The World Cup series is over, and now Copa Independent is back for the new season. Join chief football writer Miguel Delaney and The Independent’s football team as they debate the biggest stories, arguments and talking points in the game, cutting through the noise to make sense of what matters.
Lawrence Ostlere is joined from Anfield by Miguel Delaney and Richard Jolly immediately after Manchester City’s 3-0 win over Liverpool in a match overshadowed by the recent guilty verdict and ongoing appeal, creating a sense of uncertainty and “freakish” unreality around the match, and the Premier League. They discuss the atmosphere at Anfield—frustration more than fury—alongside City fans’ defiant chants, retro shirts and inflatable bananas, and debate how much the result can mean for a season distorted by pending sanctions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Are Liverpool about to see the real Alexander Isaak? How long can Carrick last at Man Utd? These questions seem a touch mundane after what we've been through in the last two weeks but the Premier League is back! Even though it may never be the same.... Lawrence Ostlere is joined by Miguel Delaney and Jack Rathborn to preview Liverpool v Man City at Anfield in the first weekend of Premier League football after the Man City verdict, discussing the likely hostile atmosphere, City fans’ defiance, and what it means for the Premier League this season and beyond. They examine how City players and…
Lawrence Ostlere is joined by Miguel Delaney for another impromptu episode of Copa Independent to react hours after an independent commission’s verdict on Manchester City was released, which finds the club guilty of almost all Premier League charges and arranging “sham” sponsorships to inflate revenue by more than £830m over nine years, misstating accounts, concealing finances from auditors and regulators, and repeatedly breaching cooperation duties. Will the Premier League ever be the same again? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In an impromptu episode of Copa Independent, Lawrence Ostlere and Miguel Delaney react to the news that Manchester City are to be found guilty of almost all Premier League charges stemming from the 2018 football leaks revelations. With the process ongoing and city reiterating their innocence, the pair examine what will come next: a lengthy commission report, a separate sanctions hearing, immediate penalties such as heavy fines and a points deduction that could mean relegation or even expulsion from the competition altogether, and the likelihood of a City appeal. Hosted on Acast. See…
Permacrisis: a long period of great difficulty, confusion or suffering that seems to have no end. Lawrence Ostlere, Miguel Delaney and Richard Jolly assess Manchester United’s bleak start to the season after a 1-1 draw at Fulham, leaving them on five points from five games. Is Michael Carrick is better at one-off game plans than building a coherent long-term attacking structure? Despite some positive underlying stats, they discuss United’s heavy reliance on Bruno Fernandes, slow substitutions, and several atrocious performances. They also discuss the recruitment under INEOS, expensive…
After Erling Haaland’s controversial winner in the Manchester derby and the inevitable fallout, Kieran Jackson is joined by Miguel Delaney and Jack Rathborn to dissect, eight years on from its rollout at the top level, whether VAR is actually effective in the Premier League. Have ‘refereeing standards’ actually dropped – or just changed? What have we taken from Spain and Italy? And how has the media discussion surrounding officials, with more shows, experts and social media clips than ever before, evolved in recent years? All this and more on this week’s episode of Copa Independent – leave a…
As the Champions League begins once again, Lawrence Ostlere is joined by Miguel Delaney and Richard Jolly on the latest episode of Copa Independent to debate the reduced jeopardy in the league phase, the value of finishing in the top eight, and how the format can benefit smaller clubs while packing the calendar. They discuss quirks of the draw and standout fixtures including Manchester City vs PSG, Atlético Madrid vs Manchester United, and José Mourinho facing former clubs, plus interest in Cesc Fàbregas’ Como. The panel then explores why Premier League spending hasn’t translated into…
So, be honest: could you keep up to speed with all the ins and outs in the end? Kieran Jackson is joined by Miguel Delaney and Richard Jolly this week to unpick the frenetic final few hours of the transfer window, as Premier League clubs spent a record £3.48billion over the course of the summer. Manchester City finally got their man in Enzo Fernandez – but is he really worth it? Will Chelsea and Everton regret failing to get signings over the line at the eleventh hour? And, with more money and players exchanging hands than ever before, is the Premier League transfer window at breaking point?…
The transfer window has been more frenzied than ever this summer, with wild £100m sums being exchanged between Premier League clubs. Who distorted the market, and are clubs over-paying for new recruits? Aston Villa and Newcastle have sold several key players this summer – are the Premier League’s new squad cost ratio (SCR) rules to blame? And with only a few days to go until the deadline, which deals will get done before the window closes? Miguel Delaney and Richard Jolly join Lawrence Ostlere to discuss all this and more in this week’s edition of Copa Independent, the Independent’s weekly…
In the first episode of the new series, Lawrence Ostlere is joined by Miguel Delaney and Richard Jolly to preview the new Premier League season asking if the league is entering a post-Guardiola, post-Salah era defined by managerial churn, fewer global superstars, and greater uncertainty. They discuss Manchester City’s transition under Enzo Maresca amid midfield concerns and Rodri’s possible Barcelona move, Liverpool’s unfinished rebuild under Andoni Iraola without a clear Salah replacement, and Manchester United’s issues under Michael Carrick with a thin midfield and a heavier schedule.…
In the final episode of Copa Independent, Miguel Delaney and Richard Jolly reflect on Spain winning a second World Cup and argue the best team won both the final and the tournament, with Ferran Torres’ extra-time winner highlighting Spain’s depth and collective style under Luis De la Fuente. They lament Argentina’s negative, ill-disciplined performance which lacked any shot on goal until the 117th minute, a red card for Enzo Fernandez and post-match flare-ups—calling it a frustrating final, and a sad possible last World Cup game for Lionel Messi. The pair also assess the tournament as good…
And so to the 104th and final match. It’s the top two in the world rankings, the European and South American champions and the first World Cup match between Spain and Argentina for 60 years. Not bad, right? Kieran Jackson is joined by Miguel Delaney and Richard Jolly in New Jersey to preview Sunday’s World Cup final. How will Argentina set up in opposition to Spain’s possession-based philosophy? In what areas are both teams vulnerable? And who will come out on top as Lamine Yamal, heir to the throne, plays in his first World Cup final against Lionel Messi, chasing his second triumph? We make…
Lawrence Ostlere is joined by Richard Jolly in New Jersey and Miguel Delaney in Atlanta to react to England’s 2-1 World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina. They argue England retreated too early after going 1-0 up, with Thomas Tuchel’s shift to a back five and the defensive substitution of Ezri Konsa for Anthony Gordon ceding midfield control and inviting pressure. Did Tuchel lose his bottle? And did his changes give Lionel Messi the time and space he needed to kill off England’s World Cup ambitions? The panel debates England’s recurring inability to manage leads, Tuchel’s squad choices and…
Lawrence Ostlere is joined by Miguel Delaney and Kieran Jackson to discuss Spain’s stunning win over France. Should Didier Deschamps have started with three in midfield? Why did France’s stars play so poorly? And can anyone stop Spain winning a second World Cup? Plus, Miguel is in Atlanta to watch England take on Argentina in a mouth-watering showdown between two World Cup heavyweights. How will the emotive history between the two countries affect the game? Will Thomas Tuchel make changes to his starting XI? And what do England do about Lionel Messi? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy…
On the latest episode of COPA Independent, Lawrence Ostlere is joined by Miguel Delaney in Atlanta and Kieran Jackson to preview the World Cup semi-finals: England v Argentina and Spain v France, a last four featuring the top four ranked teams and four previous winners. England’s win over Norway is assessed through the Miami heat, Jude Bellingham’s form and Golden Boot push, Harry Kane’s fatigue, Declan Rice’s fitness, Tuchel’s substitutions, and the Tuchel–Bellingham media flashpoint. They also explore the deep history and political context of England–Argentina, Messi facing England for the…
Lawrence Ostler is joined by Miguel Delaney, Richard Jolly and Kieran Jackson to react to France’s 2-0 win over Morocco, with Kylian Mbappé central again to an imperious performance. After looking ahead to Friday's quarter final of Spain vs Belgium, they preview England v Norway in the Miami heat and humidity, debating Tuchel’s selection—especially John Stones and Reece James—how to limit Erling Haaland, and whether England could realistically hope to beat France or Spain in a final should they get that far, before giving score predictions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more…
In the cauldron of the Azteca Stadium, England got it done. The Three Lions are through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup after a thrilling 3-2 win over Mexico. Against all the odds – altitude, the fans, Mexican momentum, VAR calls – Thomas Tuchel’s side overcame it all to progress to the next stage. And once again, it was the Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane double act. Kieran Jackson and Miguel Delaney dial in from Mexico City to discuss the magnitude of England’s win, Tuchel’s spot-on tactical calls in the second-half and what it means moving forward to Norway in the last eight. We…
Lawrence Ostlere is joined by Miguel Delaney, Kieran Jackson and Jack Rathborn to preview Mexico v England at the Azteca and the impact of Mexico City’s altitude (about 7,200 feet) and heat on England, with Miguel describing a difficult 6K run and Jack comparing altitude effects to endurance sport and team performance. They assess Mexico’s momentum and home support, and Miguel reflects on the Azteca’s historic significance. They also review Spain’s comfortable win over Austria, their 35-game unbeaten run, and Lamine Yamal’s improving form ahead of a last-16 tie with Portugal. Portugal’s…
It was a great escape from England against DR Congo – and it was their captain fantastic Harry Kane who got them out of jail in Atlanta. Kieran Jackson and Miguel Delaney discuss where Kane’s double ranks in all-time England World Cup moments? Can Djed Spence possibly start again against Mexico after his struggles? And what else does Thomas Tuchel have to think about ahead of an all-time occasion on Sunday at the Azteca? Also, after another bumper day of knockout action, the United States progressed to the last-16 after a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina – but they will be without Folarin…
On the latest episode of Copa Independent, Kieran Jackson in Santa Clara and Miguel Delaney in Atlanta preview England’s last-32 clash against DR Congo – a team that should not be underestimated. Which way will Thomas Tuchel go with his wingers and full-backs? What and who do the Three Lions need to be wary of? And what lessons can England take from other giant-killings so far in the knockout stage? On that topic, we also discuss the shock exits of Germany and the Netherlands – and the core reasons behind their downfall – as well as the competition’s standout team: the irrepressible France,…
Thomas Tuchel’s England side progressed to the knockout stage as Group L winners after a 2-0 victory over Panama – but are there more questions than answers for the Three Lions ahead of their last-32 clash against DR Congo on Wednesday? Where does Tuchel go next with his unnecessary right-back conundrum? Who out of Rashford, Rogers and Saka took their opportunity from the start? And how much did England miss Declan Rice (a lot)? Kieran Jackson, Miguel Delaney and Richard Jolly are stateside to discuss. We also speak about two dramatic managerial exits in the last 24 hours: that of Uruguay’s…
The newly bloated 48-team World Cup format has plenty of problems, but perhaps the biggest of all has shown itself over the past two days, and it was entirely in Fifa’s control. The decision to decide group rankings by head-to-head record instead of goal difference has killed the action in a series of games at the end of this opening stage, with so little on the line and none of the same jeopardy and drama as four years ago in Qatar. Independent writers Miguel Delaney, Kieran Jackson and Lawrence Ostlere discuss the flawed format, as well as France’s thrashing of Norway’s B team – Miguel saw…
In our latest episode of Copa Independent, chief football writer Miguel Delaney, on the ground in Boston, and sports editor Jack Rathborn in New York dissect England's underwhelming showing against Ghana. After so much optimism and positivity following the opening Croatia win, what went wrong for Thomas Tuchel's side this time around? What is it about 'second match syndrome' and England at tournaments? And what does it mean for the Three Lions' final game against Panama? Plus, we discuss Fifa's strange preference for head-to-head over goal-difference as a group-position decider - and how…
In the latest episode of Copa Independent , Lawrence Ostlere and Miguel Delaney discuss a fascinating Golden Boot race as Lionel Messi scores twice against Austria to move onto five goals, while Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland also net braces to take their tallies to four. The pair reflect on Messi’s extraordinary longevity and revisit his long-running rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo, asking whether there was ever truly a debate over who was the greater player. They also look ahead to Portugal’s second group-stage match against Uzbekistan and consider whether Ronaldo can respond. Elsewhere,…
Football writers Miguel Delaney, Richard Jolly and Lawrence Ostlere are in North America to discuss England’s statement 4-2 win over Croatia in Dallas. Did Thomas Tuchel’s team-talk change the game? Was England’s display the performance of the tournament so far? Are Croatia really any good? The team also assess Cristiano Ronaldo’s woeful performance for Portugal, and run the rule over the first full round of games. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Lawrence Ostlere, Miguel Delaney and Richard Jolly look back on day 6 of the World Cup where Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe arrived on stage and set the tournament alight as well as igniting the race for the golden boot. Can Ronaldo and Harry Kane respond today? We also preview England’s first game in the competition against Croatia this evening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the latest episode of Copa Independent, Miguel Delaney reports from the England camp after emerging from a tornado threat in Kansas City, Lawrence Ostlere reports from Houston after watching Germany dismantle Curacao, and Jack Rathborn tunes in from New Jersey after seeing Brazil held by an impressive Morocco. The guys discuss the latest World Cup results including Netherlands’ 2-2 draw with Japan and Scotland’s important 1-0 win over Haiti, and look ahead to the next batch of games with Spain, Belgium and Iran all in action. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The World Cup finally started, with a comfortable win for Mexico, a wretched display from South Africa, a flurry of red cards and even more adverts featuring Christian Pulisic, many of them during the actual game. Chief football writer Miguel Delaney and senior football correspondent Richard Jolly discuss the ever greater commercialisation of the World Cup and the commercials in the new hydration breaks in the World Cup, Fox Sports’ dumbing down of their coverage and lack of insight, as well as a goal for Raul Jimenez to cherish and a victory to keep Miguel’s hopes of visiting the Azteca…
After a controversial and seemingly never-ending build-up, today is finally the day the 23rd Fifa World Cup begins. Tonight, co-hosts Mexico face South Africa at the Azteca, the most famous stadium in World Cup history. And it was also in Mexico City where Gianni Infantino held his pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday. Three-and-a-half years on from his infamous 'Today I feel...' monologue, and with key topics like Iran, ticket prices and visa issues to discuss, what did the Fifa president have up his sleeve this time? Senior sports writer Kieran Jackson is joined by chief football…
The World Cup is nearly here and this week on Copa Independent, the team discuss the tournament favourites, the dark horses and, erm, Scotland, as well as how politics and money have created a World Cup like nothing we’ve ever seen before. Will Carlo Ancelotti deliver a record sixth World Cup for Brazil? Is Spain’s midfield the best at the tournament? How far can England go? And could a side like Ecuador or Norway go all the way? Plus trivia on World Cup records, and it’s time to pick the striker in Copa Independent’s all-time World Cup XI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more…
About Copa Independent
The World Cup series is over, and now Copa Independent is back for the new season. Join chief football writer Miguel Delaney and The Independent’s football team as they debate the biggest stories, arguments and talking points in the game, cutting through the noise to make sense of what matters.
Copa Independent is a English sport podcast from The Independent. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.
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