England's bid for World Cup glory concluded with a third-place match against France, a fixture both managers acknowledged as less desirable than competing for the final.
"Nobody of these [England] players, nobody of the French players wants to play this match," said England manager Thomas Tuchel. "They want to play in the final, they gave everything to be in the final. Everyone plays to win the World Cup. But it is what it is, so we have a day less to recover. But we will do it professionally, of course." France manager Didier Deschamps echoed this sentiment, stating, "It is less important than the final. England does not want to play this game, and neither do we. But here we are."
France defender Ibrahima Konate described the match as a "chocolate medal," a fitting analogy for a game played after the disappointment of semifinal defeats.
For France, the match marked the likely end of Didier Deschamps's managerial tenure, closing one of the most successful periods in the team's history. Deschamps led France to a World Cup title in 2018, a runner-up finish in 2022, a Euro final runner-up in 2016, and a Nations League victory in 2021. Zinedine Zidane is expected to succeed him.
Kylian Mbappé continued to vie for the Golden Boot, entering the third-place match level with Lionel Messi on eight goals. Mbappé had another strong tournament, though Spain's defense proved a significant obstacle in the semifinals.
England's campaign ended following a 2-1 semifinal loss to Argentina, a match where they conceded the lead after halftime. The defeat, attributed by some to tactical decisions, left the team emotionally and physically drained after a demanding tournament that included navigating varied conditions from Mexico City's altitude to Miami's humidity. Several players, including Jordan Henderson, Reece James, Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa, and Bukayo Saka, dealt with injuries throughout the competition.
The semifinal loss, particularly the manner in which England conceded, has been a significant point of discussion. After leading 1-0 past the 55th minute, England's approach against Argentina came under scrutiny.
Individually, the third-place match presented opportunities for players like Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo, who had not featured in the tournament, and Marcus Rashford. Star players Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, who each scored six goals, also had the chance to contend for the Golden Boot.
The tournament also raised questions about Harry Kane's future in international play, though the striker, at 33, may be inspired by Lionel Messi's continued success and aim for the 2030 World Cup. Kane is widely considered England's greatest striker.
Manager Thomas Tuchel is expected to remain with the team despite criticism regarding the tactical approach in the Argentina match. A strong performance against France could potentially shift some public opinion, though a victory in the third-place match might also lead to questions about why such intensity was not displayed in the crucial semifinal.