Deschamps: 'It must hurt' as France face England for World Cup third place in Miami

Semifinal heartbreak

France were eliminated by Spain 2-0 on Tuesday in a one-sided semi-final. England's hopes ended on Thursday with a 2-1 defeat to Argentina. Both teams had targeted the final but now face the task of lifting themselves for a match that neither wanted. Deschamps addressed the squad's mood in a video released on the French team's X account, saying the pain is proportional to their ambition.

The disappointment matches our ambitions. Yes, it must hurt. Fortunately it hurts, we are not going to normalise it.

He added that the players have experienced difficult moments before, including defeats and eliminations, and must now put this huge disappointment behind them.

Coaches' contrasting tones

Deschamps framed the third-place match as an obligation, stressing that it is not a friendly and that France have a duty to their supporters. Thomas Tuchel, the England manager, was blunt in his press conference, stating that no player wants to play this fixture and that the French feel the same way.

No player wants to play this match, and that goes for the French too. They wanted to play the final and we gave everything to get there. Everyone plays to win the World Cup. But that's how it is.

Tuchel acknowledged England's recovery disadvantage but said his team would approach the game professionally. Deschamps countered that the match carries weight beyond personal preference.

There is a third place, we will do everything to go and get it. It's a duty: towards ourselves, towards what the shirt represents, towards all the people behind the French team. There is still a match and it is not a friendly.

Individual stakes

Several players have personal targets in sight. Kylian Mbappé's eight goals put him level with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, both on six goals, are unlikely to catch the leaders. Michael Olise tops the assist chart with five, but Messi's four assists mean the Argentine could overtake him in the final.

Deschamps' farewell

Saturday's match marks the end of Didier Deschamps' 14-year tenure as France head coach. Appointed in 2012, he guided Les Bleus to the 2018 World Cup title and the 2022 final. A bronze medal would be a fitting send-off, while a defeat would leave a sour taste. The symbolic weight of his final game adds an extra layer of motivation for the squad.

Match details

The third-place playoff kicks off at 23:00 on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. France returned to their Boston base camp immediately after the semi-final and will travel to Florida for the match. The World Cup final between Spain and Argentina takes place on Sunday.