The 0-2 defeat to Spain in the semi-finals was a shock to Les Bleus. Despite high expectations, Didier Deschamps' team was completely overwhelmed by the European champions. The two goals of Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro accurately reflected the situation of the match, when France only created a meager 0.31 goal difference (xG) - a too low number for the attack with Kylian Mbappe.
After the match, Mbappe himself also publicly expressed dissatisfaction with his team's tactical approach. Criticism towards Didier Deschamps is inevitable, especially when this is also the 57-year-old strategist's last tournament as head coach of the French national team.
However, one match is not enough to deny what Deschamps has built for more than a decade. And the World Cup 2026 third-place match will be an opportunity for him to close that journey with a victory of honor.
History is also on Les Bleus' side. In 3 times participating in the World Cup third-place match, France won 2. They defeated West Germany 6-3 in 1958 with the legendary performance of Just Fontaine and overcame Belgium 4-2 in 1986 to win the bronze medal. Experience in matches of this type is something that England does not have.
On the other side, England entered the match with an even heavier mentality. They were very close to the final when they led Argentina until the 85th minute in the semi-finals. But in just the last few minutes, Enzo Fernandez equalized before Lionel Messi assisted Lautaro Martinez to score the decisive goal, causing the Three Lions to collapse 1-2.
That continues to be a familiar scenario for English football. They failed again at the decisive moment against an opponent in the elite group of world football. Statistics show that England has lost all 7 recent World Cup knockout matches against teams in the FIFA top 10.
Not only that, England is also the only team in the 21st century to have led twice in the World Cup semi-finals but were both eliminated by comeback opponents, after Croatia in 2018 and Argentina this year.
Thomas Tuchel is facing a wave of fierce criticism from the British media. The substitutions and the way the team retreated too deeply after taking the lead have made him the focus of all debates. In that context, it is very difficult to expect England to quickly regain their spirit.
Meanwhile, France still possesses a superior force base. Mbappe, Dembele, Olise or Doue still have the ability to make a difference. More importantly, Les Bleus understand that this will be the last match under Didier Deschamps and that is enough motivation for the whole team to play with more than 100% of their ability.
Head-to-head history also leans completely towards the blue team. France has only lost 1 in their last 9 encounters with England, including a 2-1 victory in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals.
This may not be the match that the two teams want to participate in. But for the French team, it is still an opportunity to end an era with pride. As for England, the wounds after the defeat to Argentina are probably still too new for them to stand up immediately.
Prediction: France will win 2-1, ending Didier Deschamps' reign with a World Cup 2026 bronze medal.
