A true “thriller” is the only way to describe the dramatic contest that saw England secure third place in Miami. Sky Sports lauded the Three Lions’ 6-4 triumph, marking their first podium finish since their 1966 championship. The sheer drama of the match left journalists across the continent speechless.
The Daily Mail echoed this sentiment, splashing “Thriller” across its Sunday front page and remarking on the “tennis score” rather than a football result. British outlets naturally highlighted England’s impressive showing, particularly after their semi-final heartbreak against Argentina. Notably, manager Thomas Tuchel faced jeers from English supporters in Miami before the match.
Tuchel’s vindication
Journalist Craig Hope observed that this paradoxical victory served as a form of “revenge” for Tuchel, silencing the pre-match boos and the torrent of criticism he endured after the semi-final defeat. This result delivered England its best World Cup performance since 1966, a bronze medal, perhaps not the promised second star, but a significant achievement.
French commentators focused on two main aspects: Didier Deschamps’ departure and a dismal first-half display from the Bleus. Vincent Duluc of L’Equipe characterized the performance as “ridiculous, then light,” describing two “contradictory and bewildering” halves, reflecting both a precipitous decline and an incredible resurgence. Analysts struggled to reconcile the team’s capacity for both extremes within an unforgettable 90 minutes that ultimately left a bitter aftertaste.
Le Parisien recounted a “dazzling final match” for the Bleus, yet one laden with “a suitcase of regrets.” The publication suggested that while physically in Miami, where Lionel Messi continues his remarkable career, the French players’ minds were elsewhere, consumed by sadness and the profound disappointment of their semi-final elimination against Spain, a match where they seemingly failed to compete. The team’s resurgence came too late.
Le Figaro’s headline declared “Shame then Revolt,” while Libération called it a “tangled encounter,” implying a hair-pulling experience. Ouest France simply highlighted an “extraordinary France-England World Cup match.”
Mbappé’s bittersweet achievement
Marca, the Madrid daily, underscored the match’s “tennis set” score, proclaiming the “consolation final” a “masterpiece.” “Who said this match was useless?” the Spanish newspaper questioned, asserting that France and England had delivered “undoubtedly the most entertaining match of the World Cup.” Concurrently, several articles celebrated Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé, who became the competition’s all-time leading scorer with a double, anticipating Lionel Messi’s potential response in the Spain-Argentina final.
AS, another Madrid sports daily, echoed this with “Mbappé’s bitter feat,” agreeing on the match’s significance. It served as a farewell to Deschamps’ era—a team built for victory but ultimately securing only two titles from seven—and cemented Mbappé’s historical status for his goals rather than his team’s trophies, placing him in the pantheon of World Cup top scorers.
In Catalonia, both Sport and Mundo Deportivo acknowledged Mbappé’s statistical prowess but emphasized “England triumphant in madness” as they claimed the bronze medal, marking their first World Cup podium finish since their sole victory in 1966.
German media, whose team exited the tournament early against Paraguay, adopted a German perspective. Bild declared, “Tuchel humiliates Mbappé,” though it also noted the French player’s new record, primarily focusing on the first-half drama. Die Welt offered a broader view, titling its coverage “epic match” and a “ten-goal festival.” Kicker maintained a concise tone, calling it a “spectacular match,” an understatement given the circumstances.
