France Humiliated in First Half as England Race to 4-0 Lead
France suffered a humiliating 6-4 defeat to England in the World Cup third-place play-off in Miami, with a catastrophic first-half performance drawing scathing criticism from French media. England led 4-0 at halftime, with Bukayo Saka scoring a hat-trick and Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa also on the scoresheet.
Didier Deschamps rung the changes in his final game in charge, but those looking to prove a point failed miserably. Thomas Tuchel's England side raced out of the blocks, with Rice scoring inside five minutes and Saka bagging a brace before the break.
Second-Half Fightback Not Enough to Avoid Criticism
France battled back after a half-time shake-up, with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice either side of a Bradley Barcola goal. They had chances to make it 4-4, but Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot and Jude Bellingham clinched victory after Ousmane Dembele netted to set up a tense finish.
However, the damage was already done, and French media were far from forgiving.
L'Equipe Hands Out 2/10 Ratings to Five Players
L'Equipe, known for harsh ratings, gave Malo Gusto, Ibrahima Konate, Theo Hernandez, Rayan Cherki, and Desire Doue all 2/10. Maxence Lacroix and Mike Maignan received 3/10. The write-up said: "Never before had the French team witnessed such contradictory and bizarre acts, so equally unfathomable, both in their vertiginous fall and their subsequent comeback."
RMC Sport Criticises Individual Defensive Failings
RMC Sport gave Gusto, Hernandez, and Cherki 2/10. Their assessment of Gusto read: "Thankfully, he blocked a dangerous Rashford shot in the 7th minute because the rest of his first half was best forgotten. The Chelsea right-back left wide open spaces for the English attackers and showed no desire to track back defensively. He even jogged back on England's third goal… He took advantage of the Blues' improved performance in the second half to showcase his attacking qualities but conceded a penalty late in the game, a fitting symbol of his defensive limitations."
France Info Credits Second-Half Recovery but Notes Damage Done
France Info gave some credit for the second-half fightback, which might have seen France draw level had Michael Olise converted a presentable chance. However, they wrote: "Didier Deschamps nearly ended his 14-year tenure as manager of the French national team in utter disaster, abandoned by his players. Trailing 4-0 at half-time against England, they finally shook off their insolent apathy to avoid a historic humiliation. The French team was transformed offensively after the four substitutions made at the break, but failed to address its defensive frailties. They ultimately lost by a more forgiving margin, by the unreal score of 6-4."
Foot Mercato Singles Out Konate and Hernandez
Foot Mercato gave Konate 2/10, writing: "Deployed at the heart of the French defence, Ibrahima Konate struggled against the speed and combinations of the English attack during the first half. Too often caught out of position and late to receive through balls, he failed to plug the gaping holes left by his full-backs or impose his physical presence in duels. Out of position, he offered little reassurance and was one of the main culprits for the four goals conceded in the first half."
Hernandez also got 2/10, described as a "defensive nightmare". "Completely overwhelmed by the English attacks and guilty of a blatant lack of discipline against a Saka who was having a field day, he was ineffective. While he tried to inject some attacking impetus with a few forays forward, his crosses lacked precision and his lapses at the back left wide open spaces for the Three Lions forwards. A dreadful first half."
