The Inside Channel with Alex Crook and Sam Matterface

It's over. Spain are world champions. Sam Matterface and Alex Crook bring The Inside Channel to a close with the final episode of a series that has taken them across America for seven weeks and 20 episodes - from the launch in London to the World Cup Final in New York.
Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time thanks to a Ferran Torres goal, in a final that won't live long in the memory. Argentina failed to register a shot on target in 120 minutes, and the ending was marred by scuffles on the pitch. Sam and Alex give their honest verdict - were Spain worthy tournament winners? Was this Messi's last World Cup? And how does the ugliest ending to a final in recent memory sit alongside what was otherwise a remarkable tournament?
Then the World Cup Awards. Sam and Alex hand out 12 awards covering the tournament from start to finish - Best Goal, Best Player, Best Match, Breakout Player, Biggest Flop, Song of the Tournament, Best Fans and more. There will be agreement. There will be disagreement. Either way, it’s the perfect way to reflect on the tournament.
The tipping competition reaches its conclusion. Sam finishes on +123 points. Alex finishes on -97.8 points. There is only one thing left - Alex's Times Square forfeit. Watch it below.
⚽ In this episode:
Spain 1-0 Argentina (AET) - World Cup Final reviewed
Were Spain worthy world champions?
Was this Messi's last World Cup?
World Cup Awards - Best Goal, Best Player, Best Match, Breakout Player, Biggest Flop & more
Tipping competition final result - Sam +123, Alex -97.8
Alex's Times Square forfeit - watch below
🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook📍 Sam's final recording from New York - Alex in London🏆 The Inside Channel - 20 episodes, 7 weeks, across America. Thank you for listening.
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The World Cup Final. Argentina v Spain. This is the essential listen before kick-off.
 
Sam Matterface and Alex Crook deliver their definitive preview of Sunday's final - the key tactical battles, whether Spain can contain Messi as they contained France, how big a role the greatest player of his generation can play on the biggest stage of all, and their predictions.
Former England manager Sam Allardyce joins the show with his honest reaction to England's semi-final exit and his verdict on Thomas Tuchel's future. Big Sam doesn't hold back - and as someone who has sat in the England manager's chair, his perspective on the debate is a must-watch.
Spanish legend Gaizka Mendieta gives the Spain perspective ahead of the final - his thoughts on their outstanding run through the tournament, what this team has that makes them genuine contenders to beat Argentina, and what a first World Cup win since 2010 would mean for the nation and for this generation of players.
The tipping competition reaches its final chapter. Sam leads by 96.4 points on settled bets, with his Spain outright pick from the start of the tournament still live for the final itself. Alex makes his last pick - he needs something big.
⚽ In this episode:
World Cup Final preview - tactics, Messi, can Spain do it & score predictions
Sam Allardyce exclusive - England's semi-final exit & the Tuchel future debate
Gaizka Mendieta exclusive - the Spain perspective on reaching the final
What a World Cup win would mean for Spain
Tipping competition - Sam's Spain outright is live, Alex's last roll of the dice
🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook🏆 The World Cup Final is Sunday - Argentina v Spain
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England are out. Sam Matterface and Alex Crook react to a 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final. Did Thomas Tuchel get his tactical decisions and substitutions wrong? Should he remain England manager? They give their verdicts on what comes next.
Former England and Liverpool midfielder Steve McManaman gives his honest reaction to the elimination, his verdict on Tuchel's future, and his prediction for the final.
Former England winger Andros Townsend adds his perspective as an ex-England player - what it feels like to watch from the outside, his analysis of the tactical decisions that cost England, and the player futures question.
Spain beat France 2-0 in an outstanding semi-final performance and are now favourites to beat Argentina on Sunday. It also has huge tipping competition implications - Sam's Spain outright pick is in the final, Alex's France pick is eliminated, and Sam's England v Argentina bet landed too. The gap now stands at a commanding 96.4 points.
⚽ In this episode:
England 1-2 Argentina - reaction, Tuchel's future & the player futures debate
Did England sit back too soon? The tactical post-mortem
Stones, Pickford & Kane - could this be the end for some of England's key players?
Messi's magic - leading Argentina to another final
Steve McManaman exclusive - reaction, verdict on Tuchel & final prediction
Andros Townsend exclusive - a player's perspective on England's elimination
Spain 2-0 France - Spain in the final & tipping competition update
Sam leads by 96.4 points - Alex needs a miracle
🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook📍 Sam in Atlanta - Alex in New York
🏆 New episodes throughout World Cup 2026 - the final is Sunday
 
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England v Argentina. The World Cup semi-final. The biggest game England have played in a generation - and Sam Matterface and Alex Crook are on hand with their preview.
The tactical battle, how England stop Messi, team selection, the history of one of football's greatest rivalries and both hosts' score predictions - fifteen minutes of essential England v Argentina content before kick-off.
Former England striker Darren Bent gives his expert verdict on England's semi-final chances, the tournament's golden generation of strikers - Mbappe, Kane and Haaland have all lit up this World Cup - and who he thinks wins the Golden Boot.
Then former Sunderland and Newcastle midfielder Julio Arca joins to give the Argentinian perspective. What makes this Argentina side so dangerous? How do they see England? And does he think Messi and co can reach the final?
The tipping competition update - Sam leads by over 50 points and both hosts make their England v Argentina picks. The competition is building to a dramatic conclusion.
⚽ In this episode:
England v Argentina semi-final full preview - tactics, Messi, team selection & predictions
Darren Bent exclusive - England's chances & the tournament's great strikers assessed
Julio Arca exclusive - the Argentinian view on England v Argentina
Mbappe, Kane & Haaland - who has been the striker of the tournament?
Tipping competition - Sam's 50-point lead, England v Argentina picks from both hosts
 
🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook📍 Sam in Dallas - Alex in New York
🏆 New episodes throughout World Cup 2026 - semi-finals this week
 
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England are in the World Cup semi-finals. Sam Matterface and Alex Crook react to a breathless 2-1 extra time victory over Norway - and one question dominates: are we watching one of the greatest tournament performances by an England player in Jude Bellingham? Both hosts give their verdict.
 
But it is not all positive. Jude Bellingham and Thomas Tuchel's post-match comments appear to put them at odds - Sam and Alex get into what the apparent friction between manager and player means heading into a World Cup semi-final against Argentina.
 
Scott Minto also joins Sam and Alex for the second half of the episode to discuss Argentina's quarter-final win over Switzerland and preview Tuesday’s blockbuster semi-final between France and Spain. Two of the last three World Cup finals have involved France. Spain beat France on the way to winning Euro 2024. Both hosts have skin in the game - their outright tournament winner picks go head-to-head in this one, with massive tipping competition implications.
 
France beat Morocco, Spain beat Belgium - all four top seeds are in the semi-finals. The full quarter-final round-up also gets the reaction it deserves.
 
The tipping competition update: Sam's France v Morocco HT draw and Mbappe to score at 4/1 landed, stretching his lead to over 50 points. Alex's last bet lost. France v Spain could be the moment that decides this competition.
 
⚽ In this episode:
England 2-1 Norway (AET) - quarter-final reaction
Is Bellingham having the greatest England tournament performance ever?
Tuchel vs Bellingham post-match - what did they say and does it matter?
France beat Morocco, Spain beat Belgium, Argentina beat Switzerland - all four QFs reviewed
Scott Minto joins - Argentina v Switzerland reaction & France v Spain preview
Tipping competition - Sam leads by 50+ points, France v Spain could be decisive
🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook with Scott Minto📍 Recorded from Miami, USA
🏆 New episodes throughout World Cup 2026 - semi-finals up next
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Sam and Alex are joined by a full squad of guests for a bumper preview of the World Cup quarter-finals, including England’s clash with Norway. 
Joe Hart joins live to preview England v Norway - providing his read on the Norwegian threat, how England need to set up, his thoughts on Jordan Pickford, and his impression of the squad environment. Then David Seaman adds his own expert verdict on the quarter-final in an exclusive interview. Two England goalkeeping legends, one game. Essential listening before kick-off.
France v Morocco is the pick of the other ties - are France still the team to beat after their last-16 win? Morocco continue to impress. Sam and Alex give their verdicts, along with full previews of Spain v Belgium and Argentina v Switzerland - including the Messi legacy question as Argentina look to go deep.
Charlotte FC manager Dean Smith also joins the show to discuss USA's World Cup run, how football is taking off across America, and the former players he has watched shine on the biggest stage.
The tipping competition update is in - Sam leads (just), Alex needs to respond with his quarter-final picks.⚽ In this episode:
Joe Hart live - England v Norway quarter-final verdict from a former England number one
David Seaman exclusive - further England v Norway preview and tournament thoughts
France v Morocco - are France still favourites?
Spain v Belgium previewed
Dean Smith exclusive - USA's World Cup run, football in America & his players on the big stage
Argentina v Switzerland - can anyone stop Messi?
Tipping competition - standings update & quarter-final picks
🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook📍 Recorded from New York, USA🏆 New episodes throughout World Cup 2026 - quarter-finals this weekend▶️ Subscribe so you don't miss an episode📲 Back our picks at starsports.bet - Star Sports are best price England in every match
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England are in the quarter-finals. A 3-2 victory at the Azteca - with ten men, in one of the most hostile atmospheres in world football - has sent Sam Matterface and Alex Crook into raptures. Was this England's greatest ever away World Cup performance? They give their verdict. Former Premier League manager Alan Pardew joins the show with his expert reaction to England's stunning win - his assessment of the performance, the key moments, and what it tells us about this England side's genuine title credentials. Jude Bellingham was extraordinary. How was his place in this team ever questioned? The refereeing controversy gets the full treatment too - was Quansah's red card justified? Did Mexico deserve their penalty? Sam and Alex discuss the key moments. Norway await in the quarter-final after beating Brazil in one of the most impressive performances of the tournament. France did enough in a 1-0 win over Paraguay. Plus the Folarin Balogun red card story - he will not be suspended for USA's game with Belgium despite seeing red, and Sam and Alex react to how that came about. The remaining last-16 fixtures are previewed and the tipping competition update is in - Sam has stretched his lead after his France and Morocco to win double landed. Alex needs to respond. ⚽ In this episode: England 3-2 Mexico - greatest ever England away World Cup performance? Bellingham - how was his place ever questioned?Quansah red card & Mexico's penalty - the refereeing verdicts Alan Pardew exclusive - his reaction to England's win Norway beat Brazil - England's quarter-final opponent assessed Balogun red card overturned - the full story Tipping competition - Sam extends his lead, Alex fires back 🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook 📍 Recorded from New York, USA 🏆 New episodes throughout World Cup 2026 - quarter-finals up next ▶️ Subscribe so you don't miss an episode 📲 Back our picks at starsports.bet - Star Sports are best price England in every match Star Sports Bet | 18+ | Please gamble responsibly | GambleAware.org | starsports.bet

Fresh (ish) off a night out in New York city, Alex and Sam might be a little worse for wear, but they could be forgiven for not knowing when Mexico v England is going to kick off after Friday's drama. They discuss what actually happened and how we ended up right back where we started. They also preview the match, discuss the atmosphere at The Azteca and the threat posed by Mexico.
ITV's Gabriel Clarke also joins the show to discuss what it's like to embedded with the England camp, how we prepares for those full-time interviews and which manager is hardest to give questions to.
Brazil v Norway and Portugal v Spain are the standout last-16 ties - Sam and Alex give their verdicts on both heavyweight fixtures, plus a word on France v Paraguay.
The tipping competition continues with last-16 picks from both hosts - and the standings remain tight heading into the business end of the tournament.
⚽ In this episode: England v Mexico full preview - The kick-off time fiasco explained, team selection, the Azteca & Mexico's threat
Gabriel Clarke exclusive - What is it like to ask the questions at full-time
Brazil v Norway - who goes through?
Portugal v Spain - the heavyweight last-16 clash
Tipping competition - standings update & last-16 picks
 
🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook
📍 Recorded from New York, USA - day before England v Mexico
🏆 New episodes throughout World Cup 2026 - last 16 underway
 
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England beat DR Congo 2-1 in a nervy comeback to set up a last-16 tie with Mexico - but Alex and Sam were less than impressed by the performance. After just 20 minutes of impressive football in four matches so far, can England really raise their game as we get to the business end of the tournament? Our hosts give their full reaction. 
Portugal legend Nuno Gomes joins Sam Matterface and Alex Crook for an exclusive conversation ahead of Portugal v Croatia - one of the most intriguing Round of 32 ties of the 2026 World Cup. His verdict on Portugal's chances, the Ronaldo question and the fascinating Golden Boot race. 
We also get reaction to Belgium's incredible comeback against Senegal - a game Sam described as "the craziest match he'd ever commentated on". How did Belgium manage to secure their last-16 place from 2-0 down with five minutes to go, and how did Senegal throw it away? 
The tipping competition is on a knife edge - just one point separates the hosts after Alex's acca from the last episode landed.
⚽ In this episode:
Nuno Gomes exclusive - Portugal v Croatia preview from a Portuguese legend
England 2-1 DR Congo - laboured win, defensive questions & penalty debate
Belgium 3-2 Senegal - Reaction to a World Cup classic
Tipping competition - just 1 point in it, both hosts make their next picks
🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook📍 Recorded from New York and Seattle, USA🏆 New episodes throughout World Cup 2026 - quarter-finals approaching
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Former DR Congo international Lomana LuaLua joins Sam Matterface and Alex Crook for an exclusive conversation ahead of England's Round of 32 tie against his home nation - the inside track on what England can expect and how DR Congo will approach one of the tournament's most anticipated knockout fixtures.Sam and Alex react to a dramatic start to the knockout stage - Brazil edged past Japan 2-1 in the pick of the early Round of 32 games, Canada made history with their first ever World Cup knockout stage victory, and Germany are out - beaten on penalties by Paraguay in one of the biggest upsets of the tournament so far. England's tie against DR Congo gets the full preview treatment - will Spence start at right back following the Quansah injury? Who leads the attack alongside Kane? And can England show more than they did in the laboured win against Panama?The other Round of 32 fixtures get their previews too - with France v Sweden, Cote d'Ivoire v Norway, Mexico v Ecuador and Belgium v Senegal all to come in the next few days. Sam and Alex pick their standout games.The tipping competition continues - Alex's accumulator is partially settled after BTTS in Brazil v Japan landed. Both hosts' dark horse picks are out but their tournament outright bets are still very much live.⚽ In this episode:
Lomana LuaLua exclusive - DR Congo's World Cup threat assessed from the inside
England v DR Congo preview - Spence, attack debate & score predictions
Brazil 2-1 Japan reaction - Canada's historic win - Germany OUT on penalties to Paraguay
France v Sweden, Cote d'Ivoire v Norway, Mexico v Ecuador, Belgium v Senegal previewed
Tipping competition - standings update & new picks
🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook📍 Recorded from Brooklyn, New York🏆 New episodes throughout World Cup 2026 - knockout stage in full swing▶️ Subscribe so you don't miss an episode📲 Back our picks at starsports.bet - Star Sports are best price England in every match
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