Japan beat Brazil: Brazil's inconsistency examined

Natalie analyses Brazil's mixed friendlies, Ancelotti's experiments, and implications for selection ahead of tournaments.

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Episode notes

Jimbo assembles Natalie Gedra, Dom Fifield and Duncan Alexander for another dose of Totally as we gear up for the return of the Premier League - and look back on the midweek international action.

England became the first European nation to qualify for the World Cup on Tuesday night after their 5-0 win over Latvia. But what are the key selection headaches that will be troubling Thomas Tuchel? And who's running out of time to secure their place on the plane come next summer?

Elsewhere, Sweden have sacked Jon Dahl Tomasson after somehow conspiring to pick up just one point in his four games in charge, leaving their hopes of qualification in a highly perilous position. And it's been a rollercoaster of an international break for Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil - hammering South Korea 5-0 but then handed a 3-2 defeat by Japan in Tokyo which has gone down predictably well back in South America...

Then, it's full steam ahead to MD8 in the Premier League. We've got the intrigue of high-flying Palace v Bournemouth, Liverpool looking to end their three-match losing steak against Manchester United, who are on a one-match winning streak of their own - while Ange's increasingly precarious position at Forest faces its next test with Chelsea visiting the City Ground.

All that plus Grand Sumo, Arctic Circle sackings - and 'Ndiaye Will Always Love You'.

Produced by Charlie Jones and Lucy Oliva.

RUNNING ORDER:

• PART 1a: Hellos and naming rights (00.45)

• PART 1b: World Cup qualifying round up (03.00)

• PART 1c: Latvia 0-5 England - Three Lions qualify for WC '26 (05.10)

• PART 2a: Big stories elsewhere in qualifying (15.15)

• PART 2b: Sweden in a mess (17.55)

• PART 2c: Japan beat Brazil (20.30)

• PART 3a: Premier League MD8 round up (27.05)

• PART 3b: Crystal Palace v Bournemouth preview (28.15)

• PART 3c: Liverpool v Manchester United preview (34.30)