Spain stunned + inside England's preparations

In this episode of The Athletic FC Podcast, host Adam Leventhal and guests review the surprising outcomes from the World Cup, with a specific focus on Spain's unexpected draw against debutantes Cape Verde. This result marked the first major upset of the tournament and sparked discussions on Spain's performance and limitations. Guests Jay Harris and Mark Critchley praised Cape Verde's disciplined play and recalled memorable moments from the match, such as goalkeeper Bozinha's remarkable performance.

The conversation then shifted to the current state of European teams in the tournament, with a notable lack of success and a managerial sacking from Tunisia after a disappointing showing. The hosts debated the necessity of experienced players in the England squad as they look forward to their game against Croatia, highlighting Jordan Henderson's role as a leader despite his limited on-field contributions.

The podcast also touches on Argentina's and Portugal's upcoming matches and the significance of veteran players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as they continue to compete in their sixth World Cup. Finally, the episode ends on a note of anticipation for the remaining matches in the group stage, expressing hope for surprising tales to emerge as the tournament progresses.