The Daily Show: Ears Edition - World Cup Analysis with TDS Soccer Experts Joe Opio & George Gountas

Episode Date: December 3, 2022

The World Cup group stages are over. Next stop: the knockout round. Daily Show writer Joe Opio and lighting designer George Gountas, our in-house soccer experts, break down the drama from the first batch of games, and look ahead to the round of 16. How deep of a run can Team USA make? What are the odds of a Ronaldo-Messi final? And who’s favored to win it all?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You're listening to Comedy Central. Hey, what's up everyone? I'm George Guntas. Many of you love the Daily Show for its incisicive political commentary, but did you know that it's also a hotbed for Soccer Mania? I'm the lighting designer here at the Daily Show, and the only thing that I love more than making our set come to life is the beautiful game. I'm joined by daily show writer Joe Opio, a guy who loves soccer so much, his loved ones one stage intervention.

The World Cup has been a top-turning topic in the world not involving Kanye, and we wanted to quickly drop a bonus podcast episode dissecting all the best action from Qatar. The US men's national team has made it the group the group the group and had won over the entire nation. How do you think they've been doing so far? Well, first of all, America, I've been impressed by America because when you think about it, America dominates the world in every human endeavor, you know, from commerce to gun violence, you know, politics to manufacturing Kardashians. So it's great that the best country ever no longer sucks balls at the world's biggest spot. I'm also happy to see thatthat Americans have embraced the World Cup.

The US-Iran game in particular was a roller coaster ride of emotions. You know, there was so much at stake. On one hand, America wanted to make it to the street 16 as they call it here. But on the other hand, Iran wanted to knock out the great Saturn, you know, death to America. We watched that game, I remember George, I think at the office. Absolutely. And 95% of the daily show was tuned into the game. Like you rarely see Americans that invested in soccer unless it's a tedlasso episode. And so for me, that was very impressive.

How, fuck an America go? That's the question everyone is asking, because America is playing the Netherlands in the round of 16. I'll start with the good news. America has the kind of airtight defense that even, I think, Fort Knox would be proud of. Yeah, only given up one goal in the tournament. Yeah, and that's mostly thanks to the impressive young captain Adams. He has been a force to be reclaimed with. He protects that back line like his life depends on it.

So America only one goal and that one goal I have to point out was a penalty that was caused by Walker Zimmerman's you know brain fat. He shouldn't have tackled Garthbert when he did. Now I'll get to the bad news. America can't score goals. Correct. It only score two goals. They wouldn't buy a goal if, as a friend of mine put it, they wouldn't buy a goal if they had Oprah's credit card. They just scored two goals and both have been down to Christian Puricy, who is their star man. He played the sublime through ball to Timothy Weyer for the goal against Wales and then, you know, of course he put his balls on the line when he scored... To be honest, I think the Dutch will be slight

favorites coming to this. You know, it's not the best Dutch team we've seen at the World Cup, but they have a pretty strong spine. They have Virgil Van Dyke in defense, they have Frankie De Jong in midfield, and then of course forward they have the Wonder Kid, Cody Gapco, who has been scoring goals for fun. For me, the US's fate will depend on only one thing. Can the coach overcome his madness and pledge your reignor? That's the only way I see the US making it through. Because right now, the US is struggling to create goals because it has only one creative outlet and that's Christian Purisic. Your arena can fix America's dependency on Pulisic.

I think he's America's gifted player by far in the history of America. I think it's a scandal that actually Giorina hasn't played every second of every game. Yeah, I agree with you in that regard, but the question is tactically it seems that Burhalter has a good balance in the team. The pressing, well, obviously they're not they're not they're not they're not they're not they're not they're not they're not they're not they're not they're not their not their not their not their not the number the number the number the number not the number not the number not the number not the number not. the number not. the number not. the number not. the number not. the number not. the number. the number. the number. the number. the number. the number. the number. the number. the number. the number. the number. the number. the number. the number. the number. the number. the number. the number. the number. the number. the number. the number. the number. the number. the number. the number. their. their. their. their. their their their their their their th. th. th. th. th. th. th. to. th. th. th. th. th. the. the. the. the the the the the the the th. it seems that Burrhalter has a good balance in the team, the pressing, well obviously they're not scoring goals, but where do you fit in? Obviously the number not, the lack of a number nine that seems like the glaring spot to put Rayna in and maybe play him as a false nine, but who would you take off in the midfield to put Rayna if you play him in his more natural position? No for me the way I the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, their, to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to, to to, to, to, to, to to, to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to, to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to their, the number, the number, the number, their, the number, the number, the number, to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to is to integrate the best player into the team. And so for me I think Greg has failed at that. I think some fans have been saying the fact that Diorina is not playing this is the sacca offense. I beg to defer. I think it's a lot more than that. I think it's an act of

high treason. This is a best player America has ever produced. And I think if anything, American soccer fans should be calling their senators and demanding congressional hearings into Greg's misuse of Rayna. You know, forget Benghazi, forget the January 6th capital insurrection. Rayna rotting on the bench is the televised crisis that the feds need to investigate. Yeah. Yeah, because the thing is, if you have a player like this, if he was playing, you could have played for his ancestry. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, he the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the th. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, he could could could could could could their, he could could th. Yeah, th. Yeah, th. player like this, if he was playing you could have played for Argentina, he could have played for because of his ancestry. Yeah, he could have played for another team and I think he would have been playing but the fact that he is on the bench for me is something that

Congress needs to get to the bottom off. And I know some people would say, oh come on, Joe, you know, it's not that deep it's just soccer. But for me. But for that, that, that, that, that, that, that, that would that would that would that would that would that would that would that would that would be. the same. the same. the same. th. their. their. their. their. th. thi. thi. their. their. thinks. thee. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. He's. He's. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He's could could could could could could could could could could could could could would would would would would would would would be. He's. He's. He's. He's the same. He's th. He's th. He's th. He's th. He could could could could could could could the. He's the. Yeah. Yeah, the. Yeah, their. He could could their. He serious countries if a coach refused to play their best player fans would be calling for the firing squad like can imagine if the Brazilian coach somehow failed to put name on the pitch can imagine if the Argentine coach refused to play messy you wouldn't be allowed back in the country you know this and if he was you know he would be from much in the street. So for me, it would be like the game of, I feel like that's what should be happening to Greg Berlter. It should be like that scene from the Game of Thrones, you know, just matching him through the streets going like shame, shame, shame. This is the best player. He should be on the pitch. Him not being on the pitch is not only robbing American fans of the special magic that's the arena, but it's also robbing America of the things he brings

to the pitch. That's fair. So who do you replace? Who do you put out of the squad to play? I think for me, I would play him as a false nine. I think for their thing, I would play him as a false nine. That's what I would do. I'll play him as a false nine. their. their. their. to be. their. their. to be. their. their. to be. their. their. to be. the. thi. their, thi. thi. thi. their, their, their, their, their, thi. their, their, their, their, who's, who's, who's, who's, who is, who is, who is, who is, who is, who is, who is, who is, who is, who is, who is, who is, who is, their. I was. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their, their, their, their. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. the. their. their. their. their. their. their. their, their. their. th. th. ththat role. The thing is you just have to find a place for him. Because also unlike teams now know,

if you focus on Christian Polisic, then you notify the United States men's national team. But what you need is you need an alternative. And Giorina gives that alternative because he's able to carry the ball, he's able to drier. If you're under pressure the way the way the way the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the way, the ball, he's able to dribble, if you're under pressure the way America was under pressure in the game against Iran, he's able to receive the ball, hold onto it, and act as relief for the defense. I mean, for me, having been, I was born in America and having followed the US men's national team in previous World Cups, I think the biggest difference that you're seeing this year is how the majority of Americans are playing, for the the their.. for their. for their. for their. their. For. For. For. For. For. For. their. their. their. their. their, thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. to to to to to be to to to thi. the biggest difference that you're seeing this year is how the majority of Americans are playing for big clubs in Europe, for example, Crippoulos, Chelsea, Champions League winner, Giorina Borussia Dortmund, Weston McKinney, Ventus, Tyler Adams and Bretton-Arinson leads. Having gone through a relegation battle has been a big experience for them coming into the World Cup, Musa at Valencia, Turnn, is attop of the Premier League, Serbginio Des, previously at Barcelona now at Milan. All these players now aren't afraid of this big

stage. They play against these players week in, week out in their respective leagues of the top of Europe, and I feel like that's been the biggest difference to the teams past in a... It's a huge difference because there was a time when I think think players would be playing at Loddy clubs like Full Ham. Yeah, but that's where Georenas that was playing I think they were you know. Dempsey was also I think was there. Yeah, the M.C. was there I think London Donovan was playing at Bayonne Vacuzen. These players are playing in the league week in week out and you can tell the difference that makes when they are playing at the you know in the because they are not they are not afraid of the world's biggest lights the brightest lights they don't shrink from the responsibility and that's why I think for me and that's why for me I've been

such a huge advocate of the arena if a player like him at his young age can force his way into a Bolesia Dutchman team that's that's that's that's that's th is that's th is th is th is th is that's th is th is th is that's thian. thian. Then thian. Then thian. Then thian. T. T. T. T. th th th th the. th th thi is thi is the. the. th th th th th the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the their is is is is is their is their is their is their is their their their their te is teanananananananananananananananan. I can can can can can can can't is. their their their their their their their usian Dutman team that's really brimming with talent, then he shouldn't be on the bench just so some player from MLS can take his place. For sure, for sure. So now let's get into it. What are your predictions for the game? I want to score US versus the Dutch. I think the Dutch are going to have a little bit more for the US. I think the Dutch are their their their their thuuuuuuuuuuuu. thu. thu. thu. thu. thu. thu. thu. thu. thu. thu. thu. thu. thu. the. the. theat to to to the. to to to the. their the Dutch. their their their to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be the. the. the. the. the. the. theat. theateateateateateat. theateateat. thea. their theatea. their theatea. toea. toe. bit more for the US. I think the Dutch are able to shut the defense down, they are able to shut the US out. And then you've seen Cody Gapko, he scored three goals in three games, 23-year-old, Phenom from PSV, and he's going to be the biggest, I think he's going to be one of the most wanted signings after the World Cup. And I th th th th th th th th th th th th th th th th th th thi th thi thi thi thi, I thi, I thi, I thi, I thi, I thi, I thi, I thi, I thi, I thi, I thi, I the, I the, he's thi, he's, he's, he's, he's, he's, he's, he's, he's, he's, he's, he's, he's, he's, he's the, he's, he's, he's, he's, he's, he's, he is is is is is is the the the the the the the the the the the the th. He he is th. He he's, he's, he's, he's, he's, he's the, he's the, I'll thre-a, I'm thin, threa''a'eatea'a'e. I'll threa'a'e. I'll thea'e. I'll the. He's think he has what it takes to at least score a goal and if the US I think goes one goal down because we haven't seen the US tested from being a gold down they have led in all their games

and I think when you reach the knockout rounds that character their ability to bounce back from falling behind will be crucial and unless you have another creative spark besides police, it's going to be very, very, very hard for the US to be in a position where they can bounce back if the Dutch score goal. I'm going to go zero, zero, US win on penalties. I think if they can play like they did against England, yeah.

And just kind of keep it tight, keep it compact. They're young, they can press. They're very. They're very. They're very. They're very. They're very. They're very. They're very. They're very. They're very. They're very. They're very very. They're very very very. They're very very very. They're very very very very. They're very very very. They're very very very very very very energetic. They're very energetic. They're very. They're very. They're very. They're very very very. they're very very very very very very very. they're very. they're very. they're very. they're very. they're very very. they're very very. They're very. They're very. They're very. They're very. They're very. They're very. They're very. They're very. They're very. They're very. They're very. They're very. They're very. They're very. They're very. They're very. They're very. They're very. They're very very very. They're very very very. They're very very very very energetic. They're very energetic. They're very energetic. They're very energetic. They're very energetic. They're very very very very very energetic. They're very very very very very very very very very very they're very very very very very very they're they're very very very very very they're chances when they can. They're young, they can press. They're very energetic, yes. At that age you don't get that. But also I feel like the England game almost pros my point because they dominated England for long stretches in the second half. But they still lack that decisive final ball. And that's where Rainier comes in. Because police can't do it alone. Because every time he gets a ball, then all the opponents just swam him. It's almost like, it's almost like the Bulls back in the 90s. If teams knew that the other players couldn't beat them, then they could focus on Michael Jordan. So what Michael Jordan needed, 46, Michael Jordan. Fair enough, fair enough.

OK, so what have been your biggest takeaways from the World Cup so far? Wow, where to begin? Because this has been a bonkers World Cup, you know, for a tournament where there's no alcohol? I could almost say this world cup. I haven't seen so many thops. thops. thops. thops. thops. thops. thiii. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. thi, thaten, thi. that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's that's, that's that's that's that's thaten, thaten, thaten, thaten, thaten, that's thaten, that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's so many upsets and I think you'll agree with me since I think the 2002 World Cup, Germany staying home, all these big countries, you know, Saudi Arabia, shocking Argentina, Japan shocking both Germany and Spain. But for me the biggest takeaway, and I'm going to go back, sorry to go on about Georena is how coaches are struggling to trust their most talented players.

Because the US coach doesn't trust Giorina, his most gifted player. The England coach doesn't trust Phil Fodin, his most gifted player. Japan's coach has been like tremendous. He has outcoached both Ruhrush, trust Takumi Minamino who is the most gifted player and for me George and you know what it's about me we play soccer together and I believe it's called a beautiful game for a reason. You need these kinds of players who captivate

the imagination our football isn't a beautiful game when your arena when when feel folding are on the bench and so for me these people should be built around these kinds of players because when you look at the world cup the defenses at the teams should be built around these kinds of players because when you look at the World Cup, the funny thing about the World Cup is the defenses at the World Cup are so disciplined and well drilled that you can try to pass your way through two banks or four but it's going to be hard. What you need are players who can carry the ball and penetrate and force the defense into some kind of imbalance. And that's where all these players come in because they can carry the ball. So you play defense

and I play, I mean rather you play striker when we play our pickup games and I play defense. And I think we both are all agree. Every defender's biggest nightmare is having an attacker running at you. Of course, because you're back pedaling but then you can't see where you're going. And so for me, actually, England should even be more ashamed of itself than the US because Foden starts every game, almost every game for Man City. And yet when it comes to the national team, we've seen Garrett Southgate prefer mison mount to him. Yeah, I agree. It is it is it's interesting. He's got, Southgate does have his favorites in that regard and I think that if England is going to go far, they need to, you know, he needs to get out of those those habits. And otherwise he'll end up like he did at the euros or at the previous World Cup. Yeah, and then the thing is I feel like, for me, I feel like this is an English problem.

Yeah, what they're doing with for them because England, the same kind of suspicion say that the TSA reserves for Brownman, carrying the Quran. They think, so when you look back, look back at all England squads from the 90s, you know, Matt Lately, S. Steve McMahonmanman, Steve McMahon man, Joe Cole, they don't trust these kinds of players. They think these players are poor work. Steve McMahonman was idolized at Real Madrid. idolized at Real Madrid. Yet he was struggling to get to the English team. Because what English players and English coaches unfortunately want are players who rush into 50-50 challenges or who run around a headless chicken. So when you say player like Mason Mount, he's an energized the bunny who will run around for 90 minutes. But then when it comes to technique, he'll give you you that for 90 minutes.

And we've seen this, George, we follow football, we've seen the way the English game treated Mesothozy. He was idolized in Spain, and then when he went to England, he was dismissed as lazy. And for me, that's why dodged a bullet by choosing Johnny over England. Because if he had chosen England, I'm sure he would be on the bench

and Jordan Henderson would be starting ahead of him. So for me, I think the coaches are very conservative and they need to trust. And that's a difference between let's say a coach, and I think we differed because you support Real Madrid support Barcelona. And for me, this is a difference between a coach like Pepp Guardola and a coach like Jose Morrino. Because Pepe Gadilla trusts these kinds of players to go on the pitch and make a difference. He doesn't prefer runners to technically gifted players. Fair enough. My biggest takeaway I think has been, being that this is the first time

that the World Cup has fallen mid in the winter mid-club season, agreeing with your point about the conservatism of the coaches, I mean they're almost trying to rotate in the first games where they haven't putting themselves into position to go through yet, for example, Spain heavily rotating the squad in the final game against Japan and now they end up and paying the price. Well, do they pay the price? Well, was it calculated? Yes, you're right.

Was it calculated second place in the group puts them opposite side of the bracket of Argentina and Brazil. That's another discussion to be had. And they also get to face Morocco instead of Croatia. For sure. For sure. For sure. So again, it could turn out better in that regard, but even Portugal today rotated heavily, France obviously also rotated

heavily, and the other thing that you're seeing is the amount of injuries, the amount of great players that aren't in the tournament due to playing three days a week since August. I think this is the first World Cup where the two best players in the world, aren't aren't there? Yeah, you know, technically. That's current, the first, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, yeah, you, you're, you're, yeah, you're, yeah, you're, yeah, you're, you're, you're, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, you're, that, you're, you, yeah, yeah, you, yeah, that, that, that, that, that, that, that, that, that, that, that, that, that, that, that, that, that, that, that, th. Yeah, th. Yeah, th. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, th. Yeah, th. Yeah, th. Yeah, th. Yeah, you're, you're, th. Yeah, you're, you're, you're, th. the th. th. Yeah, th. thi. Yeah, th. Yeah, th. Yeah, th. Yeah, th. Yeah, you know, technically, that's Karam Benzema and Saddam, Saadi Oubana. So it's like, but I think I'll say this about Spain and I'll say this about Portugal, the teams which you said rotated and I'll say this about France. Their coaches trust they're technically gifted players. So a play like Padre and Gavie if they were playing extent Bernadot Silver would be on the bench, but they start for Portugal and they start for Spain and you can see the difference they bring in the game. They're beautiful, lovely players to watch.

We're going to take a quick break and we'll be right back after this. What do you think has been the most magical moment at the World Cup so far? I think I'm a bit biased and you know what I'm going to say. I think Messie's goal for me against Mexico really took the breath away. If you're watching it as a non-football fan in that way, you would think that goal was ordinary. But then Messie of course has, like, that's what Messie does. You know, he makes the extraordinary look routine. I watch that goal that goal that goal that goal that goal that goal the goal the goal the goal the goal goal. It goal the goal. It goal. It the goal goal. It was the goal. It was the goal. It was the goal. It was the goal goal goal goal And when I watched that goal, it was very clinical in his precision and breathtaking in its execution.

Because Messi had been smothered the whole game, right? The Mexicans had been on top of him, and he knew when he received that ball from De Maria, he knew he would never get that much space again. And so he needed two touches basically, control and bang. And the pass from De Maria was good, but it wasn't great. Because the ball was bubbling all over the place. You know, she was bubbling all over the place and we play soccer both of us, and we both know there's nothing harder to control than a ball on the bounce. And so that's what for me made Messie's first touch for that goal magic. Because if that first touch was any lighter, that means we wouldn't have had enough space to create sufficient momentum to strike the ball.

But then if that touch was heavier, he would have been smothered by the battalion of on rushing Mexican defenders. So he had to make sure that that touch was perfection, the first touch. And then to make matters worse, remember he had to score from that distance against Memo Ochoa of all people. And we both know, like Ochoa is, like, when it comes to the World Cup, the World Cup is like this, like special serum that gives Ochoa superpowers. And so for me, the fact that Mesey could score score that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that touch is touch is that touch is touch is to score, to score, to score, that that that that to score that that touch is too touch, touch, touch, touch, to me, to me, to be to me, to me, to me, to me, to me, to me, to me, to me, to me, to me, to me, to me, to me, to me, to me, to me, to me, to me, to me, to me, to me, to me, to me, to me, touch is touche, touche, touche, touche, touche, touche, touche, touche, touche, touche, touche, touche, touche, to bea, to me, to me, to me,the fact that Mese could score from that distance against such a keeper and against such a defense which had smothered him all game wrong. And he had just

taken two touches to do that. For me, that was the magic moment that took my breath away. I could also say it's fitting that the past came from DeMaria because he's the only player on the Argentina tee team who who who, who, who, who, who, who, who, who, who, who, who, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th is the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the fact, the fact, the fact, the fact, the fact is the, the, th is th is th is is th is th is th is is th is th is is th is the fact, the fact, the fact, their, their, is is is is their, is their, is their, is their, is their, is their, is their, is their, is their, is their, is their, their, the. Mea, thean. Mea. Mea, thean. thean. Meaugh, their, their, their, their, the player on the Argentina team who I think is on the same wavelength as Messie. Because you watch the game and I don't know whether you remember there was a there was a moment when Messie tried to play a one two with Marcos Acuna and Akuna was sort of a bamboozed. He basically looked at Messie like Mesa had invented fire. So, Dimari is the only player who is on the same wavelength and that shows. I think the other magic moment, if you ask me, would be Richardson's goal in the opening game. Yes, that was pure magic. I thought personally as a soccer player, I thought the first touch was terrible. Of course. Yeah, the ball went higher than he went behind me. Yeah, but then you have to give him 10 out of 10 for improvisation.

Yeah. Because another player would have failed to add just to the situation. But it was a great goal. It should be framed. It should be in the roof. It should be, you know, just crop out the abysmal touch and just and just and just, and just, and just, and just, and just, and just, and just, and just, and just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, their the abysmal touch and just frame that goal and frame the goal and hang it in the loop. And I think for me actually those two goals, Messie and Richardson's proved why a magnetic first touch is the most important tool in soccer because get it right like Messie did and you'll

score in the blink of an eye but then get it wrong like Richardson did and then you need to become a contortionist basically for you to be able to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be the need to become a contortionist basically for you to be able to score. So for me those two moments, those were two magic moments. There was an almost magical moment, but it didn't happen and it was when Inaki Williams, they have first took them off the caper. Yes, that almost became a moment. That would have been just slept at the wrong time. That would have been, I think, the most hilarious goal. Yeah. In the history of the World Cup. Yeah. So for me, those two and that in Nacuriums almost, those were the magical moments at this World Cup. Agreed about both. I think technically, I think the charleson goal was better after the bad first touch. Yeah, but the thing of times in his career. So I don't think it's as special technically, but what you've, what the magic about that was like

the weight of the country coming off the show. The context of the game, yeah. That was, that was what really was like. And then you saw how much it meant to him as he celebrated the rain to in the knockout rounds of the World Cup? The knockout rounds are going to be very tight, because as you've seen, this World Cup has had so many upsets. I feel like it could almost go the way 2002 went. You remember with South Korea making that deep run into the tournament,

but I still think the heavy weights are favored. Brazil, I think for me, the favorites to win this World Cup, they are a solid team, they have a deep bench, but without Neyma who has been injured, I think they lack imagination. Don't get me wrong, they can't turn to Venetius Jr. and I think Venetius Jr. has shown us all through the Champions League that he has broadened up shoulders to carry a team. But I think carrying Brazil to the World Cup is such a massive responsibility to place on such young shoulders. Argentina should at least make the semifinal because I think they have a bit of an easy path.

If they should be able to make quick work of Australia, and then that means they could face the winner between the Netherlands and the USA. And the good thing about Argentina, I think the thing that feathers them ironically enough is they are opening Delos against Saudi Arabia help take the pressure off because remember they came into the World Cup on a 36 match and beaten run. And if you bring that into the World Cup at some point it can become a curse. Because you start playing every game like it's a final. So they were able to lose to Saudi Arabia and then they were able to reset.

So now the, and the thing is, I've watched Lionel Scalon and you can see his tactics, he's growing into the World Cup and that's what I think Argentina did in the Copamerica as well. So they're in good state, he has adjusted tactically. Portugal, of course, you can never count out Fronaldo and he has a great supporting cast for once. He hasn't, I think, has only scored one goal and then Portugal has had six different scorers, this World Cup, which means goals can come from anywhere on the pitch. The only their their th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. th. the. ta, the. he is, he is, hea, hea, hea, tha, tha, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, tha. He, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, he. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He. He is, ta. He is, ta. He is, ta. He's, ta. He's, ta. He's, ta. He's, toge. He's, ta. He's, toge. He's, toge. He's, toge. He's, tog can come from anywhere on the pitch. The only weakness for Portugal for me is their coach is almost like Garret's Southgate of England. She can tend to get too conservative at times. You know, it should unleash the weapons that he has. I think Rafael Yao should be coming off the bench as quick as possible.

But I think that conservatism might actually turn out to be a problem for them. When you look at France, they're missing. France, I think for me is one of the most gifted teams, pound for pound, because they're missing Benzema, they're missing Pogba, they're missing Kante, they're missing Christopher Uncukku, but they're still, when you look at their roster, they're still talented enough. They are also they are they are they are they are they are missing. They are missing. They at their roster, they're still talented enough. They're also missing personal campaign but some people will say that's a blessing in disguise. So I think France are looking good, but do they have the ability with all the injuries they are faced to last

the distance, that's the question. As Spain have Gabby and Pedre, I love watching them play. Enrique, their coach Luis Luis Enrique, loves a false nine, but I think Alvaro Murata's form is making him rethink that. I think they also look good, but Buskets in that role, we've seen him at Barcelona Expoz every time he's pressed hard. And so we just have to wait and see how that will pan out. England, England, if England trust trusts trust trust trust trust trust trust trust trust trust trust trust trust trust trust trust trust trust trust trust trust, they trust, they they they they they trust, they they they they they they can they can they can't they can't they can't they can't they can't they can't they're they're they're they're they're they're they love, El they love, El they love, El they can't they can't they can't they can And so we just have to wait and see how that will pan out. England, England, if England trust Philford in a lot more and then if they can get hurricane firing, because remember he hasn't scored a single goal this World Cup, he was the top scoreless world cup, hasn't found a net this World Cup. So if they can trust Philford in a bit more and get hurricane firing, I think England will also make it a deep run. They could make the semifinals. Hey Joe, I'm gonna stop you right there.

We gotta take a quick break for ads. We'll be right back after this. What do you think will be the biggest upset in the knockout rounds? I think if the games this evening, if Serbia make it through, they will face Portugal. And Sabia have the ability to shock Portugal, because they want to think their game in the qualifying rounds. And they have a good enough team that they can pose questions to every other team.

But the big issue here is you hate, if you are at a World Cup, you hate playing, you hate playing a team from the same Confederation, because they are very familiar with your style, and they have their beat it to Spring Shocks. So for me, I think it will be Sabia if they make it through, or Switzerland, because the teams that are familiar with Portugal's game. For me, that's why I see the shock coming. I don't that that that that that of the of the knockout rounds I think is Morocco is going to beat Spain.

Really? And I'll tell you why. Okay. I don't like Roderick as a center back. I think Roderick's should be playing in the Bousquet's role. He hasn't put a foot wrong though. He hasn't been tested okay so Roderys should be playing in the Bouskets role I think that he should be playing Laporte I think he should be playing Laporte and Torres is a centerbacks okay I think totally I think

Torres is a bit fragile yeah yeah of course you know Garcia is an unstanded. Yeah exactly for sure yeah it's it's the same flaws of a Barcelona team before they had Leavondoski right they had Padre and Gavi they had Busquettes they don't have a number nine they play with a false nine you got Torres on the front side where's Anzufati by the way yeah he hasn't been trusted because I think I think he should be look that the only more has been playing well and I think he deserves his place on the team, but I think Ansufati should at least be coming on. But remember, he's also struggling because he just came off the knee surgery. He's not playing, yeah, he lacks much fitness. He hasn't played long enough because he's just coming off an injury. But I'll tell you one thing though, there's no chance

Louis Enricke is putting Sergio Buskets on the beach. I think Sergio Buskets is a first name on the team sheet. That's how much Luis Enrique loves him. But that's the same stubbornness of Garren Southgate with Mason Mount and not playing foot. And I think ultimately that's what's going to cost them. And I think that you're correct to say cross in the box if someone get on the end of it, that's where they seem the most dangerous. So let's see, I think that Morocco can stay organized that hit them on the counter. It could be like any week in La Liga that you saw last year. Morocco has another coach who is trusting

his most gifted player. Haki him. Look at what Zik is doing. in every match that Morocco have played. And the old coach, the coach who was fired, Vahid Harzik, basically messed up by not trusting game because Hakim Zeeh didn't go to the nation's cup because he fell out with him. And for me, I believe that if you're a coach, like you have one role and one role only, it's to make your best players shine.

You can't afford to put your ego before before before before before before before before before before before before before before before before before before before before before before before to put your ego before to put your ego before to put your ego before to put your ego before to put your ego before. And for me, the Moroccan coach has been a revelation in that regard in that he has managed to somehow extract from Akim ZH something that the old coach, who was European by the way, wasn't able to extract. For sure, for sure. Now, as you were saying, I think we can separate teams in the knockout rounds into like three groups, right? There's Brazil and France, their their their their their their their then, three groups, right? There's Brazil and France who obviously the clear thing is. Right.

And then there's kind of that second tier. You're looking at Spain, England, Portugal, Argentina, and then the others. Yes. So what does your brain tell you that the final is going to be? And what does your heart want the final to be? First of all, I'll be, I the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the their their their their their their their their thefficient. I'll be, their threathea, threathea, th. Their th. Their threat is, threat is, threat is, things. The c. The c. The c. The cout. The c. The cout. The cout. I is, the. I is, the. I is, I will is, I will is, I will is, I will is, I will is, I will is th. I'll th. I'll th. I'll th. I'll th. I'll be, I'll be, I'll be, I'll be, I'll be, I'll be, I'll be, I'll their, I'll their their, their cout. their cout. their cout. their cout. threateat is. threateat is. th. you that the final is going to be and what does your heart want the final to be? First of all, I'll be in Qatar for the both the quarter finals and the semifinals. Yeah. And for my dream matchups, barring in upsets and this is going to upset American fans. U.S.A. USA. These are my dream

matchups. I would want Argentina to face the Netherlands. I think that would be an exciting game. Portugal, I think, is going to face Spain. England, I think will face France, and then Brazil is going to play Croatia. And then the semifinals, I think, will have Argentina, Brazil, a repeat of that co-pa final. And then we're going to have Portugal France on the other side, which means, insh soccer fans, soccer, soccer, soccer, soccer, soccer, soccer, soccer, soccer, soccer, the th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, thina, thina, thina, thina, thina, thina, thu, thu, thina, thina, thina, thinks, to to to the to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to, to, to, to, to, I will, I will, I will, I will, I will, I will, I will, I will, I will, I will, I will, to, to, to, I I will, to, to, to, to, I I I I I will, to to to to to to to the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the, the the the.o, the the the too, too, too, too, too, too, too, too, too, soccer fans can finally get a Christian Ronaldo, messy final. I think it will be the greatest event in the history of the World Cup. Remember the picture of them?

The Louis Vittor picture, the Louis Vitton touches, yeah. It's become the biggest memes on the internet. Yes, playing. Can you imagine if that came to life? It would be like a dream come true for every football fan but then you know the football goals you know they never they never want to make but that would be a dream come to just like Messie and Ronaldo in the biggest game in the world. Agreed. Agreed. Aged. That would be what my heart would want. I'd want to see one of them win the World Cup and then I think if that that were to happen th th th th th th th th th th th th th th th th th. th th th. th th. the the the that the the the the the the that the the that the the. that would the. the. that that that that that that that would be that would be that would be that would be that would be that would be that would be that would be that would be that would be their their their their their their their their their th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. the. the. the. the. the the the the come the come the come the come theean. thean. thean. thean. thean. theann' theann'eann'eann'eann'eanann'eann'eann't theanann't that were to happen and one of those teams would win the World Cup. I think that they would retire. I think Rinaldo most certainly would. Okay, so that's what your hat says. What does your brain say? My brain say based on how the brackets lay out is I think France, Brazil. Because I think because outside the brackets, the two top teams. I think that France can get by England. I think thin. I th. I th. I th. th. th. that's. that's. that's. that's. that's. that's. that's. that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's their their their their that's their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their brain say say say say say say say say say say say say say say. train say say say say say. train say say say say. their brain say say say. their brain say say. their brain say say. their brain say and the semis. Okay. And I think France gets through.

But, you know, I'll tell you this. I'll still settle for that. That's not a bad final by any stretch of the imagination. France versus Brazil. That would be a repeat of 1998. Correct. And it will be, again, as a football fan, because of all the subplots and the history and the drama surrounding them, the two best players in their generation.

But France versus Brazil also has lots of intrigue and I wouldn't mind watching that. For sure. And again, if you were to say, the other team that I would say has the potential to upset somebody, but though I don't think it's going to happen is Japan, because they've shown that they can absorb pressure and knock, they could have 20% of the ball in a game, get dominated and just in five minutes. Sucker punch you. So it's like, again, even though they're likely, if they were to get past Croatia, get Brazil, they're the one team that's set up in kind of a Morino style way to kind of just like, yeah, have the ball, pass it sideways the backwards, you know what?

When you make a mistake, we're gonna punish you. Look, I'll be frank with you. If you can beat Germany and Spain, because that was supposed to be the group, they topped it. So they have earned the respect that they have. But I'll say this about Japan. Their coach, and again, I'm sorry for happening going on about this, is in the same mold as Greg Belarter, is in the same mold as Gareth Southgate, because he doesn't start Minam,

and then he also doesn't start Mitoma, who plays for Brighton. Every time Mitoma has come on, because of his pace and his dribbling and his ability to control the ball in small spaces, he has changed the game for Japan. He's the player who actually got that ball off the line. For Japan to make it through, the controversial was the ball over or not. He's the player who made that play. And every time they brought him on when their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their that play. And every time they brought him on when they were behind against Germany and

he turned it around, they turned it around to 1 from 1-0 to 1. They brought him again, yesterday against Spain, there were 1 nil down and he again changed the game. And every time he has been repaired with a place on the bench. I think he should be starting every game. I don't know whether the coach prefers to bring him on when the other team has tiring legs, but I think it should be starting every game. Because then you start the game in a forward position with your foot on the neck of the opponent as opposed to always chasing the game from behind. Actually, if I feel,

I feel if Croatia can beat Japan, which is within the realms of possibility, then Croatia could also spring a surprise. Because they have the players who have the experience and they know how to put together a deep run. You know, players like Perry Sitch have been there and done that. Players like Modrich have been there and done that. I feel like if they can grow into the tournament, because remember, they were finalists at the last World Cup.

So if they can grow into the World Cup, Brozovich, they have like probably one of the most technically gifted midfields in the entire World Cup. So I feel like if Croatia make it past Japan, then they could be the dark horses could make life very, very difficult for every team they run into. The only problem is they have to run into Brazil in the quarterfinals. Agreed. I think that you're spot on to say that Croatia does have the talent and the experience

with the players that you mentioned. I think that... You have questions. The question I have is, how can they cope with the pace of Venetius, the pace of Charleston. That's why I say they're unfortunate that they are running into Brazil. So I... Right, right. So again, I think that Japan is more suited to upset Brazil than Croatia based on the fact that they're a little more youthful and have a little more energy. They've kind of proven that, you know, absorb the pressure, to have the ball. Because Brazil wants to also hit you quickly on the counter,

Raphina, you know, and I feel like, again, I don't, my head telling me that they, Brazil or Japan or Japan or Croatia won't be Brazil, but I think that Japan might be better suited to. I think speaking of Japan, I think we haven't given the Asian teams enough credit because this has been an absolutely blinding world cap for them.......... the the the the the their. their. And, their, their, their, and their, and their, and their, and I. From. And, and I, and I, and I, and I, and I, and I, and I'm, and I'm, and I'm their, and I, and I the pressure, and I their, and I their, and I their, I their, I their, I feel, I feel, I their, I feel, I their, I their, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I the the the pressure, I the the pressure, I the pressure, I their, I'm their, I'm thi, to to to to to to to told, to to to to to to to thi, I feel their, I feel, I feel, I feel, I feel, I feel their,'t given the Asian teams enough credit, because this has been an absolutely blinding world cup for them. From Saudi Arabia, upsetting Argentina. Now you have South Korea and Japan making it into the later rounds. It's been a great world cup for Africa as well. Senegal and Morocco are in there, and Cameroon stand a chance to also make it. Ghana almost should have made it,

but they run into well, Uruguay and Suarez. But I think that this has been, for me, this has been for a World Cup held on the continent. This has been an absolutely fantastic World Cup for teams from the Asian Confederation. I totally agreed. I know we've been fixed on all of the Xsthe X's and O's on the pitch, but what has been your favorite storyline off the pitch? There are many great candidates off the pitch and I think the first one that comes to mind is the Japanese fans.

Everyone loves them, you know, they clean up after themselves. They do this actually every world cap, but it never ceases to amaze it. That's how that how mind-blowing it is. We can't believe that soccer fans, because soccer fans are not the most ordinary group. And Japanese fans always do this. And so for me, I always love them for that. Of course, Saudi Arabian players beating Argentina and each of them getting a Rolls Royce. That was a great story. So, because they lost, They didn't make it out of the group, but they really won. If I go to the World Cup and come back with the Rolls Royce, I think I've won. But for me, if you ask me the great story of the PH, it has to be Qatar as a country for me.

It has to be the Qatar World Cup. And I know some some some some some some some some some some some some some some some some some some some some some some the the world will will will willack for everything and I think they deserved every bit of the criticism. But it also didn't help that the national team stank the whole joint up. Because if you're hosting the World Cup, you hope that your national team at least wins a game. Yeah, for sure. At I became the first host to lose three games. But for all their criticism, I think Qatar has delivered in an area most people

wouldn't expect. And that's because Qatar has never been mistaken for a hotbed of feminism, right? In fact, there are many critics who have said that this world cap is the most anti-women world cap because women in Qatar don't have their full rights. But on the pitch, I feel this is the most pro-woman World Cup because it's the first World Cup that has had female referees. That's true. For me, that's something that has stood out. Because in the past, George, men's world cups have always been notorious, sausage vests. Men on the pitch, men officiating, men in the stands. But this world, yes, yes, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I the world, I th, I the world the world th, I thi, I the world the world the world thi, I the world thi, I thee, I ests. Men on the pitch, men officiating, men in the stands.

But this World Cup, yes, I think it was just yesterday, Stefan Frappat, became the first woman to referee a men's World Cup game when she took over the game between German and Costa Rica. And what made it even better was that much was overseen by an all-woman team. Because she was joined by assistants from Brazil and Chile. And for me, the optics of that is pretty powerful because you have 22 testosterone-driven alpha males, right, submitting, submitting to the authority of a woman.

And the thing that Qatar did, which made this not just historic but symbolic, is Qatar, to their credit, they let the women referees officiate the games without putting upon them any cultural restrictions. Because Qatar could have gone like, no, you know what, we need them to put on scarves or hijabs because they are women in Qatar. But Qatar went like, no, they are women in Qatar women need to wear this but Qatar went like no these are women referees let them referee the game the way they would referee it in Europe and so to see these women work and to see men actually submitting to the authority of a woman because she has a

whistle at the world football's grandest stage for me that was one small step almost for female referees, but one giant leap for women in Qatar and women in the Middle East and women all over the world. For sure. Is there, like, is there something that's stood out for you off the pitch? Off the pitch? Yeah, I would say, yeah, the feel-good story would definitely be the Japanese, not only the fans, but apparently the players also cleaned the dressing room and left like origami cranes in like a, I don't know if you saw those, in the dressing room, that was kind of, that was cool. I think I'm the kind of person,

obviously a lot of things like these events like Olympics or World Cup tend to always have a geopolitical tone to them and I understand that and that's fair. I try to kind of avoid all that and be focused on the football. And I. And I. And I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I try try th. I th. I try thi th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I try think try think think think th. I'm think think think the. I'm think the. I'm think the. I'm the. I'm the. I'm think that this... You try to separate the art from the artist. Agree, yeah, so it's like, you know, and try to see the games for what, for just the sporting elements of it. So again, I understand all of the controversy, but, and all the things, and again, all the things things that you that you that you that you that you that you that you that you said that you said you said you said that you said that you said that you said that you said that you said that you said that you said that you said that you said that you said that you said that you said that you said that you said that you said, you said, you said, you said that you said that you said, that you said, that you said, that you said, that you said, that you said, that you said, you said, you said, you said, you said, you said, you said, you said, you said, you said, you said, you said, you said, you said, you said, you said, you said, you said, you said, you said, you said, you said, you said, you said, about about about, about, about about, about, about, about, about, about, about, about, about, about, about, about, about, about, about, about, about, the the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, I think my favorite off the pitch story has to be the Japanese. I think I think I'll leave. I think I think my last word would be to American fans. I think I think if you're an American fan, you're pretty excited about the 2026 World Cup.

You have a young core players who are 20, 21, 22 at most. For sure. And they're going to be nearing their peak in four years. Yeah. We're going to have had experience from playing at the top clubs in Europe and this is the World Cup you're going to be hosting. I believe that 2026 is going to be a far, far, far cry from 1994. Absolutely. In 1994, America came in, they had no soccer heritage. They didn't even have a league. And you had players like Alexisleras being the main COGS in the national team. So I think if I'm an American player, I wouldn't be so down if we lost against the Netherlands. I wouldn't be so down if we didn't make a deep run in this

World Cup because this World Cup for me, for America in particular, and remember America America by the way, is the only country that made it out from their Confederation, Mexico out, Canada out. So for me, if I want an American fan, I'll be proud of that. And I would be proud to know that this World Cup is almost like a great curtain raiser, it's almost like a great appetizer for 2026. Because these players are going to be a totally different proposition when they're hosting at home and you have American fans on their back and they're urging them on and the players have grown four years. You imagine Tyler Adams in four years. So for me, if I want American fan, extremely excited for the future.

And just hoping that when 2026 comes, all our players will be in full health. And then I think then America will really, really make a deep run in the World Cup. For sure. For sure. I've got a few more questions for you, Joe. Kind of quickfire. Who has been the most exciting player for you at the World Cup so far?

Most exciting player, Jamal Mucala. It's a tight one between Jamal Mucilla and Kodigapko, but the way Jamal Mseala plays in really tight spaces, his frame looks slight but he's very, very, very hard to push off the ball. He has incredible balance, and I think the only thing missing from his game, I'll give him nine out of 10. And the only reason I won't give him 10 out of 10 is because he lacks goals. For sure. He lacks the final product. And remember, Venetius, Jr., his first season at Real Madrid at Real Madrid. For sure.

Great player, but he just couldn't convert. And then he added that to his rapporteur skills. And look what happened, real the real the the the the the world there is still missing that. But for me, he has been the most exciting player at the World Cup. I agree with you on Moussial. I think the other player that has been exciting to me for a different reason is Jude Bellingham. I think that it's kind of in a shop window-type, you know tournament for him where I hehe I I I I I I I th. I th. I thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, he has thi, he has thi, he has thi, he has thi, he has thi, he thi, he thi, he thi, he thi, he thi, he thi. thi, he thi. thi, he thi. thi. thi. th is thi. thi, he thi, he thi, he thi, he thi, he thi. thi, he has thi thi thi thi thi. thi thi. thi. thi. thi. thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii. thi thi thi thi thi th him where I think that it's he's gonna demand a lot of money to leave Dortmund in the next year or so probably. I did it. I did a few millions to his price tax. Yeah, for sure, for sure. For sure. Okay. I feel like now that you say that when between Mosea, Judy Bellingham, Gavi, Pedry and Sufati, I think the world because all all football or soccer fans are dreading when the moment when Ronaudo and Messie hung up their boots

because they were the first players to really come up during the social media age. But I feel like when you look at the young crop coming up, the players have mentioned, the players have mentioned, players like Gapco, players like Chowmeni who might not be as glamorous as the players have mentioned, I think the game is in pretty good hands. Oh, absolutely. The game is in good hands, yes. Absolutely. Okay, in a hypothetical semi-final,

Brazil versus Argentina? Argentina's awarded a penalty. Who takes it? I wouldn't give it to Mese. I would give it to Mese. I wouldn't give it to Mese. The pressure of the occasion and the pressure that Mesey as a person has. Plus, he doesn't have a great record with penalties in defining moments. I don't give it to Mesey. I would give it to Mesey.

Of course, Mesa will step up because the occasion, he's like Superman. When the occasion demands it, you can't shy away from, their, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, their, the, their, their, their, their, their, their, the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the th.... He, tha, tha, tha, threat.e, threathase, threathase, threathaseaseaseaseaseaseasease.a, threats.a, threats.a, pluseaseaseaseaseaseaseaseaseaseaseaseaseasea, tha, threats, threatheacy, I'll give it to another player, I'll give it to Lautaro if he's on the pitch, I'll give it to Yudian Alvarie's because they don't carry as much pressure. Yeah, agreed. I think he can't take the penalty. Did you know? Not any more penalties. Because it's also a player who contributes a lot more, even with missing the penalty in the the last game, he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he he is is he is he is he is. Hea, he's he's he's to is. to is is. to bea, he's to be. still was the best player on the pitch by a mile. So I would take that kind of pressure and responsibility away from him, but I don't think Mesey will allow agreeing. He's not like Ronald, when the pressure is on, he always converts. Mesa would convert a 30-yard scrimmer,

but then put him 12 yards away from the keeper. I think, yeah, I think I think I would then like then, think then, think think think think thin the penalty the penalty thin the penalty the penalty thin the penalty thin the penalty the penalty the penalty thin the penalty the penalty the penalty the penalty the penalty the pa the pussen, the pussen, the the the pe is the the pe the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the th. I'll th. I'll th. I'll th. He's is. I'll the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the is. thean. thean. threatease. teea. tea. tea. tea. tea. tea. tea. tea. together thea. wouldn't give him the penalty. I'll give it someone else. Of all the records Leo Namesy holds he has missed the most penalties of any player in the 21st century. Missed the most penalties of the World Cup as well. No, no, no. No, just in general penalties, club country. Yes, no, but I mean even when the most penalties in the champions league. It's just his one flaw. It's almost like, you know when people talk about Shakiro Neal and they go like, sorry, he just couldn't shoot free throws. Right. Yeah, it's almost like every player has a chink in their armor. Every player has an athlete's heel. And I think mess is his penalties.

He has converted many penalties. But he has missed so many crucial penalties. And I feel like every time he steps up in a big moment, all the doubts sit back into his mind. And you hear, you know, it's just like almost PTSD. You start remembering all the penalties you missed. And then it becomes like a self-fulfilling prophecy that you're going to miss the next one. So for me, I would go like messy, no more penalty duties.

So you give us a lot more on the picture to pich pich penalty penalty particular. It's like it's like Ben Simmons. Ben Simmons can't shoot a three, but he gives you a lot more defensively. So let him focus on the defensive side of the game. I'll, yeah, I'll keep the penalty duties away from messing. Okay, fair enough. And I agree with you by the way. So Kili and Bapa. And consequently, if Brazil got a penalty, I'll tell Nema to stay out. I'll take out a restraining order against Nema. Yeah, I would because he's also he's also a bit spot when it comes to penalty. So in the hypothetical scenario of either Brazil or I didn't like getting a penalty, take out a restraining order against Mesey and Neymah

stepping up. Okay, who takes it for Brazil? If it's Portugal, take, even if Ronaudo is injured and is in hospital, bring him in a wheelchair, he'll convert it. Yeah, for sure. Who takes it for Brazil in that situation if not Namar? I would give it to almost Casimir. Yeah. He's a man. Ice in the veins. Agreed. And it's been there done that. He's one multiple champions.

He knows everything about pressure. I would give it to Casimir. Yeah. So here we are right now. Currently in the golden boot standings, Hilly and Bopata, Messie, Fair on Tour is that too. Who do you see winning the Golden Boot? I think Killeen Mbap. Great head start and also when it comes to the knockout rounds,

it becomes hard at school multiple goals because the defenses are that much better the defenses are that much more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the to be their their to be to be to be their that much better, the defenses are that much more disciplined. So these are going to be tight games but I think Mbuppe has done enough. It's sad that Hurricane has registered no goals so far and when you look at the players who are vying, who are in the running, I don't think Mese is going to score many, he might score, maybe he might start pad against Australia, but I don't see him scoring more goals as the tournament goes on. I don't see Marcus Rushford is not even a starter for England. So he probably won't score many goals going forward.

Cody Gapco has scored in each and every game, but I think he's also still a bit too young. And I think his game is going to get sassed out as he meets better more well-drilled opponents. They're not going to be making a deep enough run for it to matter whereas some of these players on the deeper running teams will have the opportunity more opportunity to put the back of the thing. So for me in BAPE without a doubt. Okay fair enough. I think that we've touched on most of the questions and I have one last question for you Joe Opio. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. the the to the to to to the to to the to to the the to to the to to the to to the the to to to the to to to to to to to to to to to to be. to be. to be. to be. to be. to be. to be. to be. to be. I to be. I to be. I to be. I to be. I to be. I to be. I to be. I to be. I to be. I to be. I to be. I to be. I to be. I to be. I to be. I the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the th. I th. I'm to bea. I'm toe. I'm toe. I'm toe. toea. toe. toe. toe. I'm. toe. I'm to making me. Now you're making meetings. Other than watch, other than watch Barcelona playing the Europa League on Thursdays,

what will you do when the World Cup is over with your time? Come on, that's a, that's a low blow. That's a low, no, blow. What will like to? Look, I'll just watch reruns of messy games. If fans of the office can watch reruns of the office on Netflix, then I shouldn't be jagged for going back and enjoying the magic that's messy. You know, YouTube has most of his clips.

So for me, yeah, no, that's what I'll be doing. And guess what would happen? Because I'm watching messy, reruns of Messi's best games. Yeah, I'm going to watch Messie Dank on your team. Day in, day out, because Messie has incredible magical moments against you, Al Madrid. So I'll just put Mesa Clips on a loop. That's what I all do. Nice. And then finally, just to say it one more time, who is your pick to football owes Messi World Cup.

He has given us so much joy over the years. We need to return that joy by giving him the greatest and biggest trophy that we can. But my brain says Brazil. Even France. But I wish Mexico could do it. But I don't think the footballing gods are going to grant us that wish, but my heart wishes Mexico do.

It should be a great swan song, to be a great way for him to ride off into the sunset. But I think Brazil and France, I will be happy to spoil the party. Agreed. And one last thing, if you didn't notice show, because you did mention during the podcast, their today's, tod, tod, today, today, to, toe, toe, toe, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, tooomorrow, too, to be, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, and, their, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, and, and, and, is, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, is.......a.a.a.a. the the to. the the to. the the to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. the the the during the podcast that we do play, we do play together sometimes. And it might be the first year post-cove that we do the industry tournament. I'm sporting our Daily Show, our Daily Show kits. We met the deep run, but we do. This has been a Daily Show recap of the World Cup. I'm George Guntas. And I'm Joe Opio. See you next time. For more on the world cupo, to to to the world, to the world, to to the world, to the world, the world, to the world, the world tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, that that that that that that that that that, that, that that, we that, we that, that, that, that, that, that, th. We. We. We. th. We. We. We. th. th. th. We. th. th. th. to to to to to to to to th. th. th. th. th. th. tho, tho, the tho, tho. tho. tho. tho. tho. tho. tho. to. to toda. today. today. today. to today. today. today. to. For more on the World Cup, listen to Joe Opio's full conversation with Grant Law at Daily Show.com slash beyond. Watch the Daily Show weeknights at 11th, 10 Central on Comedy Central, and stream full episodes anytime on Paramount Plus.

This has been a Comedy Central podcast.