France-England: Bellingham ends Les Bleus' comeback in Deschamps' farewell
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By: Mehdi BOUZOUINA Who will win this World Cup's third place playoff? © Graphic studio FMM England clinched third place at the World Cup with a dominant 6-4 victory over France in Miami, with Bukayo Saka's hat trick proving decisive. The Three Lions' attacking prowess overwhelmed Didier Deschamps' rotated France side in his final match as manager after 14 years in charge. Relive the match with our minute-by-minute commentary.
England: Maignan – Gusto, Konaté, Lacroix, T. Hernandez – Zaïre-Emery, Rabiot – Olise, Cherki, Doué – Mbappé (c).
Angleterre: Henderson – Quansah, Konsa, Guéhi, Spence – Rice (c), Eze – Saka, Rogers, Rashford – Toney.
Adrien Rabiot told BeIn Sports: "We talked to each other and picked ourselves up in the second half, but that first-half performance was unacceptable. We would have liked to end with a victory for the coach."
An emotional Didier Deschamps told BeIn Sports: "A first half that was unacceptable. After that we played well, and that's what we know how to do. It's my fault: I didn't manage the first half properly. There is a squad of quality here, young players who will progress through the levels".
"We're human, we were stunned after losing to Spain. But we don't have the right to be human in a match like this. In the second half we became machines of the highest level again. It's unfortunate for the coach because the first half makes it look like we abandoned him, but that's absolutely not what happened," Mbappé told BeIn Sports.
The England winger wins the psychological battle and sends an unstoppable strike into the bottom right corner past Mike Maignan! 5-3 England! S
Jude Bellingham orchestrates a fine individual effort, driving all the way through to the France goal and striking a low drive towards the middle! However, Mike Maignan anticipates perfectly and makes a good save to keep the ball out!
Ousmane Dembélé plays Michael Olise through and the France winger has space to strike! His powerful shot just misses the right post by inches!
Thomas Tuchel makes two changes for England in an attempt to shore up their lead. Jude Bellingham comes on to replace Eberechi Eze, while Elliot Anderson enters the fray for Ivan Toney.
Kylian Mbappé goes down under a challenge from an England defender and France appeal for a penalty! The players swarm the referee demanding a decision, but the official waves play on and decides there's no foul!
Michael Olise orchestrates the move and Kylian Mbappé strikes with clinical precision into the bottom right corner! 3-4!
This match marks the conclusion of Didier Deschamps ' record-breaking tenure as France manager. France 's coach will oversee his 185th and final match leading Les Bleus , hoping to bow out with a victory. Deschamps has steered France through a golden era, but his time ends on a bittersweet note after their semi-final defeat to Spain .
Kylian Mbappé carries additional motivation into this match, sitting level with Lionel Messi on eight goals in the pursuit of the Golden Boot. The French superstar also has his eye on World Cup history: with 20 tournament goals, he sits just one behind Messi's all-time record of 21.
Thomas Tuchel's England side arrive in Miami nursing deep wounds after their dramatic semi-final loss to Argentina . The Three Lions were within touching distance of their first World Cup final in 60 years before Messi's Argentina delivered a devastating 2-1 comeback blow. England's anguish is palpable, and their enthusiasm for this third-place match remains minimal...
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