Mbappé extracts oil from a chaotic consolation final

BarcelonaFour goals in the first half and six in the second. Ten in total. The match for third and fourth place in the 2026 World Cup was chaotic, more like an exhibition duel than a tournament that is supposed to be the highest expression of football on the planet. Because England went into halftime winning no less than 0-4, but at some moments in the second half it seemed they could end up losing against a reborn France. In the end, the English ended up winning 4-6.

France lost, but the winner of this match was Kylian Mbappé, the only one who took it seriously throughout the 90 minutes. And it's that his teammates seemed to be playing without enthusiasm, still hungover from the painful elimination by Spain in the semifinals. Perhaps that's why Didier Deschamps made many rotations in the starting eleven, in attack and defense. But Mbappé did not rotate, because he had the opportunity to establish himself as the top scorer in World Cup history. And he achieved it, at least provisionally - pending what Messi does in the final against Spain.

France's first half was one to forget. Little defensive intensity, absurd errors in midfield, and an England that had all the space and time in the world to face Maignan. It could well have been an NBA All-Star game where defenses don't press and attackers put on their scoring boots with ease. Thus, one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the tournament was left looking ridiculous, completely sold out by his defense, conceding four goals. A very early first from Rice and later ones from Konsa and Saka (2).

The lead was so commanding that England became complacent. The complete opposite of France, who made changes at halftime. "It's not a question of tactics, it's a question of pride," Didier Deschamps said at halftime in statements to the French media. The coach was playing his last game as manager and was determined to go down fighting. So he brought on the firepower he had on the bench (Barcola and Dembélé came on) and took advantage of his opponent coming out to play at half-speed.

It can't be said that the game changed much, because it wasn't a clear dominance from France. Rather, they applied what had historically worked well for Deschamps' team: order at the back, recovery, and quick attacks. And so, all of a sudden, the French team started to have clear chances. The ball moved quickly, and just before the hydration break, Mbappé (2) and Barcola had scored three goals.

Tuchel reacted upon seeing that extra time was seriously in danger. He moved his bench and brought on, among others, a Bellingham who would end up being decisive by running into space. With France attacking desperately, Saka managed to score the fifth English goal by converting a clumsy penalty committed by Malo Gusto. It was 3-5 in the 89th minute. Was it over? Not yet! The game still had a final surprise in store. In stoppage time, Dembélé narrowed the score (4-5) but in a very well-executed transition, Bellingham sealed the victory with a good individual play.

Mbappé, on his way to the Golden Boot

France's lack of commitment in the first half turned into rage at the end of the match, aware that if they had put in more effort earlier, things would have been different. But despite the defeat, one footballer left the pitch with a smile. It was Mbappé, who is close to winning the Golden Boot, the award for the World Cup's top scorer, thanks to a brace that leaves him as the sole leader in the standings: he has scored 10 goals, two more than Leo Messi (8, with the final still to play). Furthermore, he is also the World Cup's all-time top scorer, with 22 goals, surpassing Messi in this record, who, for now, has scored 21.