World Cup Drama

The Cooligans break down growing concerns around Christian Pulisic’s form for both club and country and ask the big question: can the USMNT rely on him at the World Cup? The guys also team up with Meta to answer fan questions straight from Threads, diving into the biggest debates surrounding the U.S. squad. Plus, they react to the drama of World Cup qualifying playoffs—from Italy’s shocking failure to qualify again to feel-good stories from Iraq, Congo, and Sweden, and why the expanded tournament might actually be a win.

Ex-Ireland star Kevin Kilbane joins Adrian and Shane on #OTBAM after an absolutely crazy night of World Cup drama as Japan beat Spain to top Group E. Catch OTB's sports breakfast show LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30am or just search for OTB AM and get the podcast on the OTB Sports app or wherever you listen to yours. SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW the OTB AM podcast. #OTBAM is live weekday mornings from 7:30am across Off The Ball, in association with Gillette | #EffortlessFlow

It is almost ten years to the day since one of the most dramatic matches in World Cup history unfolded on a raucous night in Johannesburg. BBC 5 Live commentator Conor McNamara joins us to look back at the iconic clash between Ghana and Uruguay on today’s episode of Greatest Games, in association with The Blizzard! The hopes of a continent, and probably every neutral around the world, rested on a Ghanaian side that took on Uruguay and their fearsome attacking talent for a place in the semi-finals. Two goals either side of half time set up an extra-time period unlike any other, with Luis Suárez at his infamous worst – all set to the pulsating drone of 84,000 vuvuzelas. For more stories from the annals of football history, visit www.theblizzard.co.uk to explore their archives that contain over 700 articles of stories just like this one! ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** The Football Ramble, the original and best football podcast. Brand new podcasts every single weekday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The USWNT absolutely demolished Thailand in their opening match of the World Cup. People had questioned the strength of this USA squad, and hopefully they were silenced. Even with a win, there was still lots of drama since many thought the US should not have run up the score and celebrated every goal against a weaker opponent, and we talk about it. We're also joined by eMLS pro Mike Labelle of the New York Red Bulls to discuss the World Cup and talk comedy. Sponsors SeatGeek: Download the SeatGeek app and use the promo code COOLIGANS for $10 off your first purchase! NYC Footy: Join the best rec league in NYC at nycfooty.com and use the promo code COOLIGANS for $20 off the free agent fee or $200 off the team fee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Yet more scenes so unbelievable that we all need to accept that this World Cup is crazy as Belgium come from two down to beat a spirited Japan, with super subs Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli. Prior to the game a hitherto successful psychic octopus was killed in Japan. Makes you think. Alongside this there’s time to look over Neymar’s theatrics, Brazil’s stoic professionalism and we of course take the opportunity to look ahead to England vs Colombia, and even a little further, as we get a little carried away while we have the chance. This show is sponsored by bet365 Search ‘Football Ramble’ on social media to find us, and email us here: [email protected] ***Please take the time to rate and review us on iTunes or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Further reading Everybody hates Neymar: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44689926 Psychic Japanese octopus eaten: https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/world-cup-2018-psychic-octopus-dead-rabio-japan-seafood-predictions-correct-a8426986.html Fellaini and Chadli provide squad freshness: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jul/02/marouane-fellaini-nacer-chadli-fringes-belgium-hazard-flatters The Football Ramble, the original and best football podcast. Brand new podcasts every single weekday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jimbo is joined in the pod by Tom Williams and Matts Stanger and Scott and Rafa Honigstein in Russia to relive the drama of Germany’s last-gasp victory over Sweden to keep their campaign alive. Plus, Anton Toloui in Nizhny Novgorod ahead of England v Panama; and Argentina continue to unravel.RUNNING ORDER:• PART 1a: Sweden 1 - 2 Germany - wow! (01m 10s)• PART 1b: …and the word from Rafa Honigstein (11m 30s) • PART 2a: Mexico 2 - 1 South Korea (18m 20s)• PART 2b: Belgium 5 - 2 Tunisia (19m 30s) • PART 3a: England v Panama preview - with a bit of Anton Toloui (27m 00s) • PART 3b: Senegal v Japan and Colombia v Poland previews (35m 20s)• PART 3c: Argentina’s deepening crisis (39m 20s)• PART 4: World Cup odds with Lee Price from Paddy Power (42m 00s)• PART 5: Exeunt omnes (43m 40s)CHARITY NEWS:we’re working with **[CALM, the Campaign Against Living Miserably](https://www.thecalmzone.net/)**, who are dedicated to preventing male suicide PARISH NOTICES:• we’re sponsored by [**Paddy Power** - home of the Money Back Special](http://www.paddypower.com/)• get yourself [70% off a virtual private network with **BestVPN****.com**](http://www.BestVPN.com/podcast)• [football + intellectualism = **The Game of Our Lives podcast**](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/game-of-our-lives/id1353981875?mt=2)GET IN TOUCH:• find us on [**Facebook** - home of the Totally Football Quiz](https://www.facebook.com/thetotallyfootballshow/) which will be back at half time during every England group game (except, er, the one against Panama)• send us a **[tweet: @TheTotallyShow](http://www.twitter.com/thetotallyshow)** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.