MIAMI (Kashmir English): France and England will bid a gloomy farewell to the World Cup today (Saturday) when they face each other for the third place in Miami.
Both teams, who suffered semi-final defeats, have reached Florida after both footballing nations still licking wounds, which, in the eyes of many, were largely self-inflicted.
France met a 2:0 defeat in the semi-final of the tournament against Spain on Tuesday.
England added another chapter to their long history of World Cup heartache on Wednesday when they surrendered the initiative and a lead to lose 2-1 to Argentina in Atlanta.
France and England must now attempt to summon the remnants of their competitive will and physical reserves for a game that is widely disliked throughout football.
“None of our players and none of the French players want to play this match,” England manager Thomas Tuchel said after his team’s agonising semi-final defeat.
“They want to play the final. We gave everything to achieve that. Everyone plays to win the World Cup, but that’s how it is.
“We have one less day of recovery than France, but we will do it with professionalism.”
FIFA World Cup’s Golden Boot race
Yet while it will be scant consolation, the match might well prove pivotal for the World Cup’s Golden Boot race.
France captain Kylian Mbappe is joint top scorer for the tournament alongside Argentina skipper Lionel Messi on eight goals.
Last dance for Kane?
For England’s all-time record goal scorer Kane, the game may also mark the final World Cup appearance of his career.
The Bayern Munich forward turns 33 this month and it is questionable whether he will be around for the 2030 finals.
Kane declined to speculate on his international future following Wednesday’s defeat.
“It’s too early to talk about that,” Kane told reporters.
“I’m taking it year by year and the national team is my pride and joy. It’s what I love to do more than anything…. I never want to put a limit on these things.”
