Danny Murphy caught fans by surprise during Norway vs Ivory Coast at the World Cup on Tuesday as he told an eyebrow-raising cat anecdote out of nowhere.
The last 32 clash in Arlington, Texas was a perfectly entertaining one, which Norway dramatically won 2-1 late on.
Antonio Nusa had put Norway ahead in the first half with a brilliant strike into the top corner as he cut in from the left.
Manchester United’s Amad Diallo came off the bench to score arguably an even better goal as he jinked into the box and finished smartly.
It was, predictably, Erling Haaland who had the final say, though, as he tapped home the winner on 86 minutes.
The Manchester City superstar has already scored five goals in this tournament and his latest booked his country a place in the last 16 against Brazil.
Murphy briefly turned attention away from the football during the second half as he indulged in a story about a cat, which caught BBC viewers by surprise.
Spurred on by Fulham’s Oscar Bobb rising from the bench, the former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder said: ‘I used to have a cat called Bob.
‘He jumped in the back of a Royal Mail van and we lost him.’
There was a brief pause before he finished with: ‘Sad really. Anyway…’
As Murphy began the tale about his cat, commentator Steve Bower suggested, ‘the game’s not that bad!’
There was a silence after the anecdote concluded, before Bower continued: ‘Anyway…18 minutes to go and Ivory Coast need a goal.’
Posting the clip on X, @cal_scfc described the words as a ‘bizarre piece of commentary.’
Popular podcast The Football Ramble was a bit more generous, posting: ‘Truly iconic commentary from Danny Murphy on the BBC just now.’
Comedian Mark Nelson added: ‘Good game that.
‘Highlight was Danny Murphy talking about his cat being kidnapped by the Royal Mail.’
‘Danny Murphy with the most ridiculous and greatest bit of commentary at this World Cup,’ added @Steve_Racing82.