Are We Live? Episode 51

WORLD CUP SEMI FINALS

Song: Podcast By Snail Music (Loop)
Author: ‪@SnailMusicES‬

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Or we lied? No, no, no, yes. Yes, yes, yes. We lied. Yes. Okay, so I ain't gonna cover you with this punk. Yo, we back. I've been needing to pod on the World Cup for a minute, but it was like hard to find a spot to just jump in and talk about the games and like what topics to talk about and all that stuff. But you know, this this gap between the semifinals and the final feels like the perfect time to really dig into some games and the nitty-gritty and whatnot. Um, of course, the uh NBA having all those bombs with all the trades and signings, mostly trades, not really signings to be honest, did help, but uh, and of course you still got LeBron Decision Part 3, or whatever you want to call it at this point to come, but uh let's just start with the game semi-finals. The game from Wednesday, we'll start with their first a vintage rivalry between Argentina and England. Um, and this is like a real rivalry. Like, I'm pretty sure during the anthems for uh both countries, both sets of fans were some sort of booing or singing or whatever you want to call it during the anthem. Um, I'm like 30 seconds into the game, Leandro Perez just bumped Jude Bellingham on the ground, like it just doesn't hit the tone. Um, and honestly, yeah, and you know, Jude and the English players kind of you know gave it back a little bit, not as much, but a little bit. Um and honestly, I love that shit to be honest with you. I love a real hatred in sports, is always good to me. Um, but let's get into the game, let's get into the details of the game. Now let's start starting 11s with both teams. I would say both managers made pretty big calls with some of their choices in the in the 11. I mean for Argentina less so. I mean he because it was largely the same team from Scaloni, but he went with Gio Leano um Simeone over Rodrigo DePa. Um first of all, just hilarious mind games to start the son of Diego Semyone against England in a uh World Cup knockout match. Um almost 20 years from David Beckham getting sent off uh for kicking out at uh Diego Semyoni in the uh World Cup in '98. I I believe that was in the quarterfinals, maybe 916, I don't remember. But yeah, first of all, just hilarious that his son was starting against England um as his first like meaningful minute at the tournament, really. Um I felt like Rodrigo De Paul being dropped was probably harsh based on his performances in the previous games, but I understood the logic from Scaloni because Argentina needed some sort of runner in the team to like, you know, for someone to messy to you know try and create for in behind the defenders and also to run back defensively to provide cover for wingers and whatnot. So um I thought it made sense for Scaloni to to go with that, even though I felt like Simeone himself was quite ineffective as a dribbler. I mean, Jed Spence was yawning at him when he was whenever he was trying to go at him, but um, I understood the logic. Now for England, there was more bolder calls, I would say. Um brought in Reese James and uh Jed Spence as the fullbacks, um, and he started Morgan Rogers on the right uh as a right winger in place of I mean in place of Maidaveke technically, but really realistically that's you know Saka's position as a team. Now for the fullbacks, Reese James, Jeff Spence is very explainable. Reese James is their best choice at right back, and at left back, Jeff Spence has been amazing defensively and even in an attacking sense, he's been a threat, you know, as a runner at least. Um so yeah, that to me was pretty self-explanatory. But the more controversial, or if you want to say confusing, choice from Tuco was to start Morgan Rogers on the right, you know, as a traditional touchline right winger, right? Now, how I interpreted this choice was he didn't feel like Bukayo Saka could play 90 minutes. Um, and remember, I thought Bakayo Saka was quite good against Norway off the bench when he came on at halftime, and against Mexico, he provided a quality assist for the first goal. Um, obviously, fully Bukayo Saka is clearly England's best wide option, either side, right or left. So I think I don't think Tuco is that insane to think Morgan, you know, he's not good enough to start. I think that's clearly a fitness issue for Bokayo Saka to play 90 minutes. Um, so I believe he didn't think Saka could play 90 minutes, and after the Norway performance, he was like, I'm not trying to play Madawake under any circumstances. So me starting Morgan Rogers is just an avenue just to get to buy time for Bokayo Saka to be subbed on. At least that's how I interpreted it. Now, Morgan Rogers ended up being quite decisive in the first goal, especially. But in my opinion, I would have started with if you're deciding someone has to play at right wing until Bok Saka's fit to come fit enough to play the rest of the game, I would have gone with Rashford on the right wing. Now I know Rashford hasn't been anything special in these games. I don't think he's been as bad as people are saying, to be honest with you. But if you want someone to stay in the touchline and provide crosses to Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, I think Rashford is more suited to that role, you know, typically speaking. Now, we'll get into it later, but Rogers ended up, you know, to some degree paying off Tuco's bowl choice with his um assist for the first goal, but I still feel like you could have gotten more from that position across his time on the pitch. But anyway, that's it for the uh starting level. Let's get into the nitty-gritty of the actual game itself. Now, the first half of this game was more so WWE Royal Rumble than it was a footballing exhibition. I mean, like I said, uh Paredes off the jump, nearly off the kickoff, clearly intentionally just bumped Judybelli into the ground. Um and shortly after that, Enzo Fernandez whacked Eli Anderson in the back for the head. Um, I think that was like a clear intention, a clear message from the Argentine time team that they were trying to rattle up the English team and trying to you know up their you know their frustrations or whatever you want to call it to make them lash out or you know play with too much emotion, however you want to describe it. That was clearly an intentional tactic from the Argentines to come out the game like that. Um and really from a chance perspective, from a you know goal threat perspective, there was basically nothing of note um in the first half from either team. Uh Jed Spence, he had some threatening dribbles uh down the left wing, and I was like, who is this guy? This can't be the same guy I've been watching um at Tottenham, but um he was probably the most threatening player for England in the first half. But ultimately his dribbles didn't really go anywhere. England didn't create much. Um Argentina didn't create much either. I thought as the half started to go along, I felt like Argentina became more comfortable in possession and started to like you know pass the ball around a bit more cohesively and um started to build more and build out the back better. Um but ultimately there was not much threat. There was like a long shot from Enzo Fernandez, which you know comes somewhat close. But in terms of actual chances, um there was nothing I would say in that game, but it felt like a big game where both teams are kind of scared to mess up, you know what I mean? Um, so second half starts, um, and I was very shocked that at halftime Sokka did not come on for Rodgers um to come on that right wing. Because in the first half at least, Rogers was completely ineffective on the right. You mean and I don't even mean to like blame him or single him out because he's just not that's just not his game to play on the right, um, like that. Um and he was largely ineffective until he provided that quality cross uh for Anthony Gordon's goal. So it's it's hard to say. Like, is Tugel justified in his decision to start Rogers on the right? I guess he kind of is, right? Um, yeah, so the quality cross, Anthony Gordon anticipates, he gets in front of Molina at the right back, which was really really horrendous defending him, I might add. Um, and it's 1-0. Um it's 1-0 England in a game that's been pretty even, I would say. I would say Argentina was a smidge better, but not in a meaningful way. Um, yeah, and they're up 1-0. And now, I mean, everybody knows now how the match went and how Tuco Cowley approached the rest of the game. But to me, the defining moment in that match, which led to how the game played out, if if that makes sense, was the moment where England are up 1-0 and they're attacking, they lose the ball, and I think Messi plays in Simeone, he's through on goal one-on-one, basically. He has some you know, some loose touches, not the best touches, and on top of that, Jess Spence makes a incredible recovery to block the to block any chance. Um, and it remains 1-0, but I think in that moment, Tuco saw his team and was like, Man, I don't really trust this team to hold on and keep playing on the front foot, or to try to play on the front foot and hold on and not give up many chances. Um, and I think that that moment kind of scared him. Um, and even after the match, he's kind of said like he didn't believe in his team to play out to play. He said, like, we don't have the but you don't have the DNA of these other teams to keep the ball and progress with the ball. I'm like, wow, okay, that's damning. Um maybe you should have played some players that can do that, but that's a different story. Um and yeah, we know what happened. He subbed on Consa for Gordon at the 70th minute mark. He subbed on uh Nico O'Reilly and uh Dan Byrne, and what else did he sub on into the back? I think that's about it, right? Yeah. Um and uh yeah, they still conceded twice. Messi takeover, they bombarded with crosses, um, and yeah, Argentina advanced uh through a header from Lataro Martinez and through a long shot from Enzo Fernandez, who had been getting closer with his you know shots of the box. Um yeah, now we gotta talk about the individuals that are responsible for this game, man. Let's talk about some people. Um, and first and foremost, to me, Tomos Tuchel is the biggest name to highlight from an English perspective. You know, it's one thing to try and hold on to a one-nil lead. Like you're in the world of a semi-final, right? In your mind, 30 minutes of defending, and we go to the final, I can understand the need the the idea the belief to be a bit, you know, defensive, but to completely forfeit any sort of attacking intent is just you know, it's just self-sabotage, in my opinion. Like, do you really believe you could let Leno Messi have constant possession for like what 30, 35, 40 minutes, and he's not gonna break through once? Um, and the bizarre point is he was watching Argentina. It's not like Argentina couldn't create chances, they were getting closer and closer, you know, and it's just hilarious to watch him. He's watching Argentina create big chances that you know, Pickford's making a save, uh McAllister had a header off the post. Um, there are these other instances where they're just a little bit off and not getting not quite the passover top is coming through. And his response to that was just sub on more defenders, sub on Ezri Constance, Sub on Nico O'Reilly, Subon, Dan Byrne. And the funny part is they conceded a header to a what 5'9 Lataro Martinez. Um, and the ultimate irony for Thomas Tuco at this World Cup is that when they concede the second goal to go down 2-1, and they were in desperation to score a goal to even end up and to you know force extra time. The ultimate irony, and if you're a if you're a fan of football, I believe you should be you should be, you know, you should be happy, almost happy at this outcome. That when they needed some form of creativity or crossing or whatever you want to call it, it was Ezri Consa in a right back position, launching in some of the worst crosses you'll ever see to try and save England with Trent Alexander Arnold on his couch watching the game back home. I don't know where he is, at Liverpool, Madrid, wherever. Um, just an incredible irony, and in a way, I'm happy that Tuco went out like that because I mean, how on earth do you think to first of all to name your squad to not include Trent Elson Arnold is crazy? Then for Livermento to be injured, to have a second chance to bring Trent Elsen Arnold into your squad and to still to bring Did he pick uh Cheruchaloba at that point? I mean, what the what? What? Um, yeah, and there's just so much things to talk about. I mean, like, how did Bukayo Saka not play a single second in that game? Like, I'm just I just did is there some injury we're not aware of? Like, to me, if you're holding on a 1-0 lead, Bukayo Saka is the perfect player for England to bring on in that situation because first of all, he's a threat in but as an outlet, you know, as a dribbler, as someone who can he's not the fastest player in the world, but he's a threat on the counter, he's a great decision maker with the ball, and most of all, when it comes to holding up the ball as a winger, he's up there as you know, the best in the world. Like, if you launch the if the keeper was to launch the ball at him, um, you know, and to hold the ball off at Taglia Fico or Alissandra Martinez or whoever, I back him in those situations. Like, you know, in contrast, Harry Kane was giving them absolutely nothing in in in terms of you know winning a foul here and there, or whatever you want to call it. Um, so to for Bukayo Saka to not get a single, and also on top of that, he's a very resolute in in hard worker in terms of you know tracking back and marking, doubling up on the opposing team's winger. Like he's a he's a player you want in a defense situation anyway. Um, so that was utterly bizarre. Um, and in general, I thought like I thought he was Tomosuko had a poor World Cup from the start. Like, I just don't think England was impressive in any game outside the first match against Croatia. Like, at no point in these in these games do they look like okay, this is a top team that you know has a chance to go on to win the World Cup, you know. I look at Spain, I think they had those moments. You know, we'll get into them a little bit later. France obviously had those moments. To me, Argentina in the knockouts, they they were, I mean, they've been living on a thread, but in the group stage, they were comfortable, they were very comfortable, and you can say the teams they played weren't that great, but they handled Algeria, they handled Austria, and of course they handled Jordan. Um, England, they couldn't break down Ghana for over 90 minutes. Um, even against Panama, they were not convincing in that game at all, I would say. Um, so yeah, I just don't think he was very good at this World Cup, especially considering his his status as a top-level coach and a tactician and all that. I don't think he did enough to you know back up his reputation. I thought his team selection was way too rigid in terms of picking the players for the squad. Like, to me, he had an idea for how his team was gonna play at the World Cup, and he only picked players for that. Like, he was only gonna pick touchline wingers to provide crosses. So he felt like Cole Palmer, I don't need you, Phil Foden. I need you. Um, you know, he was only gonna play Declan Rice and Jude Bellinger in midfield. So Morgan Gibbs White, I don't need you, Adam Warden. I don't need you, Alex Scott, I don't need you. You know, guys that can provide something a little different for different games. He just, I mean, Kobe Mayor was in the squad and he was completely ignored. Um so yeah, I I think he did a poor job. If it were up to me, I would sack him. His comments after the game about DNA and not having not being able to, you know, as a nation, they don't provide they don't have players that are you know that are confident on the ball to keep possession. I'm like, that's a totally outdated thinking. And this thing with English managers that not English managers but the England national team coaches just not playing the midfielders that keep the ball. It's just I mean, they're just they keep making the same mistakes, you know, across how many managers they keep doing the same thing, and they don't they don't want to learn, you know. So yeah, Thomas Tuco, I I think you should be gone. I think they're gonna keep him for the Euros, probably. But um, yeah, horrid, horrid showing for them. Um now I want to make it clear, right? Like I said, Thomas Tuchel is 100% the biggest culprit when I talk about um England's failure at this World Cup. Um when you sabotage your team so blatantly, it's hard for me to put too much blame on individual player players, but there are some players we absolutely need to talk about. Now, Sir Harold Harold Kane, as uh Thierry Henry as not how we're calling him after the Congo match, was simply not good enough, you know, simply not good enough for someone who is considered one of the best, I don't know what, four, five, six best players on the planet. Um, I'm not gonna do any legacy talk with Harry Kane because that just doesn't interest me, right? Like, um, and and that discussion requires a lot of nuance throughout his career and whatnot. But what he put up in that game was simply not good enough. And to me, the most damning thing was the fact that both Argentina center backs, Lessandro Martinez and uh Christian Romero, were on yellow cards for large parts of that match. You know, I believe Lessandro was subbed off very, very late on for Ottamendi. Romero played the whole match, um, and the fact they were on yellow cards for long periods of that match, and mind you, these are two center backs that are known to be a bit rash, you know, and known to get sent off here and there, um, or get bookings here and there at least. Um, the fact he posed them, I mean, I'm trying to think of he posing them any threat throughout the whole match, it's just not good enough. Like, win some fouls, you know, you know, occupy the center back, a little physicality here and there, something, nothing. You can't do nothing the whole 900 minutes. Um, and to be fair to him, I thought Tuku should have probably subbed him off when they just sat back in a 5-4-1. Like, what is Harry Kane gonna give you in a 5-4-1 when you're just punting the ball out for to release pressure? He's not gonna give you anything. Like, you should have brought on an Ali Watkins or maybe a Rashford or you know, whoever in that situation instead. Um, but yeah, I mean, the most annoying thing with Kane is this whole dropping deep to be a playmaker gimmick. It's like, bro, okay, if you're gonna drop deep this far deep, like in your own box deep to pick up the ball and do stuff, like you better be, you know, amazing on the ball to create some things, right? He's not he's not creating anything. Did he create any like chances with him dropping deep in this tournament? Like, I can't even I think in the Croatia game, he was fantastic. I thought, and maybe he did then, but like for the rest of these games, I don't remember any incisive passing or some amazing link up player or none of that. So this idea that he's dropping deep as a playmaker, you're not creating anything. Like, you know, when when uh Karen Benzema was someone who liked to drop deep, not this deep, by the way. He was never like in his own penalty box to pick up the ball type deep, but he was doing to combine with players to open up the defense to destabilize the low block. He was not dropping that deep just to you know launch the ball diagonal to the opposing winger. Like, man, it's just it's just honestly, it's like however good Kane is, and he is. Great, don't get me wrong. I'm it's just painful to watch him play like this, to be honest with you. I just a very unenjoyable game as a as a spectator at this point in his career. Um, and like I said, I want to avoid legacy talk with him, but I mean his his big game resume as an England player in these knockout matches is very, very shaky. And anyone pointing that out isn't wrong. Like, you know, to me, Harry Kane is still an all-timer, he's one of the best, I don't know, 10 strikers I've ever seen. But when we're talking about the highest level, the highest level, we're gonna be nitpicking, and those are things you can nitpick at him with. It's it's just it is it is what it is. Um now the last part of the England failure puzzle falls on two players that I felt like are kind of you know, kind of avoiding, you know, any type of real nah, okay. That's not that's not fair. Every player has found uh come under some level of criticism. But to me, I think Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, while being two players that are undoubtedly very good, and in Drew Bellingham's case, I would say is world-class, they have deficiencies in their game that can hamper a team, and to me, it's not pointed out enough. Now, Ellie Anderson in this tournament was pretty disappointing, I would say, coming off an amazing Premier League season. Um, I would say in that game against Argentina, I mean he was about, he was going, he was he was trying to do a lot, but I feel like I don't know, I just feel like he was in control at any point in this tournament. Um but as I think about it, I kind of sympathize with him because he was left to do a lot of that that midfield job by himself a lot of the time. Now, when you look at the other two World Cup finalists, right? Argentina and Spain, I mean, how many times do you see their midfielders along with you know Messi, who's playing as number 10 mostly in this tournament, combine short passes, you know, pop, pop, pop, pop the ball around a bit, like um in the middle of the park to keep possession, to slow the game down, all that stuff, especially Spain against France. I mean, they were almost trolling France at times with how they were keeping the ball. Um, but you know, they uh Spain, especially, I mean, they have really controlled basically every game they've played in, and as a result, nobody can really score on them because they can't get the ball for sustained periods. And I think in that in that France game, you saw them get demoralized, and it's hard to lash out with some fouls and all that. And there's a there's a value in key, you know, slowing the game down and keeping the ball in the midfield area and you know, popping the ball around between your midfield. And like, do you recall any time where that happened with the English team? Do you see any combination play between their midfielders? Like everything was so direct, like so has to be a long ball over the top to you know a winger or a fullback, has to be a ball launched at Harry Kane to bring down, or you know, in the last minute of the game, they're launching the ball at Dan Byrne as their furthest player forward. It's like where's the finesse? Where's the composure in the play? Like, you know, and like I said, Elliot Anderson is a brilliant long-range passer between the lawn, he's a great long-range passer, but he's always looking for those passes. He needed somewhere, someone to sit in that, you know, that first phase with him, you know, bounce the ball a bit around, you know, the middle of the park. Someone to slow the game down and just pop it around for some time, you know. Just and that can that can be that can be very beneficial to a team. Now, and I think Declan Rice just avoids that type of responsibility in his game. And you can see it in the heat maps, average position, he's like way further up the pitch than than uh Elie Anderson, and just leads to way just lack of cohesion in that midfield, you know. Um, and I think Jude Bellingham, like, don't get me wrong, Jude Bellingham has done a lot to carry England in this tournament. And without his X Factor in the final third, they would have gone home a long time ago. But to me, a midfielder's job, first and foremost, getting on the ball and bossing a game. You know, like my field, my fielder, my midfielder can't rely on moments to at least for me personally. I don't want my midfielder just relying on moments in you know to be their major sense of impact on the game, you know. You know, as a second striker, Drew Bellingham, elite, world class, you know, top not. I can't praise him enough in that regard, you know, but as a complete midfielder, he leaves a lot to be desired, in my my opinion. Um, and in games he doesn't score, that becomes more apparent. Um, and yeah, I know people will say as a United fan, I'm biased. I felt like Kabi Mainu could have provided that in midfield. I thought maybe uh you know he's not in the team, but like uh Annan Wharton can provide some of that, you know. He's more of a long-range passer, too, but he could have provided some level of more, a little more technique in the midfield, and Alex Scott can maybe provide you know a bit of that, you know, someone to you know to put the foot on the ball in the middle of the park was lacking, and I think they had opportunities to play people there and just kind of refused. I mean, the fact that Jordan Henderson played midfield ahead of Kobe Mainu, Haris James played midfield ahead of Kobe Mainu, Nico O'Reilly played in midfield over like nobody can act like that makes any sense. Like, I know people don't want to act like Kobe Mainu is not even that good, yada yada. Come on now. Let's not act like he can't play midfield. Are we still doing this in 2026? Um yeah, anyway, now that we got the negative stuff out the way with England, it's time to appreciate the greatness, the true greatness of Lionel Andres Messi. I mean, what he's doing at this World Cup, it defies it defies any type of precedent that we've seen in the sport. Like, he's 39 years old, he's 39 years old, man. And I think something that put it the whole thing in perspective is I think I saw someone say that at the 2018 World Cup, Ronaldinho was only 37. Now think in your mind in your mind, the concept of Ronaldinho playing against Mbappe, right? That feels like two completely whole different um, you know, eras of football. And the fact that Messi at 39 is still the best player at the World Cup, I think you'd have to say he is, right? It's just, I mean, it's not it defies all logic, it defies all expectations you have for a um footballer. Like what I saw him do in the Egypt game and in the England game is is inexplicable. Or why am I seeing a 30-year-old 39-year-old Messi run past athletic players in their physical prime? Why am I like you know, like an LA Anderson and uh Anthony Gordon? Why am I seeing Leno Messi at 39 years old body Harry Kane in the middle of the pitch, like bounce off him like he's like he's a like a brick wall, like like to me it it kind of spooked me out in the Egypt game when he wasn't really playing well when they were down 2-0, he was not, but in those last 20 minutes, he just somehow found a way to wind the clock and dig dig deep and provided the quality to win that match. I mean, I mean that moment where he just went on the right wing for the last 20 minutes or so, um, in the Egypt game, I mean, and just ran it back to 2014 where he's a you know a nightmare on the wing dribbling past players. I was like, whoa, what's wrong with this guy? This guy's not real, like, how is he doing this? He's nearly 40, like really think about he's nearly 40. When have we seen a player do this? Like, the only time I can think of a player near 40 playing at a high level was like you know, Paul Scholes or Ryan Giggs. But when Ryan Giggs was 40, he couldn't run like that anymore. He went to play midfield, and you know, he was you know mostly you know composed, you know, playmaker and all that. You know, Messi is still during past players. I think I saw a stack, he had nine dribbles in the game against England. How is this possible? I mean, yeah, it's just I mean, in both these games, they needed him to be the guy to provide the spark in the in the final third, and he delivered. I mean, and it's kind of the crazy thing is you could see him in both of those games, the England game, in the in the Egypt game, you could see him growing, getting warmer and warmer, and get more creating more chances, you know, be more decisive, more, more, you give dual plastic players a little more, and it's just like, bro, how are you how are you getting stronger as the game goes on, as everyone else tires? Um and you know, the one thing if you see in there was this there was this graphic on Twitter of the England players' average position after the Anthony Gordon goal up until the Sandro Martinez um second goal to put Argentina up 2-1. Um, and there's four players from England on the right-hand side Jed Spence, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon, and uh Elliot Anderson. And that was to account for Messi, who who liked the Egypt game, drifted out to the right-hand side. Um, and the fact that there are four players kind of you know accounting for his threat, that's why every time he crossed the ball, it felt like Argentina had a spare man in the box. Because half the team is outside accommodating for Messi. Um, yeah, and then those cross. I mean, first of all, those crosses were pinpoint, you know, just crazy quality on those crosses, and on top of that, there was you know more space for on the left-hand side to pitch because of the impact Messi had in drawing defenders to the right-hand side. Um, no matter how many defenders Thomas Tuco kept throwing out there. Um, and that led to the first goal, also. I mean, you know, that's an assist for Messi. It's not like he's doing anything crazy, he's just he pops up on the right-hand side off a short corner. Jeff Spence is on him, but if you're England, you're scared of him one-on-one with anyone, even though Jeff Spence is a bit incredible. Ellie Anderson rushes over to double up. Um, and Enzo Fernandes is free top of the box, and he gets a clear shot of goal. It's 1-1. Um, yeah, I mean, it's crazy to think that he's possibly having a better World Cup in 2026 at 39 years old than he is at 2022. I mean, his overall play and dribbling and all that and his athleticism is much worse than 2022 for sure. But I mean, he's so decisive right now. It just feels like he's like in the England game, he's created when they went down 1-0, you're just creating chance after chance, opening after opening. It's just like, whoa man, this guy's quality is just unreal. Um, and that's not even him as a goal scorer, it's purely him as a playmaker, as a connector. I mean, he's just not real. That's the only thing I can say. This guy is just not real. Um, you know, and all that talk about him not being he can't be the best player ever because he never did at the World Cup like that. I mean, he just keeps throwing more egg on the face of everybody that doubted his his status as the best player of all time. And if he wins back-to-back World Cups, you know, at the to end his career, I mean, wow, wow, that's all I can say is wow. Um all right, on to the other semi-final, France vs. Spain. Um, there's a little bit less to talk about in this game from like a detail standpoint, but let's dig in. Let's dig in. Now, like the first game, let's start with the starting 11 from both teams. Um for Spain, it was the exact same 11 they've been running in the knockouts. Luis de la Fente already made the big call to bench Pedri for Daniel Mo. Um for France, there was a bit more controversy, I guess you could say, not really, but just a decision for DeSams to make in that it's seemingly Schuameni was back fit and healthy enough to play, and he had to make a call. Am I gonna start Chuameni or am I gonna start Manukone? Who had been, I think, by all accounts, I think everyone would agree, very good in his replacement in the uh Paraguay and especially the Morocco games, I would say. Um now, logically, from a logical standpoint, I do believe, if you believe Chuameni is the better player than Manukone, I understand why you would go back to him despite Kone playing well. Because I think trusting your better players as a manager is the right decision to make. Now, the only issue is I believe Deschams is wrong in the assessment that Schuameni is a better player than Manukone. Uh but anyway, um, and the other decision he had to make was he started Barcola over Dewey on the left, which to me was the right call. Like, I know Due had a massive impact off the bench in the Paraguay game. Um, but generally speaking, I thought Barcola has been better in this tournament, and his profile, you know, on that left-hand side is a better fit than with you know with the other three main attackers. So I think that was the right call. Um, and if anything, I think he was a bit harsh to sub off Barcola so early in this game. Um now let's get into the game itself. Um Spain from start to finish largely bossed this game, and France did not really stress them or worry them seriously. Now, I know coming into the match, the consensus was that France is a steam train that nobody can stop, and the Spanish had been a bit more unconvincing in their path to the semi-final, and I think that's somewhat fair, but lacking some context and some detail. Now, in all the games that Spain have played, they've largely dominated and controlled and with a superior team. Um, you know, we were still waiting for their vintage La Miña mall performance and for the Spanish to look, you know, as dynamic as in the attack as the French have. But I think while the French have looked have looked largely dominant in their uh run to the semifinal, they did have holes in their team that to me was you know the Spanish were kind of perfectly suited to exploit. Now, I think the most obvious hole to point at is in midfield. Um in comparison to Spain, Arabio Schwimmeny pivot is just nowhere near good on the nowhere near as good as Spain on the ball. You know, Rodri, Olmo, Fabio Henries, um, and in general, uh in possession, yeah, Spain are just a much better team, even uh if we look at the fullbacks, uh, to be fair, on the center backs, U Makano and Saliber are very good on the ball, elite on the ball, I would say. So um, yeah, the the difference in midfield to me on the ball is a big difference. The quality of the fullbacks, I would say, um, is a big difference. Um, Kunde, while being quite good defensively, you don't really every time he gets the ball in the final third, you're like, I wish this was someone else, you know. And Luca Dean, I mean, he's 32 and he's going up against a La Mignon mall, and he just couldn't keep up with him. And to be fair, um To be fair, Barcola did a really good job, I thought, of doubling up and recovering to help out on Lamin whenever he got past Dinia or Dean, but it was still quite clearly an issue for the French team. Um, having said all that, the Spanish dominating the midfield battle was something that I expected, I think most people expected. But the Spanish complete, not the fine the French attack was shocking to me. You know, and I assume the drawback of Spain dominating possession would be the French attack having a lot of joy in uh transition, but you have to give the the Spain back for a lot of credit. I mean Laporte with and Kubarsi were excellent. Um Cucarele and Porro dominated their matchups on the wing. Uh, I thought Dembele and Luce were completely stifled. Um I thought Mbappe was a non-factor. He was really just no not much of a not much threat, I would say. Um and one key thing that I think needs to be talked about is that one of the reasons France weren't really able to feast in transition like that is that Unoy Saman was brilliant coming off his line. Like the number of times he sniffed out a ball over the top uh was crucial, my in my opinion. Um he looked like uh Manuel Neuer versus Algeria at the uh was it 2014 World Cup? Yeah, I mean he was incredible in the in that game, in my opinion. Um and of course the Calibre injury in the first half come out, you know, made things worse for France, I'm sure. But do I think that was gonna help them score? I mean, I doubt it. I mean, um the second goal that Pedro Poro scores, if Talib is on the pitch, does that happen? Maybe not, but to me the game would just would have just ended at 1-0 instead of 2-0. Um in the first half, France had some spells of possession, especially after the Spain went out 1-0. But um, in the second half, it was an exhibition from Spain. I mean, they were just toying with France, keeping the ball. Um, and I felt like the Spanish team were more interested in demoralizing the French players than scoring another goal, especially at 2-0. They were just like, Yeah, we could maybe score a third and a fourth, but we're just gonna keep the ball, we're gonna pass the ball around. Um, I think Lamin was played an intelligent game of not trying to do too much while still being a threat to dribble past um his fullback at all times. Nico Williams came on and I think kind of played the same way. Like there were times when I'm looking at him like, alright, take on the fullback, and he's like, you know what? No, I'm just gonna pass it back and we're gonna keep the ball. So it was a very methodical, very demoralizing performance from the Spaniards. Um, and even when France had the ball in the final third, they were kind of aimlessly crossing the ball to no one in particular in the box. Um, so yeah, in the end, it became a very comfortable win for uh the Spanish, which even if I thought, I did think coming into the match it would be a very tight game. I didn't think it would be that comfortable for Spain from a defensive standpoint. Um, I mean I can't really think of any real chance that the French had. I mean, there was that one half chance that Belle had at the end of the game where he cut in and shot straight at Simon. But other than that, it was largely nothing. Um now let's talk about some individuals. Um Guy Deschamps. You know, on the day of the game, on the I just thought uh Spain, France were just overmatched and they had a bad day at the office. I don't think you can blame Dechamps too much, you know, aside his decision to start Shui Meni. I thought people acting like he bottled it was a bit over dramatic. But the more I think about it, the more I think he got the game just totally spot off. Um, and I think he should have considered some more drastic changes to his lineup coming into this game against Spain. Now, I know Ulise as a 10 was amazing at this tournament, especially in the early on up until the Sweden match. But I think he maybe should have considered adding another body in midfield and letting Ulisse play in the front three just to give them some more element of control or more protection, however you want to frame it. But um Yeah, I thought I thought Azary Emory should have maybe played from the start in this game. Manu Kone should have been there from the start. Um, maybe you should have started you know Rabio, Kone, and Azary Emory with Mbappe, Olise, and Dembele in the front three. Maybe that would have helped them get a foot a foot on the ball more. Um I thought in the second half when they had a bit of spell at the end of the game, I thought he should have brought on a Marcus Duram or a uh John-Philippe Meteta to have some sort of physical presence on the center backs, you know, some to have someone to aim for in the box for crosses because you know, as good as Mbappe is, he is not a traditional striker where he's a fox in the box, you know, when the ball is being crossed. He likes to drop deep and drift and all these things, and he's incredible about that, don't get me wrong. But in this game, I think he need they needed to be another presence in the box for you know the French players to aim for. Um, and I felt like Deschamps kind of just you know gave up and accepted defeat as I think about it, you know. Like he tried his his uh typical due for Barcola sub, he uh subbed off Ulisse for Cherky, which didn't make too much impact. I mean he played the one ball over top to uh Mbappe, which led to that due-way shot, which I mean due should have probably scored there to be fair. But um, yeah, I feel like he didn't try enough, you know. In comparison, you think of um Scaloni, what he tried against England. He subbed off a defender for an attacker, another midfielder for a striker. He went all out, he went guns blazing to try and you know score a goal. And I feel like the champs was kind of tepid in that regard. Um, so yeah, DeChamps. I mean, he's now leaving as the French manager for Zedan to take over. He left as a World Cup winner. I think some people saying that only one World Cup in his tenure is disappointing. I think that's kind of harsh, to be honest with you. Like, you lose a Euro final in extra time and you lose a World Cup final on penalties, like this is the finest margins, man. Um, and that's not even me. I'm not even a fan of DeShamps as a coach like that, but winning one World Cup that's a massive success. I don't care what anyone says, you know what I mean. Um, yeah, so DeShamps poor. Mbappe, I mean, I I rate Mbappé too highly as a player to act like their performance was good enough, you know, and it's really one of the few times I can remember Mbappé actually ghosting in a game where like I didn't feel his threat in the match at all. Um, and it felt like you know, if you've watched any of the uh not any, but if you watch one of the El Clasico matches between Barça and Madrid um when when Hansi Flick was has been the manager, it felt like one of those games where Mbappe was just caught offside over and over again, just like, bro, come on. This is too is too basic for you to mess up like that. Um yeah, and like I said, I thought in a game like this where he could play on the counter, you would think his pace behind would be a massive threat in this game, and it just it just wasn't really to be honest. Um, and you have to give credit to Spain for that. And like I said, Una Salman was quick off his line, the defenders were very organized with their high line. Um, Kubarsi and Laporte were excellent, Porro and Cukarella were excellent, the Mitch Rodri was excellent. Um, yeah, so Mbappé, poor. Now, Rodri, there's not much to say other than he was imperious in this game, you know, as a number six. Um, and De La Fuente gave him when he benched Pedri for Rodri to be Rodri to be like the main guy in the midfield, he gave him a lot of responsibility and he answered the fucking bell to say at least. Umise, Chameni, Rabio, Manacone, all these guys who played midfield, child's play. Child's play for Rodri. I mean, it was it looked too easy for him out there to be honest with you. Um and the last individual I want to talk about in this game for Spain is Luis de la Fuente. And you know, since he's taken over as the Spanish coach, you know, he was the youth coach beforehand, he has been excellent. And um, I mean, nearly flawless, actually, if we think about it. Um, I think I think I saw a stat that they've not lost a game. Um, a la Miña Mall has um been a starter, I believe. Um, and Spain have always played a possession-based style, but I feel like this iteration under De La Fuente has been way more direct, and their passing is way more vertical. Um, you know, between the lines the between the lines play is just a joy to watch, to be honest with you. Um, and of course, having dribblers like Yamal and uh Nico Williams at the Euro has made it has helped in that regard to be you know a more dynamic and more you know more direct team, I would say. Um but they play some beautiful patterns in the middle of the pitch. Um the big call, the big call, which he already made, which I referenced, or two big calls to be honest with you. But the first one, the really big call to me, was benching Pedri for Danny Olmo. Um and really at the Euros, if you remember, Pedri got injured and omo came into his place, and like and I think Spain looked like a better team. For whatever reason, the Pedri Dodgers combination isn't dynamic enough, and Olmo as a pure number 10 just makes them way more threatening, they're way more incisive in the final third, I would say. I mean, Omo has been incredible to watch, you know, in uh for Spain under the de la Fuente. Uh, second big call was him going with Munay Simon. Like, like the fact that you are starting what most people consider your third best goalkeeper, and it's paying off. I mean, that is a gutsy call, and he's being rewarded. I mean, rewarded is the wrong word, maybe, but it's paying off for him. Um, yeah, okay, that's it for Spain and uh France. A comprehensive victory for the Spanish, like, and and after the France-Spain semifinal, I kind of expected Spain to win the final, no matter no matter who won between England and Argentina, right? Um, but after thinking about it, I'm like, man, can anybody stop Messi right now? Can anyone stop him from being so decisive? Because like at this point, he's just like, okay, if I need to score goals, I can do that. If I need to cross uh dribble pass players, I can do that. If I need to quit go on the wing and cross the ball, I can do that. I thought this guy just is finding a way to be the difference in every game. And I know that you want to say like Spain's a different kettle of fish, and I agree with that, but man, I don't know. I feel like it's gonna be a really tight game in the final, to be honest with you. Um I think Spain will still win the midfield battle versus Argentina, um, but not as drastically as it did versus France. Um, it just feels like Messi taking over a game is a Neville at this point. Now, having said that, I think Yamal, if he gives us closer to his best level, which I think he was displayed versus France, I think he was quite good versus France, like still not his peak level, but I think he was very good versus France. Um, but if the thing is, if Spain gets the best version of Yamal or even close to it, I think Spain ended up blowing Argentina out the water, to be honest with you. But if he doesn't, that leaves the door open for Messi to be the guy, and I think you know, I as I think about it, I'm thinking I'm more open to that being a possibility. Um, but we see, yeah, the final on Sunday, third place, third place match on Saturday. Um, I wonder is Thomas Two gonna play Kobe Meinu in that third place match? Because if he does, and Mainu plays really well and they win against France, even if it's a third place match, he says there's gonna be some chatter about why didn't you do this in the previous games? So I actually expect him not to play Meinu in that third place match, to be honest with you. Um but yeah, final on Sunday. I think Spain is gonna win, but not I'm not as convinced as I was after the first semifinal, you know. But um, yeah, I'll be back to recap that. I think next week we'll have a decision on LeBron's next team. So I'll of course I'll part about that. Will there be some some uh NBA news that follows that shortly? Probably, so we'll see. I'll talk about all that, but then until then, I'll see y'all next time.