England’s World Cup campaign finishes not with a final they dreamed of, but with the bronze play-off against France – a match Thomas Tuchel’s side fell into after surrendering a lead in the semi-final.
Tuchel admitted his team “got too passive” after scoring first against Argentina, a collapse that ended in a 2-1 defeat at Atlanta Stadium. Now, instead of preparing for Sunday’s showpiece, England must face Didier Deschamps’ France in Saturday’s third-fourth place match – a fixture the Mirror described as “a game nobody wants”.
“England face France in unwanted World Cup bronze play-off after Tuchel admits being 'too passive' in semi-final defeat.”
For Deschamps, it will be his final match in charge of France. The Standard reports France have been dealt a major injury blow ahead of the bronze final, though Kylian Mbappe remains fit and is chasing more history.
The play-off is notoriously awkward for managers. Tuchel is expected to ring the changes, according to the Mirror, with questions over whether to rest stars like Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham or unleash young players such as Mainoo, whose “English DNA” could help keep possession under pressure. Mbappe, meanwhile, could be selected by Deschamps to add to his World Cup goal tally – potentially damaging Dean Henderson’s clean sheet record and skewing Golden Boot standings.
Neither team wanted this match, but it will be played. For England, it is a chance to end a turbulent tournament on a winning note – or a painful reminder of what might have been.
