Football Daily - World Cup: Lamine Yamal Lights Up Spain

Episode Date: June 22, 2026

Spain produced one of the performances of the World Cup so far as they swept aside Saudi Arabia 4-0, while Cape Verde continued their remarkable tournament with a shock draw against Uruguay.Rick Edwards and Lloyd Griffith react to another big day at the World Cup and are joined by Elizabeth Conway from Atlanta, where she watched Spain's impressive victory and a standout display from Lamine Yamal. Will this be his tournament?The team also discuss Cape Verde's latest giant-killing result and what it means for one of the World Cup's surprise packages.Plus, Rick and Lloyd went to Belgium's match against Iran in Los Angeles alongside Dion Dublin and Conor McNamara, before comparing notes on how they spent their day off.

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Listen now, search for Good Bad Billionaire wherever you get your BBC podcasts. The Football Daily Podcasts at the People World Cup 2026 with Rick Edwards and Lloyd Griffith. Hello, welcome to the Football Daily. We are back after a day off, which we will bore you about in a minute. But first, the scores from overnight, Spain for Saudi Arabia, nil, Belgium and Iran was gold. We were at that one. We were. Uruguay and Cape Verdi drew two all. Wow. And New Zealand lost 3-1 to Egypt. So, little day off yesterday And I think, you know, we're living together,

we're having a lovely time, we're doing the pod, it was good to spend a day apart. We all went off and saw our own friends, did our thing, and then eventually all coalesced in a bar quite late when I inexplicably became the sort of designated driver and just sort of ferried everyone home. Well, you didn't have a key, but we had a key

and you had a car. Well, if you drive us home, we can let you into the house. I mean, my plan, plan was to just get the key but then I got lured in. And you were, you just a raconteur. So when you turned up and you were telling your little stories? I will do it. I will do it.

And I think you mentioned T4 a couple of times. And we were all, honestly, we were just enthralled. And just the names of you mentioned, it was, honestly, it was fantastic. It was fantastic. Yeah, it was good. What did I do? Thanks for asking. Well, hang on.

Go on. I can finish. Get into the football, actually. Okay, fine. Feels like the tournament was written, that go on. No, go, that go. No, go on. It's really boring.

No, go on. I went to see my friend who lives underneath the Hollywood sign, in a house. And had breakfast. I'd be fine. If I'm on. Just sniff around it. Yeah. No, but he was a really lovely breakfast burrito by Venice Beach.

Oh, yeah. What was in the burrito? Breakfast. Breakfast. Yeah, it was in the burrito. Beans? I don't tell you. You don't tell me?

Well, he's in a burrito, isn't it? I don't really ask any questions. You can't ask some questions. There's no questions. There's no question. What was in it? Why are you being weird about this? I'm not being weird about it.

What was in it? I don't know what was in it, Rick. What was in it? I've got no idea. I saw the phrase breakfast burrito. Egg? Well, I'm assuming, yeah. Bacon?

Probably. Three fried beans? There was definitely cheese in there. Other cut cheese. There was cheese. Yeah. But yeah. I'm getting somewhere now, no.

But I just thought, I love it. No questions asked. It was absolutely fantastic. And then that evening and you told you little stories. Oh, we're going to go. Into that much detail through your whole day. Well, basically, Brito, Hollywood sign. you.

Okay, great. But I think it's good to have days off. Of course it is. Of course it is, because otherwise things can get tense. Well, I think... We've seen it. We've seen it. And there's a joy to see.

For any listeners listening in the UK that don't have access to Fox Sports? Which would be most people. Most people. Now, it's being anchored by... Rebecca Lowe, who's absolutely fantastic. Yes. And then there's the three pundits. Tierrau.

You used to play for Arsenal. Yeah. It's Latinaeboe of Hymvich. He used to play for Man United. Everyone. and Alexei Lannas, who used to play for America. America famously. Yeah, and then presumably the Seattle Sounders or something.

And what I would say is if you can get online and have a little look at what's going on in that studio, it seems like Tieri and Zlatan aren't his biggest fans. Well, Tieri just does Tieri stuff with his face, just does Tieri meme face reactions to everything Larlas says. And then Zlatan just can't help himself. and openly says he doesn't like him. Just openly. And it's kind of doing the rounds in America and everyone's talking about it.

There was a situation the other day where Alexei Dennis wasn't on and people assumed that he'd been relieved of his duties but apparently he had another commitment. But it's absolutely fantastic to see him. Well, yeah, because Latton said, you're welcome America. He doesn't mince his words, does he?

He doesn't at all, actually. He's a very confident man, Latton. He would have been good value at the bar last night, I think. And then today we were back together, reunited, went to see, Belgium, Iran, some discussion over what time we were going to leave. I have a in on the whistle policy. Everyone else wanted to turn up an hour early. Not an hour early, but I wanted to hear the anthems. We walked in on the whistle.

And it was perfect. To be fair, it was perfect. Jonathan and I got in a little bit in advance and embraced a little bit of the atmosphere whilst you leisurely... Going out with Rick Edwards, okay, is like taking a slug and a walk on an elastic lead. Thank you very much. It's very hard to get him anywhere on time. I just, I take things in at my own speed. You really do.

You take the Mickey sometimes. The big result today, in my eyes, was Cape Verde, another point this time against Uruguay. And they are having a sensational, I mean, I don't know they've only got two points, but they're just surprising everyone. No one thought that we were going to get two points. No. And sometimes this obviously is an inflated tournament. So there's some teams in there that probably shouldn't be in there or are in there. Well, so you think.

Because it's a much larger tournament. And so there are more places. I understand the maths of it, yeah. But then Cape Verde, I mean, we saw last week holding Spain, fantastic. And then today, going one nilop with that goal. A little bit of Chris of the wall, probably. Oh, the two-man wall? Yeah.

The two-man wall that split like Moses. Yeah. Yeah, it was, yeah, I think the questions were asked by the goalkeeper as to why, why did my two-man wall just split? Yeah. A plea. Like a, like a Matador. It's absolutely gift-wrapped. I mean, to be fair, it is still, what, a 35, 40-yard goal.

I mean, he's hit it from too far out. I think everyone is surprised. It's halfway in their half. No one really thought it. And then he's not going to it, is he? He's had a crack. And he did have a crack. And fair play to him.

It's what makes the World Cup? I mean, we'll talk about the bigger names later on, but just seeing Cape Verde instill hope into so many people's eyes. It's just lovely. And we're glad that the goalkeeper's mom's there now. Yeah, lovely. So there was an agreement between the Cape Verde government, FIFA, and also who was at the US State Department.

The base issued her a visa. She was able to watch her son, who has just gone over, the 15 million follow-mark on Instagram. And that's the main thing that I'm following at this World Cup is how many followers a 40-year-old goalkeeper has got. Yeah, of course, yeah. And in that group, big result for Spain today, beating Saudi Arabia 4-0,

and a standout performance from Lamin Yamal. School his first World Cup goal today. Our Spanish football reporter, Elizabeth Conway, joins us now. Liz, you've written an article for the BBC Sport website, which we both enjoyed, and I'm just saying that, off the back of Yomal's performance. What was it like in the stadium, even when it was announced that he's in the team?

Well, even before Lamin had touched the ball, the impact he has on the atmosphere is unbelievable. There's thousands of fans wearing his shirt, names everywhere, he's dominating conversations. When his face comes on the big screen, as he's warming up, the place just goes wild. There's a roar like you wouldn't believe on it, and it's very distinct to Laminia. miles. So the story was his before the game had even begun. From the very word go, he just took the game by the scruff of the neck, got the goal, touched it more than anyone else in the first 10 minutes, I think, and it just felt like he was up for it. Yeah, his magic sets the tone of the Spanish national team. And we saw that because they lacked him. They missed him so much in that

opening game against Kate Verde, which was lackluster. It was slow. It was lacking intensity. It was slowing the buildup. This was a new Spanish side because Laminemarle set that tone. It was sharp, it was fearless, it was intense. They were playing with confidence, with assurance. And after he scored that goal, it just set the tone for the rest of the match. And

again, it's the connection with the fans with the atmosphere. When Laminemar is on that pitch, Spain play better. He's the game changer. And he made a huge impact in today's game. There are these comparisons to Lionel Messi. I wonder if if it's unfair, but you kind of

can't help it, can you? Because even the age that they score their first World Cup goal is similar. Is he slightly younger? 14 days different. So actually, Laminia Mila scored his first World Cup goal at a younger age than Lionel Messi. So already he's kind of... He's better, is he? He's edging it already.

A little bit. Yeah, the comparisons have started. And look, I was lucky enough to witness Messies hat trick when Argentina played against Algeria. And again, it's the messy magic. It's this connection that the fans. have with Messi, with his ability to change the game. And Laminia, I see it.

I can see the way, it's the superstar amongst the team. And people bought their tickets to see Laminu Mal. And only time will tell if he is able to have the phenomenal career that Messi has obviously been blessed with good fitness, without avoiding injury, which already, whether Laminemar was going to start today, was questionable. But Luis de la Fuente decided that it was a must-win game for Spain. therefore decided to start him and that was the right decision today.

And there's just been so much noise around him at Barcelona this season as well. And again, that's why the Messi comparisons come in. But I feel like when Messi came into that Barcelona team, there were superstars around him. It didn't just immediately become focused on him. Whereas with Yamal coming at this young age, it does feel like he is already the star. Absolutely.

And anyone who's watched Barcelona this season will see the impact. Chimal has on the pitch, the way he dances with the ball, the way he's able to get past defenders with such as, and just the confidence he plays with at such a young age. Obviously, former footballers who watch him will see it from a different perspective and will hope that he's been given the right support so that off the pitch, he's staying humble, he's, you know, making sure that he's got that right support because he's got a huge career ahead of him, but he's got a huge weight of pressure on his shoulders because people rely on him for Barcelona and for the Spanish national team

to deliver this intensity that then changes the pace of the game. So I hope with the right support, we're going to see Laminemarle at his best for many, many years to come. The goal itself that you scored wasn't an incredible goal. It was a... I knew you were going to say that. It's incredible. It was an incredible goal to score at a World Cup at the age you did.

In a weird way, I think that's probably a good thing because I think if it has scored a Worldie, I think there'd be more pressure on him. And already he has the world on his shoulders and people liking him, as we've already done, and a number of pundits have done in the last 24 hours to, you know, to Lionel Messi. So I think in a weird way, that was quite a nice goal for him to score because, let's face it, Liz, you know, he is going to have to deal with a lot

in the next, what, two or three years, let alone 15. Yeah, unquestionably. And the fact that he's back to full fitness is, firstly, that was the first question, not whether Laminia was going to help Spain get to the final, which is what every Spanish person wants. it was whether Laminuil was going to be fit to start in this World Cup. He has had injuries this season in April. He has had this kind of recurrent groin strain.

And Luis de la Fuente, as I said, he was seeing this as a long game. We're here for a long time. Spain have got a long way to go until they get to the final they so desperately want. So they're managing Laminemarle and this pressure that comes with him has to be managed because the expectations are on his shoulders. But as you say, a great goal, a nice goal. and a brilliant confidence boost. It was his first World Cup goal.

That's a massive moment to celebrate. And although it might not have been a worldly, it's still something we should celebrate because it was phenomenal today. The thing about the pressure on him is you can't see it at all in the way that he plays. And I was really interested by some that Guillain Balagay remarks about this, which was that he had told him

that the joy he gets from playing football is when he gets the same kind of reaction now on the world stage as he used to when he was playing five a side. And that kind of like youthful enthusiasm and approach, if he can maintain that, that will stand him in really good stead, weren't it? Unquestionably. And you're right. And he does come across really well. He doesn't do loads of media, but the media I've seen him do in the interviews, he's come across very maturely, far more mature than his age would suggest.

And he's got the weight of the world on his shoulder, certainly the weight of Spain on his shoulders. And clearly the Spanish national team is doing something well to support him because, as you say, he comes across humbly and he's seeing these goals in the same way he saw the goals he scored when he was playing five a side. So that's credit to him and long may it continue. Can we just talk about the game in general? Obviously, they face Cape Verde in the first game and didn't have a fantastic one. They've obviously played Saudi Arabia and they've won 4-0. I mean, you would kind of expect them to beat Saudi Arabia by some goals. But do you think when they come and face more difficult opposition,

how do you think they'll fare? Because there's been some people quite critical of this Spain. Yeah, and I can see where that criticism comes from. Four was a good result. The game against Cape Verde, it wasn't a strong performance from Spain, but they keep going back to this statement, you know, in 2010, the World Cup winning team, they lost their first group game, 1-0. It's not over yet.

It's not over till it's over. I think we need to see this Spanish side against a really strong opponent. I think they'll play better. I think the Spanish side plays better when it comes up against strong opponents. And I think that will be the true test of whether they can see this tournament right till the end. Dela Fuente pushed back quite strongly against the criticism after the Cape Verde game. I think with good reason, actually. And he sort of pointed out, we've been unbeaten for 33 games in a row.

You can have better days. but doubting this squad of very young players, I think it's unfair. I was definitely one of the people who were saying, was Spain were rubbish. And when I saw him say that, was like, yeah, I'm back to rights. I'm back to rights. Yeah. And look, the story, that was a phenomenal game for all the reasons we didn't think it would be.

That was Cape Verde's night. That was of a senior goalkeeper 40-year-old hero night. And that was a wonderful story in itself. And I think that was a wake-up call for Spain. And I think in the long term, that won't be a bad thing. De La Fuente had to change things. and Nico Williams and Lamin Amal weren't fit to start. Lameen played for 19 minutes in that game.

He started today, came off after halftime. That was the right decision. Again, they're playing the long game. They need to keep these vital players fit because this is a long tournament. I felt happy for Yazabal actually because after that Kate Verdi game, there's a lot of criticism.

People were saying, we haven't even got a number nine. He's never going to score any goals. And he bagged a couple in the first 20 minutes. He could see he was pleased with that. But brilliancy, I don't know whether you saw the stat, which was brought to him in an interview that he became in the first game, the first ever World Cup player to start and not touch the ball at a week for 30 minutes. I mean, it's not the kind of stat you want to be a so-to, is it?

But it was brought to him today and he said, look, he used that as motivation. He wanted to turn the tide, change the narrative. And what a performance he had today and two great goals. And I thought he was going to sneak the hat trick in there. But again, great to see two different. goal scorers in the Spanish national team because it's not all amenemarle. Although he is as we saw today vital

for this squad, they've got a wonderful set of players who are each having their moments and yeah, great for him today. Well, nice chatting to you, Liz. Thanks so much. How did a boycott Jimmy become a billionaire from posting videos? On good, bad billionaire, we're going to find out how the world's most popular YouTuber Mr. Beast

made his fortune. He's buried himself in a coffin for days. Counted to 100,000 on camera. and even recreated squid games all in an attempt to go viral on the internet. But it all started when he gave a homeless man $10,000. So is he a philanthropist reshaping capitalism? Or is he just the king of the attention economy? Find out on Good Bad Billionaire from the BBC World Service. Listen now, wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

He's widely recognised as one of the greatest footballers in history. He's won the prestigious Ballandour Award five times. He's the all-time leading goal scorer in professional football. And according to the world, Bloomberg's Billionaires Index, he's the first active footballer in history to achieve billionaire status. Guess who we're talking about yet? That's right. Good Bad Billionaire is exploring the life and fortune of football icon Cristiano Ronaldo. That's Good Bad Billionaire from the BBC World Service. Listen now, wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

Five Live 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 competitions on the domestic and international circuits. It's a ball cricket and it's the huge one. Tricot, settle down, tough. It's so many. Cricket on five live in every ball of this.

Listen on BBC Sounds. The football day at the People World Cup 2026. With Rick Edwards and Lloyd Griffith. Live from LA. So as I mentioned, we went to the Belgium-Iran game earlier today. first time we've been to see Iran, first time we were in with the Iranian fans in Los Angeles, and just arriving at the stadium,

just everywhere you looked, Iranian flags, there were a lot of, there were protests, people wearing t-shirts with pictures of, I guess, people who've been killed in the war. It was really, it was very charged, and then when we got into the stadium, and actually I was there for the anthems, thank you.

Because I was interested to see for myself, of what the reaction was to the anthem of the regime being played. And certainly where we were, there was quite a lot of booing. There was quite a lot of people kind of making noise to sort of almost like drown it out. But then as soon as the anthem finished, they're massive, massive like rapturous applause, which I guess was kind of their way of getting behind the team. The football team without sort of expressing support for the for the. regime. And the stadium, again, it was the one we're in for the USA Paraguay game, but particularly

where we were this time, you've just got a sense of how colossal this stadium is and these kind of like very steep banked seats. It's so high. And the view that you have from, so we're in like commentary positions. And I've never really had this in a stadium before. It's a bit like watching a big game of FIFA. Yeah. It's that kind of view that you have. It's quite, it's quite sort of surreal really. And you've got these new era of stadiums in America. You've got the older stadiums that we kind of saw in the World Cup in 1994 and we see a lot of American football in. But this is very much a new stadium. It seems futuristic, didn't it? With that spaceship kind of thing in the middle. And we were walking around the outside just kind of, well, I've never seen anything

on this scale in the UK. I mean, there isn't anything. There isn't anything. And even on the walking, as you say, there was a lot of protests, there's a lot of people with the current flags. And it was interesting seeing people support almost like the different teams within Iran. Yeah, yeah. Various different protests around. And so it was just really interesting. I've never been to a football match before where there was so much geopolitics just around the stadium. Yeah, I mean, it's such an unusual and bizarre situation, clearly.

But it was the atmosphere then, when you're in and the game started, the kind of the noise that the crowd were making, anything positive from the Iran. team. It was so loud. It was so loud and it was quite kind of quite intoxicating really. Our five live commentary team were in in there sat right near us actually. Dion Dublin and Connor McNamara and we caught up with them straight after the game. Dion, nice to see. You've been travelling all over the show. I have done some travelling yes. I'm on my fifth flight tomorrow I think. Yeah. And still still got the love for it? Always. Always. Always got the love for it. You know It's all about the energy, attacking it, attacking it.

Look me in the eyes and tell me that. Are you still enjoying yourself, Dion? I'm loving it. Who said that? Okay. I'm just looking out for you. I'm looking out for you, that's all. Massive point for Iran.

The main thing was, and we knew this, it was going to be like this, it felt like a home game for Iran and the atmosphere, the noise. I mean, you fellas have been in some stadiums. But just even like Iran make a kind of block, Iran get a tackle in, the keeper makes a save. like it was a wall of sound Connor I think there's obviously been a buildup to all of Iran's games and we all know what's going on in the background

and I think people were unsure as to quite how they'd be received I think in the main and let's not pick bones about it there were some booze during the anthem but in the main I think this is a country that does love the underdog they like rooting for the little guy in the fight as well and I think when Iran showed a bit of heart we're getting stuck in and then Belgium suffered the red card and I think by the end the neutrals in the crowd from what I could gauge

were willing around to go and win it and I think that's what we see at World Cups, you know, teams emerge, I mean it sounds almost a bit disparaged to say, but you know, the plucky team or whatever and we get behind them, Cape Verde being another good example but the race, there are a lot of them here. I mean, and one thing just to say, like we tried to interview a few of them before the game for Five Live and they said, oh, we don't want to be

interviewed, we don't want to be, you know, and you kind of little reminder, they don't want to be on camera, they don't want to be seen. And this is just representing their country at a World Cup. So it's a big deal. And look, look, they're two games in. As things stand right now ahead of the other game, they're top of the group. Yeah, and it was interesting the anthem, actually, because we were in, and I didn't know what kind of reaction it was going to get.

We spoke to some people who were at the previous Iran game. There were some boos. There were some people kind of drowning out, not with a boo, but like making other noise. But as soon as the anthem was over, massive round of applause, and it felt like that was the kind of approach from people. are like not really necessarily into the anthem, but then really want to be supportive of the team. And they continued that throughout, Dion.

Yeah, I think the main vibe was encouragement. And, you know, we hope you enjoy the game. And that kind of vibe. Yeah, we did hear a few. But, you know, like you say, they were quashed by positive sounds rather than booze. I think it's something that happens in why the minute silences at home became moments of applause.

Because if one person tries to spoil the moment, then it's the hundreds of other people telling them be quiet, actually sounds like more of a disruption. So could have been a little bit like that too. Look, in the main, in terms of the football, the game itself, you know, they had to sit so deep. They had to defend that. But any time they came at a counterattack,

there was this roar of goodwill that they might just be able to make something. And I wish that free kick went in. I mean, it would have been brilliant. It's such a well-work free kick as well. And yeah, and it's nice to actually get the reaction to a goal and then obviously the reaction to the VAR intervention as a bit of, you know, know, a bit of a high point and a low point.

But I actually thought Iran, like Belgium were kind of huffing and puffing. They had some chances, but they didn't like really threaten them. And the fact is, I think we're all watching it, thinking they're missing Docu. Yeah, just that bit of pace down the wings. I'm still waiting for Belgium to show us what they've got. You know, they've got so many big names, really good players. And you think, well, here we go. Today's the day when they're all going to click and it's going to be four or five nil.

And it just didn't happen. They look a little bit slow. Sort of our Spain did this morning actually. like that it'll be. Spain just went through the gears and went hold him in it. Let's just put this a bed. Let's show people how good we are and we'll get it sorted. Belgium themselves haven't done it at all. I thought Iran defended

incredibly. And that's the cheers you were talking about, kind of when they blocked a shot or when the keeper made his fifth save, which could have been a goal. The keeper was on fire. So good. I mean, there's a few that I think he should have caught. But on the whole, I thought

he was good. And also very brave. I mean, just coming out for pretty much every single cross and it's great that you got superior man of the match. Superior player of the match. When Courtois made the saves that he made for the Iranian keeper to get the player of the match, that'll mean even more to him. Yeah, yeah. And I think it is a case of

Belgium looking leggy and Iran defending really well. And you've got to think, like, what do Belgium need to do in order to progress? I think it's the quality delivery. So how many times in the game, we were both in Seattle for the Egypt game, Belgium, Egypt. Same story. They have the ball,

attacking areas, final third, You've players like Tillamons, Kevin DeBriana, these guys who we know can send in a cross. But time and time, it's either too low and cleared or it's too high in its sale. I mean, how many cross say sailed over the middle. It's almost something we take for granted with Belgium. They can give those good balls in. Lukaku scored 90 international goals because of that service over the years. But the two games they've played here, that delivery service has not been what it needs to be.

And what it is as well, when they do put the ball in the box, they've only got Lukaku in there. So they're not getting the support up to him that he needs. Yes, they're putting the ball into a certain area, expecting to the ball. big man to get there, but there's not another ball. It's the only ball they have, so it always gets squashed. Yeah, what did you think of Lukaku's performance? Because he didn't have that many chances. I wonder if that was just about service or if his movement, like we know he's barely played for a year, if his movement was just a little bit off. There's in quite a lot of their player, I thought they just weren't quite sharp enough. Yeah, it's just changing. He has to change

his game now. We know he's not got that lightning pace anymore. He's getting on a bit. He can always score goals and always will score goals but you have to try and find a different way for him to score goals now because putting it in behind and him leaving defenders for dead is not happening anymore so find the ball into his feet getting in around him and put him back in again it's just finding what's best

for him to score goals so he's potent again I think Iran set up very well though to nullify him they sat deep even when he was a young player and he had the pace that facing the goal with the ball of his feet is what Lukako wants to have or attacking he but they were always behind it so there was a barrier there was you know and

And so many times he's got these touches. Once or twice he did lovely little turns. He really did turn back the clock. He did a classic Lukaku roll at one point. He expected him to get his shot off. But he just didn't. He took a bad touch. And then there was like four defenders just in front of him.

Yeah. They gave him a chance to get in and they were prepared to get in and around it. Normally you put those away, but that's a different style of his game now. He's a part of touch. There's a couple of times today. His touch was bad. A couple of times it will be good next game. So we'll have to wait a game.

Two games in now, Belgium haven't scored a goal themselves. The goal against Egypt's an own goal. and they've got to be disappointed with that. Absolutely. They had that chance as well, didn't they? And the keeper did really well to save it, but from like six yards out, so there was a block and it came out to...

And then the save the work out for me. It was a great save, but you've got a score from there, haven't you? Three yards out. You cannot miss. So I stick that in the roof of the net, son. To be fair, the keeper's on the floor at the time. Yeah, he shouldn't be. Who was it who took the chance?

De Kuiper. Was it De Kui? He just, he passed into the middle of the goal. There's no keeper there. Keeper comes from the right. hand side dives to palm it away and he's thinking I've scored but you have it you have to hit the back of the net with power

make sure you score. Let's talk about that red card as well at the time of recording eight red cards in the tournament have been issued so far that only four in the whole of the Qatar World Cup like first of foremost was it a red we were kind of like mixed I think it was I think in the commentary

we felt straight to find it's it's the denial of an obvious scoring opportunity he was through the replay he's through is he guaranteed. Is he guaranteed? antique to score no, but that is a goal scoring opportunity by any definition. And I think Ingoi, who's a young defender, he's 23, he's only a handful of caps. He just panicked a little bit.

And he's thinking, you know, I think the way to describe, it's not a violent foul. It wouldn't have been a, you know, it's not something that you would say, you know, if it hadn't been a gold scoring opportunity that you'd get a yellow card for. It's not that. It's just cynical. It's professional. It's exactly what they want to stamp out of the game. So unfortunately, for Belgium, I think it's the right decision.

And, you know, having done this many times, exactly what Angoy had done. Having done it many times, when I play centre-half, you've got the ball at your feet, the centre-forward's, I don't know, 15 yards away from you, and you try to drag the ball back towards yourself, you don't lift your foot up enough, you poke the ball away, and you panic. Oh no, what am I going to do?

Centre-forward gets there first. He's in, I'm sorry, I'm going to have to grab you, but I'm with Connett. He looks so shocked as well that he'd been given the red card. Yeah, but, you know, his centre-half partner was so far away from him, that, like Conner says, he may have scored, he may not have scored, It's a chance.

It's a chance. You can't know it's a chance. Yeah. And then when Belgium were down to 10, you sort of thought, I wonder how Iran are going to approach this because their whole game plan was obviously sit back, sit back,

and then on transition maybe get some chance. And they did have some chances. Well, I'll tell you the stats of the red card, I think was the 66th minute. In the 15, 20 minutes that came immediately after that, they had more passes than they did in the whole 66 minutes up until then. The trouble is it's difficult to shift that mindset.

When you're dug in, You've dug those trenches and you're there. And then suddenly you're being told, get up and run forward. It's a nomaz land, lads. He made the changes. He brought on more attacking players, but that mentality, I don't think they've time to snap out of it. And then, of course, they're fearful. What if we throw the kitchen sink at this and we end up letting one in against 10 men?

So there's that little fear. At the end of the Iranians are much happier with two points on the board than Belgium are. And now a massive game against Egypt to finish up with. On Dooku. So our understanding is he was out. today because of a respiratory problem but obviously the whole conversation around him is that he wants to go back

to be with his wife for the birth of their first child as a dad I think I'm with him I'm with Mrs Docku like first kid you're going back I know it's not ideal that it's in the middle of the World Cup and your team obviously needs you

but the doghouse that you're going to get in truly if you're not there and that's aside from the fact that you want to be there I just think Yeah. So I was like, let me just see. I'll reverse that. I'll reverse that.

I want to be there. And then the dog house is separate consideration. Yeah, that's what I meant. But where are you guys? Where are you on that deal? First child, man, I'm at home. Right. First child, I'm at home.

I don't care about football or anybody else. First child, I'm at home. Second child, ah. Third child, oh. Four child, I'm playing footie. No, no, no. Fifth child, I'm going as a fan. Yeah, exactly.

A fifth child, I'm going with me, family. No, I think he's right. This is a, this is a, It's a unique moment in your life. Of course. And you've got to be there. I think the Belgian FAPian been very supportive of him. This isn't like some new things sprung upon them.

He's made them aware of this, that the due date is early July. He said it's a possibility. I mean, as people well know, these things do not go to an exact schedule. But if it does go bang on the date, I think it's if they were in a quarterfinal. But frankly, at the moment, that's the least of the worst. I think he's going to be absolutely fine. You know, I can't imagine his teammates are causing a panic about that. I would say it's probably been some reactions of pundits.

people looking to create a bit of a stir and then we all have to react to that. But in reality, the Belgian Lefebvre from before the tournament said it's his decision. Of course it is. If he wants to go, he goes. I think there's a simple solution to all of this is that if you are a professional footballer and you think you might get selected for the World Cup, maybe nine months previous. You just have a month off, you know. Our producer Jonathan was saying sex ban for players nine months before major tournament.

100%. Good idea. I'm not sure about that. Immaculous conceptions, you know. Oh, dear. I think he's spot on. Same. I mean, the great story is it goes home, baby's bored,

it comes back, scores a goal, does the celebration. You know, that's iconic. But better. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. With all of the traveling, we were joking about it earlier, but are you enjoying yourself? I am enjoying myself.

These are like experiences that you wouldn't have. Would I go to Seattle? Would I go to Vancouver? You know, been to L.A. before, but not this part, not this stadium, that's for sure. So getting to see the stadiums I've never seen before, you know, We travelled around Russia for five, six weeks at the World Cup as well.

So, yeah, it's, no, I don't think you can, you can't let these experiences pass you by. Yeah. You have to grab onto it and hold on to it. My wife knows that I want to do it. My wife understands that I want to do it and she would never stand in the way of me wanting to do it. And I think you have to have that understanding. Of course it's going to be hard for your partner at home. With one child, two child, it doesn't really matter.

However, they've got to understand and we've got to understand that when we got to home, there's the baby. That's what's going to happen. It's hands on time. Yeah, there you go. If you don't enjoy being at a work-up, I think you've got to go take a long, hard look here.

Let's be fair, no, come on. This isn't down the mind. No, it really isn't. Also, I think we've been really impressed and maybe a bit surprised by just how good the atmospheres have been, not just in the stadiums, but just around, we've just been in L.A.,

in all the bars. Like, they've really, they've gone for it in a way that I think. think we feared they might not the American public. Yeah, I think the noise has been great. Yeah, especially, you know, match day around the stadium, the bars, and Seattle's just bouncing.

I think it's downtown Seattle's just absolutely bouncing. Streets are absolutely full. Pubs, I don't know if they're full or not. I'm going to coffee shops, as you will know. I do know that, yeah. Thank you very much. And that's what you would expect. And I think they've done it great.

Well, we went to, we tried to get into five pubs to watch the USA game, and we couldn't get in it, and we ended up watching it in an Italian restaurant. A small Italian restaurant. Yeah. On a tiny little screen. It's a reminder when you're here of how giant this country is. The population is enormous.

So even if only 1% of them care about this, that's still what most countries would be. And I think, you know, we've seen today all these, so many Iran, tens of thousands of Iranians here today. There's no way they've come for the World Cup. They wouldn't have got in. They wouldn't have got visas. These are Iranians who already live in the States,

probably already live just in L.A. And I think every single city, there will be 10,000 Egyptians. There will be 10,000 Belgians everywhere. That's just the way America. is. And they love their national pride if they come out and show it, but they'd also probably see themselves as American as well. A friend

of them who said they were flying from L.A. to to the night before the American game. And as the American Airlines do, people will know this. They often oversell the flight and then they make an announcement. If anyone would like to volunteer to give up their seat, we'll give you a $500 voucher or whatever. And everyone just laughed. They've all spent $3 grand to get

a ticket. But this 500 vouchers of no value to me. So probably nobody was volunteering to get off the plate. Would it kill you to do that accent for some of the commentary color. You can't afford it. Can afford it. Fellows, really nice to catch up.

Cheers. Last get to talk about New Zealand's beaten by Egypt 3-1. Egypt's first World Cup win. When you wrote that in the dark, I couldn't believe it. You thought I meant in this tournament? I thought he was like one of your T4 stories last night.

I was like, it sounds made up. But I cannot believe they've not won before. And they've done it to know. It's true. Sala's goal, sort of a classic Sala goal. You just see, actually, it's not. I would say it's not the classic salad guy. It's not just him cutting in and rifling it in to the top opposite corner.

It's him at 1-2 and then stroking it into the bottom corner. Very nice. Very nice for him to get off the mark. Just a reminder, you can listen to the World Cup on BBC Sounds with live coverage, commentaries and podcasts all in one place. Later today, we've got Argentina, Austria at 6, France, Iraq at 10 o'clock, Norway, Senegal at 1am, Jordan, Algeria at 4 a.m. And to get new episodes as soon as they drop with this one,

make sure he subscribes on BBC Sounds and turn push notifications on in your phone settings. Don't point at me. I'm still not doing it. You need to do it. What does it do? What does it do for me? It sends you notifications. What, so I just know that it's... There's a new episode up.

I know that it drops in the morning anyway. To be fair, you've already listened to it. Yeah, and that's a good point. Pace-setter. Run with Josh Whitakam. Hello. Football Daily listeners, Josh Whittickham here bringing you something a little different. Do you keep meaning to go for a run? Perhaps a couple of laps around the football pitch in the park? Well, I'm the host of a new series of Pace Seter, the music mix that keeps you putting one foot in front of the other.

Join me every week as I curate the perfect running playlist to get you moving. To listen, just search Paceetter on BBC Sounds. How did a boycott Jimmy become a billionaire from posting videos? billionaire. We're going to find out how the world's most popular YouTuber Mr. Beast made his fortune. He's buried himself in a coffin for days. Counted to 100,000 on camera. And even recreated squid games, all in an attempt to go viral on the internet. But it all started when he gave a homeless man $10,000. So is he a philanthropist reshaping capitalism? Or is he just the king of the attention economy? Find out on Good Bad Billionaire from the BBC World Service. Listen now, wherever you get your BBC

Podcasts. What do Beatles member, Sir Paul McCartney, YouTube megastar, Mr Beast, and former Facebook executive Cheryl Sandberg, all have in common? They're all being discussed in the new season of Good Bad Billionaire, the podcast which explores the lives and fortunes

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