Football's Not Coming Home - ENGLAND Crash Out to Argentina & Messi Masterclass

The dream is over. Steve's American adventure comes to an end as England fall to Argentina in the semi-final, and the wait for a first World Cup since 1966 rolls on. Was it Tuchel's tactics that cost them, or did the players bottle it? Paul, Bob and Steve deliver the full post-mortem. In the rest of the episode, we look at Infantino's rumoured 64 team expansion to the World Cup, Jürgen Klopp's imminent appointment as the new Germany manager and Roy Keane reigniting his war of words with Alf-Inge Haaland. Back at the Oak, Firestick Dean's business is down, Parksey is in hot water and rumours swirl that Steve's marriage to Nikki hasn't survived his time Stateside. Lionel Messi, Jude Bellingham, Lamine Yamal and Harry Kane all feature in a bittersweet episode of Game's Gone. Join us for our final World Cup Episode next Thursday with a look at the World Cup Final and review of the tournament... Send your questions and voice notes to [email protected] or via WhatsApp 0800 7831997. 0:00 Coming up 0:52 England lose to Argentina 1:43 Are Tuchel’s tactics to blame? 5:07 Atmosphere in Atlanta Stadium 6:29 Spain vs Argentina: Whose’s going to win? 10:55 Steve saved someone’s life in Miami 14:45 Infantino’s 64-team World Cup 17:21 Jürgen Klopp new Germany manager 18:08 Roy Keane and Alf-Inge Haaland feud 19:58 Making amends with our Nikki 22:46 World Cup final at the Royal Oak 23:58 Is Parksey in trouble with the law? 24:38 Steve the sweepstake cheat!? 25:25 Business is down for Firestick Dean 26:33 Other World Cup teams the lads would support 27:19 World Cup lookalikes 28:47 Sacrifices for England to win a World Cup Game’s Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast is written and performed by Chris McClure and is a Persephonica production for BBC Sounds. Background Royal Oak FC was founded in 1997 in the back room of the Royal Oak pub by Steve Bracknall and Paul Sampson. Despite decades of effort, the team still fights for survival in the fifth tier of the Sheffield Sunday Imperial League. When a viral clip catapulted Steve to fame in 2024, the BBC came calling - and Game’s Gone was born. Meet The Hosts Steve Bracknall Assistant manager at Royal Oak FC, Steve Bracknall is to many the lifeblood of the club. Having agreed to front the club in terms of marketing and PR, Steve is the link between the fans and the club. No one cares about the Oak like Steve. Loving husband to Our Nikki and doting father to Our Olivia, come Sunday Steve is transformed into a passionate assistant who would literally die for the cause. He cites man management as his strong point. Paul Sampson First team manager and lifelong friend of Steve Bracknall. Paul originally formed the club with Steve. In recent years his commitment to the club has come under scrutiny especially after buying a timeshare in Tenerife and going on multiple golfing trips mid-season leaving Steve to hold the fort. He still has the final say over any tactical decisions that are made much to the annoyance of Steve. Bob the Bucket Club physio and general caretaker Bob the Bucket has been with the club for over ten years. No one really knows why and when he joined but he did. General job roles include putting up nets, filling water bottles alongside prevention and rehab of all Oak players.