France vs England – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Miami Stadium hosts the World Cup third-place play-off on Saturday evening as France and England meet for the first time since their 2022 quarter-final, with the Golden Boot race and Didier Deschamps’ final match in charge adding unexpected intrigue to a fixture neither side expected to be playing.

France were beaten 2–0 by Spain in the semi-final at Dallas Stadium despite arriving as many people’s tournament favourites. England fell 2–1 to Argentina in Atlanta — Anthony Gordon’s second-half opener cancelled out by two Messi-assisted goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez in the final ten minutes.

The Golden Boot race gives the match its clearest edge. Messi and Mbappe are both on eight goals, with Messi currently ahead on the assists tiebreaker — four to three — after setting up both Argentina goals against England. Kane and Bellingham are on six apiece. Goals here count towards the final tally.

France vs England – Match preview and team news

Team news

France

William Saliba is out. The Arsenal centre-back was forced off before half-time against Spain with the back problem that has troubled him throughout the tournament, and an appearance on Saturday is not expected. Maxence Lacroix of Crystal Palace, who replaced him in Arlington, is expected to start alongside Ibrahima Konaté.

Theo Hernandez comes in at left-back in place of Lucas Digne. Deschamps rotates in midfield, with Warren Zaïre-Emery coming in and Rayan Cherki earning a first start of the tournament in the attacking line. Mbappe starts — his motivation in the Golden Boot race clear, one goal behind the tiebreaker lead held by Messi.

England

Reece James was forced off in the semi-final against Argentina with a muscular problem and is not expected to feature. Djed Spence is the likely replacement at right back, with Nico O’Reilly returning at left back. Jordan Henderson remains sidelined with a broken wrist.

Jude Bellingham is facing a potential FIFA disciplinary action following an altercation with Argentina’s Valentín Barco after the final whistle — no ban has been announced as of Friday, but the matter remains unresolved. Morgan Rogers is expected to make his first start of the tournament. Kobbie Mainoo, unused across all seven matches, is likely to feature.

Form

France

Six wins from six before Tuesday’s semi-final against Spain told the story of the most dominant group-stage and early knockout campaign at this tournament. Mbappe scored eight goals in six matches. The defeat by Spain was a shock — barely a shot, Saliba carried off, Digne exposed by Yamal, the system that had worked so well suddenly unable to function.

It was Deschamps’ worst performance as manager. He departs after this match, following 14 years in charge, having won the trophy in 2018 and reached the final in 2022. France have won the third-place play-off in their two previous appearances at this stage — 6–3 against West Germany in 1958 and 4–2 against Belgium in 1986.

England

A tournament of moments rather than sustained excellence. Kane’s braces against DR Congo and Mexico. Bellingham’s brace against Mexico. Bellingham’s match-winning goal in extra time against Norway. And then, in Atlanta, the cruel ending — a 1–0 lead surrendered to Argentina’s late fightback, Messi providing the assists for both goals in the final ten minutes.

England have lost each of their last seven World Cup knockout ties when facing a top-ten-ranked side. They have also lost their two previous third-place play-offs — 2–1 to Italy in 1990 and 2–0 to Belgium in 2018. A win here would give England their best World Cup finish since 1966.

Predicted lineups

France predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kounde, Konate, Lacroix, T. Hernandez; Kone, Zaire-Emery; Cherki, Olise, Doue; Mbappe

England predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Spence, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Rogers, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane

How to watch France vs England?

The match will be broadcast live in the United Kingdom on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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