The Athletic FC Podcast

It’s Day 30 and France are into the semi-finals of the World Cup after a 2-0 victory over Morocco.

Adam Leventhal is joined in the studio by Liam Twomey and Cerys Jones to discuss the first quarter-final and the Golden Boot race, with Kylian Mbappe now level with Lionel Messi on eight goals for the tournament. Adam Crafton drops in from Boston for this one.

Man City correspondent Sam Lee also joins the panel to talk Erling Haaland, who England will have the tough task of attempting to stop when they face Norway on Saturday.

There’s also the latest on selection doubts for Thomas Tuchel over key pair Declan Rice and Marc Guehi ahead of Saturday’s quarter-final.

Host: Adam Leventhal
Guests: Liam Twomey, Cerys Jones
Featuring: Sam Lee, Adam Crafton
Exec Producers: Adey Moorhead, Guy Clarke
Producers: Mike Stavrou
Videographer: Grayson Moody
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Sunday, The Athletic broke the world exclusive that USA striker Folarin Balogun's ban for the USMNT's round of 16 tie against Belgium had been suspended.

Adam Crafton and Dan Sheldon, who broke the news, join Ian Irving and Cerys Jones to look back on the controversy, which included the involvement of US President Donald Trump calling FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the build-up to the USA's game with Belgium.

Former USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard shares his perspective from a players' perspective as to the impact the whole episode will have had on the USA's preparations for the game, while Jerry Brewer, senior columnist for The Athletic gives his view on the damage the controversy will have on soccer in the USA as well as US Soccer.

Host: Ian Irving
With: Cerys Jones, Adam Crafton and Dan Sheldon
Featuring: Tim Howard and Jerry Brewer
Executive Producer: Guy Clarke
Producers: Jay Beale and Grayson Moody
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Argentina are through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup after an incredible comeback win against Egypt.

Emma Paton is in the studio alongside The Athletic’s Mark Critchley and Liam Twomey to discuss how Lionel Scaloni’s side are able to look unconvincing, yet still win. James Horncastle drops in from Atlanta for this one.

With Switzerland also through after beating Colombia on penalties, the panel look ahead to the quarter-finals with all eight teams now in the draw.

And David Ornstein brings us the latest in the transfer market, from Manchester United’s midfield search, to Arsenal’s inactivity and Newcastle’s potential incomings.

Host: Emma Paton
With: Liam Twomey and Mark Critchley
Featuring: James Horncastle and David Ornstein
Executive Producers: Adey Moorhead and Guy Clarke
Producers: Mike Stavrou and Grayson Moody
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The USMNT are out of the World Cup after defeat to Belgium.

While the Folarin Balogun situation dominated the build-up, the headlines centre around the USA’s elimination, after falling to a 4-1 defeat in the Round of 16.

Emma Paton is joined by The Athletic’s Jay Harris and Mark Critchley in the studio to dissect the match, with Henry Bushnell dropping by for immediate reaction from Seattle.

Elsewhere, Reuben Pinder witnessed Spain beating Portugal 1-0 - with Cristiano Ronaldo the story once again.

Plus, Paul Taylor brings us the latest on Nottingham Forest’s move for former Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner.

Host: Emma Paton
With: Jay Harris and Mark Critchley
Featuring: Henry Bushnell, Reuben Pinder and Paul Taylor
Executive Producer: Guy Clarke
Producers: Mike Stavrou and Liam Warburton
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

England are through the quarter-final of the World Cup, following an instant classic in the Azteca against Mexico.

Emma Paton is joined by Art De Roche and Cerys Jones to pick the bones out of England's 3-2 win over Mexico, with Jack Pitt-Brooke providing his take from Mexico City.

Matt Slater also drops by from Times Square, reacting to Norway's 2-1 win over Brazil, to set-up Saturday's semi-final in Miami with England.

While there was plenty of drama on the pitch, Dan Sheldon and Adam Crafton join to explain their the news they exclusively broke that USA's Folarin Balogun is now available for their round of 16 clash with Belgium, with it later emerging US President Donald Trump made a phone call to FIFA President Gianni Infantino ahead of Balogun's one-game ban being suspended.

Host: Emma Paton
With: Art De Roche and Cerys Jones
Executive Producer: Guy Clarke
Producers: Jay Beale and Liam Warburton
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.