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England beat France 6-4 to claim third place—what contradictions did this 10-goal showdown expose?

A football match that produced a tennis-like score

In the early hours of July 19 Beijing time, the 2026 US-Canada-Mexico World Cup third-place playoff got underway in Miami: England against France. In the end, England defeated France 6-4 to win third place. A football match with 10 goals doesn’t seem that outlandish on a tennis court, but it is indeed rare on a football pitch. Many fans said they found it exhilarating after watching, while others claimed that in this third-place match, both sides were “swapping in good faith”—you score one, I score one—playing like it was a training scrimmage.

As for the “contradictions,” the match really did expose a lot of problems. France were already 0-4 down at halftime, and commentator Zhan Jun said outright that France had been “beaten so badly they were scrambling for teeth all over the place.” For a team that had reached the World Cup semifinals, conceding 4 goals in the first half—was this a question of quality, or of attitude? After the match, public opinion blew up. Some said France simply didn’t want to play the third-place match—after all, who would willingly take part in this “consolation game”?

Historical grudges: a century of tangled history between England and France

The football rivalry between England and France can be traced back a long way. As early as 1923, the two countries’ national teams met for the first time. Over more than a hundred years, the two sides have faced each other more than 30 times in official competitions, with England generally having the upper hand. But at World Cup level, prior to this, the two teams had only met once—at the 1982 group stage, when England won 3-1.

What’s also interesting is that the contradictions between England and France run far beyond football. From the Hundred Years’ War in the Middle Ages to modern colonial struggles, these two countries fought for centuries. On the football field too, England fans and France fans have never been particularly fond of each other. This World Cup third-place match has once again added an extra layer of “old grudges” to the rivalry.

The root cause of the contradictions: does a third-place match even have meaning?

The World Cup third-place playoff has always been an awkward existence. Many fans and players feel that after losing the semifinals, having to play another match to decide third place is nothing but torment. Why does FIFA insist on holding a third-place match? The reason is simple—money and attention. The prize money is substantial: England received 29 million US dollars, which is about RMB 196 million, and France also earned RMB 180 million. For the event organizers, one more match means one more round of broadcast revenue and advertising revenue.

But for the players, after suffering the psychological blow of a semifinal defeat, it’s psychologically hard to adjust. France’s first-half performance made the point clearly: the players were obviously not fully switched on, their defense was slack, and England seized the opportunities to score 4 goals. Deschamps’ face on the sideline turned grim, but what could he possibly do? You can’t just scold the players back into awareness, can you?

Reason breakdown: why did France lose so badly?

France’s defeat was so severe for multiple reasons. First, it was a matter of mindset. After losing in the semifinals, France’s players clearly couldn’t lift their spirits. Mbappé may have been talking about going for the Golden Boot, but in practice there was no sign of such desire. Being down 0-4 at halftime is almost humiliating on the World Cup stage.

Second, it was a tactical issue. Deschamps’ lineup and deployment were clearly problematic: the midfield defending was basically nonexistent, and the back line had holes everywhere. Saka scored 3 goals by himself to complete a hat-trick, showing that France’s defensive system had completely fallen apart. Bellingham letting Saka take the penalty was a very “human” gesture on the football field, but it also reflected—on the side—that England’s players were extremely relaxed in their mindset.

England’s victory: best record in 60 years

For England, this win was hugely significant. This is England’s best World Cup performance since they won the title in 1966. Waiting 60 years for third place sounds a bit heartbreaking, but for English football it is indeed a milestone.

In recent years, England’s football has been searching for a breakthrough. From the glory after winning the 1966 World Cup, to decades of silence afterward, and then to the rise of young players in recent years, England football has gone through a long rebuilding process. The maturity of this group—Bellingham, Saka, and Foden—finally gave England the capital to go toe-to-toe with the world’s top teams.