England are in action in Miami for their third-place play-off match against France in their final game of the World Cup.
The Three Lions were one win away from the final but lost 2-1 to Argentina despite taking the lead.
Anthony Gordon scored England’s only goal of the game after the Three Lions went very defensive too soon, inviting Argentine pressure that culminated in goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez.
The loss means a tough last match versus France, following their 2-0 defeat to European Champions Spain.
The fixture has come under criticism over its practicality, with both managers Didier Deschamps and Thomas Tuchel speaking negatively about it.
France defender and former Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate said: “Not one of us wants to play this game for third place, but we don’t have a choice.”
Despite their comments, the game goes ahead at the Hard Rock Stadium, with kick-off from 10pm.
Thomas Tuchel: ‘We have the chance to have the best World Cup finish in 60 years’
Despite initially being pessimistic about the fixture, Thomas Tuchel has spoken positively about the prospect of tonight’s match.
“We have the chance to have the best World Cup finish in 60 years, so it’s quite a big one to play in even if it does not feel like it at all.
“Until the semi-final I think everyone would agree that France are top favourites in this tournament. They won eight years ago. They were in the final four years ago. They were in the Nations League final. They were on their way to the final and seemed the strongest team in the tournament and in the strongest form, and had a total day off in the semi-final and got knocked out.
“It tells you we’re on the same stage as them, playing for third place. Very, very difficult opponent, but like I said yesterday, we feel that there’s still a slight gap between the top three teams and us. Today we try to close that gap and compete and try to get that win because it’s an important one for us,” he told the BBC.
Alan Shearer labels fixture as ‘ridiculous’
Alan Shearer has come out firing over the purpose of the third-place play-off, labelling the fixture as “ridiculous”.
“The third-placed play-off at the World Cup is ridiculous. FIFA go on so much about player welfare that they’re now out of the tournament, they can’t win, yet they’re making them travel to Miami and play in 37, 38C heat for a third-place play-off.
“It’s absolute nonsense. The players should be on their way home, if not home already and on holiday, rather than hanging around for another three or four days to play in a meaningless game, which is only there to make more money.
“People say it’s a chance to finish third in the world. No, let me tell you, all the players want to do now is go on holiday and get away from the tournament.
“They’re knocked out, and they’re not going to look back in 20 years’ time and say we were proud of finishing third or fourth.
“It’s nonsense for both France and England. We all know what this game is about unfortunately and it should be scrapped,” he told Betfair.
Lineups confirmed
Thomas Tuchel has made seven changes from England’s semi-final defeat
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REUTERS
England and France’s lineups have been confirmed, with Thomas Tuchel making seven changes from the Three Lions’ defeat to Argentina.
England XI: D. Henderson, Quansah, Konsa, Guehi, Spence, Rice, Saka, Eze, Rogers, Rashford, Toney.
Bench: Pickford, O’Reilly, Stones, Anderson, Kane, Bellingham, Chalobah, J. Henderson, Burn, Gordon, Watkins, Madueke, Trafford, James.
France XI: Maignan, Gusto, Konate, Lacroix, T. Hernandez, Zaire-Emery, Rabiot, Olise, Cherki, Doue, Mbappe.
Bench: Samba, Digne, Upamecano, Kounde, Kone, Dembele, Tchouameni, Thuram, Barcola, Kante, Saliba, L. Hernandez, Mateta, Risser, Akliouche.
England star agrees deal with Chelsea for £117m
In case you’ve missed it, Chelsea have agreed a deal with Aston Villa to sign Morgan Rogers for £117million.
The England star will become the most expensive British player of all time, surpassing the £116m forked out by Manchester City for Elliot Anderson.
A huge signing, and we could see Rogers in action tonight.
Read the full details of the signing here.
Infantino nearly forgets about tonight’s game
Gianni Infantino nearly forgot about the third-place play-off | REUTERS
FIFA President Gianni Infantino nearly forgot about tonight’s game when speaking with US President Donald Trump.
Infantino spoke positively about how the tournament has gone before appearing to forget England’s match.
He said: “This has not just been and is not just the greatest World Cup of all time.
“It is the greatest human, social and cultural event that mankind has ever witnessed and seen, and we are all part of this, and for this I thank you very much, Mr President. Thanks for having us here. There is one more game to go.”
Infantino paused before correcting himself, saying: “Well, two more games. The bronze medal between England and France, of course.”
Read the full story here.
Good evening and welcome
England will play their final World Cup match this evening at 10pm
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REUTERS
England’s final game of this World Cup isn’t the one we all hoped for.
The third-place play-off against France beckons in Miami, following the heartbreak against Argentina.
One small incentive is if England win, it will be their second-best ever finish at a World Cup, not that any trophy will be handed out for it.
Nevertheless, it’s still one more match of football to come, lineups on the way soon.
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