The Daily Football Briefing The Athletic

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 the line. In spite of everything I've learned since I stayed up in my pyjamas at the age of eight to watch England get knocked out the 1986 World Cup by Diego Maradona, I thought we were going to do. Sigh.

Plus! Argentina are Copa America champions!

Post a comment on the app, send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple. The Daily Football Briefing will return on August 5.

Presenter: Iain Macintosh
With: Mike Zimmermann
Producer: Mike Zimmermann
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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, send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple.

Presenter: Iain Macintosh
With: Mike Zimmermann, Oli Kay, Pol Ballus, Jack Lang
Producer: Mike Zimmermann
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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 if you're listening on Spotify, there should be poll somewhere on this page. Unless I've broken Spotify.
Post a comment on the app, send me an email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple.
Presenter: Iain Macintosh
With: James Pearce, Tom Burrows and Saad Yousuf
Producer: Lucy Oliva
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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 Waugh, Greg O'Keeffe
Producer: Lucy Oliva
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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 email (imacintosh@theathletic.com) or write a review on Apple.

Presenter: Iain Macintosh
With: Mike Zimmermann
Producer: Mike Zimmermann
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 banned. But no-one ever reads this bit, so I can rant and rant and rant and no-one will ever know. There's a simple rule; if you wouldn't do it in Football Manager, you shouldn't do it in real football. Would you manage two clubs at once and sell players back and forth? Of course you wouldn't. You've got pride. You've got dignity. You're a DFB listener. I wish they were all like you. Sigh.

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
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices