Miami: Kane and Bellingham benched for England’s World Cup bronze final
England manager Thomas Tuchel has opted to leave key players Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham out of the starting lineup for the World Cup bronze final against France. The decision highlights the perceived lack of importance placed on the third-place playoff match by both teams.
Tuchel addressed the omissions before the game, citing player fatigue. “We have so many kilometers in the legs. We have so many travel kilometers in our bones. We have a day less recovery. We come from 10 men in altitude. We come from overtime here in Miami,” Tuchel explained. He added that while Kane and Bellingham were ready to play, they would be held back to potentially finish the match.
The bronze final, previously known as the third-place playoff, sees both teams competing after losing their respective semifinals. France defender Ibrahima Konaté echoed the sentiment of many players, stating, “None of us wanted to play in this game for third place. But we don’t have a choice to play.” Tuchel himself had previously described the match as “the match no one wants to play in” following England‘s semifinal defeat to Argentina.
Squad Rotation and Tactical Choices
Despite the apparent reluctance, Tuchel maintained that his team would give their all, viewing it as an opportunity for England to achieve its best World Cup finish in 60 years. The team had previously lost the third-place playoff to Belgium in 2018. The manager stated it is “an official World Cup game” and that it is impossible to switch off the competitive mentality.
The confirmed starting XI for England features Dean Henderson in goal, with a defensive line of Jarell Quansah, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi, and Djed Spence. Declan Rice will operate as the sole defensive midfielder, supported by Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze. The attacking trio includes Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, and Marcus Rashford.
The substitutes’ bench includes Jordan Pickford, James Trafford, Nico O’Reilly, John Stones, Trevoh Chalobah, Dan Burn, Reece James, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins, and Noni Madueke.
Tuchel’s tactical decisions have drawn scrutiny, particularly after his choice to switch to a back-five with six defenders in the semifinal. This latest lineup, however, presents a different approach, with a half-fit Declan Rice as the only clearly defensive-minded midfielder. Ivan Toney, described by Tuchel as a “specialist,” has been given the nod over Ollie Watkins.
Motivation for Both Sides
For France, the match offers a chance to provide a winning send-off for outgoing manager Didier Deschamps, who announced this tournament would be his last in charge of the national team. Konaté expressed the team’s desire to “pay back our coach” for his contributions to the France team, which included leading them to the World Cup title in 2018.
Additionally, the game holds significance for Kylian Mbappé in his pursuit of the Golden Boot. He currently has the same number of goals as Lionel Messi, and this match represents his final opportunity to surpass the Argentine for the individual award. The bronze final is scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. ET at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
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Source: cnn.com
