WORLD CUP Bonus Episode: Entering the Knockouts

This episode is proudly sponsored by Mazda. Consumer reports safest new car brand. Mazda stands for more of what matters most to you. Visit MazdaUSA.com to learn more. This is what now with Trebinoa. Welcome to the World Cup, Joe. The business ends. Win or go home, the heartbreak ends. That's what you should call it. Although to be fair, I say this because South Africa just got knocked out. If we're fair, how many nations already home? Because what are we? Group stage of 32. It's in countries already home. Yeah. South Africa is 17th. Of course there's 48 countries. We're down to 32. Yeah. Man, it's there's something about actually, you know, we were talking about this during the game of all the ways to get knocked out. I don't think this is the worst way South Africa experienced it. But it's it's one of my least favorites. I hate I hate losing a game as a sucker punch and I hate losing a game in the last minutes. But I think it could have been worse if we like got threshed in a game. You know what I mean? It could have been out of the game by the 30th minute. Yeah, those are the worst. You know, they got to kneel up and out of the sudden you've lost. But the thing is the thing about the world cup is only thing about any knockout competition is there's no right way. There's no good way to be knocked out. Oh man. The knockout in penalties is very cool. You're not right. It's very the only way the only good way to live a knockout game is by progressing. That's the only good way. Anything else is a sickener is a heartbreaker. But man, that's the beauty. That's why we love the game. We're talking about what we're talking about Barcelona. We've seen Barcelona come from five goals down. Yeah. To knock PSU out. And then we've seen Barcelona lose a three goal lead against Liverpool. And I didn't sleep that night. It was like, I kept going like, no, it didn't happen. It didn't happen. It didn't happen. Connect it can quickly. That's what I think. Yeah. That's what we love about football is football is the OG toxic relationship if we think about it. Like if you love football, you're in a toxic relationship. You're in a relationship with the highs are very high and the lows. The lows will crush you. But I think it's just, you know, that's a proper analogy. And then it just keeps. You know, when you go like, just it was, yeah, the sopranos or godfather. Oh yeah. It was out. They pulled me back in. It always does that because yeah, you always go hoping this is our time. This is our time. Right. Yes. And then the thing is the highs can never be much. I actually compare it to a reality TV show that's not scripted. It does have all the same elements. Yeah. All the exact same elements. It's romantic eyes, it's romantic loads, it's tension. It's just the good, the thing that makes it way better than love Iran or love Ireland or maybe real housewives is it's not scripted. 100% not what's going to happen. And then that although, although, although this tournament has a lot of people feeling like it's scripted. A lot of. I mean, I'm sure. No, no, no, no, no, let's not run away from it. Let's let's let's deal with the elephant in the room. So you and I can continue on our friendship. Okay. Okay. There are many people who feel like Argentina and Lena Messi are the darlings of FIFA. And Infantino does everything in his power to make sure that they have both an easy path in the fire in the in the tournament and an easy path in games. So let's start with the games argument first, right? People are people. A lot of people are complaining that Argentina has an easy journey to the final, which shows the bias that FIFA has. I try to disagree. I disagree because I disagree because you love me. No, no, I disagree because of facts. So I didn't know. So when you look at the facts, I didn't actually was supposed to play either Spain or Uruguay in the next round. Yeah. But then Uruguay bought or did and kept bad came second. Oh, yeah, that's true. I didn't know I wasn't supposed to play kept bad. That's true. So the way FIFA makes these draws is the top teams. The blockbuster box of these games should always be in the later on. Right. But then what happens is the big teams because Soca is not scripted. The big teams normally mess up. So England fails to beat Ghana. Yeah. Spain fails to beat Cape Verde. Yeah. Another answer. Uruguay gets knocked out. Japan. And that's how you mess up again. On the other hand, they take care of business. They go, sorry, if Ghana had failed to beat Jordan, maybe now they would have ended up on the other side. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So the teams that take care of business always get rewarded with an easier path. So FIFA goes like we're going to put the big teams to ensure because FIFA doesn't want France to meet Argentina in the round of 32. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. They want France Argentina in the final. But football is not scripted. One of the two teams messes up, ends up on the other side of the bracket. Now you have one side of the bracket very stacked because England didn't do their job. Netherlands didn't do their job. Portugal didn't do. Portugal. Spain didn't do their job. Yeah. But that's true. If Portugal beats Colombia or Congo. Not even Colombia. Congo. Yeah. Because Colombia was a bit of a tight game. If they beat Congo, the way they beat US backstab. Now Portugal is on the easiest part of the row. So that's the way it works. And now when you talk about Messi, for me, I'm going to sound bad saying this. But actually, if anything as opposed to how you always are FIFA. Yes. FIFA. Fever's Ronaldo. It sounds crazy. But FIFA. Wow. So let's talk about the red card, right? The red card was contentious. Was it? Was it not? But coming to the World Cup, there was one player who had a red card. Ronaldo got a red card in one of their last qualifiers. Oh, yeah, you're right. Yeah. And I run the player. He was supposed to. Yes. But what did FIFA do? What did you not do? If you don't know, went like we can't miss Ronaldo for the World Cup. I forgot about that. We gave him one match and then he suspended the other two. That's the first time. Right. Actually, yes. We've never had a suspended sentence. Never. Never. Never happened. Never. Cristiano Ronaldo's the first recipient. Always suspended sentence on a red card. The one game he missed against what team? A man. Yeah. And so he came to the cause FIFA went like we can't lose Ronaldo for the first two games. You're not wrong, actually. Oh, in my argument, imagine, it's a mess. You had received that preferential treatment. I'll go back to another. I'll take you years back. 2013. The ball on though. Cause sometimes we'll go like, Oh, Messi's favorite for the ball on the ball. The ball on the voting was supposed to be closed November 15th. Ronaldo scores a heart trick against Sweden, November 19th. FIFA extends the ball on the first and last time to November 29th. And goes like, you can't change your results to reflect recent performances. This, this, there's been a pattern upon pattern of FIFA, February and Ronaldo, but Ronaldo fans always go like, no, FIFA, FIFA is Messi. So for me, I did not take care of business. If other teams took care of business, a big team like maybe put you go in the land, I supposed to get nine points out of nine. Spain is supposed to get nine points out of nine. If we honest, that's how the tournament is designed. That's that's how it's the tournament. The tournaments are generally designed in such a way that the favorites are supposed to go up against the smaller teams, which benefits smaller teams strangely enough in some ways. It's like a moment to prove yourselves. It's great for box office ratings, etc. for you. But the downside is you're facing a bigger team. But when the teams don't perform, when Virginia, that's what was in your deed against Spain. Man, I can't tell you. Cape Verde has won the World Cup because because let me, let me show you the scenarios here. Cape Verde has won the World Cup. They held Spain to a goalist role. One of the favorites to win. That was the result. When they go, they're done. They have done their beat. Cape Verde can go home happy. They went like, no, we're not. No. They went through in their next game to the same thing. Third game. They have a goal difference of zero going through, which is pretty impressive for World Cup opening rounds. And then, and then now they're going to play Argentina in the round of 32, which is a win-win for them. That's what I'm saying. It's a win because if Argentina beats them, the players and the country walk away going, well, heroes were the only team that could beat us. It took Messi. It took Messi to end our run. You've won. If they miraculously score a goal or two against Argentina, they, did you see how Jordan said a Brazilian when they scored against Argentina? It didn't matter that they had lost their one. And lost, but not least, if by all the miracles that exist in the World of Football, they knock on Cape Verde, knocks out Argentina. There is no fathomable emotion that can fully describe what that team and that island and football fans around the world will be experiencing. No, but I'll tell you one thing. I think there's one big one already. No, I think there's one bigger winner than Cape Verde. And that's me because I was the only person outside of Cape Verde. You did say to actually back Cape Verde. You did say they would make the quarter final. You did say now I didn't know that they're running to Argentina. What was it about them that you're seeing? No, because I worked them in the nation's cap. I worked it fun enough. I worked them in the nation's cap. They're strong, resilient, very well-dressed side. Do you know who knocked them out of the nation's cap? They were killing everyone. Guess who knocked them out? Grown-win Williams. He served three penalties. He had to serve three penalties. And so from then I started following them. They qualified top of their group in Africa. And I went like this team. They were they organized the way they are world-reel, the way they walked together. They don't have a stop player pass. I said, I want this team is going to go far. And I said, Cape Verde, I tip them for the quarterfinals. Now, I didn't know that they would run into unfortunately, the O'Neil Messi. And it would be madman to bet against the O'Neil Messi. But for me, Cape Verde makes it. I'm happy. You know what I'm saying? You'd be madman. I mean, like, you're messy, man. I'm sure you've seen there's a huge beef on the internet right now between messy fans and and all the fans. - There's always been it, yeah. - Yeah, but this right now is like- This is Fever Pitch. This is a bad feud. Yeah, this is full on Fever Pitch. If you look at the argument, the argument is basically from Ronaldo fans saying Portugal doesn't play for him. Yes. They don't support him. Yes. They argue that Messi gets favorable calls. Yes. They argue that Argentina is a dirtier team. The Messi fans argue that Ronaldo doesn't show up when it counts. He doesn't perform. He can't carry his team and he hasn't earned the right to be in the same conversation as Messi. But if you're a neutral like myself, neither of Messi nor Ronaldo fans, I love them both as dirt players. I've loved them both my entire life watching football. But when I watch it, there's one part where the argument tips in my opinion towards the Messi fans. Messi fans or Ronaldo fans will say, why is it that when Messi scores goals against Jordan and these other teams, people say, oh, you see Messi handling business. But when Ronaldo scores against Uzbekistan, they say Ronaldo's stat padding. I agree with that, except for one-one parts. And it's the fact that Ronaldo doesn't do it consistently, you know what I mean? Ronaldo doesn't score in a game with the scores one-one, with two-two-withs. He doesn't, he just doesn't do it. Messi's doing it to come off the bench, score a free kick. Yes, against a terrible goalie in my opinion. Terrible goalie. Terrible goalie. Man, he still does it. He punishes the people where it counts. For me, Ronaldo should have got a head trick against Uzbekistan. Doesn't make sense. Not only that. Yesterday he had two free kicks and I think you saw what happened. Oh my goodness, those are terrible. They were horrible. They were horrible. Almost one day if Messi came off the bench, just because he wanted to show Ronaldo how to kick a free kick. Okay. Why? Because Ronaldo. Because Messi wasn't supposed to play that game. No, he wasn't. And for me, that's the most frustrating thing about being a Messi fan. Messi doesn't care about personal stats. He doesn't care about individual records. I think that's true. Really doesn't. Because why? What do you base that on? I'll tell you. So I've watched Messi give our penalties when he's on a hard track. I've watched Messi score two goals and just start giving assists. Messi does that so often. We call him "Braseman". Every Messi fan calls him "Braseman". "Braseman". "Braseman". He's not interested in hard tricks. He just scores. He's like a well-known nickname. And the thing is, so yesterday, if Ronaldo played 90 minutes, because Ronaldo is obsessed with a 1,000 goal. He wants to score 1,000 goals. How many does he have right now? He has like 950, 960, so he's 40 goals away. Messi is the against Jordan, the weakest team in the group. If you wanted to start bad, or if he cared about extending, he would have played the game from the beginning. He would have played the whole game. He didn't. He wasn't interested. Messi doesn't care. So now, I'll say this. First of all, Ronaldo fans. You are. You are discretion, please. Warning. Just look away. Look away now. Senses of Ronaldo fans. Look away. He's going to be brutal. He's going to be brutal because I'm going to, what did the kid say? I'm going to brutal a morgue your fake gut with stats and truth in New York's. So he's what happens. I think, personally, Ronaldo fans are Ronaldo fans. Yeah. They are not football fans. Messi fans are football fans fast. Wait, Ronaldo fans are Ronaldo fans first. And football fans second. Messi fans are football fans first and Messi fans second. Yes. And I will explain why. Look at those chords against your big stand. What did I say? I said, this is the worst result that could have happened to Portugal. You said it as well. Can I just say that? Can I just say, by the way, anyone who has watched this podcast, listen to this podcast, watch clips of it. I don't know about you. My mentions were a mess. I'm not on social media. So people were like, I can just say anything I'd run out of it. Yeah. People were like, oh, you idiot. You don't know anything. Ronaldo's going to show you. Ronaldo. And I was like, no, you don't hear what I'm saying. Ronaldo is going to hurt Portugal because he cannot keep up with the game anymore. But that's because he's not a good player. That's a bit farther down the road. The reason I said it was the worst result and I didn't get a chance to explain. It's because Ronaldo came into the game against his big stand, having not scored in 10 consecutive games in major finals. That's the World Cup and the Euros. He had gone 10 consecutive games without scoring. So when he scores the two goals against his big stand, Messi is on seven right now. Yeah, Messi scores in every major final. So when Ronaldo scores the two goals, now you can't drop him anymore because these fans will go like, but he has silenced his critics. Ronaldo years into the camera and back and back, but he was never present. And the reason I say that is because everywhere, every major final, Ronaldo has played. He has played six World Cup finals. He has played six European championships. Ronaldo scored zero goals in the knockout runs in the World Cup. I have as many goals in the knockout runs of the World Cup as Ronaldo. That's why the fact that Ronaldo has played six more World Cups. In the Euro's, Ronaldo has played six Euros. He has scored three knockout goals. That's a result. Ronaldo has played 25 World Cup matches. Do you know how many matches he has gone score is 18? This is supposed to be. But then with looking at those numbers, that means that Ronaldo is actually overperforming in this World Cup already. Yes, he has. Yes, because Ronaldo's like one point something. One point three. Yeah. The two goals against his big stand. He's already overperformed. So he's getting better. No, no, no. So he has reached the peak. He can't score anymore. And remember, as I'm saying, he has never scored a knockout goal in the World Cup. That's funny. We are now in the knockout runs. Is he going to start scoring now? No. So then the other fans will say, "But Joe," another thing I said that seemed controversial was, I said, "Dronaldo, Portugal should have moved on from Ronaldo in 2016." And they called me a madman, "Why?" Because they said, "Oh, but he helped, he's quite okay." So two things, they said one, but he helped them win the nation's league. No one cares about the nation's league. He said, "Gradified friendly, no one cares." Then some people will say, "Oh, but he helped them win the Euros." I'll say no, he didn't. idea. Yeah. One day you rose. Yeah. By squatting your goal, one of those limping helplessly on the sideline when he squat again, another was off off the pitch for 65 minutes. Yeah. Then some posts say, Oh, no, but for another car red, but you go to the final. And I'll say no, he didn't. He squatting two games in that you rose. Grisman. Squared. That was the number of goals, one of the squad in that particular championship. Okay. I'm so familiar with you. No, no, no, remember, I'm I'm impartial here. I'll give it to you. No, no, no, before you go to Before we interrupt, because people will think I'm going to give you this. The reason I say Portugal should have moved from Ronaldo. I mean from building the team around him is because ever since 2016, he's never scored a knockout goal in any major final one. Two Ronaldo has had two notable performances for me for Portugal. And I watch every Portugal game. The first one was against Sweden when he scored a hat trick to lead Portugal into the 2014 World Cup. But remember, why did he need to score a hat trick? Because Portugal had gone through the playoffs. They had to sneak through the back door. of the playoffs, doing the group with Hangar and I think, so I'm still comfortable with that group. - As I said, I've given it to you, Joe. - The only other Patrick is quiet. - Joe. - Listen, the only other Patrick is quiet. - You're fighting against nobody right now, Joe. - No, no, no, no, 'cause I want to split each other, 'cause there are other fans who go like you're crazy. - So you're trying to drop the stats, but now Joe, when all the fans don't care about the stats. - They don't care. - In fact, literally, I don't care, yes. - Yeah, I would argue that most people who are a fan of a player don't care about the stats. What they care about is how the player makes them feel and the stats that matter to them. So now don't feel his fan would make his fans feel a lot better But for me as we missy fans normally say don't know the belongs Nothing they got debate but on a male cut on missing because he's always missing. Oh my goodness You know who does show up. I see him. Let me let me let me deflate your balloon a little bit You know who does show up. Okay, a man by the name of Harry Kane That's who does show up Joe. Yes. Oh wait wait wait wait wait wait wait. Joe. You've said your piece You said your piece. You said your piece. You can relax into that chair. You can enjoy yourself Defend this ridiculous choice. So we had a conversation when we recorded the first episode of this podcast and we talked about strikers and who the best strikers in the world are and I said to Harry Kane and you said no and asked you to name a striker better than him right now and you and you froze yes the right now you couldn't answer okay right now was the key thing in the game against Panama England will talk about their performance second weren't doing so well two players stood out, Jude Bellingham and my man Harry Kane are you willing to concede? As I did, I led by example, I've conceded to you on Argentina, is it hard? It's very easy to concede when Messi's on the other side of the bed but okay Are you willing or are you willing or how close are you to conceding that Harry Kane gets the job done? I'll say this Harry Kane good striker. He has got poor this man. No, he's cold. Listen. I like looking at the player's way Let's do this. Let's do this. Let's do one of them. Here's what I don't like about this. Here's what I don't like about this Let's do this. I think your analysis of the game hinges on a very particular element of the game that can swing depending on how a match is played. So I'll give you an example. Let's look at Case in Point matches this week, right? Look at the France game where Dembele gets a hat trick. Okay. Okay. It's a it's a group game. It doesn't count. No, no, no, but wait, but wait. People can say, um, Bappe didn't show up that game. I argue because Mbappe was double-teamed that whole game because Mbappe was being fouled because Mbappe was being challenged the way he was, then Babbe had less chance of getting a clear opportunity on goal. And because of that, Dembele was able to put away three. And Kudos to him, because they were not easy goals. And they were not easy finishes. I'm not saying that. But I'm I'm saying, sometimes a player's. A player's. sacrifice is such that they're going to have to give up their goals so that the team can win. And that's what I judge you by as a striker. Like Luis Suarez was one of the best at taking players away from the game and letting his team score goals. You get what I'm saying? Your Barcelona boys used to do it all the time as well. So you know that I'm not crazy as saying this. David Vier, Sergio Aguero had mentioned this city. You name it. Robert Lewandowski. You show me a great striker. I'll show you a player who knows that their gravity on the pitch is as powerful as their impact. And so sometimes their power move in the game is going to be to move the centerbacks out of position so that a wingback can slice in or so that an attacking midfielder like a number 10 or somebody can can can overlap, right? Harry Kane for me. The reason I say this is because Harry Kane is the do everything player when it needs to be done. Okay. Right? In games where it's scruffy, he can get it done. In games where you're coasting, he can get it done. In games where someone needs to come back all the way to the midfield or beyond and get the ball, play it forward. Harry Kane can get it done. And you can put it on feet. You can put it on his head. You can make it like this Panama game. Let's be honest. It was an ugly game. It was a tough game. Yes. And it wasn't just tough. It was ugly. Yes. Like Colombia Portugal wasn't an ugly game, but it was tough. You know, Colombia, in my opinion, should have got the win. Okay. You know, but if we look at the England game itself, I think Harry Kane and Jude, by the way, Jude who half of the English press was slating before the tournaments has now stepped up in more than one game in my opinion to show that like he is that guy in the England team, especially Jude Bellingham. You pop up with the girls. Yes. You know why? You know why? And maybe this will get us into another conversation. Jude Bellingham is not afraid to progress the play. He's not afraid to take a man on. He's not afraid to dribble a person. He's not afraid. And probably he lacks the tools to do it. Look, wait, wait, wait, he lacks the finesse of like he doesn't have the most deft touch. But man, the boy makes up for it with his decision making. With his lungs, like in English, he's a passion merchant, I think, and he's a lungs merchant. How's it is? So do you say he's a lungs, yeah, lungs merchant merchant. Yes. And you say it like a bad thing. It's a bad thing. Okay, so I'll say this. I'll say this. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. No. Answer my question. When Jude Bellingham gets that ball and crosses it to Harry Kane, did he cross it using his lungs or using his passion? He used his lungs to get there. What I'm saying? Which foot did he use to cross that ball? What I'm saying is if you're, which if you did he used to cross that ball. You should show a good job of you building a struggle to create chances against Panama. You shouldn't. If you're a great player, I was playing five at the back. It doesn't matter. No, no, no, no. Oh, here goes. Vittinia. This a ball. You want to bring that up. Okay. Actually, this is a perfect chance. Let's talk about your boy's Pedrion Vitina. Wait, wait, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no is only is only is only determined by how they stand up when the pressure is on when the lights are brightest. I can't see that. The pressure was on with Panama. No, it wasn't. That's something. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no saying in the past and even now, I'm looking at the past performing. So look, for me, the way I consider hurricane and Ronaldo, I think of them as the hadn't James hadn't or Russell Westbrook of international football, they'll put up big numbers in the regular season when the playoffs come, they disappear. You know what you are, Joe? They said you are. Yes. You were a hate merchant. No, no, that's what you are. They're good players. No, I don't think you're also Westbrook and you're a merchant of hating. Listen, Russell Westbrook and James had your emergence of future holofemars and they, they're future holofemars. You are a merchant. But you can never put them in the same conversation hate thing as Michael Jordan or James. I'm going to issue you a challenge. Okay, you know, a lot of say the words messy. Okay, you're not allowed to say the words Harry Kane. No, you can't have the conversation. Ah, you see, I'm thinking about taking away your merchants. Okay, let's talk about the mr. merchants. That's all you are. Let's have a conversation about Vitinia. Yes. What's going on with Vitinia? Vitinia way, way, way, I'm going to break down why we're talking about this. Vitinia has been considered one of the best midfielders in the game of football over the past few years playing for PSG. The man is one multiple champions league. He's one multiple Aligas has been viewed as one of the most potent and dynamic players controlling a midfield, right? Coming into the world cup, I would argue that Portugal has been called one of the favorites primarily because Vitinia is running the midfield Bruno Fernandez in front of him. People have said this midfield can shut everything down. They can create anything good luck to any team that faces them and yet and yet in the games where we've watched Portugal play, it looks like Vitinia. And this is not like me guessing. If you look at his passing map, most of his passes are lateral passes from side to side, short passes that aren't really creative. They don't move the game. Very few in size of passes, very few chances created, very few opportunities, very few. Yes. What's the difference? And so my question to you is, OK, now remember my challenge. I'm actually going to add one thing. You cannot say Ronaldo. You cannot say Messi. You asked him. You cannot say Harry Kane. Wait, they're going to organize a problem without actually mentioning the problem. Wait. So when you have a striker who is static, when you have a striker who is not mobile, however progressive a passer, you are, there's no one to play the ball into. You need someone to play the ball into however progressive you are. Pedro Neto's there. Pedro Neto is not in the so that's why it's sideways because it's going to the wing. But it's not the same at PSG. He's playing the ball into clear back for a scarier. He's playing the ball. He's on the right times. Yes, but he's making runs inside. He's playing the ball into the embedded role. The embedded is very mobile. Now, when you consider, look, I'm a huge fan of Messi. Yes. But you don't have to say, no, OK, OK, I'm a huge fan of the good. I'm a huge fan of the good. But I'll tell you one thing. I'll play Trevor. You've Trevor. You've seen us play on Tuesday. One of my arguments every time I'm playing on Tuesday is where they run us. I'm a midfield. I'm a very progressive pass of the ball. I hit pass in the ball back. But if there's no one running after pass the ball back up, pass the ball sideways so that I don't consider possession. Because if you're midfielder, if you consider possession, then the counter is on. OK, let's now let's go to another player who you love. And then let's figure out what's happening with Petry. Petry has had a bit of a tough work up partly because he has had to switch between two positions. So he started as a more advanced pivot. And then they took Fabian Ruez out. Then they played him and they played very well in the second game. Remember, they played so well against Saudi Arabia, but that's because Danny all more than any only Arabia. That's because Danny all more. Yes, yes, but I was here. Why? Because then my test ended really well in that fight against a kid. He was really, really good. But I'll tell you why. So they started. So he struggled in the next game because they played Mickey Merino. Mickey Merino can't play with him in the same way that all more plays. Yes, but Joe, this is my problem though. This is what I'm trying to say. How great are these players? And I'm not saying they're not because again, I love Vitania. I love Petry. I love the way they play. But the question many people are asking is, are we over inflating the greatness of players around the world because of the teams they're surrounded by? Right. So we can bring other players into this conversation. Antoine Cementio. He's not showing himself as the born with guy or the man city guy. You watch most of the game and Cementio is making random runs. He doesn't seem to like keep the ball at his feet. He doesn't seem to, you know what I mean? There's multiple players where even Valverde at Uruguay. And again, some people say it's the coach, but I'm saying, is that not the true measure of a great player? Is the fact that they can perform in spite of the national team that is around them? Right? I'll go with you because I feel like you're coming around, around fun enough to my argument, which is the players so play like you're saying the measure of greatness. So I'm saying Harry Kane, Cristiano Ronaldo, they've been doing it for their club. Then they come to the national team. No, no, no, no, no, no, let's not bring them in. No, Joe, if you're doing here slick, let's talk about the players we're talking about. Okay, the teenager, Patrick. Yes, let's just talk about this. Okay, I'll say this, I'll say this and you can quote me on this going forward. Patrick is going to come good because Patrick always comes good. He's going to come good in should I mean? Okay, Tinha is not going to because he has a problem that can't be so interesting. So you can peddry, peddry is having a moment. Yes, Vitinha, it's systematic. It's a problem. Yeah, it's a problem. If he had Gonçalo Ramos in front of him, and I know Gonçalo is on like the best striker, but Gonçalo Ramos has legs, try to be mobile. There's a reason why. Okay, I can disagree with you. Let me tell you why. Let me tell you why. I actually think this is what the issue is. And maybe it actually leans this way our Venn diagrams might might actually overlap. I think when I watch Argentina play with Messi, a player who steps up both for club and country. One of the things I think people miss is this. Messi has an advantage in his position in the team because he is neither the furthest forward player nor is he the last man of defense. The reason I say this is if you are a player who's at the back and you do not perform 100% your team is going to concede a goal. If you're a player who's at the front and you don't perform your team is going to is not going to score goals. Right? Everyone goes where the goal is going to come from. I argue that Messi and I do think this was wise of him and the teams he's played for. By moving into the position he's moved into. He's now made it that the game is less about his legs and more about his vision, his touch and his talents. He's adapted. And that's part of what being a goat is in my opinion is knowing how to adapt to knowing how to adapt your body to the game. Yeah, yeah, completely, completely. I think when I watch the Portugal team, one of the biggest issues they face is let's think of all the great 433 teams and their formations whether it's Barcelona, whether it's PSG, whoever it may be, even Liverpool in its heyday, Mozala, Feminio, Mane, et cetera. One of the most crucial things you want to do is make sure that your wingers have the permission to cut in ferociously. And what often happens is you'll find a switch of play. So if your midfield has the ball, let's say they have it on the right. You find the most dangerous incisive pass is the pass that's actually going to favor like that in buffet that run that he loves doing. It's a diagonal run that cuts across players. And the reason I always think that's so hard to defend against is because you don't know whose man it is. Is it the man who was with him when he started the race or the man who started running it over to the next man. In many ways, it's like a basketball pick. Yes, but it's a much faster version of the pick and roll because you don't stand still. But who's supposed to defend it? Do you mark with the man? Do you mark with it? And those things are so dangerous. Like when Mozala would do that, Bobby Feminio would move to one side. Money or Salah would do it. You see that PSG as well. You see it at Bayern Munich as well. Once a player pulls and the wingers can cut in all sorts of chaos breaks out. And my issue is where I say we might be overlapping. I don't see Ronaldo pulling people enough. And then I don't see the Portugal wingers cutting in. The moments where I have seen it is Rafael. Rafael, but only because of his pace has been making that for himself. He gets the ball on the wing, flies past the defender, cuts back down into the box. But I argue he should be meeting the ball there as opposed to having to run all the way there with it. Yeah, but the thing is where this I grew with you and I see the convergence you're talking about. Where this I grew with you is you're making it seem like this is a recent problem. From when it comes to Ronaldo. No, no, no, no, no, no, listen, I don't want to go back to that. No, no, no, listen, I don't want to go back to that. The reason I'm saying it is, I'm just saying for Vitinia specifically. And even I'm saying for Vitinia. So I'm saying, I'm saying Pedro Neto and those guys, I don't know if this is a coach saying don't go into Ronaldo's zone or if it's Ronaldo saying don't go into Ronaldo's zone. But my issue is that the game seems like it has a predictable shape. And there's not enough throwing defenders off of their positions and dragging people out of positions in my opinion. But I don't want to get stuck on this forever. Well, let's take a quick break to thank our sponsor Mazda for today's episode. Safety has a new leader. You know what I've realized? Most people don't actually think about safety when everything's going right. Yeah, you only notice it afterwards at the end of a long drive when you still feel relaxed. When traffic gets chaotic, but you never feel overwhelmed when something unexpected happens and the car just feels composed. And I think that's what's interesting about Mazda's approach. Mazda has been named Consumer Reports safest new car brand. It starts with their approach. Mazda believes real safety begins with helping to protect you before problems even starts. So you can feel more confidence on every single drive. And I like that philosophy because good design shouldn't interrupt the experience. It should support it quietly. Mazda has more 2026 I. I. H. S. top safety pick plus awards than any other brand as of April 2026. You don't believe me? Visit www dot I. I. H. S. dot org to learn more to do it and do it now. I do want to talk about some of the some of the big news that's getting everyone. Number one, yo, one of the saddest stories from the World Cup is what happened to South Korea's coach. Yeah, you have to see team got knocked up at the competition, really put in sub pop performances. And the Korean coach, young Bo was, I mean, a hero coming into this tournament, the legend, legend, legend. And I was watching clips from Korean national television where they're talking about the team. They've blurred his, his whole body. Like, no, I mean, in a very literal way, they've blurred him like a, you know, like, the way the news would blur a dead body. They don't, they don't, they say he mustn't come into stores. They say like, okay, so a couple of things. One, that seems like it's to come on. One, so just a little bit of history, Hong Myeongbo, a lead South Korea, to their greatest ever finish to work up. Yes, they lost the third place. So he was, actually, he won the bronze ball at that World Cup. He was the third best player at that World Cup. He's a legend, legend. So, you know, he becomes a coach. It was a controversial appointment in South Korea. But then the one thing is South Korea has been fighting with the media. And I don't know whether he saw this, the reports of the media, like mocking Hong Myeongsong, so they've been fighting with the media. And then they didn't put up a good enough performance, lost to South Africa. And so this has now happened. There's gone from hero of South Korea and football. You like to like, and in South Korea, no matter when you fall from grace, you really do fall from grace. But I think, I think the team came in a bit like Turkey. They came in very high on expectation. And when it is, it's the course of the World Cup. When you, when you come in Uruguay, and people have already chosen you to go through, I do think it's one of the curses. Look at how team USA is performed because they were not, they were not the anointed ones. Look at how even some of the pressure forms, look at how Cape Vada and yes, but those are like small, they were always like the, I'm talking about like the middling teams have sort of done better because they didn't have the presumptive pressure on them. And I argue that, you know, it's not keeping your eye on the ball until it's in your hands or on your foot. Okay. In which way? You know, great athletes always say no matter, no matter the level of game, whenever you see an athlete make a mistake, 99 times out of 100 is because they took their eye off the ball at the last second. They were shooting. They took their eye off the ball. They were trapping. They were passing. And really all it is is keeping your eye on the ball until the point where it feels like it's unnecessary then taking your eye away. Yes. Right. I think teams that came into the World Cup looking at their next games already. You're right. Yes. At the next hour of the ball, they assume that they're required. Yes. And so, you know, and the opposite of that though is African teams. I mean, South Africa is knocked out now. Yes. But nine out of 10 African teams made it through to the knockout stages. It's so funny. He said, but it's so funny. You brought up that, you know, old adage about, you know, keep your eye on the ball because it's almost like when you come into World Cup, it sounds like a tired, tired phrase, but they were like, take it a game at a time. One game at a time. Take it one game at a time. One. Don't plan for the future. One game at a time. So African teams, they actually expanded and increased the number of representatives from Africa from five to 10. Yeah. And so many Europeans. You know, man, they're narrow got to so the Islam, the UFO president, they went like, oh, this is a charity case. It's going to make the world come to us. How are these teams going to compete? And you know, Africa didn't even qualify for the world. It didn't make it. And then Africa, 90% of our representatives have made it to the knockout rounds. For me, this, you know what Shakira said, it's time for Africa. He was 16 years. Because this really has been a part of Tunisia and Tunisia has been an I feel bad for Tunisia because they considered six goals. Was it five goals in their first game? Yeah. Fire, they are coached, considered four in the next game, then considered three. So they were like, you could see the improvement coming game by game. Yeah, but wait, wait, wait. It was way too late. And I feel sad for Tunisia and fans because they're produced some of the best defenders I knew growing up from Radej ID to, you know, they had him, they had a man, some you tried to see. They keep a chocolate or they've always had a good defensive side and to see them fall apart the way they did. But let's not talk about Tunisia. They had a tough work. Let's talk about the African, every African team has really shown up and shown out. But you, but I'm worried. We need another sport actually. Yeah, but now we are demanding two more sports. But now I'm worried now because Nigeria stayed behind. Can I say one more? Okay. I'm worried because I don't think the African teams still in the competition. Okay. Maybe barring Senegal have shown, in my opinion, enough incisiveness in front of goal. That's the problem. That has been the problem. Like, like, I was waiting for dear Congo to, like, maybe this is the awakening. I'm really excited for this. But like, like, I thought they would be like more, more dangerous in front of goal. You know, I thought that Morocco would be more dangerous in front of goal. Yeah. I thought that, like, I just thought they would be more cybery. They have really struggled. Yes. You know, and I hope it's just a moment. I'll say this way. I disagree with you. I think okay, that can. African teams going through the knockout rounds because then if you get it draw you're going to penalties Yeah, but you see I think that's why South Africa got knocked out. Yes, because I think sometimes African teams And maybe it's because again, you know sometimes you can't win for a long time African teams are told you don't know how to defend You just play the game casually and that's why you lose now African teams actually defend really really well Very disciplined, yes, but I think that can lead to a knockout suck a punch like South Africa experienced because you only Also, you're saying the Pindrum is wrong from one side to the other who used to be the attack minded cup and the African like African team Not just other African teams used to lose like the the final match score would be like for three. Yes. Yes That was an African match at the World Cup. Yes, full of excitement Losing but man what a great game and then now it's always like one-nil penalties One-nil penalties one-nil penalties and my problem is in the knockout stages When you play against a team that has like moments of excellence with maybe it players who are slightly better than you If the Netherlands goes into a knockout match with Morocco I worry more for the for Morocco than the Netherlands in the knockout part of a game Yes, but in the match itself I think Morocco can come back to swing things back and forth They can you know what I mean that they can they can survive the momentum shifts But I worry about teams who like who are too structured going into the game Mm-hmm. I worry that they may not they may not come out on the other side But I think for me that's a huge advantage because If you can't stop goals and because you're one and again is another of those old Proverbs tired defenses win your championships attack, you know, fences win your games. Yeah for me I think if you keep badly say you're not going to get into Scoring contest with Argentina. You'll never win. Yes. I'm saying you'll never win it But you can hope stop Argentina. You can hope that's the yeah, but but my problem is but you know You need this truck. It's so bad people use these so if you let's say you're in a boxing match with somebody Yes, blocking is a great way to stop them from hitting you But you know it's also great to stop them from hitting is punching knocking them out. Yes Not even knocking them out the fact that you throw a punch Yeah, I mean the other person has to think about throwing a punch at the same time You know, and I I just worry that in some of these games The teams are less worried about throwing punches and more worried about blocking every punch and I think that gives The other team a lot of time to figure out what's happening at the moment to calibrate the attack Etc. Etc. Etc. In fact, the one thing I will say that might help them is The hydration breaks actually I do think the hydration breaks are gonna help African teams Rick momentum. Yes, because it segments the game into four and it's a lot easier to keep your concentration in 20-minute periods Then it is to keep it over 45 minutes. Okay boys. Let's do it twenty twenty three minutes well done Twenty three minutes well done. Okay, twenty three minutes well done twenty three minutes I do think it's easier to defend four quarters of a soccer game for the first two halves. Yes, then then two halves Which brings me to another rule change since we're now changing rules since we now play football in quarters I love how they tricked us into that by the way slowly dangled it dangled it and then before I mean they trust us Let's be honest. It's is a time to change the offside rule I think he's what I believe I don't answer and then I'll and then I'll do you can so my answer is yes, but tell me why I'm right, Joe I think it's become too much draw lines this and that and this and that and this part of the body and this tiny little nail There's a longer foot toes. Yes, toes. I think the upside-down. I think venga is trying to change it Yes, yes, and I like it, but he's what I believe I believe if the referee goes I feel it should be the way it is But if the referee goes to the VA Armonita and can't see it in 15 seconds the goal should be given Oh, interesting. We should remove the lines if the referee can't notice his mistake in 15 if you can't see it and go like Oh, it's offside then she'll be given That's a no, I don't like that one. Instead of spending three minutes I don't like the one because now we've put the burden on the referee to notice or not notice them No, like 15 seconds in front of Joe. Let's just make it simple If there's daylight because remember the the origin of offside was a specific one The origin of the rule is we did not want one player To sit on the other side of the field which they used to do by the way They were just sit on the other side of the field and go ahead like you see it in basketball sometimes You're all the way on the other side of the court. They just throw you the ball. You're under the hook Yeah, and you just drop it in okay. That's why we have offside When you understand what a rule is for. I think the logic behind the rule is as important as the application of the rule. Yes So the spirit of the rule was not about Is a body part of yours edging out over my no it's Then I got an advantage yesterday. Are you playing the game in such a way that it's not like You know, I don't want to say like fair, but it's like you're spoiling the game You know because really you could also just wait in the goals wait for the ball stepping from the goalie etc etc Right So that's why the rule exists I think it's time to change the rule. I think we lost great goals and great results because of this rule You know, I think Iran didn't deserve to get knocked out. Mm-hmm. I think that Columbia deserved to beat Portugal Yes, and and and what I mean is like football gets robbed because Even as a neutral I'm watching that game going wow. What an ending No, it's not an ending because of a toe because of it. Oh, yes No, I'll say the outside rule has been the most controversial and you know for people are not like Fans of the game every time they change it They've never changed it and everyone is on board every time they change it is always like Remember when you guys broke it at possible. Yes, it's always like everyone It's like they have tried you know, I'll give the international fed, you know football associations board They have tried time and again Try to figure the thing out, but it's like a because football has every time you change it Guess what footballers do they try to find a loophole around it a way to exploit it and yeah But I mean here's not even a loophole. Here's just feet. I don't think somebody shortened their foot to find a loophole. I just think this didn't It just didn't help the game it it hasn't helped the game and then now you have teams getting knocked out and Iran by the way You know, you know what I mean like I think the only the only team that Has had to you such a cruel request of emotions dance of Africa now worse way worse no way worse I don't I don't think South Africa comes close. Yeah, I know it was just come on money. Iran comes into World Cup They don't stay in the US They have to fly in for every single game they're getting visas checked and they're doing like immigration customs and immigration Which is already a nightmare if you're traveling with your family imagine now trying to go play a world cup match You know what I mean? Then you worried about all your documents and stuff like that You don't just get you don't get to just like drive into the game. Yeah, yeah And then on top of all of that and this is something we need to like figure out there needs to be like a blanket in my opinion It needs to be a blanket agreement because it has to be applied uniformly Iranian players We're constantly being forced to answer questions about Iran the country and its politics And then at some point they're like asking them about LGBTQ issues Which in my opinion is like a trap by the reporters and I'll tell you why you can't ask Iranian players about LGBTQ rights When you know what the rules are in their country yes because People are quick to have that arrogance now people forget like America didn't have hasn't had like gay marriage for a hundred years You know I'm saying America hasn't had gay marriage for 50 years America hasn't had gay marriage for you get them saying So for them to now be like so arrogance about it like oh your country doesn't it's like no guys guys guys We have to be fit if you're going to do it do it to everyone if you're going to ask me to ask If you're going to ask Taremi about Gay rights and if you're going to ask Taremi about What's happening in the street of Hormuz then you must ask Christian pullisage about gay marriage in America And the possible ending of gay marriage and the street of Hormuz If you're going to ask Taremi those questions then you must ask Messia about Argentina You're going to ask then you must ask people about what's happening in Europe you you can't I think that's an extra level of Pressure, but the player doesn't need when they're playing at the world. Yes, but what not even need it's just the fairness for me is the issue Yes, some people say with great power comes good responsibility But the greatest of the powers don't have any responsibility. Yes. I understand this selective. I'll say if I'm Iranian the reason I feel is unfair is because people are never especially Sportsmen and and I understand what Pogoleco but they need to speak out but poor and never representative of their governments There are people on the Iranian team Who love the IRGC there are people who don't like the IRGC the same way they put an American team who love Trump. Yeah, yeah, Trump. Yeah, so it's our when you reduce people To their government because actually most times people go like no the government sucks. Yeah Most people everywhere go like our government sucks But we ask people which is why sometimes for go like oh that's I think they don't want us to meet because when people meet They realize oh the one thing we have in common is we all think all government sucks So it's very funny. That's happened. That's happened like this. Yeah, this all right. Everybody's gonna get out of here. Oh, you're there so many Europeans are like wow Actually Americans are great people and Americans are like wow so many Europeans are great people and people like oh wait wait wait The one thing we have in common is you think all our government is all our politicians all our politicians are the ones who actually suck because that a friend Tell me the one thing the one job The Trump had this whole world cup is to not make me rule for Iran But because of the way they were treated They hand them into underdogs and Americans love and under the American made history though Americans love America made history though first nation to bomb a country that they're also hosting at our sports tournaments It's pretty wild man. What a wild time we're living it and by the way, I don't know if you saw the the answer that that he gave but I You know, that's why I give credit. I'll tell you why. I can see a player losing their cool. I can see a player feeling no Every press conference that where they asked him a question. I felt like he was measured He was classy and the on the question they asked him in Seattle about LGBTQ and pride and everything he said And I'm sure you'll get flack what he said. I respect anyone who's from the LGBTQ community Live your life You have your opinions and your life and your preferences. Some other people have different ones Like live you get them saying it wasn't even like like anti No, he was like, but I don't understand why we're not talking about the game now they push back who be and this will be from the anti-Petiterem They were like oh, but they're me is a representative of the air. You see But then that's the thing with national teams national teams are representatives. Yeah, but I don't the country not the government Yeah, but I also think but also think we need to be we need to be fair as well We also have to be I think we have to have a little bit more leniency and a little bit more compassion For teams and players and athletes who come from countries where you can't just speak your mind. Yes Yes, yes, yes, because that's some bullshit as well Joe first amendment. Yeah, we're gonna get like we know We're gonna get some North Korean player and be like so what do you think of Kim Jong-un tell us what you really think with your Yes, yes, go back my feminism. No, I don't need to go back. My family's back. Yeah, bro Like I think sometimes no, but sometimes we make it seem like they can just talk shit with no Like don't make it. I feel like western people make it cuz western people go like as an American. I can go there Say crop about my government and nothing will happen good for you. Yes, so they so it's almost like privilege very good Hey, you need to check your private. Yeah, man Good for you. I just think we need to be like it's like just be a little bit more understanding compassion in those situations because People say oh you should speak out. Yeah, yeah, yeah, you say that but please understand that not every situation has the same level of speak Outability as yours does. Yes, and that's one of the joys of having the freedoms that you have. Yes, I said you have those freedoms I don't know if they said wrong attribution or not, but the former Ugandan dictator idiom in yeah, used to say You know, I'll give you you have freedom of speech, but what we can't guarantee is freedom after speech You know you can say whatever you want, but after you say your men dictators. Yes. Oh, they have bars your dick. They don't support other bars Yes, no, it's yeah, okay. This is it man round of 32. Let's let's make it fun. Joe. Let's let's let's let's go through the brackets together No, let's just make it. Let's just make it. We'll just make it interesting. You know what we'll just do it until the next we won't even go too far Okay, let's just do it until the next episode of the podcast. Okay. Okay, so so that every account has played Yeah, that has been we're recording this before the next round of games. So let's go. Brazil, Japan. I think Brazil have too much individual quality You know, uh, Japan is very organized very well drilled, but all it takes is a really masterpiece score. I think I think it should be I see two one. Okay, two on one. Yeah, yeah, I think I go three one Brazil or three two Brazil Germany Paraguay Germany Germany on the side of the world. I'll be shocked if Paraguay. I'll be shocked the Paraguay schools too. Yeah, man Germany is yes, they're still struggling with their identity Germany. You don't know whether they are because you know the old Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, but now they have so many what people call walk for the ballers. I have versus a half false nine That's it. German used to have nacho kilos. Clizman or the Piaho for the baller. Yeah. Now you have like these half-nines Yeah, no, so much work. It is it is it is a team. It is a team that's experiencing a transition in how they play football Identity crisis. Yeah, I don't think crisis. They still have too much quality. Netherlands Morocco. That's an interesting one I think Morocco is going to take it. I think Morocco have enough individual Yes, struggling to score goals. They're only outlet is ismer say buddy who fun enough played Place for PSV he might be moving to buy a unique party place for PSV. Yeah, in Holland. So that might be an advantage Yeah, yeah, I don't know man. I disagree with you there. I think I think the Netherlands is gonna take it. I think the Netherlands I think the Netherlands have been very shaky. I think the Netherlands too. Yeah, but the Netherlands when it gets to knock out games They are giant killers. I think they've got a lot of them. And they kill big teams. The only time they lost in Qatar was when Missy Rob Missy did that handball. You know there was a handball Joe. Yes, it was a handball. Okay. Thank you. That's what I needed all right moving on next round of games Let's go through them quick. Could give one no way No way no it has too much of the bench. Yeah owner of the bench from Sweden. France Sweden. Come on. That's easy France Mexico Ecuador. This is a tough one. That's a tough one. So careful. Mexico is playing at only time when I disagree by the way I agree with all of these. They haven't lost a game or does take a bat. The one advantage they have that does take a which is it's a high altitude ground Ecuador Comes from Quito for them. That's all they know. So they're advantage of playing like you know, cause you need oxygen. Yeah, I have to Equator is good with it. Equator struggles with gods as well. They have a great defense Yeah, but an avarance as you think they are I think Ecuador is going to shed it. I think we're going to shed it They're gonna win it. Yes, I think they're going to shed it. I think they're going to progress. I think Mexico is going to beat them Just because the home ground is too much. Mexico also has a class. They never make it Past the fast knockout phase and so they have to break away breakers. They also never won the their first game. Remember Yeah, so this is the this is the year of breaking curses. I think it's going to I think what is going through. Yes, okay England DR Congo. I think England will have England. England always makes heavy weather Progressingly did against but I think England will have a little bit too much quality even with the right back Yes, they're having now they don't have too much quality. If I was Congo. I'm just pressing that left that That left side. Yeah, but then but then Congo also has I don't want to be stuck at the side So the England also be concentrating on that side. I think England. I'm saying. I think England is in trouble I think England is is is is um that uh what's that um In Karate kid, you know when like the leg is Oh, yeah, I think they're limping through the rest of this tournament I think they saw against the low block and DR Congo going to play and by the DR Congo use the low block to frustrate Yeah, Portuguese. Yeah, they do. So I think England will struggle back. They will shed it. Okay, that enough quality to shed it. Belgium Senegal Belgium's Senegal. That's a tough one. That can go either way. I think Belgium is going to win. I think what? I think Belgium are slowly Slowly getting wrong Senegal winning. I say Senegal's winning Um, I think Senegal scoring more and I think they look more confident USA Bosnia. I say USA is winning. I think Bosnia is going to surprise the US really. I think Bosnia is going to surprise the US. Do you remember Bosnia people forget Bosnia is the team that dumped Italy out People forget that. That is shaky stuff. I was playing trash. Yes. Yeah, but it's easily playing treasure USA is not playing like it's illegal. You know, you know, I never thought I'd say that phrase. Yes. You're right. My my mouth even now is like Yeah, yeah, but it's true. USA is not playing like it's Italy was not playing. You're okay. Let's go Spain, Austria. I think Spain easily. Okay, Portugal, Croatia That can be tough. That can be surprisingly tough actually. That's going to be tough because Portugal hasn't shown me they can be creation No, that's going to be tough. But whatever happens, the legend is going back home more drink on one hand. Cristiano Ronaldo and the other I think I think Cristiano Ronaldo has never scored a goal in a knockout stage. I think Portugal will continue Croatia is going to win it. I think Portugal is going to win and I think they'll bring somebody on like like layout I think they're going to be the star and he's going to make it happen. No, no, no, no, no, no, it's going to play 90 minutes. So, so so in Algeria Switzerland will have too much quality for those Algerian boys. They have that boy Mazambi. No, Mazambi is fantastic. They have a routine for Switzerland But they have strong controlling things in the middle. All right. I think so too. Two more Australia Egypt I want Egypt to go through. I think Egypt want more. Argentina Cape Verde. Oh come on. Wow. Cape Verde you that confidence the thing is I Colombia. I really tip. But I can't. Colombia. Colombia. Colombia. Colombia Colombia showed so much quality in the show. Something special. Should go. All right. All right. That's all we have for now, man. It's going to be exciting. We're just what come. I think we've right, but but on maybe 30 more games to go. Yeah, this is this is it now. Man, time does rush when you're having fun. This is because I wish They were actually 90 more games. I'm having so much fun. I'm having so much fun with a But with the hydration and getting we're getting extra time. So we're good. We're getting extra time at the World Cup. No, but now we end the business and Win or go home. How does it? How do they say American? I go go big or go home. So there's going to be lots more hard to break For people I just starting to get into the game. What you saw with South Africa today is just keep happening and happening and happening I'm proud of my boys. We did it, man. No, because this is what I keep saying Only one team wins the World Cup But every nation has an opportunity to make their country proud Make your country proud. But finally, I did make it. Yeah, man. Make your country proud. You lose. It's respectable. Whatever. Don't lose badly. Play well. Do you think Walk with your head. That's why that when your coach goes back home. He's not blowed. Yeah, just don't get your coach. Don't get your coach blurred. Yes. That's all it is. That's all it is. That's all it is. All right, man. This was fun. I'll see you next week. Yeah, this was a pleasure. That's a pleasure. Thank you again so much to the sponsor of today's episode Mazda Mazda delivers confidence and control in every single drive and consumer reports safest new car brand award proves it You know, there's a phrase I really like a lot can happen when an accident doesn't And that's true a calm drive home a conversation that continues a trip that stays exactly what it was supposed to be That's what we're looking for Mazda has been named consumer reports safest new car brand in America Mazda safety features are designed to bring more enjoyment to every drive not to take away from it so you can do What you feel like doing Mazda has been named consumer reports safest new car brand people safest Is it Mazda USA.com to learn more Consumer reports does not endorse products or services What Now World Cup Bonus Episodes are produced by Day Zero Productions in partnership with Sirius XM, Executive Produced by Trevinoa Sanaziamin, Ryan Harduth and Rebecca Shane, Music, Mixing and Mastering by Hannes Brown. Thank you so much for listening. Join us every Monday during the World Cup for Bonus Episodes of What Now with Trevinoa. (upbeat music)