SIR HARRY PROVES NOTHING BUT TR9UBLE FOR CONGO

 Soccer Stuff:

Trust me … there is no sport known to man that generates the 

passion that futbol does. Or, for that matter, an off-the-charts 

wisdom, of sorts. Everyone – I mean EVERYONE – is an 

expert, with opinions that range from absurd to zealous, mostly 

in-between. 

What makes it different from other games people play is that 

they don’t hold back. They don’t know the meaning of subtle … at least not when it comes to criticism of us, them, anyone.

All of which couldn’t be more apparent than it has been during 

the 2026 FIFA World Cup currently playing to rave reviews in 

Canada, Mexico and the USofA. Such as ... 

OUR MAN at the World Cup, ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVICZ, 

immediately knew why Morocco upset The Netherlands in a 

shootout that was so wretched neither side should have moved 

on to the next round. In fact, long before the orgy of errant 

attempts was over, the former goal-scoring whiz from Sweden 

had pointed a finger at RONALD KOEMAN.

“Even if they win, they should change their coach,” 

Ibrahimovic said, resolutely. And when it finally was over, he 

was even more direct. “Fire the coach,” the Fox studio analyst 

said.

Disgusted wasn’t strong enough. Ibrahimovic watched the 

Netherlands and Morocco play two hours of 1-1 soccer and 

said, “This is not the way the Dutch play futbol. I was there two 

years, and they were teaching me attacking. They play to win, 

and they are not playing [with that] identity today. They are 

playing not to lose … They are not comfortable. They don’t 

feel good. The offensive part is not there. They need to play 

with their identity. Even if they win, they should get rid of 

[Koeman].”

(It should be noted here that Koeman didn’t give the Dutchmen 

the opportunity. He resigned the next day, and nobody tried to 

talk him out of it.)

OK, SO WHAT was ALEXI LALAS talking about when he 

said: “This is not a crap shoot. It is not a coin toss. It’s not a 

lottery. … It is a skill that is practiced. It’s a combination of 

mental and physical execution. Ignore it at your own peril.”

Would you believe the shootout or penalties to be 

more precise in soccer-ese? It wasn’t that long ago deciding the 

outcome of a match in such fashion was considered beneath 

futbol … in other words, not worthy of the world’s favorite 

sport.

I can recall some foreign commentator blaming America for 

initiating penalties … to satisfy what little TV coverage there 

was in those days of long ago … when this country at last was 

paying some attention to the beautiful game.

You want to bet Lalas agreed with him then. Well, you should 

hear the much-decorated USMNT fullback (during his playing 

days) turned much-discussed, as well as -cussed, soccer 

wiseman for Fox now.

We’ll have more on Lalas, and his take on Wednesday’s 

inglorious shootout next time. Be advised, though, he clearly 

was overwhelmed by what he saw.

ABOUT THE NETHERLANDS, Lalas said earlier, “I thought, 

from a physical perspective, they wilted, collectively and 

individually.”

And, as the game was close to a conclusion, he said what 

everyone had to be thinking: “If Morocco loses, it will be 

disappointing [back home]. If The Netherlands lose, it will be a 

disaster.”

You mean, like if the USA is eliminated by Bosnia and 

Herzegovina later on … which, thankfully, didn’t happen … ?

Or, if England, which – believe it or not – has not won a World 

Cup since 1966, was ousted by Congo? Wow! It almost 

happened, you know.

THANKS TO HARRY KANE – who else? – the world’s 4th-

ranked futbol team came from behind to reach the round of 16, 

winning 2-1 over No. 41 DR Congo as Kane scored both goals 

in the second half, the second coming in the 86^th minute.

The Congo, which got unbelievable goaltending from LIONEL 

MPASSI, had a free kick from just outside the box on the 

game’s final play … but, with a chance to force overtime, a 

solid strike by YOANNE WISSA went over the outstretched 

fingertips of veteran goalieJORDAN PICKFORD.  Let the 

celebration begin.

“Let me tell you … we just witnessed a World Cup classic,” 

said Fox play by play man DARREN FLETCHER.

IN THE FOX STUDIO, REBECCA LOWE could stop 

holding her breath now. The network anchor is from England. 

What, her heavily-accented delivery didn’t give her away?

To applause from co-workers THIERY HENRY and 

Ibrahimovic, Lowe quickly exhaled and said,“It is always 

tense, and it is always Harry … as England goes through to the 

round of 16 and … thank you, guys. That was scary for a 

while.”

Cut to ecstatic fans of the Three Lions singing along with Kane 

and the rest of his teammates, happy (for a change), with a 

sense of relief … however temporary it might be. Next for 

England is a Sunday night date with co-host Mexico in Mexico 

City where visiting teams seldom succeed. 

“There is a lot of pressure on them to win. Why? We don’t 

know … but we’re happy they won … to keep Rebecca happy” 

said Ibrahimovic, always the clown. He can’t help himself … 

but seriously, folks ...

“Harry Kane IS England. You need one player who is a 

difference-maker. He IS a difference-maker, and they should 

rely on him,” Ibrahimovic added.

Henry: “With Harry Kane, anything is possible. Sir Harry Kane 

I will call him.”

A few takeaways from Wednesday’s play:

Kane moved ahead of the great PELE for most WC goals but 

still trails Argentina’s GOAT LIONEL MESSI by one. The 

English captain, the quintessential wearer of No. 9, had an 

opportunity to score a third goal taken away by a missed call. 

“The refs have done a good job … but not today,” said Fox 

game analystOWEN HARGREAVES after Kane was taken 

down in the box by THE Congo goalkeeper --- and neither the 

referee nor VAR (instant replay) considered it egregious 

enough to award a penalty kick … even though Hargreaves 

insisted contact was made with Kane … which should have 

been an automatic foul.

“To me that is a clear penalty,” Ibrahimovic said.

To be continued ...