Football Daily - World Cup: Can England Cope With Mexico?

Episode Date: July 5, 2026

Can England cope with Mexico?With Lloyd Griffith still in Las Vegas, Dion Dublin joins Rick Edwards to preview England's last-16 clash and ask whether they can handle the heat, altitude and atmosphere at the iconic Azteca Stadium.BBC Sport's senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel brings the latest from England camp, while Moroccan football journalist Amine El Mari explains why Morocco believe they can upset France and continue their World Cup story.Plus, a voice note arrives from Steve in Gillingham... or does it?

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podcast with Rick Edwards. Hello and welcome to the Football Daily with me, Rick Edwards, and Dion Dublin. Hello, sir. I'm very well, thank you. So the scores today, Morocco and France, both through to the quarterfinals.

Morocco beat Canada 3-0, France beat Paraguay 1-0. We'll talk about those games shortly. It's the 4th of July here, and there is a kind of Friton. Yes, there is. There's a lot of people wearing various kind of stars and stripes get up. Yes.

USA shouts everywhere. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I haven't got involved. But I have got an invite to a Fourth of July party. Have you? Yeah. Let's go. I don't know if British people are massively welcome.

Well, then let's not go. I think it might be, let's not go. I'm sort of worried if we're going to turn up. Exactly, yes. And then get attacked. We're in the voices. We're big lads, we're right. It's true.

It's true. I'll be looking to run to the car, I think. man, the house. How have you been finding Santa Monica? I like Santa Monica. Yeah, I do.

It's quite different to L.A. It is completely. I like Santa. It's quite chilled here. There's a lot to do. There's lots of cafes and bars and restaurants. The walks are amazing as well.

The beach is literally 100 yards in that direction. So yeah, very, very different. Have you been to Mussel Beach yet? You'd fit in all right at Muscle Beach. I'm not sure about that to me. I went to Muscle Beach and I sort of went, oh, let me just walk past.

Some big lads there, by the way. The top's got on his back, it's back down again. They've all got a six back. I've got a want back. I like it's called the keg. Family back, yes. No, no laughing matter.

England are playing later today. Yes, yes. 1am in the UK, if it doesn't change again. The game is live on BBC 1, BBC I player, BBC 5 Live. The website is on everything, basically. You'll definitely be able to consume it. Well, let's bring in Sammy Mockbell, senior football correspondent for BBC sport.

Sammy, are you at the Azteca right now? I am in situ at the Azteca. This is a bucket list. moment for me, guys. I repeat a bucket list moment. I can't believe I'm here. And ever since the draw was made, I was like, hopefully the results go the way that I can get here and cross it off the bucket list. And here we are. So, yeah, I'm chuffed. How's your breathing? How's the air? That's all anyone who cares about, isn't it? Yeah, so on the way to training today, so we have to watch England train. We had to walk down

this very steep hill, which is fine, walking down the street. steep hill. It's coming back up the other way where you have a, where you begin to have a problem. And, yeah, look, I haven't, I'm sure you've seen on social media sort of streams of journalists going for runs and writing pieces. I'm not brave enough to do that. But, yeah, by all accounts, by all accounts that the air is considerably thinner. Have you ever played in their conditions, Dion? I have, yeah. I actually played in the giant stadium against Sam Doria once. for Villa in this preseason tall and you have to choose

Messi will be fine because he doesn't run anywhere so Messi will be fine if he ever plays in that stadium but yeah it's just choosing when to use your energy and you get this being smart about it. Yeah it's being smart but it's also the lactic acid in your legs and your arms and your body

just seems to get tied to and strong so lots of water lots of the gels and all that kind of stuff and choosing don't be running about because if you sprinting about all over the place You will hit it. It'll hit you, without a doubt. How intense? I guess you watched the training session, Sammy. How intense was that? We only get to watch the first 15 to 20 minutes of it. So part of that is the warm up.

And then they get the ball out partly. So in terms of reading into the session and how hard they have worked after the cameras went away, we don't know. But from the moments that we saw, it was very light. But I think that is actually in line with how Thomas Tuchel wants. to approach the game. If he could, he would just arrive as late as possible and fly and obviously then do the game before you play the game and then get out as soon as possible. Because I think the longer you are here, the more it has an effect on your body.

And I think it takes at least four or five days minimum for your body to acclimatize. And obviously England just haven't had that, don't have that luxury. So for then, I think it is just have a light session, get back to the hotel, rest, recover. and then play the game. Sammy, what's your vibe on it then?

What did you take from it, just from the feeling you were there for a few minutes? And you're seeing them when they came out. What was the vibe? You know? It's very relaxed, Dion. I think that would take a lot of, I guess, confidence out of the DR Congo games. Because to come back, and I know a lot of people in detractors and say, well, it's only DR Congo.

But to show that resilience to come back in the second half and score those two goals, I think that's really lifted the mood beyond. And as I say, from the moments that I spent with them this afternoon, they really seem to be a relaxed, a relaxed atmosphere in camp for sure. You talk about rest and recover at the hotel. That is only if that is possible, because we know that the Mexico fans are aware of where England are staying. They've already given them a nice reception.

So the chances are it's going to be a nice-friendly reception. Great to have you here, guys. Yes, lovely to have you. So you feel like they might well be, out there again tonight. So, I mean, I've been saying earplugs all along. Ear plugs, earplugs, earplugs. Yeah.

You'd imagine so, Rick. Yeah, and I know we're laughing about it, but if it does come to that and it does disrupt the players' sleep, and I genuinely think that's a serious situation, and that's another issue that they need to encounter. These games, you know, England are playing every four days. So I think every little bit of rest and recovery that they can get in the locker of his vital in the sort of, it certainly needs these knockout matches.

So if they were to have... You know what, Sammy? You are spot on with a disruption. When the manager wants you to do a certain thing as a player, and you need to get that done, if it's disrupted, then everything's gone. You know, what you wear, what time you've got to be somewhere, what you eat, what you drink. And we had it at Man United, when we played against Galatasarai, away in, you know...

Fireworks and all that came up. Fireworks and welcome to hell and all that kind of stuff. And we were absolutely terrified. As a fan, that's part of me that loves it. You enjoy it? I respect it. Like, I do. I can't know.

What's wrong with you? That's a bit of fun. And what he was as well, their fans got in the hotel and got on the same floor and knocked on the doors. That's more of an issue. And that's more of an issue. Exactly. But that's what Sammy's saying. If things disrupt the players, the food, their drink, their sleep, everything.

Everything changes. It really does. In terms of how England approached this game then on the pitch, Sammy, do we have an idea of how Thomas Tuchel is going to set up and whether it is likely that they press a bit less intensely or sort of try and save themselves or bring in subs earlier? There's lots of things to think about. I think certainly, Rick, I think what they've looked at this week is maybe,

I don't want to call it a low block because I think anyone will go into the game and want to be on the front foot and actually be proactive in trying to win the game. but from what I understand, I don't think it makes sense in them chasing the game from the very off. I think, as Dion said,

they need to choose their moments and preserve as much energy as they can. So to go hell for leather from the first whistle, that's just unsustainable. So they're going to have to be clever about it. They're going to have to go about the game in a different way than perhaps we would recognize a Thomas two-court side.

I would be on the front foot and sort of press. and be proactive, but in the conditions that they're going to be playing in, and it's sort of 2,240 meters above sea level, you know, needs must, and they're going to have to adjust their style according to those energy-sapping conditions. You know what, Sammy, it's just doing what needs to be done. You know, honestly, it's sometimes when you need, when you need, and you have to get the result early on and get a goal,

then you go for the throat. You have to go high pressure. you have to go together. There has to be a trigger and you go together. Sometimes you can feel the game out. You cannot get sucked into the atmosphere. The atmosphere and the noise is going to be bizarre in the stadium. All green, all noise, all Mexico.

You cannot get sucked into that. Game plan, what did the manager tell us to do? Let's try and do it to the letter and make it work. Then England would have a chance. One thing I didn't like reading earlier on was that England have conceded first in their last six knockout games at major tournaments. What you do not want is to be chasing this game in that atmosphere, in that environment.

Yeah, 100%, because then you know, it's, then you have to do something different and you have to, I don't know, you have to sort of leave your rank, so to speak, and leave your position and then you leave gaps in behind you. But if you're one down and you're chasing the game and 20 minutes in, it is, it's very different, it's a very different mindset. Because when you start the game, you have something in your hand. And when you go one down, you have nothing. and you have nothing, so you have to go for it. When you've got something in your hand and you can get over the line, you play differently.

You really do. Who is definitely fit to start in those key kind of problem areas, Sammy? I guess the key development, Rick, out of trading today, was the return to trading of Jarrell Kwanza. So he hasn't featured in training or in any of the matches since coming off with an ankle injury against Garner in the second game. But he made his first return to full trading today, and he's available now for the game against Mexico.

Whether he starts, I don't know. He's only got that one training session under his belt, but that does sort of lessen, I guess, to write-back crisis that Thomas Seekle's got at the moment. We know Rich James, he hasn't trained today, so it looks very unlikely that he's going to be available for the game. So at the moment, it's looking like a toss-up between Jed Spence, perhaps as Rikonza goes back into right-back,

and now maybe Jarel Kwanza, that if he is fit enough to come off the bench and maybe he's an option from there. But I think it will be between Esri Konda and Jensis and Jens to start a right back tomorrow. I mean, we just know the subs are going to be absolutely key, don't we, I think. Sammy, we've got to let you go because I think you've got to go to Thomas Tuchel's press conference now. Thanks very much, mate. Cheers, Sammy.

Cheers, boys. In every World Cup, in every major tournament, any team that is going to win it has to get through a game or a night or whatever that is uncomfortable. and this feels like it might be it for England, doesn't it? Yeah, I'm not sure. Is there a more uncomfortable game, Rick? I don't think that it is. I'd say no.

I've said it from the war ago, and I saw that this was a possibility. I was like, that is going to be. Particularly, actually, after I saw the first Mexico game, I was like, aha. During this World Cup, I've been Seattle, I've been to Vancouver, I've been here in L.A., and I've been to MetLife in New Jersey. And I've seen, you know, Mexican fans everywhere. They're probably not even playing in that same. or in that area, but they're around.

They're in the country. They want to be part of it. They are absolutely manic fans, and they want to be where their teams going to hopefully progress. This, for me, if England get over this one, they've got a chance. Yeah.

This is the biggest game. Forget Germany, forget Spain. I think this is the biggest one in that stadium. If England can get over this hurdle, which is huge, who knows it? And it is interesting, isn't it? because the whole way along there's been this kind of narrative, and part of it has come from Tuchel himself,

that England will be better against a team that tries to play, that tries to be a bit more expansive, that attacks them, because it leaves space. So we saw that in the Croatia game in the second half, maybe. And then since there's been quite a lot of teams who have set up defensively done a really good job. Now Mexico, spurred on by that crowd, they're not going to sit back.

So maybe, maybe we see some of what Thomas Tuchler has promised. Maybe. Yeah, well, it's down to, again, it's down to his starting 11 with Rashford, Gordon, Fakhoyah Saka. We don't know because we have a lot of pace when we need it. It's just making sure, I think the most important thing about this game is when we are in possession, how we are defensively. Because they will come out the blocks and they will go, right, this is our home,

you're getting nothing from us. And that's what we've got to have to deal with. So how do you set up then? If it's you, first of all, right back. Is it just Jed Spence again? If Kwanza's fit, I think Kwanza starts. I do, I do. I do, because I think Jedspence...

Would he be fit after one day of training? Depends what, depends how bad the injury. We don't know how bad the injury was. You know, we don't know how bad it was. Yeah, exactly. An injury is, an injury to me is when you have a tear, when you have a tear, your muscles come apart. When you, when you rock your ankle,

you can ice it and you can strap it. And you can get through. No problem at all. So it's just pain. It's not an injury. It's just pain. So he should be able to get through that. Quonzo will start, I think, if he can get through the game.

I would start Lashford. I think we need him just in case they come for us. And he can do that what we call him with a cheating role and stay a little bit further forward. So we have an out ball. Harry Kane will drop into the 10 and Lash would be the first play forward. And then on the right-hand side, start with Madwake. I mean, it's interesting. all of our wide men

have looked best when they come off the bench and they can't all come off the bench It's partly about the start soon Yeah exactly yeah you can't just have We're going to keep all four off And you can come off the bench starts Because you look great And then with 30 minutes

Yeah well Madwecki went In one of the games And I don't know which game it was So far that England had played I think he got a bit of a rocket From the manager What I mean he got a bit of the 10 in off And he came out in the second half

Or I hate to say it The final quarter of the game and he was outstanding. So he needs to be dynamic. He needs to get the ball to his feet. He needs to take his man on and cross the board to Hurricane. That is it.

That's all he needs to do. And then you assume Anderson and Rice in the middle of the park and that's a big big job for them. They've been great. Anderson's been outstanding. Rice is what he does.

I think Rice is the best in that position in the world at the moment and Elliot Anderson for me I mean he's kind of taken the role of Captain without the captain's arm band, as in give me the ball, let me start things happen for you. He looks very confident, and he was he

22? What a player he looks, what a player. I mean, one issue I noticed is that arguably Mexico's best player is on the left, Cignonis, who's been fantastic, and that is where our kind of problem area is who offers the most

support to the right back, coming back and doing defensive work? Is it Madweke or Saka, or is it just Anderson or Rice have to have to come across? I don't think the support is, he doesn't think he has to have the support

because I think he's good enough to do it. Whether it's Kwanza or Jess Spencer, I think we, there enough, one-on-one, they should be okay to deal with it.

If you're going to get the support, probably because more disciplined. Madrakei likes to stay high. But I back our defence as one-on-one defenders. How did you deal with atmospheres like this?

You talked about Gala Sassaride before the game, but once you're actually in there, once you're in hell, bit me nails a few times but can you can you just block it out yeah you can

as soon as the game starts again you've heard it many times Rick you cover the white line that's it you can't hear you can't see it's just about your job and I think when you do that it's all about the preparation that's the problem

being in the hotel is the problem fans outside of the hotel throwing things at coaches being making it uncomfortable for you that's the bit you I've got to deal with the game not a problem at all the players are we fine do you worry so at my incredible

low level of football. Always worry about my first touch. You've been around here long time now, let me tell you. But the first touch of the ball I ever get in the game, I just want that to be all right, and then I sort of feel like good. Yeah, I'm okay. Did the pros have that?

Yeah, you must hate it if you have a bad first touch. Yeah, I can't remember. When was that? I think it was a Tuesday morning once. No, I think as a centre forward, as long as you are secure with the ball when it's dropped into you and your chest and you hold onto it and you hold off to your defender

and you can bring in midfield player in, what that does, it's not just good for you, it's good for your other team that they think, oh, hold it. He's on it now so I can find a new position when he's controlled the ball. Being secure as a centre forward is so important. As a midfielder, first pass forward is important. As a defender, first challenge, first header. I'm okay.

I'm okay. It's just about that first momentum. Where's it going to take you? How do you feel I'm going to be good today? Is there an argument for holding back some of it? And I'm convinced that Thomas Stoker won't do this, but holding back some of your key weapons until the last half an hour because we are going to be dealing with these conditions

that we are not acclimatized to. And I'm not saying, don't start Harry Kay. Yeah, I know what you mean. But maybe I am. It would be such a big call. If it didn't work, you'd get absolutely annihilated. But do you know what I mean, though? Like if you sort of thought, right, we'll hold it for an hour.

We'll hold it. and then, bang, bring on fresh legs. And you've got, you've got Bellingham, you've got cane, you've got, I know you don't like it. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. You throw it out there. I'm going to quash it.

I'm going to go absolutely no chance. Absolutely no chance. We go heavy, we go strong. What we don't want to do is chase the game. We have to get into a situation where we are on top, we are ahead, and then you manage that. What you don't want to manage is you don't want to manage chasing. You want to manage being in front.

and then the manner you can get his defenders on, maybe go far with the back, maybe keep Elliot and Lice staying there, not moving. You don't want to chase it where they have to go forward. So get ahead. Get ahead. Be positive. The United States is about to mark its 250th anniversary. And so on the Global Story podcast from the BBC, we're telling surprising tales of American influence on the world stage and in ordinary people's lives all across the globe.

We have this ability to export our story. and a lot of people have bought it. I feel like the American dream is alive but not well. From the BBC, it's the United States at 250. Listen on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts. What happened the first time the World Cup came to the U.S. International soccer was basically unknown to the average American sports fan. A tournament full of showbiz, star names, and two missed penalties

that became famous around the world. It was very, very unfortunate for both Badesi and for Bajia. that they missed the penalties. That was an injustice, really. Join me, Lee James, on More Than the Score, as we step back in time to USA 94. For the stories beyond the score lines, more than the score from the BBC World Service.

Listen now, wherever you get your BBC podcasts. Five light sports. So here's the first ball of this series. All the cricket you laugh. Lives on BBC sounds. Smash straight back down the ground. This girl. Here ball by ball coverage of the biggest comments.

competitions on the domestic and international circuits. It's a fourth cricket and it's the huge run. Cricket on five life sport. Oh, I'm living every ball of this. Listen on BBC Sounds. The football day at the People World Cup 2026. Listen on BBC Sounds. Right, we've got our first quarter final confirmed Morocco, France, Thursday the 9th of July.

I feel so I could picture to that. Morocco, the first African team through the quarters after beating the host Canada quite comfortably in the end, 3-0. Let's bring in Moroccan football journalist. Amir, hey Amri. Hey, Amin, how you doing? Hi, how is it going, guys? Yeah, very well. I imagine you're pretty chuffed with what you saw from your team, particularly in the second half.

There was a doozy against Canada. I think the spirit was there, but maybe some overconfidence at the start of the game and the approach. but it all got corrected very well by some guy that Mohammed Wahhabi coached of the very, very best. I think he managed the second half brilliantly scoring in a set-up piece and then just rolling what we used to see from this team of Morocco, sitting a little back and then hitting whenever the lanes are opened up. And yeah, I think we managed to win and suffer as well. which is the mark of the big teams.

Yeah, I completely agree. What do you think the manager said at half-time? Because Canada were, without, like, properly threatening. They were on top, weren't they? Yeah, they were physically. I think the 120 minutes against Netherlands was still there. I think Canada was just with the right mindset approaching this game. But I don't know about the hair policy from Sir Alex Ferguson,

but I pretty much think Mohammed Webby has had a very, very strong speech in the locker room. I think that was the key. We don't know what appliance is brought out, but he's definitely Abe Sudden at the players. Yeah, okay. Maybe the hoover.

What's changed in Moroccan football? Because you seem to have gone to a new level. You seem to be achieving a lot consistently now. The way that you're playing the game is the right way. You play at a high pace, you play good football, what's changed or who's changed it? I think everybody agreed after the

semi-final against France in Qatar four years ago that, yeah, we've kind of broken the glass ceiling and yeah, there's a whole other word above and I think we needed to stay put and to give consistency to this because we've seen South Korea obviously in 2002, we've seen Turkey, which didn't make it to World Cup for two decades later. And I think Morocco has this big challenge to confirm that what happened in Qatar wasn't just mere chance or just stars aligning. I think the work that has been done in grassroots level, especially with the Muhammad Six Academy and the scouting of any talent that has big, big tie with Morocco, especially emotionally and from a familiar point of view, that led to make a really strong case.

I think the little hurdle was the F-Con, and especially what happened, the scenario, the Hitchcock movie ending in that final change a lot of things, mainly that Weli Drogh, who opened up that door four years ago, was needed to step aside and bring in somebody that has, maybe more tactical knowledge and affinity and I think this shows on the team. I mean, the first game against Brazil,

obviously we were very, very good until the cooling break. Yeah, the nice cooling break that everybody loves. And, yeah, I think we went on. Listen, I have been watching football for as many as four decades now. I have never seen the Netherlands sitting back in the 13 months. square and never moving up. And I think this personality of this Moroccan team is reaching some new levels and beware of France.

Beware of that. Yeah. You go into that game inevitably as underdogs because France are still the favorites. But I wonder if that suits Morocco. I think it does. I think it does. I think you're right. I think the favorite suit doesn't really suit right now.

I think it has been the case against Canada. It has been the case against Haiti. Listen, I don't think any player needs the motivation when you're playing those big names, you know, France, Netherlands, Brazil, et cetera, Spain, et cetera. But when you play somebody that is maybe lower in the FIFA ranking,

you need that extra motivation, that extra focus, especially in the approach of your game. We've seen that we completely, excuse me, the term, screwed up against Haiti. in the first half. It happened again against Canada without really conceding anything. But I think against big teams, the motivation is there, especially, especially against France.

What do the Moroccan fans expect you to achieve? Is there an expectance? Is there a level you have to get to and they will go, that's okay? I think the general mindset is take it game by game. I think what happened when... I want more, no, I want more than that. I'm not having my mind. I want to get to the quarters, you want to get to the sevens. Talk to me, come on, need more than that now. Come on. I know, I know. But really, this is the mindset now, because like I say, the Afghan is still there.

I mean, I had PTSD-like symptoms almost eight weeks afterwards, because whenever somebody put the ball on the penalty spot, I was like, oh, my God, Brian Diaz. And yeah, I think the mindset is that. And yeah, we've got ambition, we've got confidence in this group. But nobody will say that, okay, we'll be friends, we're overconfident. I think it's a mistake to go like that. And I think that was the mistake that as Moroccans, as a group of people, we committed that mistake against Canada and we almost paid it.

But at the end of the day, we've shown that we're big. team. How will Morocco set up to try and deal with that ferocious France forward line that we've all spoken so much about and enjoy watching? My really scare or concern is about Saibari being limping off in the first 20 or so minutes. You know, he helped us a lot in terms of pressing and keeping the defenders very, very low on the opposing side. Also very, very good in track. And, you know, he helped us. in the number six or, you know, the launching ramp from the opposing side. I think there would be a big hurdle, but in terms of defense, the defensive line is very, very good.

Maybe if you can get back Shaddy Ryad, fit 100% for the Thursday game, we would have a very good chance to stop this, because obviously they come in from the flanks. We've got very serious people there. like Masrawe, like Hakimi, and the guys from the midfield that are really willing to help. But it's still France. I think their weakness

is in the depth of their midfield and in defense. So we might get a chance there, but like you said, the priority would be to stop one of the best players. So semifinals then, that's what you're saying. Semifinals.

We got there in the end. Yeah, if you want to get me there, so I would say the title. I would go even. There you go. There you go. Come on a mean. A razeo title. There's a little bit of extra on this quarterfinal as well because we know that there's a big

Moroccan community in France, big North African community generally. And a lot of the players will know each other very well. How does that feed into it? Well, exactly like four years ago. I think all across Europe, unfortunately, there's people that are really keen to jump on those occasions, like what happened with the Herzegovirgens in the Netherlands. But I think that at the end of the day, a football game is really what unites people and not what divides them. And I think the Moroccan community is so integrated in France and in the Netherlands and in Belgium.

that I think it would be a fair play game after all. We could see that, for example, Kiliang Bappe and Ashraf Hakim are the best mates ever. Yeah. And I think that will give another layer of friendship and fair play over that game. So tell us, who are the leaders then? Who are the leaders in the dressing room for Morocco? Who are the ones that are going to have the last word?

Who are the players that take charge in that dressing room and say, right, we are going to do this. The manager will tell them to do something. They'll take it onto the pitch, and they'll make sure that the players do it. What are those players' names? Yeah, well, mainly, Hakimi, of course, is the superstar, is the technical leader, if I can say.

But my unsung heroes, as far as I'm concerned, are Norsair Mazzrawe and Yassin Buno. Those guys are, they were there in Qatar in 2022. They were leading the pack even then, and I think they're leading the pack right now. In the game against Netherlands, for example, where Muzawa was leading the charge when we scored the equalizer in 90 plus minutes.

And then, of course, Yassin Buno, gives you the confidence, says, tells you, you know what? Even if you screw up in defense, I'll be there, I'll make some saves, I'll keep you in the game. So I think those are, besides Hakemi, the three leaders of this team. Really good chatting to you.

Thanks so much, Amin. Appreciate your time. Cheers, Amin. Thank you, guys. We'll see you in the final. We knew that Paraguay was going to pose an interesting kind of test for France, given how they played against Germany and got that result winning on penalties. They're so defensively strong and they do have a bit of an outlet within

CISO who would just run around all day long for you. And Almaron, similarly. But I kind of thought that France would just deal with them. And actually, they struggled. Yeah, they got it done but they needed a penalty. They didn't just brush them aside as we've seen them do to everyone else. Yeah, most people they do that too. Most teams, they sat in Paraguay. They did what they needed to do, but you can only do that for so long

and you can only have one outlet for so long because that outlet has to hold it up. Armourne ran down the right wing four or five times on his own, looked over his shoulder, no one's there. And they're only just getting into the, you know, in Francis Half. So it was very, very difficult for Paraguay to get anything from this game. I felt that France were in

third gear for 60 minutes of this game they didn't really I don't know over-exert themselves they've got so much quality they've got so much that they can just go ow it's time now we've got to score now it wasn't as easy as that today got their pen

obviously it was taken incredibly but they were tested they were tested today I liked what Mbapé said after the game he was we knew it kind of match we're going to have if we have to go hands dirty we can do that we can play ugly football Brilliant.

Brilliant. This is a quote I liked. They thought we'd turn up in tuxedos, but we were there. And that was a nice image. To be fair, they kind of played like they were in tuxedos because they never went to ground. They were just strolling about, flicking it and making themselves look incredibly good. But every time they did change the pace or they did get a crossing, there was defenders there doing their job. And there was like players behind the ball and lots of power white shirts in the box defending.

And they found it hard to break down. And they were trying to be physical as well. So if they can't mix it, then great. they might need to. Yeah, yeah. And that's kind of what feels like probably be in the mark of potential champions. Yeah, 100%. When people come out to fight you, figuring it out.

Figuring it out. Okay, we'll do that. Figure it out. If we've got to beat people with good football or with physicality or, I don't know, playing great football as well. That's what you're going to have to do. Paraguay were a little bit dark arts. Yeah. Towards the end of the game.

I was like, come on, boys. Yeah, yeah. That works when I played back in the early 90s, late 80s. That was fine. Yeah, you can't do any more. Yeah. Can't do any more. It's just, it's silly to try and get away with it.

There's cameras everywhere. Referee's got assistance everywhere as well. There's quite a lot of ag at the end. It's unnecessary. And that's why France don't need it. They've done what they needed to do. They got kicked off the pitch basically in certain times. They got the job to get away from it, you know.

Just a quick one on Canada, well beaten by Morocco in the end. But I still think should be really proud of themselves. and I think they've exceeded expectations as well. I've done a lot of Canada. They've been very, very good. I'm very good friends with Kevin Kilban and Stevie Coldwell. They follow Canada everywhere. They live in Toronto and they told me that this is a very, very good team.

They've got good players. The academy, the whole of Canada as a country, have got lots of young players coming through. So the footballing world for Canada right now is in a very strong place. And you could see it from their first team. well. Yeah. Good team, energy and I think the manager fits well. No shame at all in getting beaten by Luraco semi-finalists last time out. Who knows our father? Played some good stuff, scored some good goals. The manager was setting up perfect in the games. That free kick was so

oh my gosh. You know, I wish I could have done that when I played. It's just such a skill to be able to do that and there's lots of talent within the squad. So I think for Canada as a country positive positive positive. All right, this is exciting. We've had a WhatsApp voice note in. Oh, hello. So let's have a listen. Hello, Rick. How you doing? You're right? It's Steve from Gillingham here. Love the show. Brilliant show.

Really funny yet informative. Great balance. Really like the other bloke as well, Lloyd. It's a shame that he's not been on. So I think he's got some really funny anecdotes and I think you both compliment each other. He really brings out the best of you as well. So hopefully he's on soon.

Come on. Yeah. Yeah, so hopefully he's back soon, but brilliant show. We're really good stuff. Love John Turing Academy. All right, yeah, Steve from Gilligan. Well, thank you. Thank you, Steve from Gilligan.

Is your family member? I hope not. That's brilliant. That's lovely, though. Positive. That's lovely and positive. Loves the show, loves you. Yeah. Hey, why not?

Yeah. Now, Dion. Take it, man. Take it, accept it. Go on, go on, go on. Who do you think? that was. Do you think that was Steve from Gillian? Possibly your partner.

That's Lloyd. Yes, exactly. It's Lloyd. You're a partner in crime. Honestly, this guy. It's just trying to get a nice break. Oh, brilliant. I love that. We've got commentaries coming. His Gillian voice is all right. Comptory's going up with your Firefly Sport later today.

Brazil, Norway from 9 and then England's game against Mexico, 1 a.m. unless it moves again. Lloyd, Stephen Gilliam, is back tomorrow. and you're still going with us for the England game. Yes sir, yes sir. Subscribe to the Football Daily feed and turn push notifications on in your settings so you don't miss an episode.

Have you got push notifications turned on in your settings? Yes. Thought you might have my back there. All right, fine. There's this song. When he gets to a bit, the whole place goes. So good, so good. You gotta do the arm bit too.

So funny. I love that bit. We know that. feeling. The World Cup 2026. Coming soon. On 5 live

and BBC sounds. The United States is about to mark its 250th anniversary. And so on the global story podcast from the BBC, we're telling surprising tales of American influence

on the world stage and in ordinary people's lives all across the globe. We have this ability to export our story and a lot of people have bought it. I feel like the American

dream is alive but not well. From the BBC, it's the United States at 250. Listen on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts. What happened the first time the World Cup came to the US. International soccer was basically unknown to the average American sports fan. A tournament full of showbiz, star names and two missed penalties that became famous around the world. It was very, very unfortunate for both Badesi and for Bajil that they missed the penalties. That was an injustice, really.

Join me, Lee James, on More Than the Score, as we step back in time to USA 94. For the stories beyond the score lines, more than the score from the BBC World Service. Listen now, wherever you get your BBC podcasts.