The French national team is wrapping up their 2026 World Cup campaign in the most embarrassing way possible. Saturday's third-place match against England turned into a nightmare, with Les Bleus trailing 4-0 at halftime and showing little fight.
Manager Didier Deschamps had warned that motivating his squad for this consolation game would be tough, given their sights were set on the final. 'We wanted to play the final, but we are still representing France,' he said before the match. 'We need to respect the jersey we're wearing.'
Unfortunately, Kylian Mbappé and company failed to live up to that standard. England dominated from the start, with Declan Rice curling a stunning 25-yard strike into the net early on. Rice then turned provider, delivering a pinpoint corner that Ezri Konsa headed home in the 18th minute. Bukayo Saka added two more goals before halftime, leaving France shell-shocked and the crowd furious.
The reaction from fans was swift and brutal. One fan called it 'a disgrace,' accusing France of intentionally tanking. Another wrote, 'The French look like they can't be bothered. Thousands of fans have spent a fortune to be there, show some fight.' Social media erupted with calls for refunds, with one commenter saying, 'This is an absolute disgrace they're not even playing.'
This performance comes amid reports that Deschamps will step down after the tournament, with Zinedine Zidane set to take over. Deschamps, who led France to World Cup glory in 2018 and a runner-up finish in 2022, is ending his tenure on a sour note. The match also highlighted the disparity between England's hunger and France's apparent disinterest, drawing comparisons to England's own collapse against Argentina earlier in the tournament.
For a team that entered the World Cup as a heavyweight, this third-place match was supposed to be a chance to salvage some pride. Instead, it became a symbol of a squad that looked defeated before the opening whistle. The lack of effort was particularly glaring given the stakes: a bronze medal and a final chance to wear the national colors with honor.
England's performance was clinical, but France's apathy was the real story. Rice's early goal set the tone, and Saka's brace sealed the deal. The French defense was a sieve, and the attack offered little resistance. It was a far cry from the team that fought to the final in 2022.
As the final whistle approached, the damage was done. Deschamps's last match as manager will be remembered not for his achievements, but for a listless display that left fans questioning the team's commitment. The World Cup's magic was supposed to inspire, but for France, it turned into a nightmare.
