England wins World Cup bronze, first medal in 60 years, after thrilling 6-4 victory over France

England has clinched a World Cup bronze medal, ending a 60-year wait for silverware in the prestigious tournament. The team achieved this historic feat by defeating France 6-4 in the third-place playoff, a match that became the highest-scoring game in World Cup history.

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This match will definitely help us, although we will never be fully happy with a bronze medal. This is the first World Cup medal in 60 years and the first won abroad. I hope that sooner or later the players will be proud of it.

Head coach Thomas Tuchel acknowledged the significance of the medal, calling it "something special." However, he admitted that the lingering disappointment of their semifinal loss to Argentina still weighs on the team. "We set the highest possible goal for ourselves and believed in it deeply. Not reaching the final leaves a huge pain that will not disappear for some time," Tuchel stated.

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We set the highest possible goal for ourselves and believed in it deeply. Not reaching the final leaves a huge pain that will not disappear for some time.

Tuchel emphasized the team's strong reaction on the field after the semifinal defeat. "The best thing we can do is respond on the field and win another game. All else is just talk," he said, praising the team's "impressive" response. He also highlighted the crucial role of veteran Jordan Henderson, who, despite a wrist injury, delivered an emotional speech that rallied the squad before the bronze medal match.

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The best thing we can do is respond on the field and win another game. All else is just talk, and talk doesn't give points or wins. I am very happy that we showed such a reaction. That reaction was what we wanted and it is very impressive.

Declan Rice, who scored England's opening goal and provided an assist, celebrated the historic achievement while acknowledging the team's continued disappointment over the semifinal loss. "After a long time, we are the best England team. That's a fact, and no one can take that away from us," Rice asserted. "We still feel the bitterness of losing to Argentina because we are tired of celebrating only semifinals or quarterfinals – we want to win eventually. But third place in this tournament is also a great achievement."

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He united everyone and helped them prepare for this match. It was incredible because this day was very emotional. Over the past seven weeks, we have created something special, and we will never negotiate that.