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 Panama on Sunday.

Alyson Rudd analyses French progression to the round of 16 as Peru are sent home. Plus Alan Smith explains the political backdrop to Serbia v Switzerland and why Shaqiri might need his shin pads.

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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 of the vuvuzelas can’t prevent Iran from losing to Spain. Plus Giles Smith from The Times is in the studio to analyse the battle in World Cup coverage between the BBC and ITV.

Which means we discuss the greatest goal getter that ever lived and the greatest set that’s ever been built.

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You can follow @NatalieSawyer on Twitter and track our award-winning writers in Russia, including @henrywinter, @DickinsonTimes, @OliverKayTimes, @_pauljoyce, @allyrudd_times, @martynziegler and @JNorthcroft.

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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 camp.

Martyn Ziegler takes in Senegal’s victory over Poland and has been speaking to FIFA about VAR while we also bring you the story of the Iranian women set to watch their team play for the very first time.

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You can follow @NatalieSawyer on Twitter and track our award-winning writers in Russia, including @henrywinter, @DickinsonTimes, @OliverKayTimes, @_pauljoyce, @allyrudd_times, @martynziegler and @JNorthcroft.

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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 help deliver Sweden’s first opening day victory since 1958. Plus Ian Hawkey is on Panama Watch for the podcast in Sochi as England’s next opponents succumb to Belgium in their first ever World Cup match.

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You can follow @NatalieSawyer on Twitter and track our award-winning writers in Russia, including @henrywinter, @DickinsonTimes, @OliverKayTimes, @_pauljoyce, @allyrudd_times, @martynziegler and @JNorthcroft.

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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 outsmart World Cup holders Germany on matchday 4.

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You can follow @NatalieSawyer on Twitter and track our award-winning writers in Russia, including @henrywinter, @DickinsonTimes, @OliverKayTimes, @_pauljoyce, @allyrudd_times, @martynziegler and @JNorthcroft.

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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, Croatia cruise past Nigeria and Denmark break Peruvian hearts. Plus what could make Fabian Delph unique amongst England footballers?

And Times writer George Caulkin talks about his trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway and travels around Russia, all in the name of football.

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You can follow @NatalieSawyer on Twitter and track our award-winning writers in Russia, including @henrywinter, @DickinsonTimes, @OliverKayTimes, @_pauljoyce, @allyrudd_times, @martynziegler and @JNorthcroft.

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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 looks forward to her first glimpse of the French ahead of their clash with Australia.

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You can follow @NatalieSawyer on Twitter and track our award-winning writers in Russia, including @henrywinter, @DickinsonTimes, @OliverKayTimes, @_pauljoyce, @allyrudd_times, @martynziegler and @JNorthcroft.

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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 side. And Gab Marcotti joins us to discuss one of the most remarkable stories in World Cup history – Spain sacking manager Julen Lopetegui just 48 hours before their opening fixture with Portugal.

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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. Plus we run the rule over the contenders and pretenders looking to take home the trophy. Does the evidence suggest we should be writing off the Germans? Are Belgium under-prepared? And can Didier Deschamps drive the French Ferrari?

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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’ comeback to the top flight and every Premier League club has their season graded by the panel.

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