Everything That Went Wrong This Week at the World Cup | What Now? WORLD CUP Bonus Episode

This episode is brought to you by Fbreze. and we're coming to you from the. official Fbreze sponsored boot room. which if you know anything about soccer. is usually the last place you want to. hang out. This is what now with Trevor Noah. In the infamous words of Elling Harland, well well. >> what a week. Welcome to the welcome to. the podcast Joe. Um, and welcome to a.

crazy week of knockout football. We have. so many things to get to in this. episode. We got to talk about the. results. We got to talk about Brazil. We. got to talk about the Netherlands. We. got to talk about Germany. We got to. talk about Norway. We've got to talk. about France. We got to talk about um. Mexico and England. We got to talk about. uh Belgium and the USA. We've got to. talk about uh who else? Who else do we. have to talk about? We have to talk. about the African. We. >> have to talk about Argentina and Cape. Verde.

>> Um, and we have to talk about France and. Paraguay. But let's kick things off with. the freshest news. >> Oh my god. >> You know, they say that football, what. makes football such a beautiful game is. that it can bring out sides of people we. didn't know existed. Who would have thought Team USA would. have Donald Trump fighting for a. birthright citizen? >> Huh? >> Yes. who who would have thought. >> who would have thought. >> I mean we we've seen some pretty crazy.

decisions in a World Cup. I don't think. since what was it like Garinia. >> we've seen a decision overruled like. this team USA player getting a red card. >> balagon. >> Florian. >> for for Florian Balagon which shouldn't. have been a red card we all agree on. that we all agree on that. >> was had done by. >> but the world cup has never cared about. what should have or shouldn't have been. >> the punishment is doowled out you take. it you you got to deal with the with the.

with the punishment you got to deal with. the effects. Turns out if your president is Donald. Trump and if your country is the United. States and if infantino's in charge, anything is possible. The impossible is. possible. My. >> friend is usually like an African. parent. Once you've gotten the. punishment, you get the punishment. >> Oh, yeah. >> You can't go like, "Oh, but can I. appeal?" But mom, you see, no, no, no. You get and then we can talk afterwards. But yeah, what happened with so we all. agreed hard done by but political. interference into the judicial system of.

FIFA FIFA normally comes and takes over. your judiciary not just footballing. decisions but everything from copyright. and all this and so this was. >> it's the thing you said we haven't seen. like a country we haven't. [clears throat] seen a host country lean. on FIFA like this since 1978. when the dictatorship in Argentina. hosted the World Cup cuz even people. still say actually Holland or the Dutch. led by the famous Johan K should have. won that final. >> Yeah. >> But they didn't because apparently the. dictatorship made sure they needed that.

win and they lent on they they leaned on. everyone from FIFA down to the referee. That's why people say the first World. Cup won by Argentina was very tainted. >> I I wonder what this does for the. conversation around the game. So if. you're a Team USA fan, it's great. >> Yes. Yeah. I'm happy because I think the. red card itself was trash. >> Yes. You're saying justice has been. served. >> Yeah. But then like the way the justice. has been served isn't my favorite. You.

know what it feels like to me? >> It's it's it's almost in many ways like. the real justice system. >> where the rich powerful kid got off with. the crime. >> Mhm. >> But if it was a kid from like a. developing nation, >> a kid who was struggling, they wouldn't. have gotten away with Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, they wouldn't have gotten away with it. because I I would I I've always said I. would love for FIFA to go over its. rulings because the World Cup has so few. games. >> that they should be able to look at a a. ruling during the match and say, you. know what, that decision actually maybe. that was a bit a little harsh. Maybe.

that decision was wrong. Maybe that. decision I don't think that decisions. should be set in stone like like law. >> Yes. So, okay, two things. >> So, so for me, I don't mind that they. did it with Balagan, but I wish they. would do it with other games as well. >> So, for me, two things. One, first of. all, FIFA has always insisted that the. referee's decision is sacrosanked. It's. sacrosanked. It can't be messed with. It. stands as it stands because FIFA has. always been very big at empowering the. referees. The referees knowing that our. decision is final.

>> So that's disappointing from that end. Another reason is FIFA has always. insisted that politics and football. should be separate. >> Yeah. >> If actually if you're I think they. recently banned one country. I don't I. can't quite remember. It wasn't Kuwait. or one of the countries. If your. government interferes with the FA of. your country, >> FIFA bans you immediately automatically. if your because they want they want the. government to not interfere in the. running of football in any country. So. again disappointing on that front but. also third and most importantly.

>> I went to law school. I didn't pick up. much. But one thing I picked up was. justice cannot just be served. Justice. needs to be seen to be served. So you. can't just make a decision that just it. has to be seen. So in this case if. you're again as I said if you're maybe. Ghana or if you're a small emerging. African country or if you're Asia you're. going oh so just because you don't have. the clout. >> to lean on. we can't get decisions reversed it's.

very very disappointing. You see the. Belgium uh Belgian Football Federation. put out a post online. >> They responded and but all they did was. they responded with the rules. >> because that's very petty and very and. also [snorts] very Belgian very all they. did was respond and say per the rules. >> regardless of whether FIFA suspends or. does one match one match ban has to be. served for a red card minimum the player. has to miss the next match. >> Yes. Yes. Yes. >> That is the rule and they cannot change.

that. And so like FIFA now FIFA it. almost feels like FIFA has invented a. rule. Yes. >> Just for the scenario. They've gone we. haven't overridden the ref. >> but we've overridden mess with the. punishment. Yes. >> We've overridden the effect of the ref's. decision. >> which. >> is for all intent for all intents and. purposes that is the punishment of the. ref. >> And I'll say this. >> you know what I mean. >> cuz football has a very cruel and. twisted sense of humor. Baron is going. to score in his next game. he might. score the winner against Belgium and now.

you you know you know when you watch. games and play supposed to have gotten a. red card and with it and scores the. winner and they stay in the game. >> football has such a twisted sense of. humor that might happen very. disappointing but but not unexpected. because we've seen throughout this. process normally FIFA is very. independent. >> but we've seen throughout all this. process the Somali referee the way they. treated the Iranian delegation the visas. they kept denying funds from Africa or. from from smaller countries. We've seen that the US has consistently.

consistently thrown its weight around. It has consistently bullied FIFA into. accepting its decisions. And so for me, when I watched Johnny Infantino at the. press conference when they asked him, "And you're embarrassed by how much. you've bent over backwards to. accommodate the Trump administration.". When I watched him go like, "Yeah, you. know, FIFA really cannot be in charge of. the immigration system." I went, Jenny, are you kidding me? You always take over. the immigration system of the country. that's hosting. You did it with Qatar. when you invented the higher cards where.

people just come in if they had the. higher card. You did it with Russia when. you invented the fan pass where fans if. so long as they had a ticket they could. just march straight into Russia. So for. me it's been people say FIFA is always. disappointing. So the bar is on the. seafloor but they have managed to. somehow dig under and yeah go under the. bar. Very disappointing, not unexpected, very surprising, but you know, as I told. you, I see Baron scoring against Belgium.

and that's just going to add now fuel to. the fire. It's really enough to leave. you speechless. It really is. Here's. what it is for me. I don't expect them. to not make certain decisions. I just would have hoped. >> that they would find a way to make the. rulings seem a little bit more uh. equally. distributed. Like. >> I would have liked it if FIFA had just. like put their thumb on the scale for a. few more decisions in this World Cup.

>> I say. >> then then we would go there's a trend, you know. But but look, I mean, all all. it seems like to me is we've realized. that FIFA's real kryptonite or rather. their weakness. >> is not the power of the country that's. hosting the tournament. It's the power. of the market that the country. >> has. >> Oh, interesting. Okay. Exactly. >> Because because if you think about it, you have FIFA will host its tournament. anywhere. Brazil, France, >> it has its South Africa, you name it.

There's only one nation in the world. where football. is like nowhere in terms of like market. share, right? >> And it's the United States. >> The United States is one of the biggest. markets in the world. Look at how much NFL players earn. Look. at how much NBA stars earn. >> Baseball. They are shocked when they see. the followings. >> that football players have in the world.

Like whenever an American athlete sees. how popular and how big a footballer is. worldwide, they're shocked when they. realize sometimes they're earning three. times their money. >> Not just sports player, not just sports. or ball players, everyone. I remember. when there was the whole fight about. who's bigger, Taylor Swift or Messi or. Ronaldo. Who's bigger, Beyonce? Beyonce. fans were shocked when people were. posting like Instagram followers for. Ronaldo. They were like, "Oh my god.". >> Yeah. >> So, it's that. But for me, the one thing. I want to say though, for me, this even.

goes outside. So, you're saying FIFA is. trying to tap into desperately trying to. tap into the American market. I get. that. But for me, this goes outside. football. It's way bigger than football. Cuz if the US can throw its weight. around at the UN and make the UN bend. its rules in a way South Africa can't, in a way Uganda can't, in a way can't, then what's FIFA? The US can veto. things. The US can do whatever it wants. at the UN. It's. >> But that is But that is what the big. countries do at the UN, not just the. United States.

>> Okay. Okay. No, you're right. >> You get what I'm saying? That's exactly. what they do at the UN, right? at the UN. if you're not one of the major. countries, >> you can veto any bill that another. country or another, you know, whatever. motion another country wishes to passes, it's up to you. >> But you're saying when it comes to. football particularly? >> Yes. What what I'm saying is. >> we make it seem like FIFA like the US. leaned on FIFA. I think I think people. are making it seem like FIFA bowed to. the US. >> and I I argue Donald Trump and Infantino. >> just quit proquo. They've gone, "This.

works for both of us. >> Let's keep it going.". >> Trump is going, "Keep America and its. fans happy.". >> Infantino is going, "Yeah, I actually do. want America to stay happy because. America. >> has paid so much money." How many ads is. Christian Pulisen? [snorts]. >> Oh my god. I think about think about how. much money. >> I think it's between him and David. Beckham. I can't even turn on the. screen. >> David Beckham. Yo, I've David Beckham. Beckham is. >> David Beckham. I was American by now. >> I was counting his god. It starts in the.

morning with like coffee and breakfast. >> He wakes you up. >> and then in the middle of the day it's. like Bank of America and Home Depot and. then by the end of the day it was like. Lenovo AI and and Stella Artoire in. every block. Yes. >> Every block has David You Beckham's. playing now by the way. >> with how popular it is. Like I've never. seen anything like it. But Christian. Pulish is another one and Team USA is. another one. Like if you think of the. value and like how much this is worth. >> not just in money now but like in value.

of the game. Think about the MLS. >> Like if we think of this in isolation, I. think we can miss the forest from the. trees. >> The longer Messi stays in the World Cup, the better it is for the MLS. >> That's true. >> The longer the Mexican players stay in. the World Cup, the better it is for the. MLS. >> The longer any of these teams in the. longer Team USA stays in the World Cup. Although they have eight players from. Europe, they've also got other players. But now they can say the world they went. into the whatever stage the world cup. player the world it adds value to the. MLS. So that adds like it's it's that uh.

what is it rising tides the whole boats. all boats all boats. Yes. >> So if you think of the value this is. adding to the US I can see it from. everybody's point of view. going I can't let this thing. >> it's insane. >> I can't let this thing [ __ ] block all. the money I want to make. >> It's to your point that you're saying. because yesterday I was watching I was. watching Morocco. I made the mistake. I. made the mistake. Sorry I apologize. I. made the mistake of watching the Morocco. versus Canada game on Fox and Morocco. scored and the commenter went like. Morocco takes the lead on this 4th of. July holiday and I went like what what.

does 4th of July have [laughter]. to do with Morocco at all but the thing. you're saying it's the thing you're. saying it's it's more profitable to see. everything through the prism of the US. Yes. >> It's actually funny if if I was to bet I. would have said that Canada will get. knocked out first of all the host. nations. >> Oh okay. he would have been put on. were. the first ones cuz they just they just. seemed like I know it's a stereotype but. like the most polite host nation in a. way. >> cuz I don't know if you if you've seen. like by the time this episode comes out.

England will have played Mexico but did. you see what the. >> we're tapping it right before right. >> did you see what the Mexico fans were. doing outside the England um team hotel. >> classic. >> shooting fireworks. >> classic. >> playing music screaming at them in the. lobby. >> trying to ensure that they don't sleep. the night we just don't want you to. sleep it was crazy because I've seen. Eastern European clubs do club fans, but. I never seen a country do that, a host. country. So, what happened actually was. England booked 15 hotels to throw them. off, which is pointless,

>> to throw them off. They went like, "We. don't want them to know where we're. staying." But then remember the hotel. that they booked in, I feel like the. hotel manager had a patriotic duty to. snitch, >> but you don't even you don't even have. to switch snitch. If you've been to a. World Cup, you know every single team. moves around like a like a like a. diplomatic delegation. It's hard to. sneak around when you've got a giant bus. written England on it. >> and also with lead cars. >> with like police cars. Then like, "Oh, I. wonder which hotel they have." Is it the. one that has a giant bus with police uh. police escort or is it the hotel where. nobody's there? Where do you think.

England is staying? >> Yes. Yes. No, the Mexican fans really. brought it cuz they spent I don't think. any English player slept a wink. Unless. you're one of those players who can. sleep through like the apocalypse. It. was insane outside the hotel. Yes, you. should see the videos. And speaking of. insane, if we look at some of the. results, Germany, since we last recorded. an episode, knocked out, and you know. what, for me, it's the full it's the. full sentence. Not just knocked out by. Paraguay, >> knocked out in penalties. >> Penalties, the most ungerike way to go.

out. Yes, I'll say this. We both did. favor Germany for that match up, but we. both also did say German was in. transition. Germany was having an. identity crisis. And for me, when I. watched that game, especially the. penalt, I couldn't believe this was. Germany because you saw the videos that. came out afterwards, Joshua Kim trying. to take with Leon Goretska who has won a. Champions League, has almost 80 cups, begging him to take a penalty. He. refused. Yona had to step up, take his.

first penalty. >> Okay, but here's my question. Maybe I. don't know when the game changed this. When I first started watching football, penalty takers were were decided before. a game started. >> You're very right. You're very right. >> So the coach long before the game. started knew like literally they knew. they knew coming into the game. The way. I understand football, >> a coach knows who's going to kick. By. the way, penalties even in the match. >> No [clears throat] one should discuss. anything. They go first kicker is this. one. Second kicker might be this one.

Third kicker. >> They don't take corner kicks and freak. >> So if we get three penalties in a match, this is going to be the order. And then. when we go to a shootout, this is the. order. So to me, >> I couldn't believe. >> that the German captain was begging his. place. The man looked like the man. looked like he was selling like like. goods in a in a flea market. >> Oh my god. I thought you were going to. say he looked like a guy, you know, you. know those activists handing out flyers. at the at the worse green peace and just. like. >> No, but they at least the people had. engage with you. Yes.

>> Yeah. The man was begging people say. please buy the plea and go. >> I'll tell you what happened. I'll tell. you what I think happened. So I think. this is what happened. I think Germany. were a bit like us. I think they thought. this wouldn't go to penalties which is. very irresponsible and very unerman cuz. you have to plan. You have to plan for. every. also I grew up. >> with a German team and I told you this. >> the current generation the current. >> generation of German players are what I. call and you laughed but I call them. walk footballers. They are too soft and. too pretty for their own good. So when I.

when I was growing up you remember. Clayman Olv Rude VA when I watched Euro. 96 against England the semi-final. >> and German penalty. >> they played German. >> penalty Wembley. >> and German penalty stone cold killers. they scored five out of five Stefan. routter uh Thomas Str uh who are the. others are. >> you don't you don't even have to go that. far you don't have to go over that far. back Christian you don't even have to go. that far back mirror love closer to um.

Thomas Müller. Mario Gomez, >> you you didn't have to ask those guys. who's going to take a penalty. They were. all. >> who did you want to face with those? You. know what I mean? >> No, but I'm saying back then cuz again I. remember that team Christian Zigga, Andrea, Andrea Smaller scored the. winning penalty against England at a. packed Wembley when everyone was singing. it's coming home. And you know what he. did? He strutted around like a peacock. Packed Wembley. This guy had no fear. And and so I'm saying back then you. didn't even have to ask the Germans.

who's going to take a penalty. All of. them would be volunteering. All all of. them would be putting their hands. >> What do you What do you think's. happened? >> I think what happened to German. football? >> No, no, no. In general, what has. happened to penalty takers like or. penalty taking? Is it that like cuz I I. wrestle with this. I'm like, have players become. like I was really trying to break this. down and I was like, is this is this the. is this like the Roberto Bajjo effect? Is this like a second system effect?

>> You and I grew up at a time. >> when Roberto Bajjo was widely considered. the best footballer in the world when he. was playing, right? >> Incredible player. >> He was the best. He was a number 10. He. ruled the game. Every kid was trying to. grow their hair into a ponytail. ponytail. >> Yeah. to try and match him. He goes to. the final, >> drags Italy, kicking and screaming Italy. to the final. >> To the final. Yes. >> And in the final, it's a penalty. shootout. >> and he has to kick. >> the final kick against Brazil. >> And he enough USA 94.

>> Yeah. And he boots that ball skies. >> into the sky into into the sky. >> He kicks that he misses that penalty so. badly that his name is essentially. forgotten. He became a by word from from the the. like you know the halls [clears throat]. of fame. No one really speaks about him. If you talk to any footballer any people. today when you talk about football. >> they go oh the guy. Yeah. >> When you say Budo they're like if they. know him they go the guy or they don't. talk about him at all which is pretty. crazy. His career disappeared pretty.

much after that. He did he did redeem. himself in 98 because he scored a. penalty in 98 but and then they used him. in the John Walker ad. the making up for it. Maybe maybe that's. a deep cut for soccer, but they're going. to keep walking even if you miss. But I. think that's a deep cut for. >> But yeah, but what I'm saying is though, like I wonder if that moment lived in. the heads of so many players that then. that generation when they got to an age. where they were now playing the game, they went the worst thing you can do.

>> is miss a penalty. Cuz for instance, let's even look recently Gabrielle. Martinelli, he has not lived that penalty down. Not. him personally, but what I mean is if. you go online, the amount of like memes. and jokes that come. of Arsenal, >> Gabriel, not Martini, [clears throat]. Gabrielle of Arsenal. Yes. Not Martini. Gabrielle from Arsenal. >> He misses that that um that penalty. >> in the Champions League final against. >> against PSG, right? Skies it.

>> If you go online now, there's still. those jumps. You know those jump memes. where they they make it seem like it's. something else and then all of a sudden. it's him missing it. He's become the. missing guy in that way. You know what I. mean? I I almost feel like players would. rather let the goalkeeper take the. trophy. >> than to be the player who missed it. Because if you because if you let the. goalkeeper save it, no one remembers you. as the kicker. But [clears throat] if. you miss it, >> no one forgets you were the. >> No, but I'll say this. I don't. understand why players don't step up.

personally cuz when I played and I. didn't play to that level but when I. played I used to have this mentality of. if someone is going to make the team sad. by missing it it would rather be me. >> Uh Ronaldo has that attitude. >> It would rather be me. Do you remember. that penalty shootout um. >> when when he did. >> Portugal when he went and fetched guys. off the bench not off the bench but off. the sideline and he said come and kick. and he chose I think it was Nez. I think. it was Ruben Nez. He chose him to take. the first kick, like the first kick. And.

he [clears throat] said, "Ruben, come. kick." And Ruben said, "No, >> and Ronaldo said, >> "Hey." And then he looked at him. He. said, "Hey, >> you kick really amazingly." He said this. all in Portuguese, like, "You're an. amazing kicker. Come and kick that. ball." He said, "If you miss, you miss. It doesn't matter, but go out there, be. brave, kick the ball." And I was really, it was amazing to see like that. Cristiano Ronaldo said this. You saw, you saw that attitude. I think he has. learned from his lesson because Ronaldo. I think three times in his career now. I've seen him want to take the fifth. penalty and he didn't reach there. >> Yeah.

>> And his team lost cuz he was waiting. Messi always takes the first penalty. Miss or not miss always. He always takes. the first penalty. >> Oh that's interesting. >> because you need to set the tone. So me. when I was playing and again I didn't. play at high level. I used to go like. >> I would rather miss than Trevor misses. and then I spend the whole night going. like oh maybe if I taken. Yeah. The real. great thing. So for me, I would rather. you step up cuz now Leon Goretska. >> will keep asking himself maybe if I. taken instead of Jonathan instead of. Yonathan Ta maybe. So I don't like may. step up take the penalty.

>> Here's another question I have like. [clears throat]. staying in the world of penalties. Why. are the Dutch so bad at penalties? And. what I mean by this is like. >> this is not the first World Cup where. the Netherlands has gotten knocked out. in penalties. Like what is it about. penalties that the Dutch. >> are they just unlucky? Are they are they. is it not something that is I I don't. get it like we can go back in time to. the greatest. >> 98 against Brazil they lost penalties. 200. yeah kata against Argentina there I.

think it's a national for me and that's. why I was surprised by Germany because I. think penalties have a national. character attached to them teams who are. killers when it comes to penalty for the. longest time Germany were and England. sacked at penalties for the longest time. >> so I I I don't know with the Dutch I was. surprised is that Van Djk didn't step. up. >> Everyone, >> he has missed penalties. Yes, Messi has. missed more. You You always joke about. this. You always tell me Messi needs to. work on penalties, but Messi still steps. up every time. >> He does. He does. >> Van Djk as a leader. You need to step.

up. Why is Bruno taking a penalty? >> I still don't get that, man. Why? >> I don't know what Brazil. >> Vinnie, you're on the pitch. You're the. leader. Step up. Take a penalty. Zidan. Zidan always stepped up. >> as a leader. Okay. But now, but now we. were watching this game together, Brazil. versus Norway. [clears throat]. >> I didn't see a moment where there was. confusion. >> It didn't seem like Vinnie didn't step. up. He actually held the ball. It seems. like he was there holding the ball. It. almost seems like Bruno Gimme was like, "No, I'm supposed to kick this.".

>> He was a designated, "Yeah, you're. right.". >> And then again, maybe I don't know. things, but. >> in my head, I don't I just don't. understand why your striker is not. kicking the penalty. >> You're right. You're right. Like like. for me I just feel like a player. >> a forward who spends more time kicking a. ball in a box. >> into the net into Yes. >> is the player I would choose to kick it. >> You're very right. >> That's why that's why with Belgium you. could even see there was like so much. tension when Tielemans took the ball and. said I'm kicking it. People around me. like what are you doing.

>> and it's a great tech so when I was. playing and this is how we used to look. at it and I agree with you when I was. playing the most technical players the. technicians are the ones who should take. penalties first. for the strikers, then. you come down to the defend to the to. the midfielders and then defenders and. then keep a last keeper last. So when. you see so many defenders stepping up, there's a problem with that team cuz. technicians can pass the ball into the. neck. >> Technicians spend the whole time trying. to pass the ball into the net. A. defender, what do they spend most of. their time doing? >> Yeah, they kick the ball as far as they.

can and as high as they can. >> He's trying to not put the ball in the. net. >> We saw the We saw the Australian kid do. that. The 18-year-old, >> he stepped up. He stepped No, but we. even saw the first guy do that as well. >> Sat. Yeah. Yeah, we saw a great game. He. was a mess. >> He also booted it out. I don't. understand. [music] That's what they call it these. days. >> You see, he's Gabrielle. >> We're coming to you from a boot room. sponsored by Fbreze, which if you know. anything about soccer, is usually the. last place you'd want to hang out.

because this is where all the gear. lives. the cleats, the jerseys, the. socks, the bags, everything that. probably never sees a washing machine. until it's too late. But right now, it. actually smells [snorts] fresh in here. That's because Freze fabric is built for. exactly this kind of odor. The stuff. trapped in fabrics that you can't just. throw in the wash. It doesn't just cover. it up. It actually fights the odor. And.

I have to say this is one of the more. confident sponsorships I've ever seen. Usually brands want to put their names. on the nicest room in the building. The. VIP lounge, the luxury suite, the. hospitality area. Fabreze looked at the. boot room and said, "No, no, no. Put us. in there." And honestly, I respect that. because this room contains decades of. bad decisions. Wet cleats, forgotten gym. bags, socks that should have retired.

years ago. The kind of smells that don't. just enter a room, they sign a long-term. lease. And yet somehow it smells fresh. Yeah. Can you smell that, Joe? >> Smell what? >> Exactly. That's what is so impressive about this. because a lot of the things in here are. exactly the things that you can't throw. in the wash. None of it. The cleats, the. bag, the car SEAT AFTER PRACTICE. THAT'S. THE WHOLE POINT. Freeze fabric is for. the things the game touches that the. washing machine can't. And it's made. with no dyes, no uh forldahhides, and.

uses a 100% natural nitrogen propellant. If your soccer gear is starting to smell. like its own locker room, it's time for. Fabreze Fabric. IT DOESN'T JUST MASK the. odor, it fights them. [screaming]. Find Freze Fabric at Walmart. Uh let's talk about Brazil. Is it is it. is it over for Brazil? >> I think Brazil like like in this moment.

in time and the reason I asked the. question is um and you can you can ask. any if you have like but like. >> why do you think it's over? >> Why? >> No, I'm asking I'm not saying it's it's. over. What I'm saying is this is the. first time I've seen Brazil where I. don't know who's next. >> I I don't know who's in the pipeline. I. don't have an obvious like idea of where. Brazil's next generation is going to. come from. >> I'm not worried about the next. generation. >> Yeah, >> I'm not worried. They have Endri, they. have Esta. I think if Esteo was in this.

World Cup, he would have added a. dimension to the attack that they were. missing. >> Yeah, but what about the midfield? >> H the midfield is aging. The midfield is. killing them. Killing killing them. >> Where's the new midfield? >> It's killing them. Brazil has never. though. >> What about the wing backs? >> I'll say this. Okay, I'll say this. I. think I think you you you know you know. Brazil right now I would say Brazil has. never really relied on having the. flashiest defensive midfielders. Claybas. and Gatato Silva helped Brazil win the. 2002 World Cup because they had Ronaldo. So what they need is that guy in the. hall. Paketa can't be your guy. And.

today because Paketa was out who did. they play there? You can't play Martin. in the hall. He doesn't have the vision. He doesn't have the balance. Martinelli. is a winger. You can't play in the hole. in the whole unit a certain finesse, a. certain vision, special partial. awareness. He doesn't have that. So, they're missing that player there. They. were able to win the World Cup in 2002. because they had Cleverson who was good. but not spectacular. They had Gilbert. Silva but ahead of them they had. Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Aron phenomenal.

That's so they need a guy in the whole. but who do they have as their wing. backs? >> They're also missing because they. produced Carlos and Kafu and But that's. what I'm trying to say. You're right. >> That's what I'm saying. If you're if. you're playing, >> if we look at Brazil's game, >> yes, >> if we look at Brazil as we know it as a. team, >> flying, >> they've not focused on defense, but. >> the wing backs, they've created the most. legendary wing backs. >> They'll kill you. Yes. >> They've created the most legendary. wingers and they've created the most. legendary forwards or attackers. >> That's how they've won the five. Yes. The five stars on their. >> Now, I don't know any Brazilian wing.

backs who. >> the fact that they playing Danilo, 600y. old Danilo at this point in time. >> 600y old. It would been a n It should. been a nursing home. Oh man, you're very. right. 600 years. >> You're very right. The country a country. that gave us Mon that gave us Daniel. Alves that gave us KFU that gave us. Roberto Carlos to go back in time that. gave us Carlos Albato. >> is now playing Danilo. It's a damning. indictment on Brazil. >> Yeah. But you know what we also got to. talk about is the other side of the. coin. Norway. [snorts]. >> I I frankly I called it and I know it.

sounded crazy when I said no way would. win. Uh, but no way I knew No Way would. win because one, >> no, it didn't sound crazy though. But. Joe, but Joe didn't. No, but let's be. honest, it didn't sound crazy. >> Okay. >> If if anyone who knew football, it. didn't sound crazy. >> But what sounded crazy was the idea that. like Brazil wouldn't. >> even in the game, >> let's say Norway won like when we were. talking about I said I said 22. >> I didn't even say I didn't even say. that. You said that would be. >> the fact that you said 2-1. The fact.

that I said 22 tells us that we both. didn't assume that Brazil was going to. win the game in that way, right? >> But I don't think anyone thought. >> Brazil was going to fold the way they. did. >> But on [clears throat] the other side, Norway is playing a type of football. that. almost feels. deceivingly good, if there's such a. thing. >> Deceptively good. You're right. >> You know what I mean? Yeah. acceptably.

good. You know what I mean? >> I I'll say this. I'll say this. So part. of the reason I fancied Norway is Norway. has a very good front three. Nusa, >> Harland and Sol when I look. No, no, no, no. But when I saw my point. was Nusa, I knew Nusa was going to. expose Dano and I knew the thing that. the thing that is dynamic, but the thing. that made me fancy no even more is I. knew that when Sol eventually comes off, Oscar Bob is coming on. Oscar Bob is. your boy. you love him. Then I knew that. on the left when Nusa comes on.

>> comes off, they're bringing on Andreas. I've seen. >> kill teams in the Champions League. He's. a 23 year old kid, but he plays for. Benfica and he's incredible. And so I. knew that when Sherup comes up against. Danilo after Nusa has run him, he's. going to kill them. And Sherup came on. created two goals. >> So for me when I looked at the benches, I said, "Brazil, who do you have coming. off the bench?" Hri and Neymar. I said, "No way. Who do you I like no he has two. killers coming off the bench. That's why.

I fancied plus the midfield. But that's. why. >> you know what they als what they also. really have that that gets overlooked. they have a structurally defend like. solid defensive line like the their no. defense is is focused is together. >> No names by the way. All of them no. names. All names no names. Yeah. You. can't pick them out of a police lineup. but yeah. >> but. >> also because they can never be in a. police lineup because they are white. [laughter] But. They're white blonde men. They will. never be in the police lineup. But they. but they they they play like a they play.

like a solid boring good football at the. back. >> Okay. So I'm going to tell you something. about Norway that. >> also is and I know getting into this. later or maybe this is a good segue. I'm. going to tell you something about Norway. that reminds me so much of Cape Vad. >> Yeah. >> Their team who are like brothers. They will lay their body on the line. That's true. >> For every for themselves. So for me they. remind me of Greece in Euro 2004. Greece. was unfancied coming to the tournament. Auto Roa got the iconic German manager.

got this Greek team of dreamers. >> Yeah. >> And they were fighting like you posted. the sp the spart meme. >> Yeah. >> But this was real spatter. angel. This was a team of like dreamers. who hadn't had like great footballing. careers at their clubs. Yeah. >> And my friend they came in beat Portugal. in the opening game. Beat France in the. quarterfinals. They were winning 1 nil 1. nil. Met Portugal again. Portugal was. hosting. Beat them again in the final.

And they were just fighting for each. other. When you saw that Cape Vad team, they don't have a star. They don't have. a stand. Their only stand is I think Vin. who is and maybe Pic Lopez. >> Yeah. But that's not to your point. They're not stars. >> They fight for each other. Yeah, >> these are guys who are so when you look. at Norway when you look at that Greek. team of of Euro 2004 and when you look. at Vad these are guys who have bonded. these are going to be brothers 80 years. from now they'll be meeting they'll be. in the same WhatsApp group you know when. you're going to be have a WhatsApp group.

for forever these are guys who have. bonded and teams like that in a. tournament are a menace cuz when you can. trust the man on your like they say in. 300 when you can trust the man on your. left. >> to never run then you or when you know. like if the rank collapses, the whole. team collapses. These guys fight for. every ball. Cape Vad made Argentina earn. every goal. Every goal. >> even. >> there were no gifts. >> Every goal that Argentina scored except. the last one which was that's where it's. like football and it's luck.

>> That was going Messi's goal. >> it had to be perfect. >> was so good. It was so good for so many. reasons. First of all, it's good because. you watch Messi start the play. >> He's facing his team. M. >> he's standing on the edge of the box. He's walking with the back line. >> He starts orchestrating his players and. starts moving the ball around from his. position. He's not on the ball. >> He's not on the ball. Yes. >> He's just pointing telling people what. to do. Very. >> Pedries. >> Yeah. Very Yes. Yes. >> You know, he's just telling people what. to do, where to move, how to play,

>> and then in a split second the center. back takes his eye off Messi, >> runs back on side. Messi runs back on. side, then runs to get the ball, traps. that ball on a half ball. >> That catch had to be perfect. >> That That was beyond perfect. >> And then flicks it at the goalie's head. >> cuz the keeper has to They flinch every. time. >> at an angle where you you just don't. think that's going to happen. Gets the goal. Now you're like, "Oh, okay. This is now Argentina.

>> They go on." You know, Zlatan said that. and I think they teach it everywhere. If. you're striker, smash that ball at the. keeper or just put it because naturally. they have to flinch. No keeper is going. The natural body reaction when something. is coming at it is to do this. >> So I I have a different opinion on that. Funny enough. >> Okay. But first, yeah, first go. >> I I don't I don't think goalkeepers are. necessarily flinching. I think. goalkeepers spend so much time. practicing choosing a side. >> They never think up is the side. So if. you if you.

like or very seldom are they thinking. it's coming like straight here. Do you. do do you know what I mean? >> Okay. But I interrupted you. I was going. like okay. So after Messi scores. >> we now think. >> it's done. >> The layman would now think. >> it's done. >> Oh okay. The game's done. >> Yeah. Put a fork in them. Yeah. That's. what that's what. Put a fork in Cape V. They are done. But this is Cape V. >> Cape Verde not only comes back. They. play a beautiful football. They don't. they don't pull like a like a haram.

ball. They're not just kicking the ball. over the top. They're not just like. spamming crosses. They're not No, they. move the ball. They pass the ball. They. play the ball. They move the ball. They. pass the ball. They come back. They get. a goal. >> Not just a goal. They not make two. defenders. The first pass and that first. pass that made Medina the shot into the. goal made. >> The second one was more lucky. No, no, no. It was more lucky. >> I don't think it was. >> It was more lucky. >> I don't think it was. >> The first one was very much another. >> Yes, but I don't think it was. When I.

watched Dati shoot that ball, I don't. think it was, man. Like I watched it. He. didn't just shoot cuz sometimes players. shoot and inshallah. They shoot in hope. and let me just shoot and inshah. >> he like you could see him not making two. great defenders like that is never by. luck. I was impressed. I thought I. >> both kept bad goals. Brother, you can't. take anything away from them. Then you. go you go to the other side of the. field. >> Argentina has the ball again. Landro. Martinez gets it. >> Striker. >> You're like you're like, >> "Oh, what's he going to do?".

>> He's a defender. >> He's a defender. It's on his left foot. >> Okay. I don't know what he's he scores a. banger again. Similar top corner. >> Yes. Yes, you're right. >> In the top. >> Vinho not there for it. >> Kind of expected though because he he he. he learned his trade. Martinez desandro. They call him the butcher, but people. forget he learned his trade at Ajax. You. don't play for Ajax if you're not. technically sound. >> Well, I didn't I didn't think of that. actually. >> If you Ajax doesn't just sign anyone, you have to be technically sound on the. ball. So, he has scored some bangers.

>> He has. >> Uh this Andrew, but yeah, you again. Yeah. Yeah. Again. >> And then Cape Verde comes along, strings. together, what was it like 15, 20. passes? >> Passes. Yes. >> Coming up the field, moving the ball. Beautiful. Argentina chasing shadows. Argentina chasing shadows. You see them. running from the top right corner of the. box. Cape Ver passes it forward. The man. brings it down. Brings it around. They. move. They switch positions. They slowly. come creeping down the left side of the. field.

>> They move the ball. You think, "Okay, there's nothing they What are they going. to do here?" And then. >> the left winger gets the ball. >> one-on-one with Mallister, >> but shake of the hips, >> but so far away from the goals that the. worst you're thinking is a a good cross. >> [clears throat]. >> And that you're praying for a good. cross. Yes, >> that man shake of the hips. And yo man, he released. >> he sent Malista back to Buenos Iris. >> A banger. >> My god. I'll tell I'll tell you. >> go of the world cup. >> I'll tell you two things about an an.

instant. instant. contender for goal of the year. >> That's goal of the world cup. >> Yes. No goal of the year. You know the. award the famous award. >> that they give out go of the pushkas. >> Yeah. >> From fering pushkas. Immediate. contender. Just not because of the goal. by the way. build up. against the moment. I'll say two things. about. >> that game. One, >> that goal that you've just described. >> reminded me so much of the goal Saudi. Arabia scored against Argentina to win.

in 2022. It was almost the same goal. >> into the top corner. alawi alawi, sorry. And then the goal. Messi scored reminded me so much of a. similar goal that Messi scored against. Nigeria. If you remember, Messi checked. It was a. 2018 World Cup. The one that had Diego. Maron praying to the gods. Messi. checked, ball over the top. That time, I. think it was. the great midfielder. I'm blanking on. his name. Ball over the top, brought it.

down, and he was off to the races. But. again, Kev can take even the celebration. from that goal makes it for me pushkas. cuz he didn't just celebrate. He ran to. the crowd and looked for his girlfriend. He was Yo, that moment I thought the guy. was like he he he forgot there was a. game. >> He forgot. He forgot the game, brother. He's supposed to do. >> He forgot there was a game. He forgot. that he had Yes. >> He he he could not believe what he had. experienced. >> No, I was reading their story. It's a.

beautiful story cuz he was playing in. the German third division. >> Yeah. >> Just I think 18 or so months ago, this. guy has stood by him. It was a great It. was a great moment. I'm not even a. romantic like that. I'm a cynical. cynical cynical football fan. I'm a. cynic. I don't have a tender spot in my. heart, but that really really did bring. a tear to your eye. >> I saw I saw um the rumors. Fabitzio. Romano said apparently Inter Miami might. be signing Vinha. >> They should. He was incredible. >> That would be amazing. >> He's the Messi stopper. >> Can I tell you the Messi stopper? They. better sign him. >> I also think that would be like a. beautiful It's just a wonderful reward.

for a player. >> I saw him with the jersey with uh David. Beckham. It would be great. He's 40. He. would earn some good money. He's a star. He's definitely a star. social media 20. million followers now on on on social. media. >> Yeah, he would be good. But but the. thing I loved about that game, Trevor, even if they lost Cape Vad, those. players first of all will never buy a. dinner or buy a beer in Cape Vad ever. again. Chances are their grandkids will. never buy a beer. If you represent your. country like that, if you make your.

country that proud. >> Yeah. >> Cuz now everyone knows what Cape is. They actually for me if they dumped out. Argentina, they didn't. They came close. but for me that would have been the. biggest upset since Cameroon beat Maron. Argentina in 1990. It was incredible. It. was it was it was it was a beautiful. game. It was. >> it was a game of the tournament. >> Were you sad because on the one hand. you've got your goat Messi. On the other. hand you've got Cape Verde who you've. been pushing from the beginning of the. tournament. >> Are you happy with the results? >> I'm happy with the results because I.

want Messi to win backto back. championships. But if they had lost for. me, I've told you this and you asked and. you you did say that me when Barona. loses I never get down. It's because for. me when you beat a team with Messi, you've earned the victory. I love Messi, I support Messi, but Messi is such a. good player that if you beat him, I can. never be sad. I go like, you've earned. it cuz it takes a special team to beat. Messi. When when Liverpool beat us 4-0il. when Liverpool beat Barcelona 4-0il and. they came back from a 3-0 down.

>> I went like fair play cuz I love the. game. I love Messi but I love the game. of football more than Messi. >> Let's talk about uh another player that. you love talking about Cristiano. Ronaldo. >> Yes. >> We in our last episode we said something. >> that I would argue has now proved to be. true. Mhm. >> We said if Portugal wants to go through. >> by hook or crook, Ronaldo is going to. have to be off the field. >> Portugal was playing against Croatia. >> Yes.

>> Was a tense tense match where Portugal. never looked like they were going to. pull away. >> They get awarded a penalty. Cristiano. Ronaldo steps up, >> takes the penalty brilliantly. Brilliantly. >> Scores the penalty penalty. >> Yeah. Yeah. Scores the penalty. >> But then again, the match goes back to a. tense game where anything can happen. Croatia could have won it. Uh, Matteo. Kovic. made a crazy run. Hit the post. Yes. >> And then Portugal's coach, Roberto. Martinez, >> that woke him up, >> makes a ballsy decision,

>> substitutes Cristiano Ronaldo, and I'm. sure you remember the moment. >> I remember you. >> Anyone who was watching it will remember. this moment. >> Ronaldo looks up at the boards showing. who's being substituted. He looks at the. sideline. He looks at the boards. He. looks around him and you can see he's. going, "Guys, I think this is a. malfunction because I see my number.". >> Yes. >> But there is no world. Yes. In. >> where I would be getting substituted. >> When the team needs a goal, >> yes. >> When your team needs a goal, >> he looks up. He looks down. He looks up. He looks around.

>> He's almost waiting for someone to say, "Sorry, sorry, sorry. That no, not your. seven. Another [clears throat] number. seven.". >> He comes off the field, not doesn't. throw a tantrum to his but he's he's in. disbelief though. He he has like a Okay, I guess. >> I guess that happened. Yes, >> I guess that happened. >> and then a few moments later, >> Portugal gets their goal. Rafao swings. across. >> Your boy, >> he had he had swung crosses in swung. Yo, man. Ronaldo against Yes.

>> Say what you want. He had missed. >> so many chances, so many crosses. >> I wasn't getting there. Yes. >> And then there you go. Ramos comes in. >> Gonzo Ramos. One one cross and boom. >> And a fantastic goal. and not just okay. I'll say this first of all before I talk. about Ramos's goal u I have to give. kudos to Roberto Martinez I'm one of his. biggest critics I think he wasted. Belgium's golden generation of Kevin de. Bruyne and Tiboka and Romero Lukaku and. Eden Hazard I think he and Dre Martins I.

think he wasted them and I thought even. coming to this tournament I think I. still think he might waste uh Portugal's. golden generation. >> but on the day he made a bold Z gutsy. decision because before he took Ronaldo. off, Portugal was being overrun in the. middle cuz they had one man less in the. middle cuz Ronaldo doesn't track back. That's why when Matteo Kovasic got that. ball, he just ran through the middle. So. he realized we need another body in the. middle to staunch the floor. He brings.

on Ruben Neves and I think you saw what. happened. The game settled back into a. 50/50. So that was ballsy for me. That. was that that was an incredible I didn't. think Martinez had it in him. He brings. on. So when he brings on Ruben Neves, Ruben Neas goes in the middle. Then. Gonzalo Ramos plays as the nine, which. is where he thrives. The last time he. replaced Ronaldo, he scored a hat-tick. in in Katang. So when he scores that. header, part of the reason why I. screamed that Ronaldo would never do. that was one, I'd seen crosses coming in.

and Ronaldo was not getting to the end. of them. But also two, Gonzal Ramos, that was a tough header. He jumped in. between. It was so good. >> Three defenders. >> and to get that much direction and power. >> and power and also like but he's jumping. in between three defenders. I saw I saw. the former I saw the former uh Liverpool. uh defender Croatian defender uh talking. about it. I think remember him. Uh he. was a great great Liverpool defender. kind of chaotic very and he said I think. Croha gave the ball away cuz there's no.

way in my days a striker would have. jumped between three defenders one of. you to get to that ball. So it wasn't an. easy head as we think it was. And so for. me that's what Gonzo Ramos gives you. Gonzal Ramos gives you a target man. Gonzalo Ramos gives you deadly. finishing. Gonzale Ramos gives you the. ability to track and press that Ronaldo. doesn't. I feel Ronaldo should be doing. what Neymar did. I feel Ronaldo should. be coming on the last 15 minutes, last. 20 minutes against aging tired. Be a. tele against tired minds. But.

>> yeah, be a talisman player. Um let's get. into a few predictions. Before Before we. get into I just want to talk about. there's one and we disagreed and I don't. like when you do a podcast and we don't. disagree. The creation goal you called. it immediately went like it was offside. >> Yes, >> I disagreed immediately. >> Yes. >> And I still disagree. The reason I. disagree is this. I feel everyone. focuses on the sneaker the board. Was it. touched by Matanovich or not? Yes. >> I think they're focusing on the wrong.

thing. The focus should be on was Renato. Vega trying to make a defensive play cuz. if you say it was unintentional then the. Croatian player was offside was offside. but for me I argue that Renato Vega was. making a defensive play. Why? >> So so let me so let me tell you why I. think you lose this argument if you're. going to do that. >> I think by the strict interpretation of. the game, >> okay, >> of the player jumping that close to a. ball in an offside way is offside in my. opinion. it off. You cannot like did.

they touch the ball or not is irrelevant. when the player is actively trying to. close to playing the ball. You know why? We have to defend them. The whole field. has to shift with them. The purpose of. the offside rule is to protect the game. from an unfair advantage or. disadvantage. Right? So if a player is. jumping to head of the ball and they. happen to miss it by a hair, let's say. they didn't touch it. >> How is that not of side? You made an. active effort to play the ball, >> right? you made an active effort. People. had to defend you because of your.

positioning. The ball might have been. missed by somebody else or somebody got. thrown off. The same way if you block. the goalkeeper's view and it's offside. You interfered with the play. To me, whether you touched it or not, that is. an offside. >> Okay. So, here's where I disagree with. you. Uh for me, if it was a midfielder. in that situation. >> and if Renato Vega hadn't stooped, if it. had hit him while he was standing. upright is unintentional and accidental. Renato Vega stoops. I've played as a. defender. No, I'm saying I've played as. a defender. Some people are saying he.

was ducking. A defender troops to head. the ball. So, let me ask you. If I'm a. defender, let me ask you this. Let me. ask you this. If that yours, you're. measuring the wrong part of. >> No, no, I'm saying they focus on the. wrong thing. They focus on Matanovic. They should focus on. it's like it's like a mathematical. equation. If if if so, let's start with. the first let me ask you a simple. question. Simple question. Did the. [clears throat] first man try to play. the ball in an offside position? >> If he Yes. Did he or did he not? If. doesn't touch it,

>> no no no no no no. The first man was. jump. He wasn't in offside. He wasn't. offside. Matanovic wasn't offside. The. offside player is Pasaric behind. >> cuz when Matanovic touches the ball. >> Oh yeah. Okay. So you're saying if he. doesn't touch it on the other side. >> Yeah. Yeah. No. It's a goal cuz Paric. was on side. No, >> but he wasn't playing it. >> No. No. Listen. So when the ball come. No, but he wasn't playing it. When the. ball comes in, pass is on side. When. Matanovic touches it with the hair, pass. is offside. But then the ball hits. So. the reason I think Ronaldo Vega was.

making a defensive play and it was. intentional is because if that ball hits. Reno Vega on the forehead and goes out. and goes back, it's a defensive. clearance, but he screwed up his head. and the ball hit him on the top of his. head went to pass. That's why for me I'm. going like they focused on the wrong. play. The right play is Vega. >> I think those things are all offside to. me. I I think they've made the offside. rule too complicated. >> Too complicated. You're right. You're. right. Uh before. >> I think they've made it too complicated. >> Can you talk about the African teams, please? Cuz many of my friends were. traumatized.

>> By who? >> By the way, African teams crashed out. Sago African teams kept crashing out. with 10 minutes to go. They were winning. most of their games. >> with 10 minutes to go. >> And most of my friends, cuz I picked. when we made the predictions, I got all. the Afghan teams right. >> I said Egypt and Morocco were. progressing. I said the rest were going. to be dumped out. And so my friends were asking me why did. I do that? And also part of the reason. why I wasn't heartbroken when Afghan. teams lost out. It's because I've been. traumatized enough by African teams. In. fact, Trevor, we shouldn't be holding.

this podcast in a chair. I should be on. a couch because I'm going to trauma dump. on you. So I've watched enough football. to know that when it comes to the. knockouts, African teams always find a. way for some reason. It could be. structural. It could be psychological. I. don't know what's happening. But African. teams always find a way. And. unfortunately, mostly black African. teams find a way to snatch defeat from. the jaws of victory. It started when I. was a wheelard. I was really young. I.

think I was around 5, six. I remember. Cameroon 1990 World Cup. I remember my. my father and my uncles and the whole. village going crazy when Cameroon with. nine men beat Diego Maradona's. uh the opening game. >> and this was the Cameroon team of. >> that's when we thought the world we. thought it was coming. >> Pelle in 1977 said an African team is. going to win the World Cup by the year. 2000. In 1990 we all believed I remember. I was young and I think maybe it's not. just my memory also because I've watched. like clips afterwards. I remember when.

big scored that header cuz that that. team was good. had Roger Mambik Maki. Thomas all these great players when they. beat Agenta with nine men we want. they're going to win it they topped. their group they went into they beat. Romania 2-1 Roger scoring a double. >> I remember the village going crazy I was. young but you know I think that's when I. fell in love with this game they went. into the knockout rounds round of 16. beat Colombia. >> Roger Mirror I remember clear watching. Roger steal that ball from Reneg scoring. going the corner flag and just doing the.

dance yes and we went like this is. They played England. Cameroon was 8. minutes. away from winning it. They considered a. penalty. Gar scores goes into extra. time. Garina scores another penalty. Cameroon out. I remember the way the. village felt after that. >> Nigeria. >> 1994 Nigeria a famous Nigerian team. Peter Ruf and Rashid Samson that was. Ammanueliki Daniel incredible Nigerian. team that won the nation's cup. They won. the high. Everyone thought this is it.

They go win their group again. >> Win their group again. Trevor, they. reach the round of 16. Play Italy. They. are winning with I think two minutes to. go. Roberto Bagio scores a goal. Extra. time. Roberto Bajio scores again. They. are out. I go like, "Okay, maybe that. was bad luck." 1998 Nigerian team, same. Nigerian team, now even better. Jojo, a better team. They humiliate Spain in. the opening game, winning 3-2. famous. goal by OIS long ranger winning that. I.

remember I was in high school and I went. like this is it. This is the team Trevor. round of 16 because they had played so. well. They were given Denmark. Everyone thought this is a walk over. Denmark beat Nigeria 4-1. The game was. over by the 15th minute and I went like. you know what I think I'm done. But then. but then because football keeps giving. you hope. 2002 Seneago first game. against France they win 1 nil Papa great.

team with Khalil Figif. Jaw of Liverpool incredible team they. beat they beat Zidan wasn't playing but. they still beat France who are the world. champions we go like this is it they go. on defeat Denmark we like this is it. they reach they play Taki now we are. just playing for an African team reach. the semi-finals they meet Taki Turkey. beats them last minute goal by Ilan. Masses. >> Yeah. Ghana. Ghana Ghana against. Uruguay. >> That's the one that.

>> they missed. They missed the penalty. >> That's the one that broke my heart. I. think that's the one that's the first. 2010 World Cup. That's the first time. that every African got really. traumatized by an African team cuz Ghana. get a penalty. Suarez did what Sorz had. to do. >> Yeah. But they had the penalty. >> penalty. Trevor, I was watching that. game. I was in South Africa as part of a. delegation of of African journalists who. were like picked by to come and cover. that game. I was watching it with my. African friends. uh Ghana get the. penalty with a minute to go and Jian. stands up steps up and I tell my African.

journalist friends I tell them he's. going to miss then they go like no I. tell them guys president he's going to. miss I've watched enough games he's. going to miss he steps up hits that ball. against the crossbar Ghana loses later. that's the first time I realized oh. soccer fans heard the bitter truth cuz. my friend. >> wait so why so why do you think this why. do you think this happens to African. teams I. >> don't know man I can't place I know the. structure or psychological. I don't know. what it. >> Why don't you look at witchcraft, Joe? >> White people white people watch. Witchcraft never works on us. What are. you talking about? >> Why Why are you ignoring the elephants.

in the room, Joe? >> No, but I I remember that day cuz no one. no one asked me how did you know why. people were just They felt like I was. trolling them. They were like, "Why did. you have to say it?" They felt like. people felt like I I had made him miss. And then witchcraft. >> And then and then you saw what happened. in 2014 as well. You saw what happened. Algeria and Nigeria both make it and. they both lose with both of them lose. with like two minutes to go in their. matches. For me, it's it's it's a and so. that's why when you asked me last week. which team is going to make it through,

I was so sure all the black Afghan teams. would let us down and lose in. heartbreaking fashion. And I was only. sure Morocco and Egypt would go through. because Morocco showed me in 2022 that. they don't have the psychological mental. block. they will win games. And I think. you saw them against the Netherlands. Morocco against the Netherlands. Another. team, I'm sorry to say, but I think. another African team would have. collapsed. Morocco didn't. Netherlands. took the lead. >> Yeah, they did. >> And Moroco went like, okay, the Moroan,

first of all, let's just give for me my. man of the week, and I know the Cape Vad. coach is amazing. But my coach of the. week, Muhammad Oabi, the coach of. Morocco, he was paruted in with three. months to go to handle this team in the. World Cup cuz he helped Morocco win the. under 20 World Cup just in last year. He. was paruted in and he has made this team. his own against the Netherlands when. Gako scored. with just like what 14 minutes. >> I mean he played it. >> He brought on three 20 year olds. Trevor, he didn't just bring like he had.

he. with you. >> He brought on three 21. The amount of. bravery it takes to bring on three 20. year olds. Morabat uh uh who are the. others? uh Gami Gami Hassan and uh Tabi, one of them ended up taking a penalty. A. 20-year-old stood up and took a penalty. and scored it. For me, that takes a. certain amount of mental and. psychological bravery. And that's why. I'm backing Morocco to go not to go all. the way cuz I think they are four years. too short. I think they will win when.

they host it. Yeah. >> I think they're going to fall. You don't. think they're going to beat France? No, I think I think they'll fall short. I. think they'll fall short this year. But. they have such a young cracks. They have. such a young core. Like when you look at. their midfield, we've been we've been. raving about Aubadi, right? I mean, there's other stars that have shown. every midfielder in Morocco has stepped. up. Aubad was amazing against Brazil. But then when I watched Netherlands, I. think Eloi is even a better midfielder. I think he should be playing for.

Barcelona. He's incredible. I haven't. seen a midfielder break up play and. launch attacks like that since Chavi. And then in the game last game, guess. who stepped up against Canada? Onahi. Every midfielder is stepping up. Brahim. has four assists. Every midfielder is. stepping up. Elanos who plays on the. left, he's incredible tracking back all. the time. So for me, I think this. Moroccan team has something. It has like. a resilience to it, but I think they're. too short, but I think they're winning. in 2030. >> There's only one uh prediction I'm. looking for here, Joe. USA, Belgium.

>> I think Belgium, >> because this was the game, >> I think Belgium is going to win. >> You think Belgium is winning? >> Belgium is going to I think I think USA. has run its course. I think all the host. countries. >> What has Belgium shown you that makes. you think they're going to win? >> They've shown me that they have. character. >> You think team USA doesn't have. character, >> my friend. They came back and beat. Sineago. That was character. Yuri. Tilman's. >> No, my friend. You're going to say that. they've shown that they have character. >> I think when they came back against. teams that you say crumble consistently. >> Okay. Okay. Let me Okay. >> What has team USA shown you?

>> Doesn't say character. >> Okay. Let me explain it. So, I feel like. in tournaments. >> tournament No, no. Let me. >> So here here's what here's what I think. >> Here's [clears throat] what I think. >> I think if Team USA runs them ragged in. the first 45, >> okay, >> Team USA wins the game. I think Team USA. has to take the game away from Belgium. early [clears throat]. >> because I think Belgium is relying on. >> their prowess as a footballing like. nation or rather the individual players. like Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Troad, Tielemans, etc. But I don't think that.

they have the legs nor the stamina to. win the game. But if if um the USA lets. them play the game for enough time, I. think that's I think that's why they'll. lose. >> Uh the thing the one part the reason I. disagree with you is I think you're. judging Belgium on how they have been. playing this tournament. >> Yeah, you're not wrong. That's exactly. how I judge them. >> I think [laughter] I think I think I. think that's exactly how I judge them. >> And you're right. And you're right. But. I think where you're slightly wrong is. the result against Sagal changes. everything. Cuz in tournament, that's.

interesting. In tournament football, >> you think that's given them the the. turn. >> In tournament football, you need a. moment that trauma bonds you. >> Okay. >> For the team to come out. >> Yeah. You're you're a big fan of trauma. bond. >> So for Argentina, it was the loss to. Saudi Arabia. >> And now you think it's Cape Verde. For. Argentina and now for Belgium, it was. the. >> You need that thing where you go like, yo, we've been forged in fire. Okay. >> And then So for Morocco, it was the. Netherlands. Yes. >> For France, it's Paraguay. >> Yes. Paraguay. So for you to win a. tournament, you can't just stroll.

through the tournament. >> You got to have your rocky your rocky. moment. >> Yes. You're going to face a setback at. some point. And whether you stand up or. not, that's what tests you. So for me, I. think Belgium that moment, you remember. they were fighting before that moment. >> Yeah. >> That moment bonded them as brothers and. also makes you believe that hey, we are. invincible. The Knicks, >> the Knicks, let's go back to basketball. The Knicks when they won that game when. OG Anobi came in. >> Yeah. the tip in. >> you can't come back like there's. something that that makes to that gives. to him there's a certain invincibility.

so for me I think. needed it against uh. >> we'll see we'll see what happens I mean. look it's one of those games I don't. know who's going to win. >> it's not an obvious one but I just. wonder if. >> having the president and the nation and. bleagan and like having that whole thing. behind you. >> and I wonder if Belgium feels a little. hard done by does it work against them. does it's just going to it's going to be. an interesting one but Let's rap it. I. think let's wrap it then. Go watch a. game. >> I think the hosts their races run. Mexico, the US, their races run.

>> Okay. Well, let's let's watch the games. and we'll see. >> I think Hurricane is going to kill. Mexico today because they're going to. try to play attacking football when they. should be sitting back. >> Let's watch the game. >> No, it's always fun. This has been fun, my friend. It's always fun. >> Let's see how the games play out. >> This segment is brought to you by. Freeze. You know what's funny about. soccer's growth in America? Everybody. talks about the stadiums, the fans, the. television audiences, the stars coming. over to play here, but nobody talks.

about the smell. Think about it. More. kids are playing soccer. More adults are. playing soccer. More leagues, more. tournaments, more gear, and every piece. of that gear eventually ends up in a. room exactly like this one. Which is why. today we're doing an official smell. draft. That's right, with the overall. pick in the draft of smells. I am taking. soccer cleat. No hesitation. Those. things spend 90 minutes running through. sweat, grass, mud, rain, sunshine, and.

occasionally somebody else's foot. Joe, what are you taking for the second pick? >> Oh, with the second pick, hands down, I'll take the gear bag because the gear. bag isn't just one smell. It's an entire. ecosystem. >> Oh, actually, that's a good pick. I was. hoping you wouldn't go with the gear. bag. For the third pick, I'm going with. the backseat of the car after practice. Yeah, parents, you know exactly what I'm. talking about. You open the door and. immediately you realize the game has.

followed everybody home. Honestly, that's why this room is so confusing. Every instinct tells me that a. professional boot room should smell. terrible. This should be the place where. we experience one of the strongest home. field advantages of sports. >> [snorts]. >> And yet somehow it smells fresh. That's. because Fbreze fabric is built for the. things you can't throw in the wash. The. cleats, the bags, the car seats, all the.

places where the game rarely leaves its. mark. If your soccer gear is starting to. smell like its own locker room, it's. time for Fbreze Fabric. It doesn't just. mask odor, it helps fight them. Oh yeah. Find for breeze fabric at Walmart. Man, you nailed that spray. That was amazing. >> See how much pressure it got in this. room. Thank you so much for watching the. episode. If you [music] enjoyed it, pass. it on to a friend. If you didn't enjoy.

it, pass it on to your friend still. Let. them suffer for a change. And don't. forget to engage with us in the. comments. Uh if you want to [music]. suggest a guest, maybe there's questions. you want, maybe there's ideas that you. have, you can chat to us. We will read. through the comments and [music] we'll. get into it. Either way, I appreciate. you taking the time. Thank you for. hanging out with us on What Now. And. remember, we do this for you, [music] so. we would like to hear from you. Till. next time. Thank you. Thanks again to Fbreze for sponsoring.

this episode. Fbreze is the official Oda. fighter of Major League Soccer. That's. the point. Fbreze fabric is for. everything the game touches that the. washing machine can't. You're not changing anything. It was. already fresh after the first spray. I feel like you're just [laughter]. you're just having fun with the bottle. I. >> just have too much. >> No one man should have all that power.