If ever a match lived up to the hype, today?s match was it. Immediately after the whistle, Brendan and Rebecca relive the most incredible World Cup final of all time: 80 minutes of Argentine dominance, two Kylian Mbappé goals in two minutes, a nail-biting extra-time period with goals on each side, and a penalty shoot-out to decide the winner. And how else could it end but with Lionel Messi lifting the trophy and cementing his place in football history?

From a ninth-minute equalizer to Croatian swim caps, today?s third-place match had it all. Brendan and Rebecca briefly recap the day before jumping into listener questions, including: What rules would they change for the next World Cup? Which USMNT player?s stock went up the most? And how does one choose a Premier League team to follow? After that, they look ahead to tomorrow?s Argentina?France showdown and make some final predictions.

Brendan and Rebecca react to the end of a historic Cinderella run as Morocco falls to France 2-0. Then they briefly preview an unpredictable France?Argentina final and wonder: Will the Messi?Mbappé showdown bring complete chaos, or a nil-nil draw? Later, with Rebecca back across the pond, the two talk through how this strange midwinter World Cup could have a massive ripple effect on the Premier League. And finally, Rebecca shares the one thing she?s most looking forward to in London ? the supermarket.

Brendan and Rebecca react to Argentina?s decisive win over Croatia and revel in Lionel Messi making the World Cup final, which just feels so right. Then, they break down the major controversy swirling around Gio Reyna and the USMNT, as coach Gregg Berhalter airs out the team?s dirty laundry just days after its elimination. Plus, Seth Meyers joins to talk about his love for the Dutch (not in 60 seconds) and why neither Messi nor Ronaldo bring him joy, and to fondly (?) remember Brendan?s ?weird apartment? in Amsterdam.

A despondent Rebecca podcasts through the pain of England?s 2-1 loss to France in the quarterfinals. She and Brendan dissect how it all went wrong, from Gareth Southgate?s questionable game management to Harry Kane?s crushing missed penalty and a ?joke? of a referee. They then celebrate Morocco becoming the first African team ever to make the World Cup semifinals (and wonder why Cristiano Ronaldo couldn?t do the same). Finally, Brendan and Rebecca pay tribute to the incomparable American soccer journalist Grant Wahl, who died Friday at age 48 while covering the tournament in Qatar.

Rebecca and Brendan recap a stunning day at the World Cup as two quarterfinal matches end in penalties: Underdog Croatia took out star-studded Brazil and Brendan?s beloved Netherlands fell to Lionel Messi?s unrelenting Argentina. Plus, power couple Abby Wambach and Glennon Doyle join the podcast to share the emotional roller coaster of newfound soccer fandom (Glennon) and give an expert?s take on penalty kicks (Abby). Note: Hours after recording this episode, we learned that soccer journalist Grant Wahl passed away while reporting on the World Cup in Qatar. We will have more to say about Grant as a writer and as a person in tomorrow?s episode.

Brendan and Rebecca go around the grounds on the latest Round of 16 results: Why are World Cup Cinderellas so rare? Are Brazil?s goal celebrations just too much? And is there anything more badass than a Panenka to win a penalty shootout? Then, they preview all four quarterfinal matches, and Rebecca has an unexpected change of heart about her beloved England side.

A 3-0 victory over Senegal wasn?t enough for Rebecca, who has some quibbles for England?s manager, Gareth Southgate. Plus, Brendan and Rebecca recap all of the day?s action, delighting in Harry Kane finally scoring a goal and marveling at the magic of France?s Kylian Mbappé. And Brett Goldstein, who plays Roy Kent on ?Ted Lasso,? joins the pod to share his favorite thing about watching England (Jordan Pickford?s attitude) and to propose a creative way for England to handle Mbappé in the squad?s quarterfinal matchup (lasagna, anyone?).

Minutes after the U.S.?s heartbreaking loss to the Netherlands, Brendan and Rebecca talk through where The Guys went wrong: an uncharacteristic flub from Tyler Adams, questionable lineup decisions from Gregg Berhalter, and above all else ? youth. And after this ?naive but brave? performance, Brendan and Rebecca can?t help but be hopeful for 2024 and 2026. Then they briefly look ahead to England?Senegal and take a detour into the startling way that most Brits butter their toast.

Brendan and Rebecca put a bow on the group stage of this entertaining, bizarre, and totally unpredictable World Cup. Then basketball legend (and footy superfan) Steve Nash joins them to discuss his global World Cup allegiances (Canada, England, Wales, AND the U.S.), his thoughts on why Gio Reyna is on the bench, and to make some knockout-round predictions. Steve shares Rebecca?s affliction with the ?Southgate flu? and comes together with Brendan despite their Spurs?Arsenal rivalry. Finally, Brendan and Rebecca talk out X-factors and nerves for Saturday?s pivotal USA?Netherlands showdown.

Brendan and Rebecca break down some stunning results no one could have predicted, as Morocco and Japan win their respective groups and Germany and Belgium are both eliminated. Then, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr joins to share how he became a soccer superfan later in life (thanks, Mo Salah), explain why he shows soccer videos to his NBA team, and go on the record about an iconic moment with Michael Jordan at the 1998 NBA Finals. Brendan and Rebecca wrap up with some bits and bobs on the Ghana-Uruguay beef and Christian Pulisic?s injury, then tip their caps to Stéphanie Frappart, who made history today as the first woman to referee a men?s World Cup match.

A joyous Brendan and Rebecca breathe sighs of relief as the U.S. and England both advance to the knockout rounds. Brendan complains about not sitting down for an hour and a half, while Rebecca complains about which players rested the final 30 minutes in a 3-0 win. They cover Christian Pulisic?s thrilling goal (and painful injury) and the harrowing final minutes of the U.S.?Iran match, and attempt to answer an important question: Is England actually any good? Then, ?Dutch in 60? takes on a whole new meaning as the pair preview this weekend?s U.S.?Netherlands and England?Senegal games.

Coming off an action-packed weekend, Brendan and Rebecca recap the tournament?s biggest headlines: Has Belgium wasted a golden generation of talent? Will Germany somehow win it all despite opening with a loss and a draw? Is Lionel Messi actually coming to MLS? And ... is it cool to blow the final whistle right before a corner? Then, they touch on rising Iran?U.S. tensions before offering up a viewers? guide to the pivotal ?feast of footy? happening this week, as just two (!) teams have been eliminated from contention thus far.

In the aftermath of a stunning USA?England result, Rebecca has a serious case of the Southgate flu and Brendan is disappointed by the USMNT?s failure to emerge victorious. They discuss Southgate?s baffling personnel decisions, Tyler Adams?s star turn, and a surprisingly great performance from ... Harry Maguire? Then, Rebecca and Brendan give their optimist?s and pessimist?s takes on both teams? chances to advance from the group stage, and recap other big headlines from the tournament.

Brendan and Rebecca team up for a special episode before the whistle to preview what could become the most watched soccer game in U.S. history: the impending USA?England showdown on Black Friday. ?Ted Lasso? co-creator Jason Sudeikis joins the show to discuss his time living in England, his nerves about Friday?s match, and to give a bold prediction on the final result. Plus, a lightning-round recap of Saudi Arabia?s wild upset of Argentina and all the Cristiano Ronaldo drama.

Minutes after the final whistle, Brendan and Rebecca air out their thoughts on Group B?s first day of World Cup action. Brendan is not in a great place after the U.S.?s 1-1 draw with Wales, but Rebecca thinks there?s actually much to love about The Guys? performance. Meanwhile, Rebecca is giddy over England?s six (!) goals against Iran and in awe of Jude Bellingham. Plus: Rebecca and Brendan dive in on the ?One Love??armband controversy, the Iranian team?s brave stand, Jack Grealish?s touching goal tribute, and that inescapable Peyton Manning?David Beckham commercial. ?After the Whistle With Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe? is an Apple News Original podcast produced by Meadowlark Media. For around-the-clock World Cup news, plus live scores and standings, follow along on the Apple News app in My Sports, where available.

We?re officially two days out from the start of the World Cup, so it?s time for Brendan?s and Rebecca?s predictions: Who will be the dark horses? The underperformers? The breakout stars? The most fun to watch? And of course: Who will go all the way? Plus, hear Brendan and Rebecca discuss what could be Messi?s and Ronaldo?s last rides and educate everyone on the do?s and do nots (? mostly do nots) for how to behave at a World Cup party. ?After the Whistle with Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe? is an Apple News Original podcast produced by Meadowlark Media. For around-the-clock World Cup news, plus live scores and standings, follow along on the Apple News app in My Sports, where available.

In this inaugural episode, Brendan Hunt (who plays Coach Beard on ?Ted Lasso?) and Rebecca Lowe (who covers the English Premier League for NBC Sports) gear up for the World Cup. Hear them battle out their national allegiances to the U.S. and England, reflect on the human-rights abuses taking place in Qatar, and share the story of how ?Ted Lasso? brought them together eight years ago. ?After the Whistle with Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe? is an Apple News Original podcast produced by Meadowlark Media. For around-the-clock World Cup news, plus live scores and standings, follow along on the Apple News app in My Sports, where available.

Join Brendan Hunt, who plays Coach Beard on ?Ted Lasso?, and Rebecca Lowe, presenter for NBC Sports, as they celebrate, mourn, laugh, and cry during the World Cup. They?re teaming up to talk about all the dramatic moments, the favorites and the dark horses, the stars and the flops ... with a few special guests stopping by along the way. It?s the beautiful game, as experienced by two of the very best friends (who just met).