See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy LUKE POWER, SPORTS REPORTER and CRAIG HOPE, CHIEF FOOTBALL REPORTER and JACK GAUGHAN Updated: 22:04 BST, 18 July 2026
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the latest updates as England take on France in the World Cup third-place play-off at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.Goal:France 0-1 England (Rice 3')Ah, sweet irony! Captain Declan Rice with a beautiful strike to give us the lead.He intercepted a loppy pass from Doue in midfield, darted towards the box, and lashed it into the far bottom corner.Where was this against Argentina? A large ooh from the crowd there as England almost fashion a chance. Rashford flickered inside from the left flank and swung in a cross, which Toney competed for, but Lacroix butted it away. A positive start from the Three Lions nevertheless. Kick-off! France get us going and boot it out immediately from kick-off. High-quality football. They really back themselves. Jack Gaughan: I don't understand this line-up! Not sure I’m completely understanding the line-up today. Flogging Declan Rice but resting Kane and Bellingham? Do England fancy this or not?Are you ready? Tell me you're not absolutely hyped for this one! Two hours of palpitating, high-stakes football. Let's have a blast. Another sluggish game?I've just checked the weather and it's 31 degrees in Miami and we're in an open-top stadium without air conditioning. This might get sticky. ☀️😰Fans making the most of it The fans present are still up for this one, even if the players aren't. There are some great costumes in the crowd.The players are just coming out of the tunnel now - let's get the party underway! Thomas Tuchel BOOED by England fans Boos around Miami Stadium when Thomas Tuchel's name was read out just now. That gives you an idea of the feeling among supporters to the England boss.Thomas Tuchel: We need to close the gap to the top teamsThomas Tuchel has admitted that England are weaker than Spain, Argentina, and France. Fair enough. Some people would disgree, but many would see eye-to-eye with him. He told BBC Sport: 'Until the semi-final, eevryone would have agreed that France were the top favourites. 'They seemed the strongest team and had a total day off. It just tells you, we're on the same stage as them. A very difficult opponent. We feel there is a slight gap between us and the top three teams and we want to close that.'Ivan Toney: Today I'll prove why Tuchel should have played me more!Ivan Toney, making his first star of the World Cup, has been speaking to BBC Sport.He came off the bench in the dying minutes against Argentina.The 30-year-old striker said: 'It's been tough. We all thought it was the one. We have to regroup, pick up ourselves, and finish the tournament on a high.'I've always been hungry for this opportunity. It's frustrating that I only got a few minutes. Today is my chance to prove I should have got more minutes.'Late Golden Boot charge? Mbappe's Golden Boot ambitions We mentioned Kane and Bellingham's Golden Boot hopes earlier. Far more realistic, it must be said, are Mbappe's. He's on eight goals for the tournament, level with Messi. Michael Owen: Thomas Tuchel must GO - and Mexico win set us up for failure Michael Owen has been our columnist throughout the World Cup and I've got to say, he's come up with some original ideas.Here, he argues the case for why our victory over Mexico - and particularly the style of it - teed us up for failure against Argentina.Catch the latest edition of his column below 👇📰Key Updates
