England's partners, known as WAGs, demonstrated their unwavering support for the team during their third-place World Cup match against France on Saturday. This match followed a "heartbreaking" semi-final defeat to Argentina, with England aiming to conclude the tournament on a high note by securing a bronze medal, marking their best World Cup finish since 1966.
Among those in attendance was Ellie Watkins, wife of Ollie Watkins, who shared a stylish all-black ensemble on Instagram Stories as she traveled to Miami for the game. Jude Bellingham's girlfriend, Ashlyn Castro, also showed her team spirit, opting for a red and white dress. The WAGs were seen offering comfort to their partners in the stands after the loss to Argentina.
Despite some questioning the relevance of the third-place playoff, England started strongly against France, scoring four goals in the first half. Declan Rice opened the scoring within three minutes with a long-range effort, followed by a goal from Ezri Konsa 15 minutes later. Bukayo Saka contributed two goals before halftime, one of which was initially disallowed for offside. England ultimately secured a 6-4 victory in the match.
For some, the end of England's World Cup campaign marked a moment for reflection. Megan, wife of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who had followed the team throughout their U.S. tour with their children, shared a poignant post about the "end of the dream." She posted a picture of her children's shirts, Arlo, seven, Ostara Haze, three, and Misty Celine, 15 months, alongside her own, each bearing the name 'Pickford' or 'daddy.'
Following the semi-final loss, England and head coach Thomas Tuchel faced significant criticism for their inability to maintain a lead. Tuchel himself expressed that neither his players nor the French team desired to play the third-place match, stating their focus was on reaching the final. He acknowledged the team's performance against Argentina, describing it as a "national problem" rather than solely his responsibility. Tuchel noted that the team was "too passive" and "not physical enough" after taking the lead in the 55th minute, leading to a dramatic shift in momentum and a drop in ball possession.