England have roared into a 2-0 lead inside 18 minutes of the World Cup bronze final against France, as Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa gave the Three Lions a dream start in Miami.
Rice, captaining the side in Harry Kane’s absence, scored a screamer after just three minutes — the second-earliest goal by an Englishman in World Cup history, behind only Bryan Robson’s 28-second effort against France in 1982. He then turned provider, swinging in a corner that Konsa nodded home to double the lead.
“England take 2-0 lead vs France in World Cup bronze final; Rice scores screamer, Konsa heads second.”
Thomas Tuchel, whose name was booed by supporters when read out before kick-off, had named a much-changed team following Wednesday night’s 2-1 semi-final defeat to Argentina that ended England’s dream of ending 60 years of hurt. Kane and Jude Bellingham started on the bench alongside Jordan Pickford, with Dean Henderson in goal and Ivan Toney leading the line. Rice was given the armband, while Kobbie Mainoo missed out through injury.
A win would give England their greatest ever finish on foreign soil and go some way to easing the pain of the meek semi-final loss — a defeat that has left Tuchel under pressure. More than just pride is on the line: prize money is also at stake in the match previously known as the third-place play-off.
France, who started Kylian Mbappe and Cherki, now face an uphill task to salvage a medal from a tournament that has seen them reach the bronze match. The atmosphere in the stadium remains charged, with England fans clearly still smarting from midweek disappointment — but their team has responded in emphatic fashion.