The Game

The World Cup in Russia continues to give and give to England fans. The Three Lions are through to the last 4 for the first time since 1990 after seeing off Sweden in Samara by 2 goals to nil. Natalie Sawyer, Oliver Kay and Bill Edgar assess how this unexpected rise to the top table of international football occurred under Gareth Southgate. There’s praise for Pickford and debate on whether Raheem...

Can Southgate’s side see off Sweden in Samara and soar to the semi-finals? Natalie Sawyer is joined by Henry Winter and Alan Smith to analyse England’s chances in the World Cup quarter-final, as well as examining how the public have learned to fall in love with the national team again. Belgium best the bookies’ boys Brazil as Roberto Martinez looks to add World Cup glory to his FA Cup triumph with...

Another historic night in Russia. At the World Cup where seemingly anything can happen, England win a World Cup penalty shootout for the first time ever, knocking out Colombia at the last 16 stage. Pickford’s saves keep England in the tournament, the selfless Kane continues to score and Dier displays his confidence with the winning spot-kick. Natalie Sawyer is joined by Matt Hughes and Oli Kay in...

It’s time. England take on Colombia in the round of 16 in Moscow with the winner facing an appetising route to a return to the Russian capital in just over a week and a half. Natalie Sawyer brings you a comprehensive preview. Henry Winter discusses the patriotism at play in the England squad and the opportunity to end their embarrassing record in the knock-out stages. Colombian football expert Sim...

Natalie Sawyer looks back at the second day of last 16 ties at the World Cup. Two matches, two 1-1 draws, two penalty shootouts and a whole lot of drama. Hosts Russia overturn the rankings and shock the world by beating former champions Spain in Moscow. Jonathan Northcroft debates how Spain manager Fernando Hierro was found out, while paying tribute as Andres Iniesta bows out of the international...

The knockout stage of the World Cup in Russia begins with a bang. Natalie Sawyer reviews the progression of Uruguay and France to the last 8. A stunning display from 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe blows Argentina away. Alyson Rudd joins us from Kazan and is privileged to have witnessed one of the great World Cup games. Giles Smith is in the studio to mourn the loss of Diego Maradona from our TV screens...

After all the speculation over England's Group G decider with Belgium, two reserve sides face off in Kaliningrad with Gareth Southgate's side losing 1-0 and surrendering top spot. But does finishing 2nd offer an easier route to the World Cup final? Or did defeat damage morale as England's squad players blew their chance of a regular starting berth? Natalie Sawyer is joined by Jonathan Northcroft a...

For the third World Cup in a row, the holders are knocked out at the group stage. Defeat for Germany against South Korea spelled the end of their reign as world champions and raised major questions over the attitude and atmosphere behind the scenes. Alyson Rudd reports from Kazan on the demise of the Germans and tells us why this tournament could be called the ‘under the radar cup.’ Studio guest M...

With the score at 1-1 against the Super Eagles in St Petersburg, Argentina were 4 minutes away from being eliminated from the World Cup. But a Marcos Rojo volley spared Jorge Sampaoli’s blushes and knocked Nigeria out. Natalie Sawyer is joined by Martyn Ziegler and Bill Edgar to review another disjointed Argentine performance that sets up a last 16 tie with France. And should Messi’s men progress,...

Spain lose and then regain top spot in Group B as VAR allows a disallowed Iago Aspas equaliser while simultaneously awarding Iran a penalty to push Portugal down into second place. Natalie Sawyer reviews a crazy couple of minutes in Kaliningrad and Saransk. She’s joined by Henry Winter, who wants VAR to clamp down on Portuguese play-acting, Alex Kay-Jelski who would like Argentina to stay in Russi...

After pummelling Panama in record-breaking fashion, England’s attention now turns to the knock-out stages of the World Cup. But with a game to come against Group G rivals Belgium, Natalie Sawyer asks Paul Joyce and Matt Hughes whether Gareth Southgate’s side should seek to finish 2nd and navigate a potentially easier path to the final. Harry Kane is England’s hat-trick hero and the top scorer in R...

A sensational finish in Sochi as a 95th minute winner from Toni Kroos keeps Germany’s World Cup hopes alive with a 2-1 victory over Sweden. Natalie Sawyer is joined by Matt Dickinson for his verdict on Saturday night’s drama and to preview England’s lunch date with Panama, as Ruben Loftus-Cheek looks to make a place in Gareth Southgate’s team his own. Martyn Ziegler witnesses the highest scoring g...

Natalie Sawyer reports on another historic day at the World Cup as Neymar sees a penalty given, then rescinded by VAR. Gab Marcotti discusses the world’s most expensive player and what’s going on inside his head after Brazil’s late victory over Costa Rica. Alan Smith dissects a combustible clash in Kaliningrad as Switzerland’s Kosovan contingent complete a remarkable turnaround against Serbia. Plu...

One of the biggest stories of this World Cup in Russia continues to unfold as Argentina stand on the brink of elimination after their 3-0 drubbing by Croatia. Natalie Sawyer is joined by Oliver Kay, Matt Dickinson and Bill Edgar as Lionel Messi struggles to carry a country on his shoulders. We discuss the likelihood of Raheem Sterling being replaced by Marcus Rashford for England's meeting with Pa...

Another day, another England story as a wander into the woods ends with manager Gareth Southgate in a sling. Natalie Sawyer gets an update from the England camp with Paul Joyce who has also been speaking to Ruben Loftus-Cheek about his future at Chelsea. Gab Marcotti gives us a full breakdown of events in Group B where Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the all-time top European goal scorer and the power o...

Host nation Russia are as good as qualified for the last 16 of the World Cup, for the first time ever. Natalie Sawyer is joined by Alyson Rudd and James Gheerbrant as Mo Salah’s Egypt are set to head home. With Dele Alli suffering a thigh strain, former Liverpool physio Mark Leather gives his prognosis on the severity of the injury, while Henry Winter updates us from his log cabin at the England c...

The rollercoaster ride of following the Three Lions continues as England leave it late to secure 3 points in their World Cup opener against Tunisia. Natalie Sawyer is joined by Matt Dickinson, Matt Hughes and Alyson Rudd to salute the bagger of a brace Harry Kane, debate the non-appearance of VAR in Volgograd and discuss whether Ruben Loftus-Cheek can fill Dele Alli’s boots. The video officials do...

With Gareth Southgate’s men 24 hours from Tunisia, Natalie Sawyer, Jonathan Northcroft and James Gheerbrant ask will we see the real Harry Kane? And what’s to be done about those Volgograd mosquitos? Tom Clarke gives us a tactical breakdown of Tunisia, the panel analyse a lacklustre start from Neymar and Brazil after their draw with Switzerland and Oli Kay is in Moscow where Mexico upset and outsm...

Matchday 3 was historic for the World Cup as not one but two penalties were awarded with the help of the Video Assistant Referee. Natalie Sawyer breaks down all that and an incredible first ever point at the World Cup for Iceland who contained the might of Messi and Argentina. Bill Edgar and Jonathan Northcroft discuss the day’s action, as France see off Australia with the help of technology, Croa...

Natalie Sawyer reviews a breathless Matchday 2 at the World Cup. Three games all decided by last minute goals, as the panel react to the greatest World Cup performance of Cristiano Ronaldo’s career, in Portugal’s 3-3 draw with Spain. James Gheerbrant has his eye on Uruguay, while Matt Dickinson watches Iran make history but curses the return of the vuvuzela. And Alyson Rudd is cold in Kazan as she...

The World Cup is underway! Natalie Sawyer brings you the first of our daily matchday podcasts from The Times, alongside Matt Hughes in a studio that could rival ITV for grandeur and excess. Henry Winter gives us the latest from the England camp where bowling and darts dominate the agenda. Oliver Kay reports from Moscow after the hosts’ 5-0 win on opening day over a spectacularly inept Saudi Arabia...

Natalie Sawyer fronts the new World Cup podcast from The Times, publishing every night after the final whistle on every matchday. In our opening episode, Gab Marcotti, Henry Winter and James Gheerbrant join Natalie to look ahead to this summer in Russia. The panel focus on Russia’s preparations to host the tournament and what shape England find themselves in, as they seek to end 52 years of hurt....

In the last regular season episode before the start of our World Cup podcasts, Gab Marcotti is joined by James Scowcroft and Jonathan Northcroft to discuss the fall-out from Real Madrid’s Champions League Final victory over Liverpool. From that rascal Ramos to Bale baling out on the Bernabeu, via those Karius catastrophes. We also have analysis of Emery’s arrival at the Emirates, the Cottagers’ co...

Gab Marcotti is joined by Alyson Rudd and Matt Dickinson to discuss Chelsea's FA Cup final victory over Manchester United and the aftermath at Wembley. Was United's manager too disrespectful to his players and were Chelsea players too disrespectful to their manager? Also on the agenda, Arsenal's potential acquisition of Mikel Arteta as their new manager, as reported by The Times. And after the ann...

Alyson Rudd hosts a special Times Plus event in the company of Matt Dickinson, former Republic of Ireland striker Tony Cascarino and Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson. Roy reveals his insight on Ruben Loftus-Cheek and his thoughts on two high-profile players that didn't make the England squad for Russia - Jack Wilshere and Joe Hart. Plus he reflects on the great escape for Crystal Palace while th...