The 'leftover' match: France and England seek motivation for third-place duel

France and England are set to contest the third-place match of the World Cup on Saturday, July 18, in Miami. Both teams must overcome the disappointment of their semifinal defeats and the lure of upcoming vacations to compete for a spot on the podium in a tournament they had hoped to win.

Coaching staffs face a difficult task: motivating players who, just days earlier, firmly believed they would be playing in the final in New Jersey. Both France and England must move past their "heartbreak" to compete for third place. England came agonizingly close to the final, leading Argentina 1-0 in the 85th minute before late goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez sent the Albiceleste to the final. France, meanwhile, suffered a decisive defeat against Spain.

England's quest for a major trophy continues, as they haven't lifted one since their sole World Cup title in 1966. In a press conference, England's manager, Thomas Tuchel, widely criticized for his ultradefensive approach after the 1-0 loss, summarized the players' mood: "None of these players want to play in this match." Didier Deschamps of France also faces the challenge of rallying his squad. "We don't have the match we wanted... but there is a duty when you wear this jersey," the French coach stated Friday in Miami.

Deschamps added, "There is a responsibility... towards millions of French people who support us, who vibrated with emotion and suffered disappointments." This will be his final match leading France, a team he guided to a World Cup victory as a player in 1998 and as a coach in 2018. The defeat was a significant blow for France, widely considered favorites before the tournament. They entered the match against Spain after a strong performance against Morocco in the quarterfinals, showcasing an enviable attacking quartet of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembelé, Michael Olise, and Bradley Barcola. However, a brilliant Spain side dominated possession, leaving France chasing shadows in a 0-2 loss.

In Miami's humid summer heat, it remains to be seen whether the coaches will field their regular starters or give playing time to those who saw limited action during the tournament. Both France and England possess strong bench options that could make an impact.