The Daily Football Briefing

On today's DFB: The USWNT will play Brazil in the final of the Olympics after a dramatic day in France. Meg Linehan and Mike Zimmermann were watching the semi-finals for us. Plus, what's going on with Atletico Madrid? How are they signing so many players? And how have Barcelona managed to buy Dani Olmo for £60m? Find out right here. Need something to read? Try this brilliant account of Newcastle's...

On today's DFB: Neither team had it easy, but France will meet Spain in the Olympic Men's Final this weekend. Greg O'Keefe was watching the hosts, Pol Ballus reports in on the European champions. Plus, how are the USWNT looking ahead of their semi-final against Germany? Meg Linehan has the inside track. And, after a quiet few days, we've just had a lot of major transfers. Who's going where and why...

On today's DFB: How do YOU feel about pre-season friendlies? Are they glorified training sessions or crucial barometers? This is a particularly pertinent question for Chelsea fans. Adam Crafton joins us to explain more. Tom Burrows was in Bordeaux for quite the night of Olympic football. But away from all the fume, just how good are Thierry Henry's French Olympic team? All that and stacks of trans...

On today's Briefing - Well, you know what? Spain were excellent and there's no shame in losing to the better team. They've been brilliant throughout this tournament, haven't they? Ah, but it gets you, doesn't it? Hope. When Cole Palmer sent that ball skidding into the bottom corner, just for a moment, I really did still believe. I thought Spain might start to tire and momentum would carry us over...

On today's Briefing - We're incapacitated by tension, so we're leaning heavily on our experts. Oli Kay hates the phrase 'It's Coming Home' and he's not convinced that it is anyway. Pol Ballus says that Spain are calm and focused, so maybe he's right. Jack Lang is eagerly awaiting the Copa America Final, but we'll be very drunk by the time that comes around. Pray for us. Post a comment on the app,...

On today's Briefing - Klopp said he needed a rest and he wasn't kidding. The US will have to search elsewhere. And what's going on with French football? Why haven't they got a TV deal in place? The season starts in a month! Plus, did you spot the horrendous error in yesterday's show? Another humble apology is dispensed within. Sigh. What's your favourite football book of all time? Let us know. And...

On today's Briefing - Are Man Utd in danger of failing PSR? We can't afford Margot Robbie in a bath, but we do have Mark Critchley. And what's going on at Newcastle? And who are the USMNT going to appoint as their new manager?! It's all here. Post a comment on the app, send Iain an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple. Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Mark Critchley, Chris...

On today's Briefing - England are through to the final of the European Championship and they actually deserve it. They were really good. It was most disconcerting. Argentina await their Copa American semifinal opponent - will it be Colombia or Uruguay? PLUS: Just as we were finishing off the show, Gregg Berhalter left the USMNT. It's been quite a night... Post a comment on the app, send Iain an em...

On today's Briefing - Spain are through to the final of the European Championships and they did it in style, with a wondergoal from their still-just-about 16 year old Lamine Yamal. And Argentina advance to their second consecutive Copa America final. Plus: Seriously, why are multi-club models even allowed? It's completely against the spirit of the game and I don't understand why it hasn't been ban...

On today's Briefing - for once, France won't be the favourites in a semi-final. But does anyone care or are they just enjoying the ride? And how good do Spain look? And what about Canada, eh? What a summer. Post a comment on the app, send Iain an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple. Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Charlotte Harpur, Tomás Hill López-Menchero, Joshua Kloke...

On today's Briefing - Germany have given us such a lovely tournament, but they're out before the semi-finals. What does it all mean? And what happened to Brazil? And who's this Joshua Zirkzee I keep reading about?! All these questions will be answered right here in under ten minutes. Post a comment on the app, send Iain an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple. Presenter: I...

On today's Briefing - With five of the best penalties you'll ever see, England shook off another poor performance to take their place in the semi-finals. What magic is at work here? We think we know... And we say farewell to Turkey who won millions of new fans but, alas, not this game. The Dutch will meet the English on Wednesday. Plus, what happened in the Copa America? Post a comment on the app,...

On today's Briefing - Portugal and Germany crash out, France and Spain will meet in the first semi-final. Where did it all go wrong? We've got some ideas....Plus, what happened in the Copa America? Post a comment on the app, send Iain an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple. Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Mike Zimmermann Producer: Mike Zimmermann Hosted on Acast. See acas...

On today's Briefing - It's the first of quarterfinals in the Copa America. How did Lionel Messi's Argentina do against Eduador? Plus: Erik ten Hag extends his contract at Manchester United. And: Newcastle United appoint a new sporting director. Post a comment on the app, send Iain an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple. Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Mike Zimmermann, Mar...

On today's Briefing - it's the debate that everyone wants in on; should Cristiano Ronaldo start for Portugal on Friday?! We speak to Tim Spiers. Plus: What next for the USMNT? And: Bayern finally get their man! Post a comment on the app, send Iain an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple. Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Tim Spiers, Paul Tenorio and Seb Stafford-Bloor Produc...

On today's Briefing - Austria vs Turkey was everything we expected it to be, the Dutch were much better than the Romanians hoped they were. The first knock out round ended in style. Plus - Colombia and Brazil entertained in the Copa America. Post a comment on the app, send Iain an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple. Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Mike Zimmermann Produce...

On today's Briefing - Well, that was all a bit dramatic. Portugal go through, but how long can Cristiano Ronaldo remain undroppable? France are through too, but that game was rather less exciting. Plus - the future of US Soccer is in limbo. Post a comment on the app, send Iain an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple. Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Mike Zimmermann Producer...

On today's Briefing - England was on the verge of elimination, but saved by Bellingham and Kane heroics. Plus - the Georgian Cinderella story is over. And - What happened in the Copa? Post a comment on the app, send Iain an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple! Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Mike Zimmermann Producer: Mike Zimmermann Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...

On today's Briefing - Defending champions Italy were eliminated by Switzerland in the Round of 16. Plus - Germany tops Denmark to advance to the quarter finals. And - What happened in the Copa? Post a comment on the app, send Iain an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple! Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Mike Zimmermann Producer: Mike Zimmermann Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...

On today's Briefing - Brazil and Colombia push for their places in the quarterfinals of the Copa America. Plus - Who has been the best passing team at the Euros? And - Germany gets a big injury boost. Post a comment on the app, send Iain an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple! Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Mike Zimmermann Producer: Mike Zimmermann Hosted on Acast. See a...

On today's Briefing - The USA were in action in the Copa America. Are they on their way to the quarterfinals? Plus, Kevin De Bruyne speaks out about the Belgian fans and support. Post a comment on the app, send Iain an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple! Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Mike Zimmermann Producer: Mike Zimmermann Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m...

On today's Briefing - Are Georgia your new second favourite team? Or perhaps your first favourite team, if your nation of birth has been letting you down. They beat Portugal and beat them well, watch out for them in the next round. They'll be joined by Romania, Belgium and Slovakia, though they were far less fun. Plus, what happened in the Copa America last night? Post a comment on the app, send I...

On today's Briefing - England are through as group winners, but not exactly in style. So too our Austria, and they really have been excellent. Will this get better? By thunder, I hope so. Plus, what happened in the Copa America and where is Mary Earps off too? Post a comment on the app, send Iain an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple! Presenter: Iain Macintosh With: Mike...

On today's Briefing - How did they get away with that? Italy were seconds from a very nervous week, but a last gasp goal sends them through, quite possibly at the expense of Luka Modric's Croatia. Elsewhere, Spain's B Team eliminate Albania. Plus, Brazil and Colombia were in action in the Copa America. Post a comment on the app, send Iain an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on...

On today's Briefing - Germany very nearly slipped up and lost their grip on the top spot. Guy Clarke was watching. Meanwhile Scotland fell short once again, exiting yet another tournament in the first round. VAR...urgh...what is it good for? Absolutely nothing, it seems. Plus, the USA were in action in the Copa America. Who's your favourite unheralded player so far? Let us know. Post a comment on...