Atlanta, July 16: England’s FIFA World Cup title hopes may have ended with their semi-final defeat to Argentina, but Thomas Tuchel’s side still have one final assignment as they face France in Sunday’s third-place play-off.
While the fixture may not carry the prestige of the final, it still offers plenty of significance for both teams.
One of the major talking points will be the race for the Golden Boot. France captain Kylian Mbappe is level with Argentina’s Lionel Messi on eight goals, although Messi currently leads the standings due to having more assists. Goals scored in the third-place play-off count towards the award, giving Mbappe an opportunity to move ahead before Messi features in the final. England’s Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham also remain in contention, though both would require a prolific performance to challenge for the top-scorer honour.
For England, victory would secure their best World Cup finish since lifting the trophy in 1966. The Three Lions have twice featured in third-place play-offs, losing to Italy in 1990 and Belgium in 2018, making this another opportunity to claim a podium finish.
The match could also provide chances for players who have seen limited action during the tournament. Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is yet to make an appearance, while Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney have featured only briefly. (Agencies)
