Spain Prevails, World Cup Winners and Losers, and Damon Vs. Leo With Chris Ryan and Anthony Dabbundo

Episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast · July 20, 2026 · 1 h 50 min

Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan and Anthony Dabbundo react to Spain's 1-0 World Cup final win over Argentina, rank tournament winners and losers, and compare Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Summary

Streaming live on Netflix, Bill Simmons was joined by Chris Ryan and Anthony Dabbundo to react to Spain's 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Dabbundo called it one of the most dominant finals ever, citing Spain's record-low expected goals conceded and a team built around passing. Simmons described Argentina as the best live-bet team in World Cup history, while Ryan argued Argentina should have attacked more in what was likely Lionel Messi's last World Cup.

Simmons then went through his list of tournament winners and losers. Winners included Erling Haaland, Messi, Lamine Yamal, the United States as host, Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, bars and World Cup gambling. Losers included England, who Simmons said sat back after taking a 1-0 lead against Argentina, Christian Pulisic, FIFA, hydration breaks, which Simmons dismissed as commercials, and the Fox broadcast team. The group debated the video assistant referee. Dabbundo defended it as a fair application of the rules, and Ryan said it disrupted the game's cathartic moments. Simmons also asked for help choosing a European club to follow.

After Dabbundo left, Simmons and Ryan compared the careers of Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio category by category, prompted by Damon's performance in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. They covered rewatchability, Oscar bait, fun movies, directors, awards, range and The Departed. Simmons revisited his 2016 claim that every DiCaprio movie would be better with Damon in it. The episode closed with a brief NBA catch-up on Jaylen Brown's new team and free-agency speculation.

Chapters

  1. 0:32

    Intro

    Simmons opens the live Netflix show with Chris Ryan and Anthony Dabbundo and plugs an upcoming Hitch rewatch.

  2. Linked moment · 1:31Skip to 1:31 using a listen link in the info box.

    1:31

    World Cup final reactions

    The group breaks down Spain's dominant 1-0 win over Argentina and Argentina's gamesmanship and limitations.

  3. 19:09

    Biggest World Cup winners

    Simmons runs through his winners list, including Haaland, Messi, Yamal, the U.S. as host, Bellingham, bars and gambling.

  4. 43:11

    Biggest World Cup losers

    England's decision to sit on a lead, Pulisic, FIFA, hydration breaks and the broadcast crew are named as losers.

  5. 56:33

    The VAR debate

    Dabbundo defends VAR while Ryan and Simmons criticize its effect on the game and float card-system reforms.

  6. 1:04:43

    Simmons picks a European club

    Simmons says his daughter's soccer career is ending and asks for help choosing a Premier League or La Liga team.

  7. 1:07:58

    Matt Damon vs. Leonardo DiCaprio

    Simmons and Ryan compare the two actors' careers across categories from rewatchables to Oscars to range.

  8. 1:27:14

    The Departed and The Odyssey

    They debate who won The Departed, who else could have played Odysseus, and The Odyssey's Best Picture chances.

  9. 1:40:16

    NBA catch-up

    Ryan and Simmons discuss Jaylen Brown's move and where a star free agent might end up.

People

In the conversation

  • Bill SimmonsSportswriter and founder of The Ringer, host of The Bill Simmons Podcast
  • Chris RyanThe Ringer podcaster and TV/film critic
  • Anthony DabbundoRinger sports-betting and soccer analyst, co-host of The Ringer Gambling Show

Discussed

Topics

More from The Bill Simmons Podcast

From the publisher

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Chris Ryan and Anthony Dabbundo LIVE on Netflix to react to Spain defeating Argentina 1-0 to win the 2026 World Cup Final. Then, they discuss the winners and losers of the World Cup before comparing the careers of Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio. (0:00) Intro (0:31) World Cup Final reactions (19:36) Biggest winners and losers of the World Cup (1:08:17) Matt Damon vs. Leonardo DiCaprio (01:40:18) NBA catch-up Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Chris Ryan and Anthony Dabbundo Producers: Chia Hao Tat, Eduardo Ocampo, and Chris Wohlers Brought to you by PayPal. Learn more at paypal.comThe Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit https://fanduel.com/playwithaplan to learn more about the resources and helplines Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Summary, chapters and key points were generated from the episode transcript on September 30, 2026. Quotes are checked word for word against the transcript.

Categories: Soccer·Film Reviews·Sports News