Why is France vs England considered a consolation prize match?
France will play against England on July 18 at 5 pm local time in Miami to see which team takes home the bronze.
It would be a fantastic game if they were playing in any other round of the tournament’s knockout stage. This match has different priorities for both sides as France’s coach retires after the tournament and Mbappé looks to win the Golden Boot.
How did Spain frustrate France in the semi-final?
In the semi-final, Spain frustrated France at one end and punished them at the other. They beat France 2-0 to record their sixth clean sheet of the tournament, having conceded only one goal to Belgium in the quarter-final.
Spain’s Lamine Yamal just turned 19 and was clipped inside the box. Oyarzabal scored the resulting penalty to give Spain the lead. Porro got the second goal.
France’s Desire Doue and Rayan Cherki tried to get their team back into the game, but goalkeeper Unai Simon held them at bay.
How did England lose their lead against Argentina?
In the semi-final against Argentina, England was ahead 1-0. But they were in the same position against Croatia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup and against Italy in the 2021 European Championship final, losing both times.
Argentina kept pressing, and in the 85th minute, Messi fed the ball to Fernandez, who scored the equalizer. Two minutes into stoppage time, Messi assisted again as Martinez headed in the winner.
What is the historical record between France and England?
These rivals have played many games against each other since 1923, with England winning most of those matches.
- England wins: 17
- France wins: 10
- Draws: 5
However, most of England’s wins have come in the past. Since 1999, they’ve only beaten France once, and it was in an international friendly:
Feb 10, 1999: England 0 – 2 France (International Friendly)
Sep 2, 2000: France 1 – 1 England (International Friendly)
Jun 13, 2004: France 2 – 1 England (UEFA European Championship)
Mar 26, 2008: France 1 – 0 England (International Friendly)
Nov 17, 2010: England 1 – 2 France (International Friendly)
Jun 11, 2012: France 1 – 1 England (UEFA European Championship)
Nov 17, 2015: England 2 – 0 France (International Friendly)
Jun 13, 2017: France 3 – 2 England (International Friendly)
Dec 10, 2022: England 1 – 2 France (FIFA World Cup)
England will work to avenge their loss to England in the 2022 World Cup.
Semi-finals in the books 🔒#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/SFMsIYDXDG
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 15, 2026
What is the prediction for France vs England in the 2026 World Cup?
Although neither side wanted to be in this game, playing for bronze gives them the chance not to go home empty-handed. The managers will use this opportunity to experiment a little and give younger players a chance to gain experience.
France will be motivated to win for Didier Deschamps, who is managing his last World Cup. Will he suit up Mbappé to go after the Golden Boot?
France is the favorite in this matchup and should be able to walk away with the bronze. They have the deepest and most talented squad and more experience at this level, having reached multiple recent finals and semi-finals.
Unless England can copy Spain’s strategy, they will go home without any trophy, again. They have the potential to grind it out and gain a win in extra time if they can get their heads in the game.
Our France vs England prediction is a 2-1 win for France as England won’t be able to recuperate in time after their stunning loss to Argentina.
