WORLD CUP DAILY: Spain book their World Cup final spot, but will it be England or Argentina who join them?
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Hello, it's Owen Cheyhan here from Off The Ball and the FIFA World Cup 2026 is here. And let's be honest, the matchday version of ourselves can look a little committed. Jerseys, face paint, scarves in questionable weather, whatever you have, maybe even a full costume if your team makes a run, you can look a little worse for wear come the end of it all. But the World Cup... It's not just about the football. It's the atmosphere. It's the nights in the pub. It is the watch parties with your mates and maybe even meeting someone new. That is where Lynx comes in. As an official personal care sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Lynx's premium fragrances are here to help you smell your best, even in the middle of full matchday madness.
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World Cup Daily on Off the Ball with Lynx, a proud sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Hello and welcome along to Wednesday's World Cup Daily. I'm Phil Egan. Coming up today, Spain are the first team into the World Cup final after a 2-0 win over France. England and Argentina renew a rivalry for the ages tonight with a place in Sunday's final on the line. And Shamrock Rovers become the first League of Ireland club to overturn a two-goal deficit in Europe after dumping Floriana out of the Champions League qualifiers. But first, Spain were dominant 2-0 winners over France to return to the World Cup final for the first time since 2010. Mikel Juracabal scored his fifth goal of the tournament with a first-half penalty.
It came after Luca Dean fouled Laminia Mal in the penalty area. Pedro Parra sealed the win with the second goal just before the hour mark after he was played in by Dani Olmo. After the game, France boss Didier Deschamps stepped down after Saturday's third and fourth place playoff, said his team didn't turn up.
Well, the Spanish team is a strong one. It is tough and proved their skills today. We were below our standard. We committed more technical flaws than before. And even though I believed the entire team would recover, they did not.
Tonight is the renewal of one of the all-time great World Cup rivalries. It's England against Argentina, with England looking to reach a final for the first time since they won the tournament in 1966. Argentina are unbeaten in all five of their World Cup semi-final appearances. They reached the finals in 78, 86, 90, 2014 and 2022. The two sides famously met in the 1986 quarter-final when Diego Maradona scored two goals in a 2-1 win. The first, the famous hand of God. The second, one of the greatest ever World Cup goals.
Maradona!
Maradona!
There was also the meeting in 1998 in France when Argentina came out on top in penalties. But that game is most remembered for David Beckham being sent off for a kick on Diego Simeone. Beckham would get his redemption four years later in the group stage in 2002. A penalty helped send an Argentina side coach by Marcelo Bielsa out of the tournament.
David Beckham to give England the lead against Argentina. World Cup finals. Doesn't get much bigger than this next kick of the football.
He's big enough.
Ahead of the game, England boss Thomas Tuchel says he isn't bothered about what's gone on beforehand.
We respect our opponent, but we don't dip in in historic events and we don't make it bigger than it is. It's a big football match. It's, like you said, a big occasion. We are very excited, grateful, but very hungry and ready to go. Tuchel says he has a plan to stop Lionel Messi. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored eight goals at the tournament and will play against England for the first time in his career. I was thinking about this if we do a proper old-school man mark. I think everyone knows the spaces and everyone knows the spaces where he wants to show up. It's just like it's very unique to play against the reigning champions.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:01–6:41
2
How did Spain secure their place in the World Cup final against France?
6:41–10:42
3
What did Didier Deschamps say about France’s performance after the defeat?
10:42–15:32
4
Which historical England–Argentina World Cup moments are being referenced ahead of the semi?
15:32–17:57
Speakers
8 identifiedMore from OTB Football
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