France-Angleterre: “Qui a dit que ce match ne servait à rien?”, la presse européenne sous le choc après une folle petite finale de Coupe du monde

A true “thriller” is perhaps the most fitting description for the dramatic encounter that was the 2026 World Cup third-place match between France and England in Miami. English media, including Sky Sports, naturally celebrated the Three Lions’ incredible 6-4 victory, which secured them the bronze medal and their first World Cup podium finish since their 1966 triumph. However, it was the sheer intensity and unexpected twists of the entire match that left the press utterly bewildered.

The Daily Mail also chose “Thriller” as its headline for Sunday morning, remarking on a scoreline more typical of tennis than football. Across the Channel, the focus remained firmly on England’s remarkable performance, especially after their semi-final elimination against Argentina despite holding a lead with less than ten minutes remaining. Notably, coach Thomas Tuchel initially faced jeers from British supporters present in Miami for the third-place play-off.

tuchel’s unexpected vindication

For Tuchel, this paradoxical victory served as a form of vindication, silencing the boos that had previously marred his image and the torrent of criticism he endured since the semi-final defeat, as noted by journalist Craig Hope. He delivered England their best World Cup result since 1966 – perhaps not the promised second star, but a significant bronze medal. It was a victory earned through sheer determination, a “this or nothing” approach.

In France, two dominant narratives emerged: the farewell of Didier Deschamps and the French team’s underwhelming first-half display. Vincent Duluc of L’Equipe characterized Les Bleus as “ridiculous then light to finish,” describing two “contradictory and mind-boggling, equally unfathomable” periods, encompassing both a dizzying descent and a spectacular comeback. Commentators struggled to comprehensively analyze a French squad capable of both the worst and the best within 90 minutes of an epic match, ultimately leaving a bitter taste.

Le Parisien highlighted the French team’s departure with a “dizzying final match” but burdened by a “suitcase full of regrets”: “Football is a sport where any team can beat another, and it’s played not just with the feet but with the head. The French saw Miami, the city where Leo Messi maintains his impressive form, but their thoughts were elsewhere – primarily on sadness, or rather, annihilation.” It was as if everything had shattered after their semi-final elimination against Spain, a match where Les Bleus failed to truly compete. The team struggled to reconnect, and by the time they did, it was too late.

Le Figaro’s headline declared “Shame then Revolt,” while Libération described a “wild encounter.” Ouest France, meanwhile, dedicated its coverage to an “extraordinary France-England World Cup match.”

mbappé’s bittersweet achievement

“A third and fourth place that we won’t soon forget!” Marca exclaimed, adding the tennis-like scoreline to its headline. The Madrid-based daily even hailed the “consolation final” as a “masterpiece.” “Who said this match was useless? France and England undoubtedly gave us the most entertaining match of the World Cup,” the Spanish newspaper declared. Concurrently, several articles celebrated Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé, who became the competition’s all-time leading scorer with his brace, awaiting Lionel Messi’s potential response in the Spain-Argentina final.

“Mbappé’s bitter prowess,” read the headline of AS, Madrid’s other sports daily, which echoed the sentiment regarding the match’s significance: “Those who claim the World Cup third-place match is pointless are mistaken. It serves, for example, to bid farewell to a team built to win everything but which only secured two titles out of seven contested – Deschamps’ team – but also to cement Mbappé’s place in history for his goals, not just his titles, even if he enters the Pantheon of World Cup top scorers tonight.”

In Catalonia, while Mbappé’s statistical performance in the World Cup was acknowledged, both Sport and Mundo Deportivo focused on “England triumphant in madness,” securing the bronze medal and their first podium finish in a World Cup since their sole triumph in 1966.

In Germany, where the World Cup journey ended prematurely against Paraguay, the perspective was distinctly German, almost claiming the English victory: “Tuchel humiliates Mbappé,” Bild proclaimed, though it also noted the French player’s new record. The German newspaper largely focused on the dramatic first-half scenario. Die Welt offered a more detached view, headlining with an “epic match,” a “ten-goal festival.” Kicker maintained a sober tone, simply referring to a “spectacular match.” It was, to say the least.