England continues its journey in the World Cup, despite the disappointment after losing to Argentina in the semifinals. On Saturday, July 22, Thomas Tuchel's team will face France in the third-place match, which will take place at 22:00 British time. Although this match may seem insignificant after losing the chance for the main trophy, it still has its interesting aspects.
The Battle for the Golden Boot
One of the main factors attracting attention to this match is the possibility of competing for the Golden Boot. Kylian Mbappe, the captain of the French national team, is currently one of the tournament's top scorers, with eight goals to his name. He shares first place with Lionel Messi, who has four assists compared to Mbappe's three. It is important to note that goals scored in third-place matches are also counted towards the Golden Boot, giving Mbappe a chance to surpass the Argentine. Meanwhile, England has its own contenders for this prize — Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, who are only two goals behind the leaders.
Historical Context
Although winning the third-place match may seem less significant, it could become historic for England. If the team wins against France, it will mean they have achieved their best result in the World Cup in the last 60 years. Up to this point, England has lost twice in third-place matches — in 1990 they lost to Italy, and in 2018 — to Belgium. Thus, this match could be an opportunity for the team not only to finish the tournament on a high note but also to improve their historical achievements.
Opportunity for Reserves
Given the tight tournament schedule, there is a possibility that both coaches will decide to rest their key players. This opens up opportunities for those who have not had a chance to showcase themselves in the tournament. For example, Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has yet to step onto the field, and Tuchel may give him a chance to debut in the World Cup. We can also expect to see Ollie Watkins, who has played only six minutes in the tournament, and Ivan Toney, who came on as a substitute in the semifinals.
France may also take advantage of this opportunity. N'Golo Kante, the 2018 World Cup champion, has yet to play, and this could be his last chance to play at such a high level. Additionally, Ryan Cherki, a Manchester City player, may also receive more playing time.
The Last Chance to See Football
This match will be the last chance for viewers to enjoy live football before a long break. After the final on Sunday, there will be almost four weeks until the resumption of games in the English league, making the third-place match particularly appealing for football fans. During this period, there will be opportunities to follow preseason friendly matches, but there will be no live competitive football until the end of August.
Thus, the third-place match between England and France is not just a formality, but an opportunity for players to showcase their skills, for teams to improve their historical achievements, and for viewers to enjoy the last match of this World Cup.
