England and France Vie for Bronze in World Cup Third-Place Match

Following their semifinal defeats, the European powerhouses will battle for third place at Miami Stadium.

Sports·July 18, 2026

England and France Vie for Bronze in World Cup Third-Place Match

After falling short of the coveted World Cup final, both France and England are set to face off for the tournament's bronze medal. The highly anticipated third-place match offers a chance for redemption and a strong finish for two of Europe's footballing giants.

The contest is scheduled for Saturday, July 17, 2026, at Miami Stadium in Miami, Florida. Kick-off is set for 5 p.m. ET. The game will be televised nationally, with streaming options also available.

France's Semifinal Defeat to Spain

France's impressive run in the World Cup came to an end in the semifinals, where they were defeated 2-0 by Spain. This loss prevented them from reaching their third consecutive World Cup final, despite a dominant performance throughout much of the tournament.

Prior to their semifinal exit, the French squad had showcased formidable strength. They secured victories by multiple goals in all but one of their six wins leading up to the match against Spain, with their Round of 16 triumph over Paraguay being the sole exception. Across seven World Cup games, France had conceded a mere four goals, underscoring their defensive prowess.

The turning point in the semifinal arrived in the 22nd minute when veteran defender Lucas Digne committed a crucial error. Misjudging a cross, Digne challenged Lamine Yamal but fouled the Spanish player instead, leading to a penalty kick. Mikel Oyarzabal capitalized on the opportunity, converting the penalty to give Spain a lead they would not relinquish.

Spain extended their advantage in the 58th minute. Pedro Porro skillfully broke through the French defense and found the back of the net, beating goalkeeper Mike Maignan after receiving a precise pass from Dani Olmo.

Despite their fervent efforts to mount a comeback, the French offense found itself stymied by Spain's resolute defense. Spain successfully held on, securing their sixth clean sheet of the World Cup.

England's Dramatic Loss to Argentina

England also experienced heartbreak in their semifinal clash, falling to Argentina in a dramatic encounter. The Three Lions were just moments away from a World Cup final appearance, having taken a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute.

The opening goal for England came from Anthony Gordon, who executed an acrobatic finish to convert a cross from Morgan Rogers. The counter-attack that led to the goal was initiated by a long pass from Harry Kane, which momentarily disoriented the Argentine defense, marking the first time they appeared unsettled in the match.

However, Argentina mounted a furious comeback after conceding. After being held scoreless for 85 minutes, Lionel Messi orchestrated the equalizer, setting up Enzo Fernandez just outside the penalty box. The 25-year-old midfielder curled a shot past England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, leveling the score at 1-1.

The decisive moment arrived in stoppage time when substitute Lautaro Martinez emerged as the hero. In the 92nd minute, Messi delivered his second assist of the game, gathering a loose ball and threading a perfect pass into the penalty area. Martinez, unmarked, headed the ball past Pickford, igniting celebrations among the Argentine supporters as they completed their stunning turnaround.

Argentina's late surge dashed England's hopes for a World Cup title. Nevertheless, England still has the opportunity to claim the bronze medal by defeating France on Saturday.