Absolute Madness! English Media Praises Offensive Show, French Compare Deschamps' Farewell to the Titanic

England:

BBC Sport: "The match nobody wanted to play became the match nobody wanted to end."        The Guardian: "A game that meant nothing was one of the highlights of a record-breaking tournament. It ended with a warm embrace between Thomas Tuchel and Didier Deschamps. It was truly fantastic."

The Times: "It's not entirely clear what it all means, beyond England securing bronze medals. However, the reaction after the final whistle showed that fans enjoyed the victory, and the manner in which it came at least somewhat softened the bitter taste of the semi-final defeat."

Sky Sports: "Bukayo Saka's hat-trick helped England to a remarkable 6-4 victory over France in Miami, securing their best World Cup finish since 1966."

France:

L'Équipe: "Fireworks at the end. What was meant to be a tribute to Didier Deschamps after 14 years in charge turned into one of the craziest matches of his tenure. In his 185th and final game on the French national team bench, he experienced by far the worst half of his career."

Le Parisien: "On Saturday night in Florida, the French team did not survive an apocalyptic first half. But their second half, which will be long remembered, was more fitting for Didier Deschamps' final match."

RMC Sport: "A Titanic-like shipwreck. The French team sank in the third-place play-off against England. In Didier Deschamps' last match after 14 years, Les Bleus showed absolutely nothing, and the game was practically decided by halftime with a clear 0-4 score."

USA:

ESPN: "England defeated France in a match that immediately entered the pantheon of iconic World Cup duels, securing third place."

The Athletic: "The strangest occasion of this World Cup delivered the most chaotic and captivating match of the entire tournament."

Italy:

Gazzetta dello Sport: "An incredible spectacle in Miami in a match nobody wanted to see. Saka's hat-trick decided the victory. Didier Deschamps' farewell was far from dignified."

Corriere dello Sport: "Ten goals and a match that will go down in history. Not only because Mbappé moved to the top of the all-time scoring list with 22 goals, but also because it reminded us that football was and still is the most beautiful sport in the world. A sport where life and success are inextricably linked."

Spain:

Marca: "Who says a third-place play-off is meaningless? France and England offered us arguably the most entertaining match of the World Cup."

AS: "The pressure was off, and it showed. The two teams delivered ten goals in Miami in a match that felt like a friendly."

Switzerland:

Blick: "England takes bronze and Mbappé the Golden Boot? In the third-place play-off, nobody felt like defending. England takes home World Cup bronze after a goal-fest."

Czech Republic:

iDNES: "Ten goals, a hat-trick from England's striker Saka, a record-breaking goal from France's captain Mbappé. Nobody defended, nobody wanted to track back. A match full of attacking flair, laxity, and overconfidence in the defensive lines. And it resulted in the highest-scoring game of the tournament in America."

iSport: "France - England 4:6. Bronze madness in Miami! Mbappé's tenth goal, Saka gets a hat-trick."