Out of the final, no problem, let’s just go and have some fun – that seemed to underline the France-England match for third place. This is what happens when dejected footballers need to take the field to play a game they want to avoid.
In a spirit of Anglo-French bon-homie and to bury the thousand years of rivalry, let’s play a game to entertain the spectators. Put the Battles of Crecy and Agincourt behind to enjoy the last match!
The players did exactly that much to the amusement of the commentators. Those giving the commentary were at a loss for words at times because it was apparent that the match was played with thoughts of a post-match feast washed down with pints of chilled lager.
However, amidst all this revelry there was a record made for Frenchman Mbappe who, with 22 goals scored, has surpassed the World Cup record of Argentine Lionel Messi.
The England France match was a relaxing prelude to the one that decides the king of the footballing world. Usually, in two years people forget the third-place winner, but this match will not be forgotten because it featured ten goals.
Maybe that was also the objective of the players: do something that will remain in the mind for some time. If you woke up to watch the game, then you must have seen the lack of determination from the defenders to stretch themselves to block a goal.
If it’s a goal, let it be a goal, who cares!
The spectators were happy, the players were all smiling and when Bellingham scored the sixth for England, the running French defenders did not even make an effort to stop him.
See, how much the French now love their neighbours across the channel! Knights and Musketeers put up a fabulous exhibition of fast paced football where players were allowed to score.
What to take away from the match?
I personally felt that the underlying message was: “don’t make us play for a third spot.”
Both England and France had quite a World Cup and although they failed to reach the finals, the teams showed grit.
France will go back and under a new coach look to come back in four years to win the trophy while England have to analyse their semi-final hoodoo.
One feels that they should stop using the slogan ‘it’s coming home’ and think of something else like: ‘it’s been too long!’
England is going through a volatile political period, and the win will certainly light up the sombre atmosphere. A World Cup 2026 present from the French for England – un Cadeau extraordinaire!
