Tragedy Strikes Football - Diogo Jota Remembered

Jamie Rudd opens with the devastating news of Liverpool striker Diogo Jota's tragic death in a car crash in Spain at just 28 years old, two weeks after his wedding. After paying tribute to the Portuguese international, we recap the USMNT's advance to the Gold Cup final thanks to Diego Luna's brilliant brace against Guatemala, setting up a showdown with Mexico in Houston. Plus, a preview of this weekend's Club World Cup quarterfinals - Al-Hilal vs Fluminense, Palmeiras vs Chelsea, PSG vs Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund. Sometimes football puts everything into perspective.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:03):
Calaruga Shark Media. I'm Jamie Rudd and I need to
start today's show with some devastating news. Diogo Jota, the
Liverpool and Portugal striker, has died in a car crash
in Spain. He was just twenty eight years old. His
brother Andre Philippe, who was twenty six, also died in

(00:26):
the accident. According to Spanish police, the crash happened early
Thursday morning on the A fifty two highway near Sir Nadea,
close to the Portuguese border. Initial reports suggest their car
left the road due to a tire blowout while overtaking.
The vehicle caught fire and both men were killed. This

(00:47):
is absolutely heartbreaking. Diogo had just married his longtime girlfriend
Ruta Cardoso on June twenty second, less than two weeks ago.
They have three children together. On Instagram, he'd posted photos
from their wedding with the caption yes Forever in Portuguese.
The cruelty of that timing is almost unbearable. Jotta was

(01:12):
instrumental in Liverpool's Premier League title winning season, scoring six
goals in twenty six league appearances. He'd made forty nine
appearances for Portugal, with his last match being their nation's
league final victory over Spain just three weeks ago. Cristiano
Ronaldo posted a tribute this morning, saying, doesn't make any sense.

(01:33):
Just now we were together in the national team, Just
now you were married. Liverpool's statement called it an unfathomable loss.
Football doesn't matter when you hear news like this. Our
thoughts are with his family, his wife, root, their children,
and everyone at Liverpool and the Portuguese national team. Sometimes

(01:53):
football puts everything else into perspective, doesn't it. Life is
precious and moments like this remind us what truly matters.
The USMNT made it through to the Gold Cup final
last night, beating Guatemala two to one in St. Louis Diego.
Luna was absolutely electric, scoring twice in the first fifteen minutes.

(02:16):
His second goal was pure class, receiving a switch from
Malick Tillman, beating his defender with a lovely little shimmy,
then firing it inside the near post. Guatemala made it
nervy with ten minutes to go, but the Americans held on.
They'll face Mexico in Houston on Sunday night for the
Gold Cup title. L Tree beat Honduras one zero to

(02:38):
set up what should be a proper rivalry clash. Now
this weekend's Club World Cup quarter finals, four matches that
could define this tournament. Friday, in Orlando, Al Hilal faced
Fluminense at three pm, the Saudi club that shocked Manchester
City against the Brazilian side that quietly dispatched into Milan.

(03:00):
Two teams nobody expected to be here, but both deserve
their place. Then at nine pm in Philadelphia, it's Palmiras
versus Chelsea. The Blues needed extra time to get past
Benfica and they'll face a Brazilian side with nothing to
lose and everything to gain. Saturday brings the heavyweight clashes

(03:20):
PSG versus Bayern Munich. At noon, the reigning Champions League
winners against the Bundesliga champions. This should be the match
of the round. Finally, Real Madrid take on Borussiadortmund at
four pm. Madrid have won their last four meetings, but
this tournament's been full of surprises. After everything that's happened

(03:41):
this week, both the tragic news and the football, it
feels important to remember that sport at its best brings
people together.