Wayne Rooney’s blunt honesty wins the World Cup final for BBC

Alan TyersMon, July 20, 2026 at 7:01 AM UTC

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Wayne Rooney spoke from the heart after the half-time show - BBC

Your review of the half-time show, Mr Rooney? “I like a lot of them artists but I thought it was crap.” Spot on from Wazza and, to be fair, you could say the same about the evening as a whole.

ITV had scored a big win over the BBC at the start of the tournament with its magnificent New York skyline studio but, ironically, this didn’t work in ITV’s favour for the final. While Gabby Logan and company were at the stadium, Mark Pougatch and his three pundits felt a long way away. ITV tried to have the best of both worlds by having Laura Woods with Karen Carney and Emma Hayes at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, but they were underused.

ITV began 15 minutes earlier than the BBC and was already talking about England before the Beeb’s inevitably excellent scene-setter montage had begun. Fair enough, the semi-final would still have been on most viewers’ minds, although you can understand why some around these isles wouldn’t be too happy with the Anglo focus. Roy Keane gave maybe the most clear-eyed summation I’ve heard from an ex-player: “They dropped back because they were forced back. Argentina were by far the better team and they deserved to win.” Gary Neville: “It is a mentality thing, we sink back and don’t protect leads.”

Over to Laura at the stadium, and both Hayes and Carney said that they agreed with the boys in the studio and didn’t have much to add. I’m not sure that dividing its resources necessarily worked here for ITV, although Woods was on the spot with the news that there were some problems with fans getting into the ground and the trio in New Jersey did get more time to contribute later in the programme.

ITV’s Brooklyn set felt a long way from the action of the World Cup final in New Jersey - ITV

The BBC lot seemed notably younger and buzzier than ITV’s three wise middle-aged men in their armchairs. For the first time, I was struck by the many years that have passed since Ian Wright, Keane and Neville played. Wright: “Lamal has got an eye for goal.” Shrewd stuff. Over on the BBC, Rooney and Joe Hart were discussing how modern players can better navigate the temptations of fame and alcohol. It felt fresher.

Rooney, Hart and Micah Richards were in high spirits throughout; Gabby at times had the look of a harassed teacher trying to control some sixth formers on a school trip as the lads bantered about Micah’s tracksuits, designer washbag, Hart’s walk in the rain, their love of a night out. In amongst this, some solid analysis as always from Hart, whose stock has risen throughout this summer.

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And from Rooney, the punditry moment of the tournament as above (and below). Obviously a massive blow for Shakira.

Rooney was good company here: funny, strong opinions, gamely getting his way through an analysis section about Dani Olmo despite apparently losing his voice and ending it sounding like Harry Kane in Mexico. It was the most relaxed and natural he has been this tournament and overall it was in keeping with an evening that felt surprisingly low-stakes. Could have been the sunny afternoon, the Tom Cruise hokum about The Meaning of Football beforehand, the so-so match itself, the ludicrously extended half-time show, the constant picking out of uninterested American celebrities, or maybe just the fact that England were out in such depressing fashion, but both ITV and the BBC productions had an inessential, end-of-term vibe befitting a forgettable final.

There was a very lengthy advert for the BBC with the ubiquitous Romesh Ranganathan at half-time that did not exactly help to hold one’s already waning interest. Neither broadcaster was able to find room for a Spanish or Argentine voice: it didn’t really feel like they, or we, had skin in the game.

The much-maligned Sam Matterface fired off an early “do you fancy some football?”, continuing his regrettable habit of trying, and failing, for a Des Lynam-esque arch little quip, but had a decent game overall. It might be that having Ally McCoist alongside him as well as Lee Dixon takes off the pressure to generate energy, allowing Matterface to strain less. Ally was excited to see one movie star: “He’s one of my favourites, by the way, Matt Damon.” Dixon’s a Clint Eastwood man. Surprising, I had him down for Max von Sydow. Over on BBC, poor Guy Mowbray absolutely snookered himself: “I think that’s AKA Rocky – or A$AP Rocky, sorry.” It was, in fact, Pharrell Williams. Tough assignment for AKA Mowbray but entirely understandable.

As Gabby said at half-time, the Korean pop act BTS “have had more touches in the box than Argentina” and, until the last few madcap moments and the ugly scenes at the final whistle, there was not a lot to get excited about on the pitch. Rooney had nailed it.

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