In this sneak peek to a bonus episode of It Was What It Was on Patreon, hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper are joined by Professor Matthew Brown (University of Bristol) to deepen the series on Andrés Escobar by tracing how Colombian history, political violence and the drug economy intersect with football. Brown rejects Gabriel García Márquez’s claim that three events defined 20th-century Colombia, while explaining why the 5–0 win over Argentina in 1993 became a tipping point for football as a national identity marker. The discussion covers football’s emergence alongside other sporting cultures, the role of sport after the 1948 Bogotazo and during La Violencia, and Colombia’s later shift into guerrilla conflict and cocaine trafficking. They explore cartel money’s social and sporting influence, the effects of Pablo Escobar’s death and subsequent violence, the symbolic damage of Colombia’s 1994 World Cup collapse, Copa América 2001, and how the 2014 team helped build trust during negotiations leading to the 2016 peace deal, while noting ongoing violence tied to the illegal drug trade. You can listen to the full episode on Patreon On Tuesday, Rob Draper and Jonathan Wilson return to round off the Colombia series and bring that story to a close. On Wednesday, on Patreon only, the co-hosts continue the World Cup countdown series with an episode on the 1962 World Cup in Chile, looking back at the tournament and some of its key moments. Then on Friday, also on Patreon only, we look back at when Northern Ireland faced Italy in the 1958 World Cup qualifiers. With Northern Ireland preparing for their 2026 World Cup play-off semi-final against Italy, Rob and Jonathan revisit the meeting where Northern Ireland qualified for their first World Cup and discuss the background to Ireland’s football split in the 1950s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Round 2 of the Hana Bank K League 1 season, unbeaten Gwangju FC take on yet-to-win Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, unbeaten Bucheon FC 1995 host a returning-to-action Ulsan HD, yet-to-win but still unbeaten Daejeon Hana Citizen entertain Gimcheon Sangmu, while Pohang Steelers welcome Incheon United to the Steel Yard for their home opener in what will be seen as the pick of the action. Match of the Round: Unbeaten Start vs. Yet to Win Gwangju FC vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors In Round 3, unbeaten Gwangju FC will face Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, who are still looking for their first win of the season. In the last five meetings between the two teams, though, Jeonbuk hold the advantage with two wins, two draws, and one loss. Home side Gwangju currently have a record of one win and one draw. In Round 1 against Jeju SK, they failed to secure victory despite having a man advantage after Italo's red card. However, in Round 2 against Incheon United, they found the back of the net three times, first through Choi Kyung-rok, followed by and a brace from Shin Chang-mu. Thanks to a penalty save by goalkeeper Kim Kyeong-min just before the final whistle and deep into added time, Gwangju secured a 3–2 win. Shin Chang-mu has been particularly impressive this season, recording two goals and five key passes and playing a central role in the team’s attack under new head coach Lee Jung-kyu. Gwangju will be aiming to maintain their early momentum, despite hosting last season's champions. Jeonbuk, on the other hand, have had a somewhat sluggish start to the season. They lost 3-2 at home to Bucheon FC 1995 in Round 1 and drew 1-1 with Gimcheon Sangmu in Round 2, meaning they are still searching for their first win of the season. Having conceded goals in both matches, defensive stability seems to be an issue following key departures from the back line. On a positive note, Lee Dong-jun has scored two goals this season, starting the new season as he ended the last. Midfielder Maeng Seong-ung has also been active on both ends of the pitch, recording a 93.9% pass success rate and 13 successful tackles. Jeonbuk will be looking to turn their early-season form around by claiming their first victory of the season. Both teams began the new season under new head coaches, making this the first meeting between Gwangju’s Lee Jung-kyu and Jeonbuk’s Chung Jung-yong. Watch live with English commentary: here Team of the Round: Rebellious Bucheon Bucheon FC 1995 drew 1–1 with Daejeon Hana Citizen in Round 2. After defeating defending champions Jeonbuk 3-2 on their K League 1 bow, they followed it up with apoint against last season’s runners-up Daejeon. Bucheon have been steadily collecting points with impressive performances early in their first season after promotion. The player leading Bucheon’s rise is Jefferson Galego. After registering two goals and one assist in the opening match, Galego also converted a penalty against Daejeon, bringing his tally to three goals and one assist in just two games. Last season, he scored six and assisted four in 28 K League 2 matches, including the promotion playoffs. This season in K League 1, he has shown even sharper attacking ability, raising expectations for a career-best year. Defensively, veteran Baek Dong-gyu anchors the back line, forming a compact defensive block with Hong Sung-wook and Patrick William, demonstrating solid organization. Veteran midfielder Yoon Bit-garam, who joined Bucheon this season, has also quickly integrated into the team and is contributing both offensively and defensively. With a strong team structure early in the season, Bucheon are determined to continue their unbeaten run in this round as well. This weekend they host Ulsan HD. Watch live with English commentary: here Player of the Round: Debut Goal Tranziska Pohang Steelers earned a point with a 1-1 draw against Gimcheon in the season opener. In that match, Jakob Tranziska stood out by scoring on his K League debut, signaling a promising season ahead. Tranziska is a forward standing at 189 cm tall, and despite being only 23 years old, he has experience of playing several European leagues, including Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic, before joining Pohang this season. Coming on as a substitute in the second half against Gimcheon, Tranziska energized Pohang's attack with his work rate and link-up play, and scored a point-securing equalizer in the 55th minute. Tranziska is a versatile attacker capable of playing both as a central striker and as a winger. With Jorge Teixeira sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Tranziska’s quick adaptation has become a major boost for manager Park Tae-ha. Strong in duels and with bold dribbling, Tranziska will be one to watch this weekend. Watch live with English commentary: here 2026 K League 1 Round 3 Fixtures Gwangju FC vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors - Saturday, March 14, 2:00 PM [ENG] Daejeon Hana Citizen vs. Gimcheon Sangmu - Saturday, March 14, 4:30 PM [ENG] Bucheon FC 1995 vs. Ulsan HD - Sunday, March 15, 2:00 PM [ENG] Jeju SK vs. FC Seoul - Sunday, March 15, 2:00 PM Gangwon FC vs. FC Anyang - Sunday, March 15, 4:30 PM Pohang Steelers vs. Incheon United - Sunday, March 15, 4:30 PM [ENG] via K League press release Where to Watch Watch live on TV.KLeague.com, English commentary provided where indicated. View this post on Instagram A post shared by K LEAGUE International (@kleagueintl.official)

Welcome back to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. In this second part two of our three-part special on Colombian football and the tragedy of Andrés Escobar. Co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper dissect one of the greatest World Cup qualifying matches ever played: Colombia's stunning 5-0 victory over Argentina at El Monumental in Buenos Aires. This episode explores the dramatic buildup to the match, the hostile reception faced by the Colombian team, and the extraordinary performance that shocked the football world. The discussion then examines the dangerous euphoria that followed, as Colombia began to believe that they could win the 1994 World Cup, and the dark realities of the narco state. You can listen to this episode ad-free over on our Patreon - Follow the link here - or go to Patreon.com and search for It Was What It Was. You will also get access to our World Cup countdown, magazine retrospectives and bonus episodes as well as a monthly Q&A with Rob and Jonathan. 01:39 Colombia's Mindset Before the Match & The Hostile Reception 04:07 The Lineup: Colombia vs Argentina at El Monumental 11:25 The Match Begins: Early Tension & Argentina's Miss 14:05 The Plane Incident: A Bizarre Moment at El Monumental 16:01 GOAL: Rincón Opens the Scoring 17:26 Maturana's Psychological Tactics at Half Time 18:05 GOAL: Asprilla Makes It 2-0 18:47 GOAL: Valencia Volleys In the Third 19:56 GOAL: Asprilla's Exquisite Curler Makes It 4-0 21:00 GOAL: Valencia Completes the Rout - 5-0 22:14 The Monumental Applauds Colombia Off the Pitch 24:32 The Celebrations: 100 Deaths & National Hysteria 30:55 "Now We're F***ed": The Burden of Expectation 33:19 World Champions Before the Tournament Begins 39:25 21 Friendlies & The Cash Grab 44:51 The Dark Side: Meeting With the Cali Cartel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alexis and Christian break down the latest headlines across soccer, starting with the injury to Sergiño Dest and the growing concern over who can step up at right-back for the USMNT. They also dive into the backlash Lionel Messi and Inter Miami faced after their White House visit, unpacking why the reaction has been so divided among fans. To close the show, the guys look around MLS and debate which struggling coach—currently sitting near the bottom of the Supporters’ Shield table—might be the next to lose their job.

Tom & Dunny discuss Fulham crashing out of the FA Cup against Southampton, why some teams are still not taking the competition seriously, Lionel Messi’s Globetrotters Tour, the different fan perspectives in the US & UK, the tumultuous situation at Tottenham, Harry Redknapp possibly coming back to save Spurs, Postecoglou becoming the new Big Sam & more! Sorry Tim. Subscribe to our YouTube page at youtube.com/ @weekinthetackle ! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @weekinthetackle! Follow Tom Rennie on Twitter at @thomasjrennie and on Instagram at @thomasjrennie_soccer. Follow Brian Dunseth on Instagram @briandunseth. Follow Tim Horsey on Twitter at @timhorsey and on Instagram at @thorsey17.

On Friday's Football Daily, Phil Egan brings you news from the League of Ireland, the women's international game, and the Premier League. League of Ireland preview – A full look ahead to Friday night’s fixtures across the Premier and First Divisions. Live game focus – Build-up to Shamrock Rovers vs Derry City at Tallaght Stadium, including team news and key talking points. Managers’ thoughts – Hear from Stephen Bradley and Tiernan Lynch ahead of the Hoops’ clash with the Candystripes. Michael Duffy spotlight – The Derry City star earns praise after his recent hat-trick and Player of the Month nomination. Dublin derby preview – Shelbourne host St Patrick’s Athletic at Tolka Park with both sides coming off positive results. League leaders on the road – Bohemians aim to maintain their unbeaten start away to Waterford. Galway vs Dundalk – The Tribesmen seek momentum while Dundalk look to bounce back after a heavy defeat. First Division action – A Cork derby at Cobh Ramblers vs Cork City plus Treaty United, Kerry, Wexford and Finn Harps all in action. Transfer news – Republic of Ireland U21 international Cathal O’Sullivan signs for Preston North End. Ireland injury blow – Denise O’Sullivan ruled out of the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against the Netherlands. Premier League trouble for Spurs – Tottenham’s relegation fears deepen after a 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace. Messi meets Trump – Lionel Messi and Inter Miami visit the White House after their MLS Cup triumph. Become a member and sign up at offtheball.com/join

Hello Rank Squad! We thought that with less than 100 days to go now until the World Cup begins this summer, it was time to start to take a look at the tournament in earnest - and the storylines on the pitch that are set to dictate just how this tournament is remembered from a footballing perspective. We split that into three parts. Firstly, we take a look at three of the favourites to win the tournament - holders Argentina, as well as France and Spain - and the narrative threads behind each of their campaigns to come. We look at Argentina's attempt to be the first nation to go back-to-back since Brazil in the 1960's, France hoping to give Didier Deschamps the send-off his illustrious managerial tenure deserves, and Spain looking to begin a new dynasty by backing up their 2024 Euros with a World Cup two years later, just as their Golden Generation did in 2012 and 2014. Then in Part Two, we look at the managers who have traded their club loyalties for a shot at winning the most illustrious tournament of them all at international level - looking at England under Thomas Tuchel, Brazil under Carlo Ancelotti, the USMNT under Mauricio Pochettino, and Germany under Julian Nagelsmann. And finally, in Part Three, we dive into the four teams who have qualified for the first time ever - Cape Verde, Curaçao, Uzbekistan and Jordan - examining their stories, the background, and the manner in which we're expecting them to show up to the party. It's Ranks! And remember, if you’d like more from the Rank Squad, including extra podcasts every Monday and Friday (including our weekly Postbox taking a look at the whole weekend of football) and access to our brilliant Discord community, then why not join us here on Patreon? (http://patreon.com/ranksfc) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of Inside College Soccer, Don Williams sits down with acclaimed soccer author Luciano Wernicke to discuss his latest book, The Lionel Messi Story: How One Man Revolutionized Major League Soccer. Wernicke, author of more than 20 books on global football, breaks down the remarkable journey of Lionel Messi - from a young boy in Rosario overcoming growth hormone deficiency to becoming a World Cup champion and one of the most influential athletes in history. The conversation explores Messi’s defining decision at 14 to leave Argentina for FC Barcelona, and how elite environments, culture, and long-term belief systems create world-class players. The discussion then turns to Messi’s historic move to Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer, the strategic vision of David Beckham, and what Messi’s arrival truly means for the growth and global credibility of soccer in the United States. Wernicke also shares perspective from his time working with the Costa Rica men’s national soccer team, offering insight into what it realistically takes to build a nation capable of winning a World Cup - and whether the U.S. is moving in that direction. A must-listen conversation for players, parents, coaches, and anyone serious about understanding the cultural, structural, and strategic forces shaping the future of the game in America. 📖 The book is available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Books-a-Million, and wherever books are sold. 🎧 Presented by Sports Recruiting USA - www.srusasoccer.com 🤝 Sponsored by www.gapyearsoccer.com

On Monday's Football Daily, Phil Egan brings you news from the Premier League to the Scottish Premiership to the League of Ireland to the international women's side. Arsenal strengthen their Premier League title charge with a tense 2–1 victory over 10-man Chelsea at the Emirates, with Mikel Arteta urging calm as the pressure intensifies. Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior calls for stricter officiating on grappling at set-pieces after conceding twice from dead balls in North London. Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira weighs in on criticism of Arteta’s playing style, insisting results matter most in the run-in. Michael Carrick equals a Premier League record after Manchester United’s 2–1 win over Crystal Palace, collecting 23 points from his first nine games in charge. Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner slams a controversial VAR-assisted penalty and red card decision that proved decisive at Old Trafford. Gary Neville and Brian Kerr assess Carrick’s chances of landing the Manchester United job permanently following his impressive interim spell. Tottenham’s crisis deepens with a 10-game winless league run after defeat to Fulham, leaving Igor Tudor facing a massive relegation battle. Nottingham Forest remain in danger near the bottom after defeat to Brighton, with Vitor Pereira still chasing his first league win. Liverpool sweat over Florian Wirtz’s fitness ahead of their clash with Wolves, while Arne Slot delivers a blunt verdict on the Premier League season. Celtic keep their title hopes alive with a dramatic comeback draw against Rangers, as Martin O’Neill and Danny Rohl react to a huge Old Firm clash. Henry Winter joins Off The Ball Breakfast to discuss Martin O’Neill’s evolving reputation and Celtic’s title credentials. Republic of Ireland begin their World Cup qualifying campaign against France, with Katie McCabe and Denise O’Sullivan set to feature in a crucial opener. St. Patrick’s Athletic face Galway United in a key League of Ireland clash, with Stephen Kenny praising new signing James Brown’s impact. Jose Mourinho takes a firm stance on racism allegations involving Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior. Iran’s World Cup participation faces uncertainty amid geopolitical tensions, while the Finalissima between Spain and Argentina is also in doubt due to regional instability. Become a member and sign up at offtheball.com/join

On this episode of The Cooligans, we break down the wild rumor of Antoine Griezmann potentially joining Orlando City and whether he could seriously challenge Lionel Messi’s MLS throne. Gotham FC defender Mandy Freeman joins the show to discuss the club’s championship run, the pressure of defending a title, her decade-long NWSL journey, her passion for fashion, and why the league’s new High Impact Player rule may not benefit players the way fans expect. Plus, we talk Weston McKennie’s standout Champions League performance despite Juventus falling short, Vinícius Jr.’s statement game against Benfica, and Bodø/Glimt’s shocking result against Inter Milan.