Netherlands and Germany fall on a wild day of World Cup knockout action

I'm going to go listen to Radiohead.

“When German cover is a radio, I'm going to listen to German cover is a radiohead.”

I'm Rebecca Lowe. I'm Brendan Hunt. And this is off to the whistle from Apple News. The Netherlands are out of the World Cup. Brendan, are you ready to talk about it yet?

No! Good thing I went to see Brazil versus Japan instead. We'll cover the action there, as well, as Germany being eliminated by Paraguay. And we have decided that after the whistle's very own World Cup is Wednesday, when the USA ending the play on the same day could be garnished.

Reminder, there will be a dog language, some of it about my butt. This podcast is brought to you by Verizon, an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup, 2026. No one gets you closer to the FIFA World Cup than Verizon. Hi everybody, here it is, it's after the whistle.

“And I'm wearing a Holland shirt, which tells you, tell you who I was ready for tonight.”

But you know that. Rebecca, are you working all day? I don't even know. The round of 32, what was I doing today? Yes, I was working.

I just did Netherlands, Morocco. I was not working on Brazil, Japan or Germany, Paraguay. I was watching those partly hotel, partly in the studios. And then I came on it for the Netherlands Morocco. So first of all, where are all you?

Well, I mean, I'm in that they're Houston, Texas, where that is not where the Netherlands are playing Morocco. No, that is where Brazil was playing Japan. Why was I here? Well, Rebecca, I mean, a lot of really legitimate reasons.

One, never been to Houston before.

Gotta get this Houston sometime in your life. I mean, I walked past two different stadiums where the Astros have played. Two, I thought it seemed Brazil in the World Cup would be worthwhile. It'd be cool. Three, you know, as a versatile fan, I love my Gabby's, you got your big Gabby, you

got your medium Gabby and Tomiaso, don't mind Tomiaso either, of course. And in the full analysis, was it a situation where in the haste of when the schedule was coming together, I for brief moment thought that Holland was going to be playing in Houston, and that was actually clearly wrong. That was just a fool in the steak.

But by the time the ball had gotten rolling, I was like, "Yeah, well, I mean, you know, moderate, like going to a whole other country for a day, feels like a waste." And no disrespect to Houston, but just in and out of Houston don't feel like that big a deal. So, sometimes you got to roll with the hand, that was dealt with you.

Frankly, Brazil, Japan, was a fucking great game, and so I don't mind it. I was going to say, I was going to say, to be fair on reflection with hindsight. Now that we know everything, think you might have made the right choice. OK, so let's start shall we with Brazil, Japan, because even on paper, that's a good game. It was not brilliantly attractive from Brazil, but they got it.

No, no, no, a bit better than second year, for sure, because Angelotti loves a little bit

of tinkering, and he's just so blooming good, and so calm and wonderful. They got the job done, and what Angelotti said the other day was, remember, he does not care how we do it. Just win the game, so tell us about it from your perspective. Well, I mean, it seemed very clear early on that there was a week link in the old Brazilian

friend for, and that was so much surprisingly, Kunya, Kunya, who, of course, was great

“for wolves, and then fine for a menu, and then has scored, I believe, a couple of goals”

already, this cup, but like losing the ball, going down way too easily, agree that he wasn't getting fouls called that no one thought was a foul, and throwing himself off in the balance in that way when people protest like too hard, yeah, and then Japan from the long scores like gold term, gold term, yeah, do we have to be in the ring out there, up there, up there, for sure, phenomenal goal, but then, yeah, half time we bring in Hendrix for Pakatau, Pakatau

wasn't particularly great either. But I don't think he's very good, I'm very rarely seen him have a good game, he's like the personification of when a polite British announcer called a player, Mercuriel, you

know, which is always confused me, because like he's good, Mercuriel, I think, like,

oh, fast, like, Mercuriel, and they mean like no, like poison, like the chemical Mercuriel, like it goes up and down, I guess, I don't know, definitely doesn't mean fast. So, Hendrix for him, like immediate, I mean, they were then Brazil was just battering the Japanese goal, and then kind of, oh, Cuss and Mira, Cuss and Mira, oh man, Cuss and Mira, the weirdest story in football for the last three years, what, I mean, the man and more

money than God literally does, right? And there were even people asking him, and wanting

went to the World Cup and everyone laughed like, well, I mean, you know, he's past it, why

Brazil started with him in midfield, even during the first half, why have Brazil started with

him in midfield, and then he pops up and gets the goal. Let's go. You can't give it to him. And I can't remember if that was before, after Cunya came off for our man Gabriel, Mercuriel, but Cunya came off, it was like, yes, finally, he aches, Japan's substitutions, I thought, put them in a bit of a trap, because it seemed like, I mean, you know, I was not watching TV, I did not have notes in front of me, this is just me going off vibes. But it seemed like they were

taking off their most creative players to try to, like, do at least the Japanese version of bunkering down, which isn't that much of a bunkering down, because they're still quite like spring. But, you know, it felt like the strategy of like, all right, well, this whole this to one one, for, you know, until we get down to 20 minutes, it was like, not, not against Brazil, you're not, you've got to, you've got to try to, you've got to try to score here, and then ask, you know,

late in the game, when they desperately, desperately need something, like they didn't have the players to get through Brazil anymore. A quick word about Gabriel Martnelly, I fucking love Gabriel Martnelly. It is not just because I'm a arsenal fan, but also, you know, I was shooting last of season one during the, the real high points, by which, I mean, low points of the, of the

“banter era, and one of the rays of hope was Gabriel Martnelly, this, I believe, then 18 year old”

Brazilian who, who can, along, like any time, there's an 18 year old Brazilian, like, yes, I think, and he wasn't starting a lot, and his, you know, his squad member was like 54 or something, but then I went to a Europa League game against, I don't know, either Victoria Pillson or Victoria, and, um, and he scores a brace and, like, okay, this guy's great, and he's got better and better, and he hasn't quite become as good as you want, you're 18 year old Brazilian

prodigy to be, but where he really entered my heart was, I got married last year, as you may recall, and, um, I, uh, we couldn't invite you because I know that you work weekends, and, um, it, it was in Ireland, um, and it wasn't that big of a wedding, but, you know, we had, like, a house and, like, part of the program for the weekend was that Sunday 4 p.m., a soccer team called Arsenal is playing a soccer team called Manchester City, all you Americans, and here is what's

gonna happen, and, um, and we watch the whole game, of course, City goes up early and I conveyed to everyone this is a huge, important game, and it looked like it was all gonna go in the shitter, and then Martin L.E. with a beautiful goal at the death to draw it, I literally stood up and

screamed on my wedding guests, "No weekend, isn't ruined!" And, to see him finally have his

national hero moment was absolutely thrilling, two-one Brazil over there. Yeah, my, my one little tip bit on this game, I mean, there's a lot that's lots to say, but one of the things you mentioned

“Cunia, not having a great game, and I'm a big fan of Cunia, I think he's a really naturally gifted”

excellent player. He does, the first group stage game, they played Igor Tiago, the breakfast striker, Angelotti did, then he got sideline, then Cunia did all right, now he's been taken off. I gotta say, that is, it's a bit of a worry moving forward as to who's gonna play in that nine position, and I still think they should've taken out Pedro, um, but we'll see, I mean, I just, I think Angelotti's got a few problems, I think they've, they've squeezed through there,

and I was so sad for Japan, I was just like, they were my dark horses, they were my dark horses, and I don't like all this meeting in the 32. I don't, I don't know how we fix it, okay, but I don't want to see Brazil, Japan, nor do I want to see Netherlands against Morocco, in the round of 32, I don't know how we fix it, but please can we fix it, but as I don't like losing good teams like that so early on, because now Japan go home with a kind of a nothing-world

cup, but they were more than a nothing-team blender. Yeah, but the luck of the draws, the luck of the draw and the end, like I don't know how to fix that either, like it's end, and I don't have to say, I tell you, no one's more than doubt about it than me. I know, we'll get to that, okay, we'll get to that,

“so that was Brazil, Japan, then did you watch Germany, Paraguay, from wherever the hell you are?”

I did, and that was, that was rather surprising this game, all right, so and see so, finally gets this big World Cup moment, a 42nd minute late in the first half there, scoring, and like, okay, that's exciting, Paraguay is up one nothing on Germany, but like it's,

it's not that Germany has never been behind before, so we all know how this ends, and then early

in the second half, Kai Haberts, second hour, so the player of the day, another guy, close to my heart, and he gets Germany in the board and it's one-one, and we know where this is going. Oh, yeah, we've seen it. It always ends with heartbreak, either in the 94th minute, or in the 119th minute, or in penalties, and f- what? Germany, loses on penalties to Paraguay, Germany up to that point, 4-0, all time, in World Cup, Pikachu Dots.

My heart blades. Oh, to have just a bit of that, just a bit of that, so now there's 14s in the final

a bit weird, because I want small teams to go far, but also want, I don't know, I just love the fact that Paraguay was so terrible in the first half against the United States, and everybody was like, oh, they're going to be a walk in the park for everybody, and they got it together, they got their act together, and actually that that today, according to people who know Paraguayan football

better than me, was more the real Paraguay, the gritty, never given, I mean, Julio and Siso is such a

good player. I'm such a good player. Now, this was the game, forgive me, I've watched a lot of football. This was the game, wasn't it? Didn't Germany think they'd score the winner right at the end, and it was given for a foul on the keeper? That was for me, not a foul on the keeper. For me, the keeper was really weak. It was the header, and there was a German player who kind of

“pushed the keeper slightly. Remember, for me, if I'm a German fan, I'm raging at that,”

because the keeper's so overprotected, in my opinion, overprotected, and that was never a foul. It was like a little touch, and he just went down, and then the bloke scored, but um, I'll give it, at least one of those were like, oh, we're looking at a foul. Oh, like,

if you didn't even see the foul the first time, then that's a, that's a, that's a, that's a

question mark right there. I mean, I didn't, I mean, in terms of the foul itself, once you saw it, it's like, huh, seen him given, seen him given. But like, that was tough. See him given. And then what about in the penalty shootout when the ballbuena, the poor guy Pope like, came on in like the 120th minute, which is one of those blatant, I'm coming on, only to take a penalty, which we don't have to get into in England's past districts that don't work.

And again, today, this didn't work. You're cold, you haven't warmed up, you haven't touched

“the ball, you're throwing on in the 120th minute. And by the way, not only you throwing on in the 120th”

minute, but everyone can see you're throwing on in the 120th minute, which means everybody know, now knows that you are the designated penalty taker for penalty number five in this particular situation. And he was, and he missed. And you just thought, oh my god, poor bloke, he haven't touched the ball. He's, but luckily, luckily, they went through, so it didn't matter. But yeah, so that was dramatic. And then, then after all that, we move on to arguably the

best game in the round of 32 Netherlands against Morocco, two brilliant teams, the quarter finalist from 2022 against the semi-finalists from 2022. And you, my friends, look very down in the dumps. Can I just start by telling you before you give us the assessment? Can I just leave, because you, I don't know if you saw it on the telly, but the overriding feeling in our studio was La Tannebrahimovich, Alexi Lallis and Jerry Omri, especially from Zlatan, who came up

through the IX Academy in the Netherlands. Okay. And Terry, who is a football purist, I have yet this world cup to see the more animated and angry than they were getting towards the end of the 90 minutes all the way through extra time. And then penalties is kind of irrelevant in this particular circumstance. They were so angry at Ronald Cuman. They said they were not playing with the Dutch identity. They played five, four, one. They didn't go to try win the game. And in the end,

football won. And then it's an absolute betrayal, essentially. Zlatan said this is on Cuman. He did not go and try to win that game and they respected Morocco way, way too much. And they both

“absolutely crushed them. Thoughts? I think Cuman is not a great coach. I think much as I'm like”

one of my biggest concerns going into this is about Memphis to pie. You know, still being, you know, the star attacker, you know, and Brobie had a, you know, decent couple of games there, like where are the Dutch attackers? But also where are the Dutch coaches? We've been churned

through old guys for a really long time now. This is Cuman's second go after Fancal had three goes.

And we had Dick Advocate mixed in there. Three times. This used to be a nation that prided itself out of the box, especially attacking thinking. And if Cuman is neither going to out of the traditions or normal things forward, then that is a step backwards. In his defense, again, who are the attackers? Like, you know, Brobie and Somerville are capable of moments, but they are not in the great tradition of your vampires. He's your Robin's, your Patrick Clovert's, and what

a bummer to see his son. Oh, Supper's hand. It's a great Dutch fate. So the game, I mean a couple of things. One, the game was in Monterey, Mexico. What a beautiful setting. Oh, good Lord. I forgot something when I came to Dallas for the Holland Japan game. I forgot to mention something on the pod, which was, as I'm walking around, including in the bus parade, seeing signs, multiple signs from different handmade signs, from different Mexican fans, who was walking on Mexico

shirts, saying, you know, it's been like 4,285 days since no Ed up and now, referring specifically to the penalty that Aryan Robin drew at the end of Mexico and Holland's round a 16 game of

it also, like, they're right. It's one of the worst dives I've ever seen ever. Now, if Mexico had gotten that penalty, they'd still be laughing about it. Now, but like, what does all means is, I forgot that Holland going to Mexico means Holland playing in a way game, no matter who the opponent is. And on top of that, there was a ton of Moroccan support as well. But like, there weren't hardly

nobody in that stadium rooting for Holland. That whole first half, of course, ended scoreless,

like, so physical, but also, like, you know, well attacking too. Like, it wasn't just rough and tumble and wrestling and everything. And like, it wasn't just Premier League corners. Like, it was

“it was, it was electric. I mean, you know, what? What is a lot of time in Sierra you think of that?”

Oh, gosh, half time that feels like that feels like a long time ago. We don't have a lot of time a half time to talk. I think we just have to do the highlight real quick. I think they thought Morocco would be the happier of the two teams at half time. And I remember asking Zatown because he played under Ronald Cuman for two and a half years at IAX. And he said he's normally a calm coach, but he needs to make some changes pretty quick. They weren't particularly impressed a half time.

But it really got worse towards the second half of the second half. I think they call that the fourth quarter. Yeah, does that passport showing off again? I'm Brendan, you're so sad. I'm so sorry. Let's talk about how sad it was. I don't know if this joke has ever been made before, but if not, this might be a last chance. So Jan Paul then heck of a game. He was great. Vendavan was great. For Bruchin had maybe his best game ever for Holland until it went to shit at the end.

“The same in extra time. I mean, he saved a penalty that then just bounced off my foot.”

He didn't. He didn't. No. He's got this. The referee. I forgot his name, but he's got that little curly Q a hair right in the crown of his head, which made him look like he was drawn by Charles Schultz. Hard to take that guy seriously. And then it goes to penalty. Then as soon as it goes to penalty is like, you know, Holland is is one in four up until this point in World Cup. Pikachu doubts. And now they're one in five, which ties in the Spain for the worst record.

And just knew that was what was going to happen going in. We're going to add that to go in backwards order a little bit because of my love for Mr. Gakko when he's going through. But so when the Moroccan equalizer phenomenal cross, phenomenal header, like Morocco are just good. They're just really, really good. And they're relentless. Yeah, it's a deal of been selfish time, which by the way, it was the 25th stoppage time goal of this World Cup. This is really, yeah, 25 second half

stoppage time. Oh, like, both have. No, second half after the 90th minute, 25th goal after the 90th minute of this tournament, including it's a deal. Well, I bloody hope it is because I said it, as soon as they came back in the studio. No, they told me they told me that was that. Yeah,

isn't that amazing? So don't, don't switch off your tellies, guys. Don't go to bed early.

Don't sleep on the World Cup because all the stuff is happening after the 90th minute. That is phenomenal. Yeah. The, the lovely moment, the heartbreaking moment when Kodi Gakko scores in the break away with a, with a lovely assist from Summerville, you know, then he scores and then he immediately falls to the ground and it first it feels like, oh, is he not celebrating against his former team? Did he's a play from RapoCourse? He didn't. What is it? Oh, it's something much, uh,

Saturn. Um, it was announced the other day by the Gakko family that they have just lost, uh, a pregnancy, um, a boy who they were expecting and it is, it's, of course, something absolutely awful. And for him to even play through that is rather courageous and for him to then step up and score for the team is, I mean, it's one of these moments where it just, you know, the stuff outside of football is bigger than football and magnifies the football when they come together and it's just a

very, very powerful thing and seeing his whole team run over the pitch to celebrate with him, um, you know, everyone knowing what's going on there. It was, it was just, it was very, very, very lovely. It was a very powerful power from moment. Yeah, it was. We, uh, we talked about it for the game. We mentioned it in our pre-game, um, he and Noah, as his partner's name, um, announced it on Saturday

“that they'd lost baby Elijah during the pregnancy. So I think at some point last week, um, but”

that he was still going to play and just anyone, I mean, anyone with half an ounce of empathy, I just

would, I just find that amazing. I mean, that football is always talk about. I don't know the,

actually, the best place for them, whether they're in grief or they're in some sort of stress, is always on the field. Um, but then that moment obviously completely overwhelmed him, but I just, you know, I loved all the subs running on. And I was, you know, also, I was a bit concerned, they were going to get booked, because that's the most football thing ever, isn't it? When a

field of play, but he didn't. He didn't. And I, I mean, you don't see that. You really don't see

“that very often. Actually, funny enough, we did see some subs come on when, um, Alex Freeman scored”

the other day, but I mean, in the middle of the field, like penalty box box. Yeah, this was not a, this was an accessible corner. This was not intentional. Exactly. And they all came on and they were on top of him and hugging him and, and he hid his face in his shirt and version of and died, really took a hold of him and obviously they had no each other from Liverpool, but it was a beautiful moment. And, and, and for that as much as anything else, I wanted you lot. I wanted

the Netherlands to win the game, but it wasn't, it wasn't to be. And now there's just, just, just send all of our love to him, of course, and his family. Um, specifically, um, to your ill-card concern, uh, Brazilian Charlie Brown did not bring this to the card at that time. So thank you, Brazilian Charlie Brown. And, um, you know, onto the rest of the tournament. So now you've got Canada who, uh, you know, beat South Africa yesterday, Canada now get to play against Morocco in this,

very city of Morocco, who have not only won less day of rest, but that won less day included a full on 120 minute match in some of the hottest conditions. That's a good point. That's a good point. And also, advantage Canada, but it's, you know, it's a tick in their direction. Also, Canada, already won. Like there is no doubt in my mind that Jesse Martian Canada have already won this

world cup from their perspective. They never, I don't know. Yeah, they don't do they thought they

“get to the round of 16. I think they were like, let's get out the group and see what happens.”

So they will go into this game against Morocco, who might be exhausted like you say, and they will feel they have a chance. Whatever that chance may be. And I have to tell you, I think the minute Jesse Martian leaves this world cup up become a poorer world cup. I just love him. I know people hate him. I know people are having to go in for letting the camera inside the little huddle and doing his speech about them being Canadian heroes. I loved it. But because people

who could who criticise him for that, right? Well, like that at the TV, they're like, I have ugly watching. So don't give me the whole, like, oh, I don't believe in all that. You shouldn't have the camera in there. You were lapping it up. It's great TV. It's great entertainment, long-lived Jesse Blody Marsh. Yeah. And that's where we're at at this point in the round of 32. Big, big, big, big, big first couple of days. We'll be right back. And we're after the whistle.

Bangles everywhere we look. Brendan, the FIFA World Cup is now underway and it's already going too fast.

It's too much. It's too much going on. How do we find purchase anywhere? We always we can get as close

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you mobile alone and in the personal redeeming deal, digital time conditions for restrictions play. Nice. No one gets you closer to the FIFA World Cup than Verizon. Welcome back to the whistle. When next we speak to you, we will have had a game occur, not only for Rebecca's Beloved England, but my Beloved United States. Both have been in the same day. Wednesday morning, England will take on the Democratic Republic of Congo or Becca. What are your

“thoughts about this Congo team that actually has a handful of players who play in England?”

Yeah, they do, but before we get to that, when's these a big day for both of us? Can I cause like having seen you be rather down about the Dutch, right? When's they? I mean, there's three outcomes. There's your happy and I'm sad. I'm happy in your sad, actually there's four outcomes for both sad or both happy. When's they could define our season? When's these our world cup Brendan? It's after the whistle's world cup. It could be horrendous.

Um, okay, how am I feeling about Dio Congo? Decent. But when you look at England's team, there is obviously no comparison in terms of quality. However, that doesn't matter as we keep seeing over and over again in every football tournament in the world, and especially once again, at the World Cup this year. Including today, Paraguay, Germany, being your example, right? My worry is the conversation about England are not very good playing against a low block. England

cannot break down a team that parks the bus and sits in. As we have seen, we need to now in the knockouts, it'll be fine. Thomas Sucals said it'll be fine because now we're going to play against

teams that are trying to win because it's winning your end and losing your home. The problem is

that Dio Congo, for example, might well sit in and just play for penalties. And I don't want to, I don't want to do penalties. I don't want to play, I don't like that game. It's a silly game. So as you know, so that's my concern that it's going to be 120 minutes of frustration and they were not going to find a way through. The flip side of that

break them down, then we shouldn't then we have no right to be in the round of 16. I don't know. England have just played two low block teams, you know, beating Panama two nothing after the difficult, no, no draw with Ghana. Paper, it would seem that Congo is

between those two teams. Yeah, but why is it now maybe third times a charm for England and

the possible that Congo will be on the one hand, you want to say like as a relative Neal fight team, I mean, if competed before, but there was a year at that point and then these people were born. So it doesn't really count any who, data points. You know, maybe they'll be over odd by the occasion, but also, as I said, you know, a bunch of these players playing England, you know, with a little bit of luck. Yeah, yeah, so yeah, it's, it's a tricky little game.

My other worry is the winners, the winners have been the big story, you know, we've, he started the last game with Gordon and Maddoque, and then we had the whole, they shouldn't be playing. We should be starting with Sacker and Rashford, but none of them have been any good. I mean, not, not

like, and they're all really good players, especially, I mean, Sacker, what was it? It's been

printed two, two years. I have a horrible feeling. If you look back, his performances have been just hot and cold over two years, and I just, I don't know what's happened to him. He's obviously got some sort of injury. He's got an injury, which is niddly and doesn't require surgery, but

“I think it could be worse than that is my fear. And I hope I'm wrong with the fuck do I know,”

but I fear it is the impact of the injury that he's already had, and he's actually might now be, I mean, he maybe doesn't need to rest. Again, like, he doesn't rest anytime. But he's happy, but he has to rest this year. He had a little one, yeah, sure, but he's still, you know, they still played 65 games or whatever it was. So yes, he got to, you know, sit out a few, but the thing is, and you know, and I mentioned before, I mentioned again, it's that movie does where he comes in

from the right, and then does the like, you know, a starter step shuffle, and then somehow get the shot off with the left foot, and everyone knows coming, but he gets it through anyway, and scores in the far corner, and he's not scored one of those in a very long time. And not only is he not scoring them, they're getting blocked, like his timing is no longer throwing people off. You know, maybe what he needs is to mix it up and do the other thing he used to do a lot, which is coming

into the right, get past the guy, and then come in on the near post and score high in your post. That was a big one for a while. I would take that. That would be nice. So yeah, Sakka, I'm a bit worried about Sakka, obviously Jude and Harry are the other lights. So we just have to focus on Jude Harry and Deckland Rice fingers across what we fit and back in the midfield, although I quite like where Jude played, but anyway, so to answer a question, how am I feeling

about it, we should win, we might not, and if we don't, I won't become on the pot. And if they do win, we've talked about this, but I just want to put it out there one more time, so to add about it, Mexico plays Ecuador tomorrow in Mexico City, Mexico wins that game, then England wins in Atlanta, Atlanta, Engineer Casey by the way, Engineer Casey, there's an Atlanta, and he was a good maybe season game there, and that's when you could see. Anywho,

“England, Mexico in Mexico City is hum fucking ding or a matchup and dingy, that's what we call”

Mingi for England, absolute Mingo, that would be horrible. Okay, how about, yeah, absolute classic, Johnny Mingo, how about USA, Bolsonaro, Hotskvita, because everyone's telling me you'll just way better, and you're just going to absolutely walk this one, thoughts? I mean, on paper, we are better, like we looked up the the transfer market, you know, squad, value numbers, the US is starting lineup is worth roughly $240 million, and Bosnia's is worth

roughly $71, that is a difference of roughly $3.5 times. So on paper, they should win, but again, Germany Paraguay, like this is why we play the games. Now, people saying like, "Oh, we're going to

destroy them." They're like, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, you don't think crafty Balkan sides have never

played as an underdog in the world cup before. They know what they're doing, but what I don't think Bosnia has, even though they have, they have a lot of really good young players who are really, really, really, really interesting, particularly by our derivatives. You know, from Appleton, Wisconsin, Pleasant, and Alebegovich, who scored a fantastical against Qatar. They needed to win that day, or they were going out. So that was massive, massive, massive, massive. But they just don't

have that many horses yet. They don't really have an 11. They of course have the legendary

“Edyn Jekko now coming in at 40 years old who may or may not start, if he does start, I think it's a”

mistake because I mean, he's still a predator, but he enters the box at this point, like he's run under water. Like, you know, they cannot handle the US's speed. I would think. So I'm comfortable with

But you've got, you've got Policic Blacks. You've got Policic Blacks. That's good. Balagun says he's got another gear to go up to. Oh, says he's got another gear, does he? Oh, well then. Yeah. Yeah. Balagun says he's got another gear. So, that's good news. It feels, I feel like this is all set up perfectly

for another Paraguay situation. It's a good stadium. Have you been? So I've never been in that stadium.

No, it's, it's wide open. Five o'clock kickoff in Santa Clara. The sun is still going to be, you know, bearing down pretty damn hot. But, theoretically, that should be harder for Bosnia than it is for us. I mean, I like our chances very, very much, but anyone who is assuming a romp, like, whoa, slow down. This is a world cup. The world cup. Shit happens. Shit happens hard. I really hope it doesn't happen. I really hope saying, I really goodness me. I mean, I just,

somebody else me today, like, you know, how are you feeling about the England team? And, you know,

“and I said, well, here's the thing. If I didn't think they could win the whole world cup, what is the point?”

What is the point, Brendan? What is the point of you? Like, we are hoping. That's what, that's what the whole life of football fan is. And at the world cup, that's all it is that's literally the existence of a football fan, the world cup, is hope. So we just have to hope, but the thing about hope is it takes forever. Oh my god, when is Wednesday coming? It's taking forever. So we're going to do a podcast Wednesday night after both of those games, right? Yep. Oh,

Lordy. Why do we do this to ourselves? Um, yes. So hopefully, Wednesday night will be festive and joyous and not our possible last episode as we resume hating football as we should have from the start. Go on the FIFA. God bless the FIFA. I'm saying that now. No, I'm saying that now. I'm saying that as well. I'm saying that I've even had a text from somebody saying we've been really enjoying watching

“the FIFA. So you see, if you must say the something, say the cup, say the cup. That's the FIFA.”

The cup is pretty bad too, but please don't say the FIFA. Anyway, this is after the whistle from Apple news and we've got some bits and bobs. Have you got some bits and bobs? We'll come

back with some bits and bobs in a second. This is the world cup Verizon is turning dreams into reality.

They're giving away free tickets and pitchside access. Some lucky fans are getting the chance of a lifetime to watch the action up close on the field during gameplay. All for just being a customer. If you're not with Verizon yet, now's the time to make the switch. This FIFA World Cup 2021 no one gets you closer than Verizon. Okay, back with you on after the whistle. This is I feel like you've just had a sad day. Brendan. Oh, yeah. I'm so sorry. You're I know you're very sad. I don't

like you sad. I don't like you sad. So I'm really hoping Wednesday's going to be magic. Should it be dead from head to toe and stars and stripes. Right, bits and bobs. Let's go. One of my favorite things to do every World Cup when we've touched this before is to have the

“jersey in your watch. You're very gassy today. Is there a reason for that? Did you eat hotdog?”

I've you don't want to know what's been happening with my gathering situation today. It has been a apocalypse now. Hang on. You're in Texas. What have you eaten Texas food? Like what? It's not Texas. It's fault. There's something I came in with. I mean, Rebecca, I'm sorry. You've opened up this camera where it was today. Today, to start the day, I was so stopped up. I thought I was going to die. I thought I was having waves of pain

that started in my, you know, sort of growing area. And like I've been stopped up before, but this was, I mean, this is what contractions are like. This is what contractions are like. This is what contractions because it was like every three minutes and it goes my whole body, bring me to my knees. And then, you know, like, you know, uh, what we're doing from the lobby and uh, fiber supplement and uh, lobby laxatives. Well, lobby laxatives were put on our stuff. And then, and then, so to

water. And like, this is like, am I going to be able to go to the game or am I going to tell the people, got me these tickets? I'm sorry. I'm out with a butthole as the medical people would say. And then Rebecca, because you open this can of worms, they must have been the soda water because it's one sip of soda water. And I essentially, shut a bucket. Like all at once, as a whole, a whole bucket, a bucket shaped bucket. Not like I filled a bucket, like a bucket, a bucket came out of me. And then

it was great. So if I'm going to have a burp or two, just be, just be happy that I'm not literally shutting my pants here in engineer case. He's lovely. Anyway, um, worms, you know, was a Brazilian legend who remains the only, uh, colorful baller. And the time to see the world cup to score a goal in every single round of the world cup all the way through to the final, um, he did it in the six

round, uh, world cup of 1970. And I always want to know like who can do it. And as of today, we're

Messy was going to be out, but then he comes on late in that, uh, in that last game against Jordan was it, Jordan, and then gets a free kick. And now the jersey you watch back on, but Cibari didn't score today, Venicious did not score today. Only Messy can pull a jersey. But that's some fact, because Cibari scored the winning penalty in the shootout. Doesn't that count? No, of course, no. You know better than that. Okay, I know. It's a good idea. That's good. I like that.

Um, okay, my bit in Bob, it's something that occurred to me, and it's a much bigger picture, grander, ski, like, kind of, um, big bit in Bob, like a bit jealous Maximus, or a Bobulous Maximus.

“I think that's what came out of my butt today.”

Okay, um, yeah, this is quite boring, but I feel quite strongly about it. So here I am sitting during the World Cup. And I'm thinking, this is unbelievable. Like, looking at all these scenes and seeing social media, and hearing just from direct anecdotes from people about what's going on out there. Bear it. Bear it. Bear it. Bear it. Bear it. Bear it. Bear it. I haven't been out yet. Bearing my dumb just in the studio all the time, but from what you tell me and what I see.

Then I think about soccer in this country. And I think about the league that was born out of the 1994 World Cup in the US, which is Major League Soccer, which was born in 1996. And now I think about it and how in a years time it's going to move its calendar and it's going to shift to the European calendar and all of that. And I think, why? Why on earth do they not do that now? And I said this at the time, okay, but imagine Brendan, right? So right now we're in the middle of a Major League

“Soccer season, for anyone who doesn't know. And it's taking a break for the World Cup and it will”

resume, and I don't know, August or something, with three more months of its season to go.

You have this incredible line in the sand summer with the World Cup of 2006. And then you expect

people to pick up on how the Chicago fire had done last May and April to see how they finished the season. No. This is a down-stand. This is what I'm sure is good reason, but I've asked people. I have asked people Brendan, what is the reason why Major League Soccer is waiting another whole year in order to change its calendar? Because imagine for one second we finished on July the 19th. And imagine for one second, the Major League Soccer season started three weeks later. Give everyone

three weeks off. The players, the fans, the whole thing, right? And then we go in with the 2026-27 Major League Soccer season middle of August. I cannot tell you how many people I know who would go to games because they've just come off an amazing summer of football. It is the biggest miss ever, and it drives me nuts because they can't get out of their own way when it comes to Major League Soccer. It's got a great product. Why are we waiting? Somebody right in and tell me.

This is genius and I hadn't thought of it until you said it and you're 100% right, but I will, I will, I must mention there will be games. There will still be games. You'll be so. I know. No, I know there'll be games. I know, but it'll be like a, oh, this team is wearing the table, like no, let's start from scratch and get behind the announcement going. What about the special good, right? Speaking of the Chicago Fire, Robert Levin Doski, apparently coming in. I don't know if

this is still true, but it was when I was a young man, Chicago is the city with the largest Polish population outside of Oklahoma. Levin Doski, come to Chicago, is massive. Right. So here

making a debut on the first game of the season, we'll be in the middle of August, Mason. Anyway,

sorry, Carial. My last thing is I like watching how Confederations are doing against each other in these real cops. And I mean, I'm the one hand, Africa is kicking the most out of their 10 teams made it to the round of 32. I don't know, but they got one in there already. But shout out, Common Ball to the South American region, who had five out of six and already have two in the round of 16. And then points for game through the group stage. And you're not counting games

where you're played itself. South America, 1.83 points a game, Europe of 1.75. Africa down to 1.33. So that's kind of America that they had so many teams make it, but make it they did. Meanwhile, like North America, only three their teams got through. I just I just love these little, like, these little matches. You do. You do, you do, you do, you do. But right now, like the story is, like it's, you expect South American Europe to be up there, but, but Africa, you know,

kicking the rest of the world's ass is something to continue tracking. Yeah, only, only Tunisia didn't make it through. But I do, this is, this is what makes you, you, you are so full of

“insane amounts of football, and I think it all came out. And you study so much. I just love it.”

Anyway, I absolutely love it. You've always got excellent bits and bobs, Brendan. And I'm sorry

for your sadness today. And let's both pray that Wednesday for both of us is a day of joy.

I'm going to go listen to radiohead. German cover is a radio. I'm going to listen to German cover is a radiohead.

“You know, here on, now you can find us on all the socials. We're on socials everywhere,”

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then move. What are you doing? Yeah, rude. This is after the whistle from Apple news. Thank you

for listening.