Gary Lineker

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Micah Richards

My champions, I have sold my chariot on Carvana.

Gary Lineker

Twas a lovely suv, an inexplicably queenly offer.

Micah Richards

They're even coming to the castle to collect it. Tonight we feast. An offer you can feast on.

Brad Friedel

Sell your car today on Carvana. Pick up fees may apply. Somewhere out there is a Chevy truck. And the person who drives it, well, that's a Chevy person.

Micah Richards

You probably know one, your buddy, your sister.

Brad Friedel

Ones who always show up, they're the

Micah Richards

first to rise, the last to leave.

Brad Friedel

They always have that little extra something.

Joe Hart

And maybe you've got it too.

Gary Lineker

Chevrolet together.

Brad Friedel

Let's drive.

Micah Richards

Visit chevy.com truck to explore the lineup. Hello and welcome to the rest is football. We're all in a great mood because England have made it to the quarterfinals. We'll be talking all about it with Micah Richards, Joe Hart, Brad Friedel, Alex Aljo and H the rapper. Don't forget, as always, if you'd prefer to watch the show, we're on Netflix every day. H, what a day to pick to come in.

H the Rapper

Good first day, that, innit? Good first day, that tense anxiety for about 111 minutes, however long it was. But we got through it and. Yeah, but I've had a good day.

Micah Richards

I think, Alex, at my age, I can't cope with things like that. I think it's aged me 10 years, which is not great when you're already ancient.

Alex Aljo

No, crazy, but so right. They win the World cup now, surely after that, surely.

Micah Richards

Don't do that.

Alex Aljo

Don't say it.

Micah Richards

Don't get ahead of yourself. That was amazing at the end. But defensively, England hanging on, obviously, 10 men. I mean, I think when you're looking at it, you think, God, they're really struggling a little bit, but that altitude, when you're not acclimatised, it's very difficult. I thought they showed incredible heart first.

Brad Friedel

I'm so happy. Seriously, because you're so happy because Mexico couldn't break down 10 men. I'm so happy that Mexico lost. More so than England won. Sorry, but that's just how I feel. No, England were brilliant. They were defensively, I think not going down a man helped them, but actually just being able to run a bit less because of the altitude. I thought the substitutes that came on were brilliant. I thought Bellingham and Pickford were both absolutely immense.

Micah Richards

Yeah, and he won the. What did he call it? The superior of the match, that spomber,

Alex Aljo

didn't we, at the club World Cup.

Micah Richards

Jude Bellingham, I mean, he won that award and I think deserve. I mean, he is, I think, everything, perhaps, that England has been missing over recent years. I know he's been playing in recent years, but he's now coming into his prime. I mean, he's an extraordinary athlete.

Alex Aljo

Yeah, he's showing a lot of leadership, isn't he, as well? I think he's taken a while as well to earn Thomas Tuchel's trust. It hasn't been straightforward, has it? There were times when a lot of people were saying that Thomas Tuchel didn't even want him in the squad, which is crazy to think, but he's certainly earned his trust now, hasn't he?

Micah Richards

Yeah, H. I think before the start of the tournament, everyone going, oh, I'm not sure whether it's going to be Bellingham or Rogers. I mean, with all due respect, Rogers, I think, fabulous. And he played his part when he came on, but Bellingham's a. Bellingham's a monster.

H the Rapper

Yeah, he's a bit of a different beast. He's a bit of a different beast, isn't he? I think when you're having. When you're playing big games like that, there's only one man to be in that position. Yeah. I think, again, no disrespect to Morgan at all, because he's amazing in his own way, but I think them little moments there, the little runs that Jude makes when we're on the attack, are just different levels.

Micah Richards

I look at him and I see a 9 as well. You know, Brad. I see. I mean, he's so good. I mean, arriving in the box at the right time. You probably describe him more as a kind of Frank Lampard of midfielders that runs in. But he's also more dynamic and he makes incredible tackles. Defensively, he covers every yard of the pitch. Patrick Vieira, funnily enough, said it. I think he needs to kind of pick his moments to do that. But I don't think. I'm not sure. I think I'm quite happy with the way he's going all over.

Brad Friedel

He's like an 8, 9, 10 all wrapped in the one.

Micah Richards

Yeah. Thankfully, it was relatively cool after the rain and the delay, but it's very, very difficult. I know I played in Mexico. I played in the World cup when we had the time to acclimatize, which wasn't quite as bad because we'd had a few weeks prior to the tournament in Colorado, but also the year before, we went there on a tour just to see what it was like we played without any. And it was. It's really, really hard.

Alex Aljo

I can't believe you haven't said it yet, Alti. Jude, I know everyone's saying,

Micah Richards

you want to outp on me.

Alex Aljo

I'm not taking you on. I'm not taking you on. I'll leave it there.

Micah Richards

But, I mean, he's. He's a leader, isn't he?

H the Rapper

Especially that first goal. The way. I'm not gonna. I won't get into detail because I can't explain things very well, but the way Ease ran in and out into that box and Harry Kane's done the exact opposite and the balls ended up falling to him. It was. There's no way they've not practiced that. If that was by chance, that's unreal.

Micah Richards

No, I think he explained it very well. But they just know what to do in those certain circumstances.

H the Rapper

I was almost getting a little bit mad at Jude certain parts of the game, because I felt like we was getting broken down on the defence when he was playing too high up. But I'm kind of eating my words now.

Brad Friedel

The only difficulty tonight's game for them was when they went 2 nil up and they had to get to halftime at 2 0. Then Mexico would have imploded.

Alex Aljo

It was never gonna be that easy

Brad Friedel

for England, but they had the opportunity. It was right there because they had quieted down the crowd, which is really difficult to do in Mexico. You've been there?

Alex Aljo

Yeah, I've covered two matches there. And I was thinking.

Micah Richards

You did two matches there?

Alex Aljo

Yeah, two matches there. And it was all Mexico, all Mexican fans. So loud. I've never experienced an atmosphere like it. And I was thinking, if England get here, I'm worried for them. They'd only ever lost two competitive matches in that stadium. Now it's three.

Brad Friedel

But you can get them to turn. That's the thing. We've done it. America, they don't like us when we go down there and play, but you can get them to turn. And England was just about there.

Alex Aljo

And they hadn't conceded, had they? No.

Micah Richards

Well, Mexico conceded more goals today than in all the previous 10 World cup games that they've played as Azteca. I mean, that's a tough, tough place to go. I actually thought they were very good. And I thought they, you know, they were better than I thought, football wise. And they created a lot and they were very dangerous. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Brad. I know you've got a little bit of a rivalry going there.

Brad Friedel

You said Mexico and very good in the same sentence.

Micah Richards

I thought that. I mean, I think. I think we have to give them some credit, because when you're playing at home in front of your own crowd as well, and you go two nil down, that could have ended up as an embarrassment. We'll talk about Brazil later. But they've gone out. It's not their home game, but they'll get a lot of criticism. I don't think that Mexican team will get any criticism from their fans. I think they fought and they fought and they fought and they did them proud.

Alex Aljo

And those scenes we've seen down Pase de la reform. I think there were 800,000 there when I was there. I wonder whether it will be the same party atmosphere this evening. Proud of what they've achieved at this World Cup. I know I'm not there.

Micah Richards

I don't know.

Gary Lineker

We'll have to.

Micah Richards

Have to wait and see.

Brad Friedel

I think the goalkeeper will get a bit of abuse. This is just the way they are. I think the press will be hard for giving away the penalty. I think they'll give. I don't know. I can't remember who missed the header, but when it dropped down. I think they'll give them a little bit of abuse and I think they'll question the coach. That's just how it is down there.

Micah Richards

Yeah, it's difficult. Right, I'm going to introduce. Hey, Micah. Joe,

Alex Aljo

You just look at me.

Micah Richards

Okay, guys.

Gary Lineker

Now that is a performance.

Micah Richards

What a performance. Wasn't it?

H the Rapper

Wow.

Gary Lineker

Now we're cooking.

Micah Richards

Now we're cooking. We're on the way. See, I just told you. You're just so negative all the time.

Brad Friedel

He was negative.

Micah Richards

So negative. You weren't positive, Joe.

Brad Friedel

You were positive. You wanted him to win.

Gary Lineker

You were just scared of upsetting anyone out here. You remember Ronaldo? You know, you criticized him once and then. No, Gaz.

Alex Aljo

Oh, okay.

Gary Lineker

Criticizing once and then he didn't speak to you anymore. Gaz. You know, you just sit on that fence.

Micah Richards

Sit on the fence.

Gary Lineker

Proper opinions.

Micah Richards

I used to work with you before I fell off the fence. Micah, tell me about the game, your overall thoughts on what was a truly extraordinary game of football.

Gary Lineker

Honestly, England were outstanding in that first half. All the things that we talked about on the POD from the start, in terms of being dynamic, in terms of having that cohesion, in terms of being aggressive, you know, and really believing in themselves. I thought they showed everything tonight from start to finish. Obviously, second half, it was more about that togetherness and commitment and tactical naus from Tuhu, who we've Mentioned many times in terms of in game substitutions, but I just thought everything in the game was perfect. Although obviously Quansa got sent off, who I thought was a little bit unfortunate. He got the ball but then it was the follow through so I understand why he had to get a red car. It was serious foul play. So yeah, all in all I'm just absolutely delighted for him because it feels as though we've been waiting for that moment and we knew they had it in them but we've seen them play well under Southgate at times and get to finals. But that was a sort of a Tuchel like performance which we expected to see maybe a little bit earlier, but it came at the right time and the atmosphere. Joe, come on.

Joe Hart

Oh, I would do anything to be in that stadium and be a part of that team. The togetherness they showed and they've talked about, they've banged on about that. Even the way he's interviewed, I'm not sure if you've heard how he interviewed after the game, but he's creating us against the world. But that was a true movie in there tonight and I think the guys have left everything out on the pitch. Amazing goals defensively, Big Dan Byrne coming on. Jed Spence, when we thought he was injured, showing up at the very end with some big tackles. Jon Stones, magnificent performance. They could be so. They make you so proud to watch that game.

Gary Lineker

Johnny, Johnny Stones.

Brad Friedel

Johnny.

Gary Lineker

Johnny Stones.

Micah Richards

Joe. How about Jordan Pickford though as well? We've got two goalkeepers here. I thought he, you know, there'd been a couple of people bit critical. He wasn't by his ordinary standards. He made a couple of mistakes maybe. I thought he was absolutely outstanding tonight. A goalkeeper's perspective, please, Joe.

Joe Hart

Gary, from the moment that he made that save early down to his left and now, as well as being a good save, it was the composure he showed. It was a great header from Raul Jimenez and to meet that on the half volley like he did and get such a good hand on it, I knew he was on it. These are the kinds of occasions that he shines. These are his moments. He wears those three lions with so much pride and he's so proud to represent his country and be England's number one and so he should be. And as the game went on, he made big save before half time and then the old school stuff that I'm sure, Brad, you're going to appreciate when that ball comes in the box and you hear the goalkeeper saying keepers, it's the best feeling ever for a defender and not Only that he came and he met every single one. And I loved it in the 102nd minute, whatever it was. He got that big left hook on it at the end. Yeah, this is your moment.

Gary Lineker

Can I just ask you, though, because Alan didn't want to start Jude in the tournament. Now look at him. Who else? Who else? He's constantly in the group talking about, well, I called this team, I called that team.

Micah Richards

He don't want to end up starting

Gary Lineker

Jude, you know, look at him now. Hey, who else?

Joe Hart

That's you and Alan's drama that. I'm just trying to give the goal.

Micah Richards

Stay out of that one, Joe. Stay out of that one. We'll talk. I want to get Brad on Jordan Pickford as well, because we did a thing before, before the start of the tournament, you said to me, we were talking about the Golden Glove and we both went, Pickford, I don't know about

Brad Friedel

you, Jor, if you can even comment on this. I know I can. I wasn't a massive Pickford fan for a little while in the beginning of his career, and the last four or five years, he's won me over. He's been brilliant. He's played in a struggling Everett side at times and he's made a lot of really good saves. And he's won me over for sure tonight. That's as good as I've ever seen him command his box. But time after time after time, and it's hard there, I mean really is, the ball flies differently. That's the first time he would have seen it. Every punch he got right, every catch he got right, he was wasting time at the right times, he was speeding things up at the right times. His distribution was brilliant. I thought his whole match control was just outstanding.

Joe Hart

I understand why people had their questions over him, because he's not actually physically imposing, you know, he's obviously, he can be quite erratic in how he behaves. But what has won people over, and rightly so, because these are all things around him, he actually has performed ever since he's come on at this level. When he was at Sunderland, he earned that move to Everton and he makes massive saves for his teams. And when you get to know him and when you get to understand him, like I say, people who don't necessarily understand him see all these kind of antics and touching and rolling around on the floor. That's what makes him great. And it's not as pleasing on the eye, but that's Jordan Pickford. He's not that pleasing on the eye, but my God, he's effective and you can rely on him and you can trust him. And in the big moments, he honestly wants to stand there and be that guy. And that's massive to have in a team and to be the England number one for so long and to keep improving. He's keeping improving in that position and stepping up in a big. I'm so pleased he had that night tonight. I'm so pleased for him. And he fully deserves every bit of praise he's going to get.

Micah Richards

I want to ask you H about another H. Yes. Harry Kane, who tonight equaled another record of mine, Micah. Most knockout goals. He's now equaled six knockout goals.

H the Rapper

Obviously.

Micah Richards

Stay away. It took him two games longer. But that's all right.

Gary Lineker

I'm quite seriously, seriously, guys, it's getting embarrassing now. Have a night off for you. The rest is Gary Lineker. You just do it your own pod and you can talk about yourself for the whole 40 minutes.

Micah Richards

I can't help having so many fucking records, Micah. But they're all going, okay, I got a bit.

Gary Lineker

Fuck off.

Micah Richards

There you go. Bosch. Oh, dear. I mean, he's something else, though, isn't he?

H the Rapper

Oh, yeah. Different grade. Yeah.

Micah Richards

There you go. I'll bring him back.

H the Rapper

Bring him back.

Micah Richards

I'll bring him back. Because it's late.

Alex Aljo

Still there? Yeah.

H the Rapper

No, he's absolutely different with it. 100 million percent. Even as a United fan, even just in general throughout the season, away from England and World cup games and all that, I don't actually see much of Harry Kane. I don't really watch many other teams other than United, really, so I just get a glimpse every now and again.

Brad Friedel

So it's been boring the last few years.

Alex Aljo

The Champions League is back.

H the Rapper

Yeah, the Champions League is back. But we'll talk about that another time.

Micah Richards

But tomorrow.

H the Rapper

Yeah. As I've seen Harry Kane more recently, I'm just like, wow. Like, this is. He really is what all the hype's about. Do you know what I mean? So, yeah, he's the man. He's the main man right now, I think, in my eyes.

Micah Richards

Micah, let me ask you about Anthony Gordon. I thought it was terrific.

Gary Lineker

Yeah, he was brilliant. And I feel as though he needed that performance because there has been a lot of talk about him and Rashford, who should start, who should come on. And that pressure going to Barcelona comes with obvious expectation and sometimes can be difficult to deal with that when you've. You're playing for a team and you're not getting as much headlines and the whole headlines coming into the tournament. Was about who's going to start Rashford or Gordon. And up until this moment, he's not really produced his best stuff, but tonight he was brilliant. The way he wanted to take people on, the way he wanted to press, the way he got the. Everything about his game was dynamic and you called it gas. In fairness to you, you said the game's going to open up and Mexico did Brad as well. He said that if England played to their best abilities, they will win the game. So kudos to you both, but I just thought his performance was a statement performance and when you get those performances for England, it's going to do the world of good for his confidence. So he just needs to keep it going now. I was really proud of his performance today.

Micah Richards

Fantastic energy as well.

Alex Aljo

I think they all want it so much. You can see it. They were working so hard. So hard. It seems like there's such a good feeling in that squad right now and some great characters, some real leaders.

Micah Richards

I think it's sometimes an atmosphere like that probably puts referee under a bit of pressure. H, do you think he got the big decisions right? I think Anthony Gordon, that was definitely a penalty. The Harry Kane one, maybe, yeah.

Brad Friedel

Fifty.

Micah Richards

Fifty. I think that's kind of a new addition, that kind of penalty, isn't it, that we've got because of Var. You'd never have got those before Var. And I don't see why they have to overturn it, but when I saw it, I thought they will. And the Consa red card. Quansa. Sorry, red card.

H the Rapper

I think the red card was a sticky one because I think what Micah said before about like you can understand why it was a red card. However, in the same breath, you kind of want to say it was harsh. At the same time, it just bounced

Micah Richards

off the top of the board and it's really unlucky. Really unlucky, I thought. But you knew.

H the Rapper

Yeah, I think it was quite 50. 50 in terms of the ref decisions. I think he made some decent decisions. I also think he made some completely wrong ones as well.

Brad Friedel

I thought he was poor with his first decision of the game, giving a booking to rice after 50 seconds because that sets the tone. You're going to have to give bookings out all the time on the big decisions. Unfortunately, I think he did get them right. I think it's a soft penalty by Kane, but when you look at it, he didn't touch the ball. He got the leg. The penalty. Gordon. I thought Gordon did brilliant. He got there and nipped in right before touched the ball. But What I didn't like about him in that type of atmosphere, because it's a hostile atmosphere. I didn't like him running up to players and he was like inciting the crowd to get him going. I think you need a ref that's gonna calm things down and keep players calm. And when lira kept going up to him all the time, all the time, just book one of them one time and then it stops all of that. So I don't think he did that particularly well. But. But the big decision's probably correct.

Micah Richards

I mean, the quanta one and then the Kane thing, it didn't have to make it an agonising lap. It felt like about three hours, the last 20 minutes, didn't it, Joe?

Joe Hart

Honestly, it just seemed like it had everything tonight with the hour delay before the game and then to go into the game and just absolute chaos ensue. And then to follow on from the Quanza red card, England are on the back foot and as Brad touched on there, Gordon so, so sharp to win that penalty, it was a massive moment because you felt like the stadium was ready to erupt. And then it was just another counter punch. Wh Harry Kane unbelievable penalty. And then the game just kept coming and coming. And we were talking about from a defensive point of view, when England did make those changes, I think they defended so well and I think Mexico flapped, I think they panicked. They ended up just lumping it into the box. And that's exactly what England wanted because it was either Jordan Pickford, Dan Byrne, it was Konza. Who else?

Gary Lineker

There was so many.

Brad Friedel

I thought Stones was brilliant.

Gary Lineker

Too gay.

Micah Richards

Konza, can we have a word micro on Thomas Tuchel? Because I think his in game management and the things that were thrown at him were difficult, but I thought his changes, obviously in hindsight it's easy and you go, yes, they worked. But I think he got them spot on, don't you?

Gary Lineker

Yeah, I think that's why he was brought in. In terms of. We know we like that tactical side of the game. And in the Croatia game, in terms of introducing the subs that he did, he could have kept it the way but he wanted to get another goal, he brought on wingers. And then tonight I actually thought he made the tactical change a little bit earlier, early for our liking, I would say, just because England dropped a little bit deeper. And remember the goal that they conceded against Croatia, it was almost like, can England deal with the crosses? But when he went to a back five, I think it was just perfect. You know, when you talk about details. These are the little details that potentially could separate a Southgate to a Tuchel. And that's no disrespect to Southgate. It's just in certain moments of the game, that's why Tuchel is so, you know, sought after, because of his tactical nous. I don't want to get too excited. He's one amazing performance. They deserve all the credit. But it was just nice to see him make the decisions and be brave with them and not care what anyone else says. You know, we've talked about how England have played throughout the group and then Di Congo, but actually, if you look at it, he said England would get better as the tournament went on, and he's proved that tonight. Mexico opened it up, and, you know, Gordon was good. Saka has crossed. We don't even mention Saka. Saka's crossed for Bellingham's goal. The goal was outstanding. I just feel all the pieces together just fit nicely. It was perfect. And now you're starting to believe that, oh, if England performed like that, they actually have got a chance. Yes, we know France are good. Yes, we know Spain are good, too. But if England could play like that, they'd give themselves the best possible opportunity.

Micah Richards

I'll ask you all here, the three of you here, what kind of belief do you think a result like that gives?

Alex Aljo

So much belief. So much belief. I don't know why I'm not allowed to get excited. Micah gets.

Micah Richards

You are allowed to get excited.

Alex Aljo

I think I couldn't get excited earlier because I was. It's coming home. But I think we can get excited now, especially because we know it's not Brazil next. I think had it been Brazil next, maybe I wouldn't be saying that in

Micah Richards

Miami in the heat.

Alex Aljo

In Miami in the heat. Because it was cool tonight, wasn't it, in Mexico?

Micah Richards

17 degrees, but there was altitude.

Alex Aljo

Yeah, we've got altitude, though. How many times can I say that in one program? But I think they can beat Norway, right? We. Sorry, not they.

Micah Richards

No, we. Okay.

Alex Aljo

Yeah, we can beat Norway. Yeah. No, I'm excited. We've got super Tommy. Two cormica.

Micah Richards

Have you thrown a wood?

Brad Friedel

I have before.

Gary Lineker

I did this morning.

Micah Richards

Well, how long did you live in England?

Brad Friedel

23 years.

Micah Richards

23 years? Yeah. So, yeah. What do you think chances of England?

Gary Lineker

Super Tommy Tuchel. Super Tommy.

Alex Aljo

We've got super Tommy Tuchel.

Micah Richards

La, la, la.

Gary Lineker

Super Tommy Tuchel. Okay, let's be positive. Let's be happy. G wanted a bit more positivity.

Brad Friedel

This is gonna make. This is gonna make you happy.

Gary Lineker

I'm buzzing.

Brad Friedel

This will make you happy. What? What? I thought Eng was a good defensive performance in this tournament. You know, going forward against a low block, that's a different technical, tactical issue. Tweaks, as you. As we said going on in the tournament, teams are going to open up and play, and that's where England's really good. They were lacking that solid defensive performance. They got it tonight. And now they also have a goalkeeper full of confidence going in. If you're going to beat France, if you're going to beat Spain, your goalkeeper's going to have to make saves. That's against anybody. So now they've got that piece of the puzzle. So. So now I'm really positive about it.

Micah Richards

What do you think, H?

H the Rapper

Yeah, obviously it was an important game. I think we got a lot of stick. Well, just before that game, I think there was the most pressure on England than there ever has been in terms of this tournament. And I think they've proved to everyone that it's more than possible. I'm really. I'm really. I'm only not shouting and screaming because I feel like everyone else is really calm right now.

Alex Aljo

They have time now, don't they? They've got a few days. How do you think they're going to spend? But these next few days, almost a

Micah Richards

full week, obviously they'll have to travel back probably to Kansas, won't they? But, you know, they've got a nice gap now. They've got like six days, five, six days, haven't they, till the next game.

Alex Aljo

Day or two off, do you think? Probably.

Micah Richards

I think. Well, for the players that played and exhausted, they'll need to monitor their recovery and make sure they're all okay. There'll be a few players carrying knocks, but they'll be buzzing. They'll be buzzing, there's no question about that. That's it for this episode of the Rest is Football. England are in the quarterfinals. Let's enjoy it.