The France vs England third-place playoff in Miami is a game nobody wants to play, yet it remains a fascinating World Cup tradition. This fixture, often called the bronze final, has produced some of the most entertaining matches in tournament history, with a higher goals-per-game average than the final itself.
A Brief History of the Third-Place Playoff
The first third-place playoff took place in 1934, with Germany defeating Austria 3-2 in a match overshadowed by geopolitical tensions. Since then, the game has evolved into a showcase for attacking football and individual glory. In 1938, Brazil swaggered onto the world stage by beating Sweden 4-2, and in 1958, France put six past West Germany in a nine-goal thriller, with Just Fontaine scoring four times.
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Fontaine was joined by later stars like Thomas Müller, Davor Suker, and Toto Schillaci, who used the third-place playoff to pad their Golden Boot stats. This year, Kylian Mbappé might aim to do the same against a punch-drunk England side, potentially pipping Lionel Messi to another personal accolade.
Does the Result Matter?
Opinions are mixed. In 1982, France lost an all-time classic semi-final on penalties to West Germany and were extremely laissez-faire against Poland just two days later. “Our hearts were elsewhere,” Alain Giresse recalled. “We had pulled the plug.” Poland’s 3-2 victory meant they matched their best-ever performance, having also won the third-place playoff against Brazil in 1974.
Other teams have secured personal bests via this fixture, including Austria, Chile, Portugal, Turkey, and Belgium. Belgium’s 2-0 triumph over a checked-out England in 2018 sealed third place and sparked a rousing civic reception when the squad returned home.
England’s Unhappy Record
England, however, dislike this game more than most. Their two previous appearances have ended in defeat—against Italy in 1990 and Belgium in 2018. The team often struggles to find motivation after a heartbreaking semi-final loss.
| Year | Third-Place Playoff | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Italy vs England | Italy 2-1 England |
| 2018 | Belgium vs England | Belgium 2-0 England |
| 2022 | France vs England (Miami) | TBD |
Key Takeaways
- The third-place playoff has a higher goals-per-game average than the final.
- It has never gone to penalties in World Cup history.
- Players often use it to boost Golden Boot standings.
- England has lost both of its previous third-place playoff appearances.
- Despite the reluctance, the game can be a fun, high-scoring affair.
FAQ
Why is the third-place playoff called the game nobody wants to play?
Teams often struggle to find motivation after losing a semi-final, making the third-place playoff feel like a consolation prize. Players and coaches frequently express that their hearts are elsewhere.
Has the third-place playoff ever gone to penalties?
No, the third-place playoff has never been decided by penalties in World Cup history, which adds to its reputation as a more open and attacking game.
What is England’s record in third-place playoffs?
England has lost both of its third-place playoff appearances: 2-1 to Italy in 1990 and 2-0 to Belgium in 2018.
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