The World Cup third-place play-off, often seen as a consolation match, still holds considerable stakes for players, primarily due to the ongoing race for the Golden Boot, awarded to the tournament's top scorer.
France captain Kylian Mbappe is currently level with Lionel Messi of Argentina as the tournament's joint top scorer, each with eight goals. However, Messi has the edge with four assists compared to Mbappe's three. Goals scored in the third-place play-off do count towards the Golden Boot standings, providing an opportunity for Mbappe to surpass Messi, though Messi himself could further extend his lead in the final.
Historically, goals in this fixture have proven decisive. Salvatore Schillaci of Italy secured the Golden Boot in 1990 by scoring in the third-place contest against England. The current tournament also presents a potential scenario where England players could claim the top scorer award. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are currently two goals behind Messi and Mbappe. Given their assist count is lower, both English players would likely need a hat-trick to secure the award, adding an element of anticipation to their potential performances.