Neither England or France want to play in this game. They would rather be in New Jersey vying for the World Cup title. Instead, they’ll face off in Miami for third place after both losing in the semifinals.
There are some angles to this match that will be interesting to follow. First, it is the final one in charge of France for Didier Deschamps. The former midfielder led his country to titles at the 1998 World Cup and 2000 Euros as a player. As a manager, Les Bleus made back-to-back World Cup finals, winning in 2018. His 14 years in charge will come to an end on Saturday with Zinedine Zidane expected to replace him.
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Kylian Mbappé is still in the hunt for his second straight World Cup Golden Boot. Entering his final match of the tournament, the France star is tied with Argentina’s Lionel Messi with eight goals, though Messi holds the tiebreaker with one more assist.
England, meanwhile, is still recovering from the dramatic loss to Argentina in the semifinals. It was a defeat that has led to pointed criticism at manager Thomas Tuchel and his decision to have his team sit back and defend after Anthony Gordon‘s opening goal. Will it be his final match in charge of the Three Lions?
How to watch France vs. England in World Cup third place match
Start time: 5 p.m. ET
Venue: Miami Stadium | Miami Gardens, Florida
TV channel: Fox, Telemundo (Spanish)
Live stream: Fox One, Peacock (Spanish)
Follow along below for all the latest news, lineups, highlights, analysis and live updates from France vs. England:
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Kari Anderson
This is getting ridiculous. Bukayo Saka gets a first-half brace with another magnificent shot. England goes up 4-0, and this has become an absolute thrashing.
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Kari Anderson
France’s ball movement has been there, but the final connections — including shots from Mbappé — haven’t come together. On that last sequence, Malo Gusto sent a great ball from the right side into the center of the field, but there was no one there to receive it.
France looks a little lost on the field right now.
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Kari Anderson
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Kari Anderson
For the second time in several minutes, Mike Maignan comes off his line to challenge an English player. The first time, he got bailed out by a miscommunication in the English attack; the second, he was punished for it.
A poor French touch gives Marcus Rashford a massive breakaway, and while Maignan is able to engage him, no one in the French back line is able to clear the ball. That leaves Bukayo Saka to bury it.
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Kari Anderson
Another great shot from Kylian Mbappé is again saved by Dean Henderson. Henderson has been playing excellently in this start.
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Kari Anderson
Marcus Rashford beats Warren Zaïre-Emery and launches a shot that Mike Maignan is forced to save. England is not letting up.
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Kari Anderson
Another chance for Kylian Mbappé, who beats the back line, but Dean Henderson comes off his line to block his chance.
Mbappé was also called offside, so it’s all moot.
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Kari Anderson
Kylian Mbappé takes a long shot, but it doesn’t curl quite enough to land in the goal and ends up well wide. Worth a try!
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Kari Anderson
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Kari Anderson
Bukayo Saka gets another great breakaway, but his shot is blocked to go out for a corner.
Declan Rice then hits a perfect cross to Ezri Konsa, who deftly heads the ball in for his second international goal. A 2-0 lead now for England.
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Kari Anderson
England’s Bukayo Saka finds the back of the net with a great move, but he was offsides. The Three Lions’ one-goal lead will remain.
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Kari Anderson
A great sequence from France ends with the ball at the feet of Rayan Cherki, who powers a shot at goal, but England goalkeeper Dean Henderson is able to stop it.
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Kari Anderson
Kylian Mbappé nearly pulls away down the English half, but Djed Spence — an thoroughly underrated piece of this England team — is able to cut off the chance before he can get too far down the field.
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Kari Anderson
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Kari Anderson
It only took two and a half minutes for England to take a 1-0 lead, as captain Declan Rice motors down the field and sends in a beautiful shot. Quite the start!
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Kari Anderson
Here we go! The battle for bronze is now underway.
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Kari Anderson
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Kari Anderson
This one is for some of the marbles. After suffering disappointment in the semifinals, France and England meet for a chance at the bronze medal.
It’s clear which team is taking the consolation match more seriously: Though French captain Kylian Mbappé is starting at striker, England chose not to put its stars into the starting lineup. Captain Harry Kane, despite being just two goals out of the Golden Boot race, is not starting; nor is Jude Bellingham, who has been excellent throughout the tournament.
Declan Rice will wear the captain’s armband for England with Kane out.
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Jay Busbee
