Laura Woods: Best Game, Letdowns, Surprises... And Darts with Duncan Ferguson?
This summer’s main event is off to an absolute scorcher, treating us to some unbelievable goals, unscripted drama and unforgettable moments called by none other than BetMGM ambassador Laura Woods.
With a few games now played and the last 32 on the horizon, she stepped away from the studio to answer some of our burning questions… and answer she did (and without a single hydration break, no less!).
What’s been the best game so far?
The best game so far has to be Netherlands vs Japan.
I worked that game and it was pretty boring for the first half – and then it just sprung to life.
The Dutch went ahead only for Japan to equalise and that happened twice as the Blue Samurai just kept fighting back. I love their fans as well; I think they’ve been really fun.
That would be my first choice but then, from a more biased perspective, the England-Croatia game just because it was so great to see so many goals and England moving in a more attacking, ruthless manner that I think we’ve all been looking for for ages.
And the fact that Croatia weren’t going anywhere and kept fighting back just made for a more inspired performance, which has been slightly sobered by the next performance.
But, as an individual game, that’s the one that’s been the most exciting and the most enjoyable so far.
Who’s been the biggest letdown for you?
I’m going to say Scotland, and the reason isn’t that I think they should have gotten something from the Morocco or Brazil games.
They had a very tough group initially. I think we all got very excited by the prospect of them and they’ve got such brilliant fans that it’s quite easy to be taken away by that sort of World Cup fever.
But I think the way that they’ve performed has been quite a letdown. Losing the last game 3-0 to Brazil…
Look, on paper it doesn’t seem that bad but in reality I think everybody probably expected a little bit or a lot more from Scotland.
They might still qualify; three points could still be enough but, going into the Brazil game, they had a ridiculous two shots on target across the two games against Haiti and Morocco – that’s not really good enough.
Especially when you’ve seen nations that have come from nowhere and it’s their first World Cup and they’re really given it a go by throwing their bodies on the line.
Scotland should at least be a bit better in attack by comparison.
And to only beat Haiti 1-0 – albeit at the time we were all saying “it’s OK, they’ve got the three points” – I do think performances matter as it sets the standard for the next few games.
I just wanted them to have a bit more about them.
Which nation has surprised you the most?
Cape Verde. Managing to hold Spain to a draw in the opening game was impressive enough – especially with La Roja being one of my favourites and the reigning European champions.
Their goalkeeper was also immense in that game.
But to follow that up with another draw against Uruguay – a team that obviously doesn’t have as much quality as Spain, but should still be beating them – yeah, talk about a surprise!
Their involvement also gives credence to this World Cup expansion. As much as I’m not 100% behind it, it is great to see these smaller nations have these huge moments that just mean so much to their fanbase.
We’re talking more about these smaller teams now rather than anything else, which shows how impressive they’ve been.
Who is your tournament winner after seeing every team in action?
France look like the most complete and the most difficult team to beat.
I was talking to Patrick Vieira and he said, based on fitness alone, England are probably the only team that can match the French and their levels, which only added to the disappointment after the draw against Ghana.
It was pure excitement after Croatia and then all of a sudden worry that we can’t break down a low block.
But yeah, France are my pick.
They just have so much attacking threat and I think Kylian Mbappe is looking sensational – looking much more at home on the world stage for some reason despite his league performances this past season.
Whose fans have been the best?
The Scotland fans are up there after taking over Fenway Park.
But then I saw the Norway fans doing their row all over America and up and down the stands as well, which was capped off after the final group game with Martin Odegaard banging that drum with Erling Haaland and the rest of the players doing it.
It was just very, very cool and there’s something about that I really love!
So Norway’s fans take the biscuit for me.
And finally, your best in-studio moment so far?
The best in-studio moment for me is actually one that has nothing to do with football.
It’s the fact that I, alongside Luke Littler, managed to beat Luke Humphries and Duncan Ferguson in a game of darts with a random treble 20 out of nowhere.
I’ve never managed to perform that well on live TV before – and don’t think I ever will again – but I’ve also never heard the studio scream that much before, so I’m very proud of my performance under pressure.
I also watched the footage back and didn’t even realise that I punched Duncan Ferguson in the chest.
And then afterwards, what you don’t see is that I accidentally gave him a cuddle… and stabbed him with the remaining darts I had in my hand.
It was quite the moment.
