France and England faced off in Miami in that match for the World Cup bronze, which, except in rare cases, no one wants to play. Both, clear title contenders who fell just short of the final, replayed the quarter-final clash from Qatar, which France won on that occasion. Four years later, the English were able to take their revenge in an entertaining back-and-forth match that ended with a shower of goals at Hard Rock Stadium [Narration and statistics (4-6)]
The festive atmosphere in the stands spilled onto the pitch. And it only took the referee’s whistle for the players, many with few minutes throughout the World Cup and eager to show themselves, to get going. Because even in these consolation finals, there can be reasons to make an effort. And Mbappé was very clear about his: to press Messi and make the Golden Boot of the tournament as difficult as possible for him.
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The Real Madrid forward, supported by Olise and Doué, was initially the main attraction of a match full of substitutes. But it was England who started more switched on. At three minutes, Rice, after a run from midfield, surprised Maignan with a sharp shot from outside the area.
France took time to get into the game, but they did. In the 10th minute, Cherki, also from outside the area, tried to respond to Rice, but he faced Dean Henderson, the English team’s substitute goalkeeper.
The French attack, now activated, began to generate football with some ease. The defense, on the other hand, was still daydreaming. England found a goldmine in Bukayo Saka, who on two occasions could have scored the second. On the first attempt he succeeded, but the linesman raised the flag. Shortly after, in a similar play, Lacroix blocked the shot.
Tuchel’s team was quick to punish the fragility of the French backline. From a set piece, on a corner taken by Rice, Konsa scored the second with a header. Deschamps, in his last match on the French national team bench, did not flinch. His lost gaze seemed to indicate his mind was elsewhere. Perhaps still thinking about the semifinal.
Only Mbappé, fighting on his own, seemed intent on giving a final tribute to the man who has been his great supporter throughout his career. But Henderson seemed determined to spoil his afternoon.
France threw themselves forward and England felt increasingly comfortable in the final stretch of the second half. Rashford and Saka found space to run and further exposed the French defense. Together they created the third and after several rebounds it was the Arsenal forward who pushed the ball into the net. Before halftime, in stoppage time, again Saka scored the fourth. England found (perhaps too late) the formula to reach the opponent’s goal without having to rely on their stars, Bellingham and Kane, substitutes this time.
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An almost impossible mission
The match changed completely after the tunnel exit. Deschamps’ four changes took effect. Tuchel’s did not. In one of the first plays, Upamecano won a duel in midfield against Watkins, both just entered, and passed the ball to Olise. The Bayern player easily saw the run of Mbappé so that he finally beat Henderson. A goal that put him level with Messi in the all-time World Cup top scorers and as the sole top scorer of this edition. Seven minutes later, France cut the deficit even more. This time Mbappé was the assistant and Barcola, who came on for Doué, the scorer. France was getting closer to a mission that seemed impossible.
The lack of competitive tension meant chances came one after another on both sides of the field. But in the second half it was France who took the lead. Olise, Barcola, Dembélé… all French attackers had opportunities to beat Henderson. Even Upamecano tried from outside the area.
But the goal of hope was scored, of course, by Mbappé. The Frenchman was now above Messi in all World Cup scoring records.
The sense of danger every time France reached the area was palpable and the ghosts of another comeback haunted Tuchel. That is why the German coach turned to Bellingham and Anderson to support the team. And the Real Madrid player almost scored the fifth after a good run. But he failed to finish accurately.
The entry of the ’10’ of the three lions was key for the English to secure the result and even extend their lead. A few minutes after his entry, in the 87th minute, Spence caused a penalty. Bellingham seemed to be the taker, but he finally gave the ball to his teammate Saka to complete his hat trick.
Dembélé scared Tuchel again after another good play by the French. And again, Jude Bellingham, after another wild gallop, reached the area leaving several defenders behind to beat Maignan and seal the score with the definitive 4-6.
The match, apparently without significance, turned into a festival of offensive football. England shook off the bad taste of the semifinal defeat against Argentina and hangs a bronze that slightly consoles. France could not pay tribute to Deschamps, but Mbappé remains as the sole leader of the top scorer charts of this edition and in the history of the World Cups. At least, for now.
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