like sportsmen, and I understand what people are going to call, but they need to speak out.

48:36But people are never representative of their governments. There are people on the Iranian team who love the IRGC. There are people who don't like the IRGC. The same way they put on the American team who love Trump and people who can't stand. Trump. So it's when you reduce people to their government. Because actually most times people go like, no, the government sucks. Most people everywhere go like, our government sucks. But we as people, which is why sometimes people go like, oh, I think they don't want us to meet because when people meet, they realize, oh, the one thing we have in common is we all think our government sucks.

49:14So it's very funny. I mean, that's happened like this whole round. Yeah, this whole World Cup. Everybody's going like, yeah, our government. There are so many Europeans who are like, Like, wow, actually, Americans are great people. Americans are great people. And Americans are like, wow, so many Europeans are great people. And people are like, oh, wait, wait, wait. The one thing we have in common. Is we think all our governments, all our politicians suck. Yeah, all our politicians are the ones who actually suck. Because I had a friend tell me, the one thing, the one job that Trump had this whole World Cup is to not make me root for Iran.

49:40But because of the way they were treated, he turned them into underdogs. And Americans love. America made history, though. Americans love. America made history, though. First nation to bomb a country That they're also hosting At a sports tournament It's pretty wild man What a wild time we're living in And by the way I don't know if you saw The answer that he gave But you know This is why I give credit I'll tell you why I can see a player losing their cool I can see a player feeling No Every press conference Where they asked him a question I felt like he was measured He was classy And the question they asked him in Seattle About LGBTQ and pride and everything He said And I'm sure he'll get flack for it He said, I respect anyone who's from the LGBTQ community.

50:24Live your life. You have your opinions and your life and your preferences. Some other people have different ones. Like, you get what I'm saying? It wasn't even like anti... No, he was like, but I don't understand why we're not talking about the game. Now, the pushback will be, and this will be from the anti-Teremi people. They go like, oh, but Teremi is a representative of the IRGC. But then that's the thing with national teams. National teams are representatives. Yeah, but I don't... Not the country, not the government. Yeah, but I also think we need to be fair as well. We also have to be, I think we have to have a little bit more leniency and a little bit more compassion for teams and players and athletes who come from countries where you can't just speak your mind.

51:03Yes, yes, yes. Because that's some bullshit as well, Joe. First Amendment, yeah. Yeah, we're going to get like, no, we're going to get some North Korean player and be like, so what do you think of Kim Jong-un? Tell us what you really think. With your chest, yes. Go back. My family is, no. Their family is back there. I don't need to go back. My family is back there. Yeah, bro. I think sometimes we make it seem like they can just talk shit with no... No, no, you don't make it. I feel like Western people make it because Western people go like, as an American, I can go there, say crap about my government and nothing will happen to my family.

51:29Yes, good for you. It's almost like privilege. You go like, hey, you need to check your privilege. Yeah, man. It's not the same everywhere. I just think we need to be like, just be a little bit more understanding and compassionate in those situations because people say, oh, you should speak out. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You say that, but please understand that Not every situation has the same level of speak-out ability as yours does. And that's one of the joys of having the freedoms that you have. Yes. Is that you have those freedoms. I don't know whether it's a wrong attribution or not, but the former Ugandan dictator Idi Amin used to say, you know, I'll give you, you have freedom of speech, but what we can't guarantee is freedom after speech.

52:06You know, you can say whatever you want, but after you've said it. Yo, man, dictators. Yes, they have bars. Yo, dictators have some other bars. Yes. No, it's, yeah. So, okay. This is it, man. Round of 32. Let's make it fun, Joe. Let's go through the bracket together. No, let's just make it, let's just make it, we'll just make it interesting. You know what? We'll just do it until the next, we won't even go too far. Okay. Let's just do it until the next episode of the podcast. Okay. Okay, so South Africa, Canada has played. Yeah, that has been played. We're recording this before the next round of games.

52:36So let's go. Brazil, Japan. I think Brazil will have too much individual quality. You know, Japan is very organized, very well drilled. but all it takes is a Vini masterpiece. Score? I think it should be, I see 2-1. Okay. 2-1, yes. 2-1. 2-1 Brazil. I think I go 3-1 Brazil or 3-2 Brazil. Germany, Paraguay? Germany. Germany on this side as well. I'll be shocked if Paraguay... I'll be shocked if Paraguay scores, to be honest with you. Germany, Germany easily, yes. They are still struggling with their identity, Germany. They don't know whether they are... Because you know the old German team, the old German team, but now they have so many, what people call, work footballers.

53:11Kai Havertz is a half false nine Germany used to have natural killers Klinsmann Oliver Bierhoff Rudi Vola now you have like these half nines so much work it is a team it is a team that's experiencing a transition in how they play football an identity crisis but I think they still have too much quality Netherlands-Morocco that's an interesting one I think Morocco is going to take it I think Morocco have enough individual they are struggling to score goals their only outlet is Ismail Saibari who funnily enough plays for PSV he might be moving to Bayern Munich, but he plays for PSV in Holland. So that might be an advantage.

53:47Yeah, yeah, yeah. I don't know, man. I disagree with you there. I think the Netherlands is going to take it. I think the Netherlands have been very shaky all through. Yeah, but the Netherlands, when it gets to knockout games, they are giant killers and they kill big teams. The only time they lost in Qatar was when Messi robbed them. Messi did that handball. You know that was a handball, Joe. Yes, it was a handball. Okay, thank you. That's all I needed. All right, moving on. Next round of games. Let's go through them quick. Cote d 'Ivoire, Norway. Norway Norway has too much France Sweden both off the bench yeah on and off the bench France Sweden France Sweden come on that's easy France Mexico Ecuador this is a tough one that's a tough one because Mexico is playing I'll only chime in when I disagree by the way so I agree with all of these so far they haven't lost a game of Dazteca but the one advantage they have a Dazteca which is it's a high altitude ground Ecuador comes from Quito for them that's all they know so their advantage of playing because you need Ox at high altitude Ecuador is good with that Iqueda struggles with goals as well.

54:43They have a great defense, but Ana Valencia is leading their line. I think Iqueda is going to shed it. I think Iqueda is going to shed it. They're going to win it? Yes, I think they're going to shed it. I think they're going to progress. I think Mexico is going to beat them just because the home ground is too much on the side. Mexico also has a curse. They never make it past the first knockout phase. This is where we break curses. They've also never won their first game, remember? Yeah, you're right. So this is the year of breaking curses. Arsenal, the Knicks. I think Iqueda is going through one, yes.

55:09Okay. England, DR Congo. I think England will have. England always makes heavy with progressing like they did against. But I think England will have a little bit too much quality. Even without a right back? Yes. They'll have too much quality. If I was Congo, I'm just pressing that left side. Yeah, but then Congo also has Iron 1 Bissaka this side. So England will also be concentrating on that side. I think England will have a little bit of that. Yeah, but I'm saying I think England is in trouble. I think England is that, what's that, in Karate Kid. You know when like the leg is when Ralph Macchio has the I think they're limping through the rest of this tournament I think they struggle against the low block and Diaracongo are going to play and by the Diaracongo used the low block to frustrate Portugal and Ronaldo so I think England will struggle but they will shed it they have enough quality to shed it Belgium-Senegal Belgium-Senegal that's a tough one that can go either way I think Belgium is going to win I think Belgium are slowly slowly gaining momentum I think you're wrong Senegal's winning I say Senegal's winning I think Senegal's scoring more and I think they look confident.

56:10USA, Bosnia? I say USA is winning. I think Bosnia is going to surprise the US. Really? I think Bosnia is going to surprise the US. Do you remember? Bosnia, people forget. Bosnia is a team that dumped Italy out. People forget that. They had a shaky start to the World Cup. Italy was playing trash. Yes. Yeah, but Italy is playing trash. USA is not playing like Italy, bro. I never thought I'd say that phrase. Yes, you're right. My mouth even now was like... It almost protested. Yes. But it's true. USA is not playing like... Italy was not playing Okay, let's go. Spain, Austria. I think Spain easily.

56:40Okay. Portugal, Croatia. That can be tough. That can be surprisingly tough, actually. That's going to be tough. Because Portugal hasn't shown me they can beat Croatia. No, that's going to be tough. But whatever happens, a legend is going back home. Modric on one hand, Cristiano Ronaldo on the other. I think, I think Cristiano Ronaldo has never scored a goal in a knockout stage. I think Portugal is going to win. And if that continues, Croatia is going to win it. I think Portugal is going to win. And I think they'll bring somebody on like Leao. I think Leal is going to be their star and he's going to make it happen.

57:09Switzerland, Algeria. Ronaldo is going to play 90 minutes. Switzerland, Algeria. Switzerland will have too much quality for... Those Algerian boys look fire on the wing. They have that boy Mazambi. No, Mazambi is fantastic. I'm rooting for Switzerland, but Algeria is looking strong. They have Saka, controlling things in the middle. All right. Two more, two more. Australia, Egypt. I want Egypt to go through. I think Egypt. I want more Salah, yeah. Argentina, Cape Verde. Oh, come on. Wow, Cape Verde, you're that confident. The thing is, I kept... I really tipped Kevvat, but I can't see. Colombia, Ghana.

57:39Colombia, Ghana, Colombia. Colombia showed so much quality in that game against Portugal. All right. All right, that's all we have for now, man. It's going to be exciting. Oof. We're just... I think we've got around maybe 30 more games to go. Yeah, this is it now. Man, time does rush when you're having fun. Because I wish there were actually 90 more games. I'm having so much fun. I'm having so much fun with the live stream. Well, with the hydration breaks, we're getting extra time, so we're good. We're getting extra time at the World Cup. No, but now we're in the business end. Win or go home. How do they say American Idol?

58:11Go big, go. Or go home. Go home. So there's going to be lots more heartbreak for people who are just starting to get into the game. What you saw with South Africa today is just going to keep happening and happening and happening. But I'm proud of my boys. We did it, man. No. Because this is what I keep saying. Only one team wins the World Cup. But every nation has an opportunity to make their country proud. Make your country proud. The final did make it proud. Yeah, man. Make your country proud. you lose it's respectable whatever don't lose badly play well do your thing walk with your head held high make sure that when your coach goes back home he's not blurred yeah just don't get your coach don't get your coach blurred yes that's the only job that's all it is that's all it is alright man this was fun I'll see you next week yeah this was a pleasure thank you again so much to the sponsor of today's episode Mazda Mazda delivers confidence and control in every single drive and Consumer Reports' Safest New Car Brand Award proves it.

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59:59What Now World Cup bonus episodes are produced by Day Zero Productions in partnership with Sirius XM. Executive produced by Trevor Noah, Sanaz Yamin, Ryan Harduth and Rebecca Shane. Music, mixing and mastering by Hannes Brown. Thank you so much for listening. Join us every Monday during the World Cup for bonus episodes of What Now with Trevor Noah.

1:00:29Thank you.