AND HERE ARE YOUR HOSTS …
An old footballing adage tells us that no World Cup is quite complete without a gutsy run of results from the host nation(s), who dutifully go deep in the tournament to stir up local fervour. See South Korea in 2002 for a prime example: a plucky and at times controversial slalom to the semi-finals before being crushed by a traditional heavyweight. Way back when, a host nation winning the whole thing was commonplace, occurring in five of the first 11 World Cups when Uruguay (1930), Italy (1934), England (1966), West Germany (1974) and Argentina (1978) triumphed on home soil. Nowadays, thanks to Fifa’s completely altruistic desire to spread the game globally, the prospect of a host nation actually lifting the trophy is somewhat diminished, with South Africa and Qatar crashing out in the group stage in recent-ish years.
Even with three hosts for the first time ever in this unique Geopolitics World Cup, a run beyond the quarter-finals for any of them seemed unlikely when the pre-tournament predictions came in. Still, the cliches ring true and Canada’s 6-0 shellacking of Qatar in Vancouver, which virtually assures Jesse Marsch’s crew a place in the knockout stages, was a boost for the neutrals. A serious injury to Ismaël Koné marred the occasion a little, but Jonathan David’s hat-trick – which included a fizzing volley for the ages – will live as long in the memory as Mohamed Manai’s slapstick own goal. Mexico, too, will be in the last 32 after a 1-0 win over South Korea that will live, er, slightly less long in the memory. Midfielder Luis Romo scored the only goal after a horrible handling error from Kim Seung-gyu. Perhaps the South Korean keeper was just bored; Football Daily can only hope none of our UK-based contingent stayed up until 4am to watch that one until its conclusion. Even getting through the nine-minute highlights over our morning Cheerios felt like a slog. Is this what World Cup fatigue feels like?
Anyway, it’s now the turn of the USA USA USA to build on their hugely promising opening win over Paraguay and inject further World Cup fever into the triumvirate of hosts, taking on Australia in a titanic tussle between nations who secretly prefer their balls to be egg-shaped. Mauricio Pochettino’s charges actually resembled a coherent team in that 4-1 victory last weekend, with the pace of Folarin Balogun and Christian Pulisic hugely threatening in attack. But the Australians, who snatched a flamin’ brilliant win over dark horses Turkey in their first outing, will be no pushovers. This feels like the true test for the US. Can they act like big-hitters and swat away successive challengers to top their group and generate momentum into the knockout stages, as would be befitting of THE MAIN hosts of a Donald Trump-endorsed, ultra-commercialised World Cup? Getting out of their group already seems highly likely, but a scruffy scrape to get there will no longer suffice in the modern age of American soccer. Pochettino’s team must be bombastic, confident verging on arrogant, and actually good at football. Annihilate Australia and the World (Cup) is their oyster.
RECOMMENDED BOOKMARKING
If our shiny GWC Golden Boot page wasn’t enough for you, we’ve now only gone and built an all-time World Cup top goalscorers page too.
LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE
Beau Dure steps up to the plate with minute-by-minute coverage of USA USA USA 0-0 Australia at 8pm BST (3pm EDT) before John Brewin brings you all the action from Scotland 0-0 Morocco at 11pm BST (6pm EDT). Jonathan Howcroft is in the hotseat for Brazil 0-0 Haiti (8.30pm EDT/Sat 1.30am BST), before Sam Lewis rounds things off/starts the weekend with Turkey 4-0 Paraguay (11pm EDT, Sat 4am BST).
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“That was one of my favourite ever moments in an England shirt, especially at a major tournament. I know it’s just the first game, and we’re not getting carried away, but just that emotional connection with the fans, we know how much it means to them. Everyone knew the words, and that was a really special moment, I thought” – it’s fair to say Harry Kane enjoyed singing Wonderwall with the England fans after they saw off Croatia in Dallas. Could the captain enjoy an encore in a month’s time? 🎵 🎵 Maybe … 🎵 🎵
Oh god, as if ‘do one’ is not hilarious enough (getting funnier with endless repetition), you are now translating it into the language of the manager involved! Where will it end? Wherever it ends it will just keep getting better and better” – Trevor West (and no others).
I am very much enjoying the GWC here in North America, good stadiums, great fans (the Scots drank Boston dry) but watching the games on American TV is really annoying. The US commentators prattle on continuously without ever identifying the player with the ball, never allow for a moment’s silence, and are such an irritation that its better to watch with the TV on mute and find another source of commentary (this is definitely not just a problem in the USA USA USA – Football Daily Ed). I have friends who prefer to watch the Spanish TV coverage even though they don’t speak Spanish!” – Trevor Wastell
May I be the 1,056th musician to point out that Will Unwin is clearly in the dark re orchestral manoeuvres as evinced by his ‘redundant second fiddle metaphor’ comments (yesterday’s Football Daily). By definition, an orchestra cannot exist without an entire row (desk) of second fiddles and indeed thirds. Marcus Rashford may indeed be dissatisfied with Thomas Tuchel’s assessment of his talents but I would refer him to the comment from a conductor when a second fiddle complained that being two rows back she was too close to the intolerably loud trumpet section behind her. ‘If you want to be nearer the front you should practise harder’ came the response” – Harry Piano.
If you have any, please send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s prizeless letter o’ the day is … Harry Piano. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, are here.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING
The latest edition of the World Cup Daily pod features joy for the co-hosts as Canada and Mexico close on the knockouts. Listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts.
RECOMMENDED WATCHING
And you can watch that podcast here.
NEWS, BITS AND BOBS
Two of the first round of matches at the GWC were played at a level of severe heat that a football players’ union has previously said should trigger the delay or postponement of games, Big Website analysis has found.
Lionel Messi’s father is undergoing medical treatment for an undisclosed illness.
Steve Clarke has warned his Scotland players they will have to be at their best against Morocco. “We are under no illusion about the size of the task,” he trembled.
Thomas Tuchel believes his team’s attacking style will appeal to England fans watching at home. “People in the pubs will like this,” Tuchel trilled as a plastic pint glass whistled past his head.
Iran will lodge a formal complaint with Fifa over “restrictions imposed by the organisers,” that have badly disrupted their training and travel plans.
Czechia and South Africa face an uphill task to escape Group A after a 1-1 draw in Atlanta, while Switzerland left it late to see off Bosnia and Herzegovina in Group B.
And ITV is winning the early GWC ratings battle with the BBC, showing four of the five most-watched matches as that fancy Noo Yoik studio starts paying for itself.
ON THE BALL
Big Website’s app now features a special edition of On the Ball for the GWC. On the Ball: World Stage invites you to guess the World Cup player in five attempts – and it’s pretty tricky. You can have a go right now – and there are loads of other good puzzles to take up your time, too.
STILL WANT MORE?
In his GWC column, Brazil and Real Madrid star Rodrygo writes about the pressure of pulling on the canary yellow shirt at a major tournament.
Jacob Steinberg ponders how England might cope without Declan Rice if the midfielder continues to flag, while David Hytner sees Thomas Tuchel’s super subs as a sign of the brotherhood he has built into his squad.
“I paid $800 for my ticket but it was worth it”: England fans are enjoying the early GWC vibe.
“Talisman” Scott McTominay has all the motivation he needs to make an impact, writes Ewan Murray , while Paul MacInnes reports on Boston’s love affair with the Tartan Army.
After a heated buildup to their GWC clash, Jack Snape argues the flamin’ Socceroos aren’t so different from the co-hosts. Alex Abnos, meanwhile, looks back at a spicy friendly that marked a path to the “Battle in Seattle”.
NOT NOW, PREMIER LEAGUE
One month ago today, Arsenal won the title. Feels like longer, doesn’t it? Well, the Premier League has reminded us all of its existence, dropping next season’s fixtures in the middle of GWC group-stage madness. The title holders begin against Championship winners Coventry – a battle of the Best Leagues In The World and an early notice to travelling fans not to expect any consideration. That game kicks off at 8pm on Friday 21 August, with Manchester United taking the road to Hull for Saturday’s early kick-off, while Ipswich host Sunderland later on. Other highlights include Manchester City v Bournemouth and Liverpool v Newcastle on Sunday, and new managers facing off in a Monday night derby as Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea face off against TBC’s Fulham. It’s a whole new ball game, or something like that.
BEYOND THE GWC
Spurs have signed Netherlands defender Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton for £52m. “He is a strong, intelligent centre-back who is brave in possession and plays with personality,” cheered Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi.
Liverpool have signed Osasuna forward Víctor Muñoz for £34.5m in the first arrival of the Andoni Iraola era.
“People think I’ve vanished”: Mary Earps gets her chat on with Tom Garry about signing for London City and feeling forgotten.
And Burnley are stepping up their interest in Craig Bellamy, hoping to tempt the Wales head coach into club football as a replacement for Scott Parker.
MEMORY LANE
The Danish team celebrate after a thumping 4-1 win over Nigeria in the last 16 of the 1998 tournament. Bo Johansson’s lot were a fine side – they pushed France in the group stage before this swatting aside of a decent Super Eagles outfit. Brazil awaited in what would prove to be an epic quarter-final at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes. But despite taking the lead in the second minute and pegging Brazil back at 2-2 early in the second half, Denmark were undone by Rivaldo’s winner. It remains a high water mark for the Danes on the world stage – they’ve not been back to the last eight of a World Cup since, and missed out entirely this time around.
Leave a Reply