The Game Football Podcast

Ok, so a 0-0 draw against a country smaller than Manchester doesn't sound great... but there are positives. Tom Clarke, Gregor Robertson, Jonathan Northcroft and Alyson Rudd are intent on finding them. The big question remains, though: who starts in the next round? Plus, Austria are showing the rest of Europe how to win AND entertain. And Alyson thinks the Netherlands will come good eventually. Perhaps in the last 16 against England.

Will it be a convincing win, a team that clicks and all doubt banished…? Or another edgy one one draw followed by a three-day inquest? The speculation is that Gareth Southgate will swap Trent Alexander Arnold for Conor Gallagher. Will that be enough, will it change the dynamic of a team slow to press and lacking a cutting edge?A thrilling conclusion to group B as football once again proved so much can change in a minute. On ninety-eight minutes Italy were likely heading out, Croatia were going through. But by ninety-nine Italy were through, Croatia as good as out. And England, well even if they were to lose tonight, they’re also through as one of the best third placed teams. But surely, they won’t lose… will they? 

The dream is over for Scotland. It was Hungary who got the late winner, leaving Scotland bottom of group A. Did the Scots go out with a whimper or with a bang? Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Martin Samuel join Tom Clarke to dissect Scotland’s performance.Gregor thinks they have been the worst team at the tournament, even though they’re not the worst team. Martin and Alyson lament a complete lack of cutting edge. In the other group game Germany nearly suffered a shock defeat to Switzerland, trailing one nil going into injury time. Did their very late equaliser paper over the cracks or are the home fans now wondering if their team are as good as they thought?After the break, a look ahead to England. What is Gareth Southgate’s next move? Double down, change the system or change the personnel? It all feels a bit like closing your eyes and hoping for the best…same old England then…     

It's all still to play for, with only 3 teams qualified after 2 rounds of matches. Martin Samuel and Gregor Robertson join Tom Clarke to discuss Belgium's arrival, Portugal's improvement and Georgia's last second heartbreak. Martin weighs in on England... What is the question? And is Adam Wharton the answer? Oh, and of course we talk more about Trent Alexander-Arnold. And Gregor is getting ready for his '90 minute panic attack' this evening... Scotland win and they're through. How do they go about that, then? 

There's no sign of the debate around England's form cooling down. Square pegs in round holes, or is everyone just a bit tired? Gregor Robertson is joined by Alyson Rudd, Charlotte Duncker and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat to attempt to answer those questions and more. Finally, 21 games in, we've had our first 0-0 draw. But the Netherlands and France still provided plenty of talking points. One being VAR (yawn). Ukraine brought the emotion in an impressive comeback win against Slovakia. And it turns out Ralf Rangnick is a genius, who knew?!

We've seen it all before, England playing out a drab, uninspiring 1-1 draw at a major tournament. But how bad was it, really? Well... quite bad. Jonathan Northcroft, James Gheerbrant and Gregor Robertson join Tom Clarke to talk through the problems Gareth Southgate has to tackle. One of those problems will be Slovenia, England's final opponents, who look like they'll be another tricky side to break down. And are Spain quietly making themselves the favourites to win the Euros? All that and more... 

Scotland finally turned up and gave their thousands of fans something to shout about in a spirited draw with Switzerland. Lose to Germany, draw with Switzerland, best Hungary…its all going to plan! But Gregor Robertson is still terrified, especially by the defending.Germany were a picture of ‘contained superiority’ so says Alyson Rudd who is tipping them to win it. For England will it be stick or twist? Tom Allnutt thinks they need a performance, or the pressure will mount. Who will Southgate pick, will he get the best out of Foden…get the first reaction and analysis with Tom Clarke and the team tomorrow. 

Have we just watched the game of the tournament... so far? Georgia and Turkey served up a thriller that had just about everything. But Martin Samuel had some gripes about Georgia's late tactics. He joins Gregor Robertson, Hamza Khalique-Loonat and Tom Clarke to discuss, plus Ronaldo's importance to Portugal and a look forward to Scotland's second game and Switzerland.

It turns out its not only England that can win one nil and be disappointed. Tom Clarke joins Charlotte Duncker, Alyson Rudd and Gregor Robertson to look at tournament favourites France. Kante rolled back the years, Mbappe shone, but by the end were the French hanging on to beat a resilient Austria?Having seen all the best teams apart from Portugal, who has stood out and who isn’t living up to expectations? Belgium certainly fell into the later camp. Their ‘golden generation’ once again struggled, albeit with some questionable officiating.  Quick look and Romania and Georgia and that is day 5.