England and France Prepare for World Cup Third Place Match

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — France and England share a sentiment: neither wanted to play on Saturday. France was favored to win the World Cup. England was on the verge of ending its long drought since 1966.

Both teams fell short in the semifinals. Sunday’s final will feature Argentina and Spain; England and France will compete for third place.

“None of us wanted to play in this game for third place,”

France defender Ibrahima Konate said Friday. “But we don’t have a choice. France and England have a big story together. We look forward to the game tomorrow.”

The match holds little beyond moral victories. It offers England coach Thomas Tuchel a chance to answer critics who questioned his strategy in the semifinal against Argentina.

“Nobody wants to be, tomorrow, in this game,”

Tuchel said Friday. “All these teams wanted to be in New York at the final. But it’s an official World Cup game, an opportunity to have England’s best result in 60 years.”

France’s Kylian Mbappé still vies for the Golden Boot, leading scorer of the tournament. He sits with eight goals, tied with Argentina’s Lionel Messi. However, Messi edges ahead with more assists.

England’s Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham also contend, each with six goals. France coach Didier Deschamps confirmed Mbappé’s availability for Saturday and anticipates lineup changes. Tuchel intends to adjust England’s lineup as well.

“We do have a match for the third place playoff, and there’s a duty,”

Deschamps remarked. “My staff and players owe it to our fans who support us.”

Saturday marks Deschamps’ last game as France’s coach after 14 years. Konate and teammates aim for victory as thanks.

“He carried many French players,”

Konate noted. “We faced tough times, but he brought joy.”

Under Deschamps, France won the 2018 World Cup, faced defeat in the 2022 final against Argentina, and was challenged by Spain’s defense in Tuesday’s semifinal.

“I know it will be the last match and I also know that the French national team will be missed,”

Deschamps commented. “I had 15 years with this jersey, experiencing wonderful and difficult moments.”

For England, the semifinal appearance marks progress since 2018. Tuchel sees work ahead.

“Out of the four teams, the other three almost expect to be world champions,”

Tuchel stated. “We were hoping and believing. We must close that gap starting tomorrow.”

Tuchel, experienced in winning with Borussia Dortmund, PSG, Chelsea, and Bayern, reflected on the match against Argentina. England led 1-0 but conceded late goals due to questioned tactics.

He stood by his decisions, embracing responsibility:

“If it’s easier that someone takes the blame,”

Tuchel said, “I take the blame.”