A genuine “thriller” is perhaps the most fitting description for the third-place World Cup 2026 final between France and England, which took place Saturday night in Miami. Sky Sports lauded the Three Lions’ incredible 6-4 victory, securing them third place in the tournament and their first podium finish since their 1966 triumph. However, it was the overall match narrative and its astonishing twists that left the press utterly stunned.

The Daily Mail, on its front page this Sunday morning, also opted for “Thriller” to encapsulate the match. The English newspaper remarked, “A tennis score, not football.” Across the Channel, the focus naturally gravitated towards England’s remarkable performance, especially after their semi-final exit against Argentina, where they conceded a lead with less than ten minutes remaining. Notably, Thomas Tuchel faced jeers from British supporters in Miami during the third-place playoff.

Tuchel’s unexpected vindication

Craig Hope, a prominent journalist, noted that “for Tuchel, this paradoxical victory will serve as a form of vindication, silencing the boos that marred his image before kick-off and the torrent of criticism he’s faced since the semi-final defeat.” He added, “It grants England their best World Cup finish since 1966 – not quite the promised second star, but a historic bronze medal.” For Tuchel, it was a case of “all or nothing,” and he delivered.

In France, two key aspects dominated discussions: Didier Deschamps’ farewell and Les Bleus’ subpar first-half performance. Vincent Duluc, writing for l’Equipe, summarized it as “Les Bleus, ridiculous then light to finish,” describing two “contradictory and wild, equally unfathomable” periods, ranging from a dramatic collapse to a spirited comeback. Analysts struggled to fully comprehend a French squad capable of both extremes within a single, albeit legendary, 90-minute display that ultimately left a bitter aftertaste.

Le Parisien noted that Les Bleus departed with a “dazzling final match” yet burdened by a “suitcase full of regrets.” The newspaper stated, “Football is a sport where any team can defeat another, and it’s played not just with the feet but with the mind. The French witnessed Miami, the city where Leo Messi maintains his impressive form, but their thoughts were elsewhere – primarily on sadness, or rather, annihilation.” It seemed as though everything fractured after their semi-final elimination against Spain, a match where Les Bleus failed to truly contend. It took a desperate effort to reignite their spirit, but it proved to be too late.

Le Figaro headlined with “Shame then Revolt,” while Libération described an “unhinged encounter,” or rather, a hair-raising one. Ouest France dedicated its coverage to an “extraordinary France-England World Cup match.”

Mbappé’s bittersweet achievement

“A third and fourth place we won’t soon forget!” exclaimed Marca, adding the tennis-like score to its headline. The Madrid-based daily even hailed the “consolation final” as a “masterpiece.” “Who said this match was meaningless? France and England undoubtedly delivered the most entertaining game of the World Cup,” the Spanish newspaper declared. Concurrently, several articles focused on Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé, who became the competition’s all-time leading scorer with his brace, anticipating Lionel Messi’s potential response in the Spain-Argentina final.

“Mbappé’s Bitter Achievement” was the headline from AS, Madrid’s other sports newspaper, echoing similar sentiments about the evening’s drama. “Those who claim the World Cup third-place match is pointless are mistaken. It serves, for instance, to bid farewell to a team built to win everything but which only secured two titles out of seven contested – Deschamps’ squad – but also to cement Mbappé’s place in history for his goals, not just his trophies, even if he enters the Pantheon of World Cup top scorers tonight.”

In Catalonia, while Mbappé’s statistical prowess in the World Cup was acknowledged, both Sport and Mundo Deportivo highlighted “England triumphant in madness” as they secured the bronze medal, marking their first podium finish at a World Cup since their sole victory in 1966.

In Germany, where the World Cup journey concluded prematurely against Paraguay, the press adopted a distinct German perspective, almost claiming a share in England’s victory. Bild ran with the headline “Tuchel Humiliates Mbappé,” though it did acknowledge the French player’s new record. The German newspaper primarily focused on the first-half narrative. Die Welt took a broader view, titling its coverage “Epic Match,” a “ten-goal festival.” Kicker maintained a more understated tone, simply describing it as a “spectacular match.” Indeed, that was an understatement.