THE UNWANTED SHOWDOWN
The upcoming match dubbed the “Our hearts were elsewhere,” between France and England in Miami may come across as a commercialized endeavor under the Gianni Infantino era, yet this third-place playoff holds a notable place in World Cup lore, despite being widely regarded as a match teams would rather avoid. The inaugural third-place playoff occurred in 1934, where Germany triumphed over Austria with a score of 3-2, set against a backdrop of significant geopolitical tension. Over the years, this fixture has evolved into a more entertaining spectacle, highlighted by Brazil’s impressive 4-2 victory over Sweden in 1938 and a dramatic encounter in 1958 where France overwhelmed West Germany with six goals in a thrilling nine-goal match. Notably, Just Fontaine netted four goals that day and has since been joined by Thomas Müller, Davor Šuker, and Toto Schillaci in utilizing this match as a platform to enhance their Golden Boot tallies—something Kylian Mbappé may aim to replicate against an England side that appears vulnerable.
While the vibe of the third-place playoff can lean towards the lackluster, it often provides a source of unexpected enjoyment. The average number of goals scored per game in this match exceeds that of the final, and it has never been decided by penalties. However, the significance of the outcome is subjective. Reflecting on the 1982 tournament, France’s Alain Giresse noted their lack of enthusiasm after a heart-wrenching semi-final loss to West Germany, stating, “None of our players and none of the French players want to play this match.” Conversely, Poland’s subsequent victory allowed them to attain their best-ever finish, having also claimed the bronze in 1970 against Brazil. Numerous teams have achieved personal milestones through this match, including Austria, Chile, Portugal, Turkey, and Belgium, whose 2-0 victory over a disengaged England in 2018 was celebrated with a warm welcome upon their return home.
Despite the universal reluctance towards this fixture, England seems to dread it more than most. Their previous experiences have not been favorable, suffering defeats to Italy in 1990 and Belgium in 2018. Carlo Ancelotti would hardly be surprised if England falters again against a formidable French attack eager to assert their dominance. Yet, should England channel a spirit reminiscent of their success at the Azteca stadium rather than the Atlanta Olympic Games, they could be on the verge of their best World Cup performance since 1966. So, let’s dig out Kobbie Mainoo’s jersey, crank up Wonderwall, and get ready for the match. What’s your take, Thomas Tuchel? “None of us wanted to play for this third place but we have no choice. We want to pay back our coach. He did so much for the France team. We must be grateful to him for that and we need to do everything we can to win this game … to get this chocolate medal, this bronze medal” Indeed, victory may not provide the breathing room Tuchel desires, but with only two games left in this summer’s football feast, the audience will undoubtedly tune in.
LIVE COVERAGE
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
“None of us wanted to play for this third place but we have no choice. We want to pay back our coach. He did so much for the France team. We must be grateful to him for that and we need to do everything we can to win this game … to get this chocolate medal, this bronze medal”
– Ibrahima Konaté has stirred up anticipation ahead of Didier Deschamps’ final match with France.
FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS
“I seem to recall that the GWC has been hosted by three countries, who advanced to the same stage of the competition, making them at least equal as far as ability to compete is concerned. So, surely, any presentations at the final should be represented and handed over by Canada, Mexico and USA USA USA, on behalf of FIFA, and not only by Donald Trump?” – Dave Butler.
“So Donald Trump will be attending the GWC final … what further imaginary award will Infantino pull out of the hat for him at the end? The Ballon d’Orange perhaps?” – Phil Taverner.
“Re: naming the 2030 World Cup: split across three global power zones, it sounds like an Aldous Huxley dystopian vision. How about Brave New World Cup?” – Daniel Solomons.
If you have any thoughts, please send letters to the.boss@. Today’s letter of the day goes to … Dave Butler. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, are here.
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