MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.— At the end of it all, there was laughter, joy and applause cascading from every corner of Miami Stadium. The World Cup match that nobody wanted had turned into one of the most memorable World Cup matches we’ll perhaps ever see.The ‘Bronze Final’, as FIFA now calls the third-placed playoff, was worth it after all.After much talk from England and France about preferring to be anywhere else but Florida, regrets still lingering over the semi-finals that slipped away, and all the punditry that suggested this match should not even exist, the sellout crowd of 64,478, plus the millions watching all over the world, were treated to an incredible show. By the time it was over, nobody wanted it to stop.The best bit? You were spoilt for choice.
The fact that 10 goals were scored, the most of any game at this tournament?
England somehow contriving to almost throw away a 4-0 halftime lead only to finally close out the match 6-4?
Kylian Mbappé leaving the World Cup after successive defeats, but potentially securing another Golden Boot with two more excellent finishes, becoming the competition’s alltime record scorer in the process?
Brilliant goals scored by two of the planet’s great young talents, Jude Bellingham and reigning Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele?
