Thomas Tuchel said England's players can be proud of their efforts after a thrilling 6-4 victory over France sealed third place at the World Cup for the first time in 60 years. The win, achieved on foreign soil, marked a historic milestone for the team.
First-Half Dominance Sets the Stage
England raced into a 4-0 lead at half-time thanks to goals from stand-in captain Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa, and two from Bukayo Saka. The dominant first-half performance stunned France and put England in a commanding position. However, France fought back after the break.
France's Comeback and Mbappé's Record
France manager Didier Deschamps, in his final game after 14 years, rang the changes at half-time. Kylian Mbappé scored twice, taking his tournament tally to 10 goals and 22 World Cup goals overall, surpassing Lionel Messi's all-time record. Mbappé pushed for a second successive Golden Boot, though Messi will have a chance to overtake him in the final against Spain.
Saka's Hat-Trick and Bellingham's Final Say
Saka completed his hat-trick before Ousmane Dembélé made it 5-4 in injury time. Jude Bellingham, coming off the bench, sealed the win with his seventh goal of the tournament, the most by an England player at a World Cup. The 6-4 final score reflected a match full of drama and emotion.
Tuchel's Reflections on the Achievement
Tuchel, who was booed by some supporters before kick-off, acknowledged the pain of missing the final but urged his players to be proud. "This game will help us for sure – even if you can never fully celebrate a bronze medal," he said. "It's the first medal for 60 years, first on foreign soil, and I hope the players can be proud of that at some point." He added that the team built "something very special" over the past seven weeks.
Henderson's Pre-Game Speech
Tuchel revealed that Jordan Henderson delivered a speech before the game that helped the team focus. "He put us in the right frame of mind, with everyone in one mindset. It was unbelievable because today was very emotional," Tuchel said. Despite the win, Tuchel called for improvement, saying, "We need to play better football, manage games better under pressure, take better decisions under pressure. We need to defend more economically."
Assistant Coach's Emotional Interview
Tuchel's assistant, Anthony Barry, gave an emotional half-time interview when England led 4-0, expressing surprise at the performance given the team's "broken hearts" after the semi-final loss. "The cynics will say it's too late but we still play against a world-class opponent and I'm so proud of the boys," he told the BBC.
Saka's Perspective
Saka, an unused substitute against Argentina, said he was disappointed but focused on the team's achievement. "Of course I would love to have played more but it's too late to talk about that. I try to do my talking on the pitch and it's done now – let's move on," he said. He added, "We fell short against Argentina. It hurts a lot. But we have to hold our heads high and move on."
Deschamps' Farewell
Deschamps, who became only the third person to win the World Cup as a player and manager, said he departed with no regrets. "It is the end of a journey that has represented the most beautiful period of my life," he said. Zinedine Zidane is poised to take over the French national team.
