The American articles I’ve come across suggest that the predicted triumph of the USA in the football resulted from an internal dispute within the team – you bet it did. But this was not created by a side who had in their opening match beaten Paraguay by the score they lost to Belgium. Well done Belgium , hard luck USA – it was not the football team that deteriorated but their morale. Only a demoralised team could have sunken so fast- so low.
This is a parable of how politics can bring a nation down. The difference of the USA under Obama and of the USA under Trump is the lesson from the parable of the 4-1 Trump reversal. We see this absurd behaviour of American fans we saw last night at Ryder Cups and any other chance they have to make a fool of themselves and we love them for it!
But we do not love it when their president breaks the rules of distance and intervenes to bring a star player back after he’s been suspended for a reckless tackle. What shame he’s brought upon a match, a tournament , a sport and most of all America.
How happy the rest of the world not to include America in the quarter finals!
Though we are happy to have beaten Canada and Mexico we enjoyed their hospitality. I wonder how much goodwill has been lost between foreign fans on American land and the people of America (at least for now).
I feel for the goalkeeper and his appalling mistake, I feel for all the players.
🗣 “An embarrassing one to concede!”😳
It’s a nightmare moment for USA goalkeeper Matt Freese ⚽😬 pic.twitter.com/c5HX0BJr6B
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 7, 2026
The parable of this has them at its centre but they have been victims of their president’s obstinate stupidity.
There is another way!
One of the best things that’s been said about what happened the night before when England beat Mexico but both countries won our hearts. It is by an economist who will be on having a conversation with many of us at 10.30 am this morning.
Still processing what all those who were up to 4am this morning witnessed. England teams typically fold in situations like last night’s. Not this time.They were a heroic team: it is teams not brilliant individuals who ultimately win tournaments .Who knows? Saturday will be epic
— Will Hutton (@williamnhutton) July 6, 2026
This man Hutton offers an alternative to ‘ the parable of foolish president’ .Join Will Hutton and Ashock Gupta at 10.30!