DISCUSSION: Previewing the Round of 32

Declan Link is back, and is joined by Paul Schmidt-Troschke and Jon Bonfiglio to preview the Round of 32. 

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Transcript

SPEAKER_03 0:25

Hello everyone and welcome to World Cup Football, etc., with me, Port Metroschke. And as announced yesterday by my colleague John Bonfilio, we are now taking a look at the 16 matches of the round of 32, with quite a lot of potentially unexpected results, and one specific match which feels more like a semifinal than everything else. And since we all experience this round of 32 for the first time ever in a World Cup, this will bring a new dynamic into the tournament in which already 72 matches were played only in the group stage. Now with another 32 matches to go in total. I have my colleagues, John Bonfilio, with me. Good evening, John. How are you doing?

SPEAKER_02 1:10

I'm good, Paul. When you said about um one that looks like a semi-final, were you referring to Germany-Pagua?

SPEAKER_03 1:16

I wish. Um no, we'll we're gonna get to that, uh, to that later. Um, but I definitely um that that's a very fair claim I make you you will see. Um and of course, Declan Link is with us as well, who just got back from New York. Declan, um, is your uh liver in still in recovery or in good health already?

SPEAKER_01 1:37

I I have a very robust liver, even though I did claim the other day I was a teeth, but anyone who knows me knows that's entirely false. That's false Donald Trump use. Uh no, everything good, just literally walk through the door. Um, obviously, you two need your beauty sleep, so I wanted to jump on straight away because we've got a busy week ahead of us.

SPEAKER_02 1:56

Um I've I've still got track radio in three hours' time. Don't know what you mean about beauty sleep.

SPEAKER_03 2:01

At least it looks like it. Now it's so kind. Yeah, of course. Always, always there to blush you. Now there are 16 matches we have to speak about. So let's try to give our brief opinions and takes on each one. Otherwise, we are going to sit here till tomorrow morning. So, first up, we have Germany versus Paraguay. Um, I will direct this one to you, John. We have done our ranking of South American teams and their performance in this tournament so far. Um, what is uh what is your take on this second fixture in the round?

SPEAKER_02 2:40

It's interesting, isn't it? Because before the Ecuador game, I would have said that this match is entirely in Germany's hands, that it entirely depends on uh Germany just turning up and being efficient and doing what they do. But um Ecuador having now shown the way, if you like, to rattle Germany, there is a that there is an angle here, there is a uh a thought that um if Paraguay managed to take a leaf out of the Ecuadorian playbook, that they could actually generate Germany some difficult, some difficulty. Um, but I would still say that I think Germany will probably react, even though they're far from vintage Germany side. I think they're gonna take that scare and um and move on from it. So I would um yeah, I I don't think it's gonna be entirely one-sided, but um yeah, I think it's a it's a nice warm-up for uh for us to emerge with, but I would expect Germany to emerge victorious from there.

SPEAKER_03 3:31

Yeah, I I think um I think the same. I think we don't have to worry too much about that. Then uh next up we have France against Sweden, and Sweden is one team which uh which achieved uh quite the unusual um in a single group stage they managed to win one game 5-1 and lose the other one 5-1. Um so Declan, um, does the Swedes from up north have any chance against France?

SPEAKER_01 4:01

Well, Paul just said a nice warm-up game for uh France to beat Germany in the in the next round in the uh um in Philadelphia on July the 4th. So I think that um France are absolutely gonna uh clean the table with Sweden. I was uh very impressed with France the other day against uh Norway, and I have no doubt that uh unless they find a proverbial banana skin along the way, they're gonna be in the final on July the 19th in uh New York, New Jersey. So yeah, I think Germany will beat Paraguay, and uh France will then beat Germany having taken care of business handily with Sweden.

SPEAKER_02 4:39

They just have all the tools, don't they, France? It looks like they seem to be um a really complete side. And the other thing I'd add is that um some French teams in the past have sort of had a dour um tone to them, but um they really seem to be enjoying the tournament too, and they they just have uh uh quality right across the the team, and they're playing as a team as well.

SPEAKER_03 5:03

Yeah, absolutely, and the depth is just incredible. So they don't have uh only every tool they need, they have every tool twice um in the best uh yeah class, basically, uh you can have in this uh in this world of football. Then uh third match um or the first match, which was already played, of course, South Africa against Canada. Result was 1-0 for Canada. Um so South Africa is the first team to go out in the round of 32. Um yeah, quite quite underwhelming game, uh, in my opinion. But uh but Declan, do you do you have uh did you have the um the chance to get a glimpse of the game?

SPEAKER_01 5:44

I did actually. I was sitting in Terminal 4 at JFK. My uh flight with my uh beloved son Alex's airline Delta, which I paid for, um, was delayed by two and a half hours. So I was able to sit there at a bar. I get very frustrated when I watch football and there's no volume. So I had a BBC uh sport on listening to it. Sadly, it was like delayed by about 45 seconds. But the this the the sense I got from the game was that, and I think it was always going to be this way, that Canada actually dominated, and the guy who scored the goal at the end, who has this record now with Perlow for um for uh I think I forget what it is, five something to do with five five set pieces, uh scoring a goal, etc. etc. in a in a big World Cup game. Um they they fully deserved to to win that game. That's their first knockout victory ever in a World Cup tournament, and then they're gonna be beaten by either the Netherlands or Morocco in the next round. So well done, Canada.

SPEAKER_02 6:45

That's an amazing statistic. I didn't know that the uh I don't know, maybe five set pieces statistic existed. Uh, we should definitely speak about that one more with that one more often.

SPEAKER_01 6:56

Well, I can actually tell you now because my executive assistant has just brought the information together. Stephen, and please uh I accept accept my apologies. Esther Quio uh equaled a record because I couldn't hear I couldn't hear the one who really missed you, Declan. As I was as I was bored, I was on the gang plank getting down to um to get on the jetware, whatever it's called, and I heard the massive roar in the terminal, so I knew Canada had scored. But Stephen, as we'll call him now, he equaled a record originally set by Andrea Perlo, where both players created five chances from five set pieces and a single men's world cup knockout match. So he uh in today's game did it, and Andre and Andrea Perlo did it in Italy v Germany in the semi-final of the 2006 World Cup. So there you go. I bet you two didn't know that. Pull yourselves off the floor, get back on your seats.

SPEAKER_02 7:53

No, I didn't. Thank you. Thank you for that.

SPEAKER_03 7:56

Yeah, absolutely. Um, yeah, again, another another statistic I've uh I've never heard about, but um yeah, uh absolutely amazing for Canada, of course, to now be in the round of 16.

SPEAKER_02 8:06

Um World Cup football, etc. Your one-stop shop for statistics you've never heard of before.

SPEAKER_03 8:13

Absolutely, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 8:15

And possibly and possibly the worst pronunciation in my history. So I do apologize.

SPEAKER_02 8:20

And most interruptions, which I think we're really uh challenging poor Paul with this evening. It's so it's so nice to be on, it's so nice to be on the other side of the fence.

SPEAKER_03 8:30

Yeah, yeah. Uh, and especially in um uh in an episode where we speak about 16 individual um fixtures. So I think this is and you said we had to be brief. Uh exactly. So let's move on. Netherlands, Morocco. I think uh doesn't need any introduction. Uh John. That's the semifinal, right?

SPEAKER_02 8:49

That's the semi-final, and both of those sides, it's not just that they could, I think they'd uh uh make the semifinals, I think they're just both two top quality sides, added to which um, yeah. Look, I mean, one of the basically one of the best teams in the tournament is going home, right, in the round of 32, and uh it's going to be a failed World Cup, which almost in a way is is no fault of their own. It's a it is a real shame, I think. Um I would say that of um we've spoken before the tournament as well about sort of intelligent football. And I thought for my money, the Netherlands have come in with pretty clear game plans, uh, which uh which are I wouldn't say that they're unique, but if you look at the number of goals they've scored with low crosses uh in in the tournament, that's pretty significant. And then they also keep doing this thing where they keep um they sort of keep playing it back when they're sort of when they're in an attacking position, they play it back behind the vertical, which has also caused uh loads of teams sort of defensive issues. And just comparing it with the England side yesterday as well, it was something else which struck me because whenever England were in an attacking position, you know, obviously you're you're sort of um uh you're this is coached to death in you as well, that you almost sort of shoot on site. But there was that sort of clear lack of vision of other people coming up and and supporting as well. And it sort of felt one-dimensional. And I just think that the Netherlands, because of these choices that they're making, which are clearly strategic coached coached choices, are pretty unstoppable in the face of goal.

SPEAKER_03 10:13

Yeah, um, absolutely. Um, I think that uh Netherlands has uh much better chances to go through for the exact reasons um you just explained. I think um in the end, Netherlands is just a little bit more flexible. Um and uh yeah, and uh just the speed um with they with their create these which with which they create these chances um and then get the low crosses in in front of the uh of the box are just very, very hard to defend against. But let's move on. Um another.

SPEAKER_01 10:42

I know you're having a love in with the Netherlands. I think Morocco are gonna beat the Netherlands tomorrow.

SPEAKER_02 10:46

So look at it, it's it's a good shout, and it's entirely possible because Morocco know how to win. They've they've demonstrated that for a long period of time now, and they also know that um that they've got the World Cup in four years' time. So they've they've also got some motivation there too. So I I definitely don't think it's a it's a done deal, but I just think that the Netherlands are are an incredibly dangerous, multifaceted side, perhaps in a way that Morocco aren't. But um let's hope. Look, let's hope that Morocco score early, and then let's see what happens.

SPEAKER_03 11:16

Yeah, exactly. And let's also see what happens in another, I would say, between a quarter and the semi- and the semifinal uh Portugal against uh against Croatia.

SPEAKER_02 11:26

Between a quarter and a semi-final.

SPEAKER_03 11:29

Uh yeah, I would say so. Both teams have uh have uh uh the ability to go through to the final, but they can also get thrown out uh much uh much much earlier, I think.

SPEAKER_02 11:40

I'd I'd quite happily lose both those sides in the round of 32.

SPEAKER_03 11:44

Yeah, fair enough. Um I mean by S as of today, yes. Um but Croatia, I mean, uh 2018, uh they stood in the final and were just an amazing side, in my opinion. Um and I always like the underdogs, the small countries um making some noise.

SPEAKER_02 12:02

I mean, look, I I do like Croatia, um, and yeah, I'd love to see them win tomorrow, but in in to some extent, there's this sort of there's there are similarities between Portugal and Croatia and what they're living through at the moment, and trying to find a transition and being unable to find a transition. And uh let's see what happens. It'll definitely be a really interesting um match because they've got Spain next. So almost certainly whichever of those two comes through that game is gonna lose the next game. But what's crucial is that whichever the two of Portugal and Croatia loses, their World Cup is gonna be deemed a failure. Whichever one wins, even if they lose to Spain next, there's gonna be sort of a mitigating factor and a sense that, okay, well, you know, we came up against Spain. So just that one result is gonna change the perspective in the respective nations, I think, completely.

SPEAKER_01 12:47

And I I I agree. I mean, I think Portugal are gonna go through, and I think Spain are gonna go through, and then they're gonna have their round of 16 game in Dallas on July the 6th, and I think Spain are gonna just motor on after that. I think Portugal have actually been fairly disappointing on on the eye uh throughout this tournament so far. So unless uh they Martinez has a plan to really get them going, you know, they'll probably crawl through a win tomorrow, but then there's no question they'll lose to Spain on on uh July the 6th in Dallas.

SPEAKER_02 13:19

And when was the last time that Roberto Martinez had a plan? Um I mean I can't remember. Yeah, but he's good in the studio and he looks good. Yeah, things that none of us three are.

SPEAKER_03 13:31

Yeah, that that's why we behind uh hide behind our screens and just have a microphone in front of us, not not cameras. So uh yeah, I think the next game, uh Spain against Austria, um not a lot to talk about. If it's fine for you guys, uh then I mean uh a very interesting, amazing game Austria played um yesterday. Interesting for and amazing for many many different reasons. In the rigged match, you mean? In the rigged match, exactly. But yeah, we we we should maybe uh uh maybe um introduce a new category and um and speak about football conspiracy theories. I think that's still a very niche topic. Um no, but now uh USA against Bosnia and Herzegovina. We uh spoken about this potential fixture fixture a couple of times already. Declan, does the US have to fear the Balkan small Balkan country?

SPEAKER_01 14:27

I obviously living here in the United States, having a lot of uh history with US uh football and uh you know no gazillions of people who would love this country to do fantastically and get into the round of 16. They've done very well, uh mission accomplished so far, and uh Pochi has done a good job of uh rattling around, you know, a questionably uh uh you know disparate type of group. But I think my gut tells me that Bosnia and Herzegovina, they have the history, they've got that you know, that wounding mentality, that rugged sort of uh football history from that part of the world. And again, like I said on a previous podcast, they're the ones that were responsible for Italy not being in this particular tournament. So I do worry, I think, you know, just like with Mexico, the uh the crowd are gonna are gradually getting, not gradually, they're actually completely into it right now. They've dived in with a full kit on the shin pads, the captain's armbands, and the boots. But I do worry that the um the savvy and knowledge of um the Bosnian Huskabina team is gonna actually sadly to put the USA up. I I hope I'm wrong, but that's my prediction.

SPEAKER_02 15:41

That's all right. That's interesting because um I mean that you've I think your your analysis is spot on, and they're definitely going to cause the USA problems. They're gonna play a sort of a uh they know what the USA is gonna throw at them, of course, and they're gonna try and resist that and then respond. But for me, um, I think the USA have been so pleasing on the eye, even in the game against Turkey, uh, which they lost, of course. Um I think they've been one of the surprises of the of the tournament, and and especially how they've been playing without without fear. And for either of those sides, I think there's great motivation as well, because the next game, Belgium against Senegal, I think um whoever wins from the USA Bosnia would fancy themselves against uh either of the Belgium and Senegal.

SPEAKER_01 16:25

No, I'm not also I'm not so sure about that, John. I think Senegal are a fantastic team. I think Belgium are looking uh a bit of a ragged bunch, to be honest with you, and you know, uh some of their older players are looking like they need to go out to pass to be the end of their World Cup tournaments and probably national team appearances, and Senegal are a sensationally uh very accomplished uh African team who I think you know are tidally gonna take care of Belgium. So I I actually think, you know, as I said, Bosnia will go through, I think Senegal will go through, and then Senegal will beat um Belgium, and they'll be uh they'll be moving on. So I'm not so sure I agree with you on that one, George.

SPEAKER_02 17:09

They're definitely a better side than their three points in the group suggest, because of course they lost to France and and Norway, but then most teams would, and then of course they they they thumped um Iraq. But yeah, we'll we'll we'll see um uh how they go through. Uh and obviously again, which as always with Belgium, which Belgium shows up, but increasingly uh we're seeing less and less of the the the the good Belgium, the solid Belgium showing up than the sort of the the sort of flaky Belgium, which seems to be the norm these days.

SPEAKER_01 17:38

Believe me, in New York last night after the uh the the England game against Panama, the general consensus amongst the England fans was we dodged a massive bullet by uh playing DR Congo rather than Senegal.

SPEAKER_03 17:52

Oh, definitely I would definitely agree. Um one uh one point to USA and uh and Bosnia. I think that I mean so far we have we have seen uh quite the performance of the US side, but in these three group stage matches, you of course have a completely different kind of pressure you feel on you. And uh especially after the first match, it was almost clear that the USA will go through some some way um or the other. So I think that it could be that we see a very, very different US team, maybe more close to the performance we've seen um in most of friendlies um uh yeah a few weeks before the tournament, because they could feel this pressure, this pressure to perform um and to to meet the expectations. So um I'm also on the side that Bosnia and uh and Herzegovina have um have got a very good opponent, um, good chances to uh to proceed. So Belgium, Senegal, we already spoke about then another heavy hitter, Brazil versus Japan. I think there are no two teams with um almost like diametrically opposed styles of play, um, tactics, etc. Would you agree with me, John?

SPEAKER_02 19:11

Yeah, I I love this this matchup and the way that Japan plays and the level of organization. I think it's gonna give Brazil real problems. Brazil is gonna, you would think, are gonna score through some moments of individual brilliance, but I can't I just can't see them holding Japan a pay um either. It's it's got a high-scoring cliffhanger written all over it, and I think Japan have a really, really good chance. I've been reading a lot today about how Carlo Ancelotti is going to bring out some kind of tactical master plan to to combat Japan. But even if he did, let's say that on paper he managed to bring up a plan to sort of stymie uh Japanese play. I don't think he's got the players or the cohesive unit to actually bring that um to effect on the pitch.

SPEAKER_03 19:53

Yeah, um agree, Declan.

SPEAKER_01 19:56

I think this this is going to be the first uh major shock of the whole World Cup to a major, major. I think Japan are gonna be Brazil tomorrow. They've been uh far too dependent on Vinitius Jr. I think their midfield is very questionable. And again, going back to when I witnessed uh Japan taking England apart at Wembley at the end of March, it was it was quite breathtaking. And they continued in what was a very refreshing but tough group they were in. They've continued to be easy on the eye, take care of business, and position themselves to most probably have the first major shock of this tournament.

SPEAKER_02 20:35

Yeah, an aging Casemiro in the Brazilian midfield and the way that the Japanese move the ball can only lead to one thing.

SPEAKER_03 20:45

Yeah, um, I mean I I very much hope for the Japanese to um um yeah, to bring this uh this spectacle um and of course uh this uh this first win I think against Brazil ever um on their part um bring into fruition. That would be absolutely amazing. Now, next game um is Côte d'Ivoire and Norway, Ivory Coast and Norway. Um definitely definitely an interesting fixture where you I think um can't really I mean there is a Haaland of course, but uh Ivory Coast uh definitely showed that they that they are not an easy side to beat.

SPEAKER_01 21:26

Yeah, I when Ivory Coast beat France in one of the world the World Cup warm-up games, I think that was a a a big indicator of of how good they are, and they got you know uh after probably uh Senegal and Morocco, they're the third best Af con African team. I think Norway it's gonna be interesting to see whether or not the gamble uh where the coach played uh basically the second team the other day in Boston is gonna pay off or not. I have a Sneaking suspicion Norway are still gonna somehow get through and then play against Japan. Uh, but again, I'm not sitting on the fence. I could also see Kudai uh winning as well.

SPEAKER_02 22:14

Yeah. I mean, what a game, what a game. Um, and uh Ivory Coast uh definitely are a good side, of course. They only lost to Germany by one goal and they beat Ecuador, and now we know that Ecuador are a better side than they they perhaps would have showed in the early in the early fixtures. Um, but I think my my sense is that Norway are ready, that they have a plan, and uh, and I think they're gonna take I mean not saying they're gonna go all the way, but I just think they're gonna take some beating by somebody. I'm just not sure that Ivory Coaster that team.

SPEAKER_03 22:48

Yeah, I would agree. I think that Norway has the slightly better chances to to go through. Um, and yeah, another one for you. John, Mexico against Ecuador. I think that Ecuador is becoming um or has been uh now with this newly instilled self-confidence or uh probably unprecedented um self-confidence in in a World Cup context in Ecuadorian football history. Now going up against the Mexican side, also confident. But um, I think that uh Mexico is uh has will be uh will have a hard time uh beating Ecuador.

SPEAKER_02 23:26

Yeah, I mean I I think it's definitely a wow fixture, and for the reasons you you've outlined, Paul, because ultimately there's kind of a similarity between both sides. I think both sides are kind of mentally frail, perhaps lacking uh in um uh historically in confidence, but um they're both riding high at the moment. Mexico City three from three, nine points in the group stages, and of course, Ecuador just off the back of a of an incredible win against uh Germany. So both sides are riding high. Now, of course, it's at the Azteca, and and that's going to be a sort of a baying crowd, but we also know that if thing when things start to go wrong for Mexico, that that crowd could very easily, easily turn. So I think that that's a it's a fascinating fixture, which I think is really, really tough to call.

SPEAKER_03 24:08

Yeah, absolutely. Then next one for Deckfun. England versus the Democratic Republic of Congo. Um, are you already in in uh in uh having a sweaty, sweaty palms of your hands and uh fearing the Congolese team led by Joan Vissa?

SPEAKER_01 24:30

I always have sweaty palms, in fact, I have sweaty armpits as well because I live in Florida and it's very hot and humid all the time. So I can imagine when I do get to Mexico later on in the week, uh I I will be feeling the same sensations. I am really concerned uh because I want England to play Mexico in the Azteca on uh July the 5th. I'm concerned that Ecuador are gonna do a job in Mexico, uh so so be it. And and I really do hope that doesn't happen, but I'm can I'm concerned, but I'm also will be quite pleased because I think England playing against um Mexico in the Azteca is gonna be an incredibly hard task for England. Now, tomorrow against um uh Congo, Democratic Republic Congo, I do feel that uh England are gonna start moving up the gears. I think it's gonna um so not tomorrow, on Wednesday in Atlanta. I think it's gonna be a a comprehensive win for England, because I have that confidence. And then uh onwards we go to Mexico next weekend, but I do worry that uh it's not gonna be Mexico we playing, it's gonna be Ecuador.

SPEAKER_03 25:39

Yeah, um, I think I have the I have the same fear. It was interesting that uh that your your fear of the Mexico-England game not uh not coming into being um in the in the round of 16 then is largely dependent on uh on the on the Mexican performance in their game. Uh where I whereas I would argue that um especially considering England's last performance and the uh the Congo's last performances, that's not a done deal, but we'll see. Let's move on to Argentina.

SPEAKER_02 26:13

Just just to uh just uh just to uh to support your point there, um Paul, yeah, I don't think that England Congo game is a done deal at all. The Congolese for months now have been outperforming expectations and they've absolutely got the bit between their teeth. And again, given uh what we saw from from England, I think they're gonna cause England some some problems. And then uh it's it's gonna be interesting to see how the c how Congo set up. Do they go for the gun and low block or do they just throw caution to the wind and just go at uh England? I think that's gonna be a pretty key key choice. If they go at England, then I think England will have the space to really do them damage. Um, but if if if they don't, if they proceed with uh with again that sort of that defensive shape, and and then again the open question is are they capable of doing that? Then uh then I think it's gonna be a different um a different task for England. But I I don't think it's gonna be um that straightforward. I mean I was expecting them to go through, but um I think there's gonna be some tense moments.

SPEAKER_01 27:10

I think Ghana wrote the blueprint. I think uh Dio Congo will copy it, and it comes down to ultimately you know the result is what matters. So if England win, fantastic. But it ultimately, this is the biggest test so far in Thomas Tuchel's reign as the England manager as to whether or not lessons can be learned from the Ghana game, and he can come up with being this so-called fantastic, great international winning coach, he can come up with the recipe to unlock the DR Congo defense. And again, the consensus in New York was a lot of doubt nowadays that Thomas Tuchel is not actually what he he uh claims he is and what the FA believes he is, and that he's a little bit of a fraud. So let's see.

SPEAKER_03 27:56

All right.

SPEAKER_02 28:00

From um from from saviour to fraud.

SPEAKER_03 28:04

Yeah, to to to fraud. Um, I mean, I I can see where where the English fans are are coming from.

SPEAKER_02 28:10

Uh can I just can I just say though, just backing up a little bit what Declan's saying as well. I think um I've I've been quite stridently critical of Brazil, and uh and I think there's quite a lot to be said. There's a lot of similarities between Brazil at this World Cup and England at this World Cup, in the sense that they've Brazil have been sort of sort of powered through, have been saved by moments of individual brilliance, but haven't really demonstrated any kind of clear game plan, any clear identity, or or or any sort of clear sense of um of how it is that they're gonna take their game to uh to to sides to get through. And I I think more or less the same is true of England.

SPEAKER_03 28:49

Yeah, yeah, probably. Um yeah, I know I I definitely I definitely um agree on that. And not so much on the I think on the on the comparison between Brazil. I mean, there are probably some some similarities, um, but I think that both teams uh also historically are just um yeah fundamentally different sides. But the irony of um of this tournament so far, at least regarding the the round of 32, is that Cabo Verde, uh Kate Verde, a country uh yeah, probably which uh many people did not know uh about that it even exists, manages to break out of the group into the round of 32 with um with achieving two world records um in only three games, and now they have uh uh yeah, basically as a as a result, they have to go up against uh one of the three best sites at this tournament, uh, which is Argentina join. Quite sad, right?

SPEAKER_02 29:49

Are the um are those world records related to random free kick situations?

SPEAKER_03 29:55

Um no, they actually um um in uh I know sorry, no, I'm I'm I'm mixing I'm mixing my island nations up. Um I was mixing up uh Curaçao and Cape Verde. Cape Verde um of course uh there Votsinia holds the record for for the for the most uh um most parades, most safes. Um but yeah, uh do you think that there is uh there is any scenario in the universe or in any parallel universe where Cape Verde has a standard chance?

SPEAKER_02 30:28

If if it was against another more sort of standardly organized side, perhaps functional, traditional side, then I'd say that perhaps you know we've seen Cape Verde do incredibly well in this tournament in with um with with with their with their structure and their commitment. But I just think that Argentina just have that flair, they have that capacity to find gaps, and and um the sides that Cape Verde have come across to date have been relatively fixed and static. And again, as we mentioned, Paul, in uh in the previous podcast when we ran through the list of Latin American sides. I just think how Argentina play is something, the fluidity with which uh uh Argentina play is something that Cape Verde will never have come across.

SPEAKER_03 31:11

Yeah, I think the same. I just hope that they they don't live through the same um experience as Kura Sao did against Germany. Um but let's see, I think they they have a good track record for um for not proceeding too uh too many goals, uh even against uh a very, very good, very, very good side. Then next we have the Aussies against Egypt, which yesterday of course played against Iran. Beklan, do uh can can the fans down under hope for uh for a historical um for a historical spot in the round of uh 16.

SPEAKER_01 31:51

I think this section of uh the round of 32 is the most predictable of all of them. I think it's all set up, it's all geared for Argentina to play to play Colombia in Kansas City on June the 11th. I think Argentina are gonna beat Cape Verde fairly handily, and they've had they've had their day in the sun. I think the Aussies, although I'd love them to win, like I said, I just have a good feeling about the Australians, they they're lacking up front, they don't really have a very good attacking force, and I think Egypt with their superstar players will take care of business there. Argentina will then take care of Egypt. So um sadly, Austria Australia will go go home after their game against Egypt, but they've had a great tournament, so they can hold their heads up very high.

SPEAKER_03 32:38

Yeah, yeah, I think uh um I think that's that's gonna be uh an interesting game, but I think I think eventually um a little bit uh similar to the um to the Portugal-croatia situation, they're gonna face Spain in the next round, anyways. Um, and in the case of Austria or Egypt, they're gonna be uh out um uh in the next round against Argentina, anyways, as well. Then Switzerland and Algeria, both teams, um not both teams, Algeria with a uh, I would say unexpectedly worse performance so far against uh of course a very self-confident Switzerland topping uh the group um over over Canada, John.

SPEAKER_02 33:23

Well, I think this is an interesting matchup. I mean I would expect Switzerland to to get through, but but Algeria have a um have a vibe to them at the moment. Um and they've got their their their Maradona in Ibrahim Masa, and who is just super, just incredibly talented. Um and at just 20 years old, um uh Mazadonna, as as they've been calling him, and I think he's he's definitely one of the one of the stars of this this World Cup. Um Switzerland, for their part, qualified for the knocking for the knockout stages in this world cup for a fourth consecutive tournament. So they're really solid. So I'm really excited about watching that that game. Um and and I genuinely think either either side could could go through. You would expect switzerland to, but equally Algeria could could just could just turn it on. And um, of course, awaiting them is almost certainly Colombia.

SPEAKER_03 34:11

Yeah, definitely. I think that this is one of the most unpredictable games. Um so I I don't really uh have a have a favorite in there. Um maybe Declan. Uh do you have a clearer view?

SPEAKER_01 34:23

I don't have a favorite, but I've uh consistently said throughout podcasts in the World Cup uh World Cup. I think that the the uh the the top nations in Europe are better organized. They uh have uh a longevity with regards to their history in the World Cup, and we've talked about it how Switzerland have cons consistently, particularly in recent years, managed to qualify for World Cups. I think they're gonna they'll they'll win, they'll just shade it against Algeria. Obviously, all the controversy over the Austria uh uh Algeria game yesterday is gonna be fresh in the mind of everyone. And then again, like I said, I think Argentina and Colombia will end up playing each other. Um, but Switzerland will probably win it 2-1 or 3-2 or something like that.

SPEAKER_03 35:09

Yeah, all right. Um then last game, and that's one of the, in my opinion, most interesting games so far in the World Cup. Um, because you have Colombia against Ghana. One of the it's like dynamism versus very static, very disciplined defense. Um, and it's it's going to be very, very interesting to see um if and then uh if and if yes, how Colombia matches uh to overcome this uh Ghanaian bulwark um of a defense declan.

SPEAKER_01 35:42

I just don't I just don't think in general that the Afcon nations like to play disciplined, uh organized, low block type of defensive football. And I feel that Khaner are gonna feel like they have a chance of expanding their game, taking the game to Colombia. And I just think Colombia are uh a better team and will end up picking off Ghana and then um and going through. I I just don't think the discipline that they showed against England in Boston, they're gonna they're gonna they're gonna have it find it very hard to do the same thing in these knockout rounds. So let's see what happens. But I think my my vote is definitely for Colombia to go through.

SPEAKER_02 36:27

I I think Colombia will will go through, but um I think it is gonna be interesting to see how uh how Ghana sort of, and especially of course with Carlos Quiras, how they strategize into this game, because um I think it's pretty clear that if Ghana go to Colombia, they're just gonna be cut to to shreds, gonna be cut to ribbons. So and and they've they've they've been demonstrated, they've demonstrated themselves the way with how they played against England, which was massively successful. Um so I would expect them to actually sort of set up in exactly the same way. And if and if Kiros managed to get them to do that so successfully for the 90-odd minutes against England, I think he can do the same against, or he will try to do the same against Colombia early on. But I think what's going to be really interesting here is I the way that Colombia move, the way that Colombia play the ball at speed uh to unusual positions and places is going to be an entirely different dynamic for Ghana, which I just don't expect them to withstand. And I think that's also going to show us something about the fact that it wasn't just the Ghanaian defence against England, it was also English limitations. Just to add to what Declan said about the quarterfinal, Colombia-Argentina quarterfinal could be a classic. I think anything else than that would be a real surprise, but that is uh one of the mouth-watering ties of this tournament, I think.

SPEAKER_01 37:45

And also I've I've spoken with a couple of real proper, full-on Colombian fans who are who are traveling there, traveling around the country following their team, and they've got unbelievable support just like Argentina do. And the Colombians are worried about that game in uh against Argentina and Kansas City. That's the game that they're really focusing on. So who knows? I mean, they might well sort of take their eye off the ball and Ghana might trip them up, or Switzerland might trip them up, but I think there's an area of inevitability in that section of the round of six of uh 32 when how it all plays out that uh as John as John was saying, that that's going to be an absolute classic game.

SPEAKER_03 38:26

Yeah, definitely. All right, then we actually managed to speak about every of the 16th round of 32 games in this World Cup. Um, now uh as I have today the role of moderator in a round. Any interruptions?

SPEAKER_01 38:47

I've got a long list of them because I wasn't obviously on the can I interrupt Declan's interruption?

SPEAKER_03 38:52

Well, feel free, of course. Find it out.

SPEAKER_02 38:54

Go on, John. Far away. No, no, no. I just wanted to interrupt your interruption. I I'm worried that Paul set himself up as a moderator, as though this is sort of a bear pit.

SPEAKER_01 39:02

Listen, here's a couple of just off in left field things. I just had a uh a text from one of my WhatsApp groups uh with our favorite Scottish uh uh reporter, uh the fan, uh Robin Richardson, Batman's mate, uh, saying, and you'll find this quite funny. And uh the trouble is I I I can't uh guarantee that it's true. But uh uh if if it's regarding the Uruguayan Football Association, John, because I know you have a thing about Marcelo Bielsa, um, that apparently, and again, this is based on what I've seen on uh on this WhatsApp group, the Uruguayan Football Association has cancelled the squad's private flight home because of their World Cup exit. Every player has to travel back on commercial flights after they were eliminated from the tournament. So we'll see tomorrow whether that's absolute nonsense or whether not that's true, but it sort of plays in with the whole thing about how terrible the Uruguayan um uh it may it may very well be be true, it's not out of the bounds of possibility.

SPEAKER_02 40:03

We're gonna do another piece on on Bielsa in a couple of days because the the toxicity didn't end with their final match against Spain, and I'm gonna be talking about this in in more detail in a couple of days, but um he then called after the matches the day after, he called the players into uh uh another meeting in Playa del Carmen and that their training base, and he basically just threw them under the bus and uh blamed them all and said that they had abandoned him, that they weren't professionals. He said that a lot of them owed their careers to him and they had let him down. It was absolutely uh an extraordinary performance, and uh the Uruguains just didn't know what to do. Uh they just sort of uh stared at the floor and uh and that was that was the end of that. But uh I uh again we mentioned this before, but I don't remember a level of toxicity or implosion. Uh you know, I think you have to go back to France 2010 for this, and it just completely you know unprecedented. And um, and as I'll argue in the piece, it's it's this is now going to be something which we remember infamously in future World Cups, uh, and which is gonna be a scar on uh not just Uruguayan football but on the Uruguayan nation. That this there is no forgetting uh what took place at this World Cup for Uruguay.

SPEAKER_01 41:14

Yeah, completely agree. Couple of other interruptions. Uh Lionel Mercy scores in seven consecutive World Cups, which is the first in history. Obviously, he came off the bench last night against Jordan. Uh so fair play to him. Bow down to Lionel. Harry Kane became England's all-time World Cup top score.

SPEAKER_02 41:32

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Seven consecutive matches, not seven second consecutive World Cups, I think.

SPEAKER_01 41:38

Yeah, oh sorry, yes, of course, of course, yes. I'm I'm I'm I can't read my own handwriting here. Seven consecutive World Cup appearances, yeah. Which was fantastic. I mean, but then Harry Kane as well, his header against Panama, and again I question whether or not uh Thomas Ducal got it right playing Harry Kane as long as he did because he was fairly ineffectual again last night. But um, you know, he his uh his header against Panama, which put England into this knockout group, now has made him England's all-time leading goalscorer at World Cups with 11 goals surpassing Gary Lineker. And then now, obviously, with Portugal and Colombia uh drawing last night, Ronaldo and Messi cannot play unless Portugal and Colombia play in the final, which is quite fascinating. And often I don't think it's gonna happen, but it would have been quite a fairy tale if Ronaldo and Messi had actually managed to get through on different sides of the group and played in the final in New York uh or New Jersey on July the 19th.

SPEAKER_02 42:42

Gianni Infantino would have been would have been happy.

SPEAKER_01 42:46

Saw an interesting I saw an interesting article on uh you know the carbon footprint of Johnny Infantino and how many games he's actually gone to see zigzagging across Canada, USA, and Mexico. I mean, he is absolutely taking the Michael right now, extracting the Michael with regards to uh being popping up at all these games and the amount of planes he's or flights he's taking around the country.

SPEAKER_03 43:13

Yeah, to say in in his works, he is probably today I feel plane. Um, and and that's for for basically uh six weeks straight every every day. All right, guys. Um and John, I hear yeah. Go ahead. Not now you have to. No, no, no.

SPEAKER_02 43:33

I don't think I need to fill in the blank. I think everybody else can fill in the blank on uh on that one. Uh but let's not make it a competition because we'll have too many entries to sit to sift through.

SPEAKER_01 43:41

But um I did think, although it wasn't uh hearing the audio, that Alfonso Davis making his Canadian debut today looked a different class for Canada. It's such a shame that he hasn't been able to play because he he he elevated the level of the Canadian team and as as they got towards the end of that game. And then the other thing I want to say before I turn the lights out and go to sleep and catch up on my sleep is that Uruguay are actually the only Carnival team who have been eliminated so far. There's been plenty of teams from all the other uh confederations, but Uruguay, John's favourite team, are the only one that's actually been um uh knocked out from carnival.

SPEAKER_02 44:22

Yeah, it's um and the thing is, you know, one of the reasons why I find them interesting is because and I and I I know I do talk about them, but it's because that it's this tiny nation surrounded by Argentina and Brazil, and they've had to find they've had to fight to find themselves an identity, and they've got some really cracking players, and they just they they always uh just their skill level is way more than you would expect. Histor and not just now, historically, of course, they won early World Cups and and so on. And I just find it really disappointing when they just um for whatever reason, we know the reason in this particular case, you know, they they they underperform it. I think it's just a real shame.

SPEAKER_01 45:05

It's and it's also a double whammy for them because uh apparently uh Manuel Lugati suffered a terrible knee ligament injury uh in in the game. So he's gonna be out if if he stays at Man United, he's gonna be out for a long while, sadly.

SPEAKER_03 45:21

Yes. Thank you so much for your for your valuable interruptions, as always. Now uh now I can see John how how you feel every day.

SPEAKER_02 45:31

Was there a hint of sarcasm to that to the valuable interruptions?

SPEAKER_03 45:35

It depends on on which ones, I would say. Um not across the board. I I don't generalize at all. At least I don't try to do that. No, honestly, thank you.

SPEAKER_01 45:49

Well, for your twittering on and on. We we need to catch up on our sleep because we've got three, as John would say, cracking games tomorrow. They're all compelling games. Brazil v Japan, Germany v Paraguay, and then obviously the uh the the the evening uh which will be a fascinating game is the Netherlands against Morocco. So we've got a lot to look forward to, not only tomorrow, but for the rest of the week. Yeah, congratulations, Paul.

SPEAKER_02 46:15

Congratulations, Paul. You can keep the moderators role. Well done.

SPEAKER_03 46:19

Yeah, that was not my goal. I really tried my best here to just screw it up. Yeah, of course. No, thank you so much, guys. Um, Declan, get your well-deserved sleep and then uh speak to you tomorrow evening after a very, very uh hopefully first amazing day of the round of thirty-two. Thank you so much, guys.

SPEAKER_01 46:40

Okay, excellent, thanks, Paul. Thanks, Joe.