MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — France and England agree that neither team wanted to play on Saturday.
France was the favorite world cup. England were about to end a decades-long wait to win their first World Cup since 1966.
Both lost in the semifinals, falling one game short of their final goal. And instead of playing in Sunday’s final… that game Argentina will play against Spain, while England and France will play each other in the third place match.
“None of us wanted to come into this game fighting for third place,” France defender Ibrahima Konate said on Friday. “But we don’t have an option to play. There are big stories in France and England. And yes, we are looking forward to tomorrow’s game. Let’s see what happens.”
This game is just a mental victory, but it could give Thomas Tuchel a chance. regain favor After the England manager faced widespread criticism over his own play. tactical choice The Three Lions lost to Argentina in the semifinals.
“Nobody wants to play this game tomorrow,” Tuchel said on Friday night. “All four teams wanted to go to New York (the final), but this is an official World Cup game and it’s a chance for England to get their best result in 60 years. Mentality isn’t something you can switch on and off at will. It’s actually a moment to show we’re made of what we’ve shown throughout the tournament.”
French star Kylian Mbappé still has a chance to win the Golden Boot award, which is given to the competition’s top scorer.
Mbappe scored eight goals, tying him with Argentina’s Lionel Messi for the top spot in the competition. Messi had an advantage in the tie-break with four assists to Mbappe’s three. England’s Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham also feature in the squad with six goals each.
France coach Didier Deschamps said Mbappé would be available for Saturday’s match, but added that he would make changes to his regular squad, although Mbappé had participated in France training in Fort Lauderdale on Friday. Tuchel said there would also be changes to England’s squad.
“We have a match for third place and we have an obligation,” Deschamps said. “We have an obligation. I have an obligation, the staff have an obligation, the players have an obligation. We have a responsibility to wear this shirt for all the French people who support us.”
This will be the last match for Deschamps, who has coached the French national team for 14 years. Konate said the French players “want to repay their head coach” with the final victory.
“He had a lot of French players with him,” Konate said. “There were some disappointing moments, but he brought a lot of joy.”
France won the World Cup under Deschamps. in 2018lost in a heart-breaking final to Argentina on penalties. in 2022and tactically failed In Tuesday’s match, the attacking power of Mbappé, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Oliseh was neutralized by Spain’s stout defense.
Deschamps won one of his biggest trophies in 2016, despite losing at home in the European Championship final.
Deschamps said: “We know this is the last game and we know that the French national team will be gone.” “I have had the honor of being here wearing this uniform for 15 years and experiencing some great moments as well as more difficult ones. The French national team is the most beautiful thing that has happened to me during my professional career.”
England, who reached the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2018, still have work to do if they are to close the gap on France, Argentina and Spain.
“Of the four teams (in the semi-finals), I expect the remaining three to almost become world champions,” Tuchel said. “We were hoping. We were dreaming. We believed and we worked hard. But we still have to close the gap. And we’re going to start doing it tomorrow.”
The German manager, who has won trophies with Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich, said his side were too passive against defending champions Argentina. Leading 1-0 in the 85th minute, England broke through their defense and conceded goals to Enzo Fernandes and substitute Lautaro Martinez, amid widespread doubts about tactics and Tuchel’s substitution plan.
He said he trusted his instincts during the match and doesn’t regret his decision.
Tuchel added: “If it’s easier for someone to take responsibility, then I will take responsibility.”
___
See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here
