England and France meet in Miami on Saturday for the third-place playoff, a match often described as the one nobody wants to play. Despite its reluctant reputation, the fixture has been a World Cup staple since 1934, when Germany defeated Austria 3-2 in a match overshadowed by geopolitics. Over time, it evolved into a more free-scoring affair, with Brazil beating Sweden 4-2 in 1938 and France thrashing West Germany 6-3 in 1958, a game in which Just Fontaine scored four goals. Other players like Thomas Müller, Davor Suker, and Toto Schillaci have used the playoff to boost their Golden Boot tallies, a tactic Kylian Mbappé might employ against a weary England side to overtake Lionel Messi in the scoring charts.
High-Scoring History but Reluctant Participants
The third-place playoff boasts a higher goals-per-game average than the final and has never gone to penalties. However, its significance varies. In 1982, France lost a dramatic semi-final to West Germany and were lackluster against Poland two days later, losing 3-2. Alain Giresse recalled, "Our hearts were elsewhere. We had pulled the plug." Conversely, Poland's victory matched their best-ever performance, having also won the third-place game in 1970. Other teams, including Austria, Chile, Portugal, Turkey, and Belgium, have secured personal bests via this fixture. Belgium's 2-0 win over England in 2018 earned a rousing civic reception upon their return home.
England's Unhappy Record in Third-Place Games
England has lost both of their previous third-place appearances: to Italy in 1990 and Belgium in 2018. Manager Thomas Tuchel admitted, "None of our players and none of the French players want to play this match." Despite this, a victory would secure England's best men's World Cup finish since 1966. France, meanwhile, are eager to rebound from a semi-final defeat, with Ibrahima Konaté stating, "None of us wanted to play for this third place but we have no choice. We want to pay back our coach." This match marks Didier Deschamps' final game in charge of France.
Match Details and Context
The game kicks off at 10pm BST (5pm EST) in Miami. While the bronze medal may not carry the weight of the trophy, it offers a chance for both teams to end their campaigns on a positive note. England will look to players like Kobbie Mainoo to inject energy, while France's star-studded attack aims to finish strong. As one pundit noted, the third-place playoff can range from a hungover affair to a thrilling spectacle, and this edition promises to deliver goals if not full commitment.
