Episode 982: Messi Goes To Russia, Juicing Baseballs, US Humiliation, Commentaries Of The World

James McClean may have been compared to Gareth Bale at times over the last 48 hours… but there remains only one Lionel Messi. He scored a hat-trick for Argentina in their must-win final World Cup qualifier against Ecuador to ensure they will be going to Russia, and we speak to Tim Vickery of the BBC about what might have been his greatest ever display for his country.

This commentators reaction to messi’s 3rd goal says it all. ?? pic.twitter.com/xoMojsPkVH

— B?üë B?ööð (@Prasadnaks) October 11, 2017

US Murph is also on hand to talk to us about what the hell is driving a record number of home runs in Major League Baseball this season – and it might have something to do with juicing the baseballs, rather than the traditional method of juicing the baseball players.

Here's the full Taylor Twellman rant: pic.twitter.com/3YOAQrTKmY

— Max Wildstein (@MaxWildstein) October 11, 2017

There’s also the USA’s humiliating defeat away to Trinidad and Tobago which means Donald Trump won’t be going to Russia next summer, Falcao’s CONCACAF diplomacy, commentating styles of the world, the Panamanian ballboy, and Ken’s amazing Bruce Arena impersonations.

Vale todo. Miren lo que hace el suplente de Panamá para hacer tiempo con su país a punto de clasificar al Mundial??? pic.twitter.com/suOXR600Py

— The NBA Monster (@TheNBAMonster) October 11, 2017

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IRELAND SLAY DRAGON… INTO WORLD CUP PLAYOFFhttps://t.co/Hk0ZbXZC9w ???gbwls pic.twitter.com/capuMtaV0L

— Second Captains (@SecondCaptains) October 10, 2017