England face France in World Cup 2026 third-place play-off after late heartbreak

England are still reeling from a last-gasp Argentina winner that knocked them out of the World Cup 2026 semi-finals. Now they must pick themselves up for a third-place play-off against old rivals France. The tournament has been defined by its dramatic endings, with 11 winning goals scored in stoppage time across the competition. That statistic underscores the fine margins that have shaped this World Cup. England fell victim to Argentina's late show, a bitter sense of deja vu for the Three Lions. France, also smarting from a semi-final defeat, will be determined to end their campaign on a positive note. The third-place play-off offers both teams a chance to salvage some pride before the final takes centre stage.