The Game

Well, if the final is as much as fun as that we're in for a treat. England beat France 6-4 in a frankly bonkers match to take the bronze medal and finish third, their best World Cup performance since lifting the trophy in 1966. Tom Clarke is joined by Matt Lawton and Ian Whittell who offer their thoughts on whether this helps ease the pain for Thomas Tuchel and what it means for France. And then it is onto the big one: Spain vs Argentina. Tom speaks to Paul Hirst in the Argentina camp and Spanish football expert Ian Hawkey to assess both sides, discuss the two managers and get excited for Lionel Messi vs Lamine Yamal. And of course there are some predictions too. We can't wait.

It's time, for the biggest game of the tournament, France vs England... well, we tried. But whilst the world might not be excited about the third-place play-off, we have still got loads to talk about. Tom Clarke is joined by Jonathan Northcroft in Manhattan to discuss England's footballing DNA, what 'shocked' him about the Argentina defeat, thoughts on the final and more nonsense from FIFA. Tom also chats to our European Football expert Ian Hawkey about Didier Deschamps legacy as France coach and who might follow in his footsteps. 

Did Thomas Tuchel tell his players to sit back and defend, or were they just not able to maintain their pressing...the England inquest is gathering pace. There seems unity of opinion that manager Thomas Tuchel has questions to answer. Will he step forward or will the FA wait until their review is complete ?Tom Clarke chats to Matt Lawton for the latest on Tuchel's future and Martin Samuel discusses England's wider problems.

In the end England fell shore, again. One up with half an hour to go England sat back, ceded ground then succumbed as Argentina seized the initiative and scored two late goals. Where did it go wrong this time? Did Tuchel lose his nerve, was it all down to Messi do England have an inferiority complex? Jonathan Northcroft and Paul Hirst bring immediate reaction from the ground before Tom Clarke, Gregor Robertson and Alyson Rudd dissect a disappointing night for England.

Two camps, two journalists, both predicting England wins. What could possibly go wrong? Tom Clarke is joined by Jonny Northcroft in the England camp and Paul Hirst in the Argentina camp to discuss the second big semi-final and gets the latest news and predictions. In part two Tom is joined by Gregor Robertson to discuss Spain's impressive win against a disappointing France and ask what went wrong for the favourites? And can anyone stop Spain in this form? 

He's a World Cup star and one of the best in the world but Kylian Mbappe's leadership has shone at this World Cup, on and off the pitch. Martin Samuel joins Tom Clarke to discuss the France forward and preview their semi-final with Spain. Martin also offers his thoughts on Jude Bellingham, Thomas Tuchel and why he believes England can beat Argentina.

How do England beat Argentina? Both teams looked exhausted after their quarter final wins, will recovery be the key? Gregor Robertson thinks the battle is out wide, Tom allnutt thinks Argentina have more in the tank. Does the post game spat between Thomas Tuchel and Jude Bellingham really matter, Tony Cascarino thinks it is a sign of a healthy dressing room?In the first semi-final France play Spain. France are the dominate team of the last decade but are Spain the team best placed to beat them?Tom Allnutt explains how the unique mix of cultural diversity, street football and french football academies have laid the ground to create this outstanding French team.Plus, is this the best World Cup ever? Who is your cult hero of the tournament and score predictions for the semi finals.Tom Clarke is in the chair.

That was tense! England beat Norway thanks to another brace from Jude Bellingham and possibly a bit of help from a spider cam. Tom clarke is joined by The Times head of Sport James Restall and Gregor Robertson for immediate reaction to England reaching a World Cup semi final.In part two Paul Hirst was there on another tough night for Argentina. They're through to face England but they made hard work of beating Switzerland. 

Four Times journalists, four assertions that England are favourites. But can Thomas Tuchel's side deliver? Tom Clarke talks to Matt Lawton and Tom Allnutt about England v Norway and also hears from Alyson Rudd - the writer who backed the Norwegians to win the tournament - about any conflict she may feel for this one. The Tom Tom Club also analyse Spain's win against Belgium and debate whether they need to improve to beat France and if it is time Mikel Merino got a start.