For years, the third-place playoff at the World Cup has been the tournament's awkward stepchild—a consolation match that often feels like an afterthought. But this weekend, France and England flipped that script with a wild 6-4 shootout at Hard Rock Stadium that had fans on the edge of their seats.
The match featured everything: a hat trick from England's Bukayo Saka, a furious second-half rally from France, and enough drama to make even the most cynical viewer sit up and take notice. It was the kind of game that reminds you why you love sports in the first place.
But before the fireworks, BBC commentator Steve Wilson dropped a brutally honest admission that had social media buzzing. During the broadcast, Wilson asked viewers a simple question: "Do you remember who won this match in 2022? I had to look it up—Croatia beat Morocco. And I was commentating on it!"
The quip struck a chord because it's true: third-place games rarely leave a lasting impression. In fact, England's own dread of the consolation match had been well-documented before kickoff. Yet somehow, this year's edition became an instant classic.
Fans were quick to react. One user wrote, "I think he might remember this one." Another added, "Don't remember the 2022 one but will definitely remember this one." A third chimed in, "This one seems to be going in a different direction. This'll be remembered as: if you'd have played like this 4 days ago you'd be in the final now!"
The irony wasn't lost on anyone. Just days earlier, France had suffered a humiliating 4-0 halftime collapse in the semifinals, and England had been branded 'cowards' after a gutless loss to Argentina. But in the bronze medal match, both teams played with the freedom of players who had nothing to lose—and everything to prove.
Wilson's confession—and the ensuing chaos on the pitch—has reignited the debate about whether third-place games matter. While some argue they're meaningless exhibitions, others point to moments like this as proof that even consolation matches can produce unforgettable theater.
With Sunday's final looming—Argentina's Lionel Messi facing Spain's Lamine Yamal at MetLife Stadium—fans are hoping the championship match delivers even half the excitement of this weekend's bronze-medal barnburner. But whatever happens, Wilson might want to keep a notepad handy. After this year, he won't need to look up the result.
