England’s win over France is the first step towards football’s elite: Thomas Tuchel
England manager Thomas Tuchel believes his side have taken a significant step towards competing with international football’s heavyweights after a thrilling 6-4 victory over France secured bronze at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
While the result did little to ease the pain of England’s semi-final defeat by Argentina, Tuchel insisted that beating France, one of world football’s most consistent sides in the past decade, proved his side were heading in the right direction.
Bukayo Saka shone with a hat-trick in Miami, while Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and Jude Bellingham also found the net as England survived a spirited French comeback in the third-place game.
France vs. England 2026 FIFA World Cup 3rd place play-off: Highlighting | Message
CLOSING THE GAP
Tuchel has so far refused to declare England equal to France, but felt Saturday’s performance was an important milestone.
“We have the ability to close it but they have the ability to reopen it,” Tuchel told BBC Sport.
“Eight years ago they were champions. Four years ago they were in the final. There’s a slight gap but no problem. We want to close it.”
The German revealed that before kick-off he urged his players to use the third-placed play-off as the first building block to match the world’s elite. England beat France in goal thriller. (Image: Reuters)
“I said yesterday that today is the first step to closing. We did it. We beat them. Next up will be Spain in the Nations League.”
Despite finishing in bronze at the tournament, Tuchel admitted that England will still struggle to keep out of the World Cup finals.
“Seeing a team fight like this gives you energy. Fatigue sets in afterwards. We’ll still feel the pain when the finals are tomorrow. It’ll take a while, but overall it gives me more energy than it takes away.”
PRIDE OF RESILIENCE
England raced into a stunning 4-0 half-time lead before France hit back after the break, with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice to reduce the deficit to a single goal. A Saka penalty and a Bellingham strike finally settled the extraordinary game.
Tuchel admitted fatigue almost marred his side’s excellent first-half display.
“We had a great first half and then a turbulent second half,” he said.
“You could see the difference in what one day would do and the difference in the schedule. We are so tired and exhausted from the last few weeks.” England bounced back in style to secure a bronze medal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Image: Reuters)
The England boss pointed to the tough travel schedule and tough playing conditions his team endured in the knockout stages.
“We played in the heat, at a height. I was worried physically. You could see it in the second half, the cramps and all the fatigue, but I was never worried about the psyche.”
Instead, Tuchel reserved the highest praise for the determination his players showed as France threatened an unlikely comeback.
“I’ve said it before, this team created something very special and they showed it again.
GIVE IT A SHINE AGAIN
Saka was a superb performer and became only the fourth England player to score a World Cup hat-trick after Geoff Hurst, Gary Lineker and Harry Kane.
Tuchel revealed he felt one of his strikers was destined for a special afternoon, although he only realized Saka had completed his treble after the final whistle.
“Bukayo has shown that he is a key player. There is never any doubt,” said Tuchel.
“I didn’t know he had a hat-trick. I lost track of the scorers, but great.
England now focus on the UEFA Nations League, where Tuchel believes another meeting with reigning world champions Spain will provide another opportunity to gauge how far his side have come.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
Jul 19, 2026 05:26 IST