Spain stunned + inside England's preparations
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
The Athletic FC.
Hi there and welcome to the Athletic FC podcast with me, Adam Leventhal. So we've had our big first shock of the World Cup. European champion Spain held by debutants Cape Verde. Elsewhere, draws across the board as well, including Iran twice coming from behind against New Zealand. We've had a managerial sacking thrown in as well. And we are one day out from England's opener and we will be asking whether they are ready. Here in the studio is the Athletics' Jay Harris wearing a Brazil shirt, Jay.
Yes, crucially with Rivaldo on the back.
Ah, you didn't want to go too mainstream, are you?
I didn't want to go too mainstream, no.
No, I like it. I like it. That's good. That's good. And Mark Critchley, just standard garms. Standard.
I'm 35 years old, so I don't wear replica kits.
That's good.
I like that. I think Jay's younger than me, though.
That wasn't going to be a diss.
That's fine. Throwing shade on me and art.
Yeah. He's basically just said, you'll grow out of it. Yeah. Great. I like it. Let's deal with the shock, first of all. Spain obviously being held nil-nil by Cape Verde. And just in general terms, quick reaction. It gave me goosebumps at full time when the Cape Verde players were celebrating. Your reaction, Jay?
Well, full disclosure, I didn't watch the first half. I visited my gran yesterday. Ah. And then I saw it was 0-0 at halftime and I thought, I've just got to put this on in the background. And as it was getting closer and closer to the full-time whistle, I'm sorry, Gran, but I sort of tuned out what she was saying. But it was an incredible performance from Cape Verde to do that on their World Cup debut to get a point against the reigning European champions. And I know Spain had... basically the majority of the ball, so many shots on target. But I actually think that they, Cape Verde, were reasonably comfortable until Laminia Mal and Mikel Moreno came on later on. But just what an incredible performance that they should be proud of.
We were saying on yesterday's show, I think it was Charlie was saying, you know, we'll see what happens with Spain against Cape Verde in light of what happened with Germany battering Curacao. Almost the expectation was that it was going to be, you know, maybe a cricket score, but it didn't happen and it felt good, didn't it?
It felt great. I think it has given... Myself and a lot of other people have been quite critical of the fact that this is a 48-team tournament, feel that it would water down the quality of it. But firstly, the Curacao goal on Sunday and then that result last night... you know props to Gianni Infantino you got a lot wrong in this tournament but this those moments are what makes a World Cup and it's and dig it into you know the stories of some of these Cape Verde players I mean Pico Lopez Irish born picked up on LinkedIn now if that isn't a World Cup story that you know classic then i don't know what is and it got me thinking like how am i drafting that linkedin message like hi pico hope you're well great to connect congratulations on the 2-1 win at you know that sort of thing it's crazy isn't it and um you know there's a stat i think they'd only committed one foul in the whole game despite spain having so much of the ball that's
viewers that's on record since 1966 such a discipline such an organised performance and it needed to be and it was a bit different from Curacao in that respect he really took the game to Germany and got opened up and had that one moment with the goal but Cape Verde have got a point and it's huge isn't it and it also changes the complexion of the tournament going forward because now you're looking at Spain and their path through the tournament you're like maybe it's not going to be as easy for them as we thought it would be so great result.
Let's get the reaction from Paul Bayous who was in Atlanta to watch the game.
Hey guys, I'm in Atlanta and I've just seen Key Verde holding back Spain in one of the best games in the group stage so far here in the World Cup. I'm just coming off the mix zone.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:02–5:24
2
How did Cape Verde hold European champions Spain to a shock 0-0 draw?
5:24–25:49
3
What do experts make of Spain’s performance and its implications for their tournament path?
25:49–35:05
4
Why is Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha’s story a World Cup talking point?
35:05–40:12
Speakers
8 identifiedMore from The Athletic FC Podcast
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