England's win over France is first step towards football's elite: Thomas Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel believes England's dramatic 6-4 win over France is the first major step towards closing the gap on international football's elite. The England boss praised his players' mentality after securing the World Cup bronze medal.
England manager Thomas Tuchel believes his side have taken a significant stride towards competing with international football's heavyweights after a thrilling 6-4 victory over France secured bronze at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
While the result did little to ease the pain of England's semi-final defeat to Argentina, Tuchel insisted overcoming France, one of the most consistent teams in world football over the past decade, proved that his squad is heading in the right direction.
Bukayo Saka starred with a hat-trick in Miami, while Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and Jude Bellingham also found the net as England survived a spirited French comeback in the third place fixture.
France vs England, FIFA World Cup 2026 3rd Place Play-Off: Highlights | Report
CLOSING THE GAP
Tuchel refused to declare England equals of France just yet, but felt Saturday's performance represented an important milestone.
"We have the ability to close it, but they have the ability to open it up again," Tuchel told BBC Sport.
"Eight years ago they were the champions. Four years ago they were in the final. There is a slight gap, but no problem. We want to close it."
The German revealed he had challenged his players before kick-off to use the third-place playoff as the first building block towards matching the world's elite.
"I said yesterday today is the first step to closing it. We did it. We beat them. The next one will be Spain in the Nations League."
Despite ending the tournament with bronze, Tuchel admitted England would still struggle to move on from missing out on the World Cup final.
"To see a team fight like this gives you energy. The tiredness will come after. We will still feel the pain when tomorrow is the final. This will take a while, but overall it gives me more energy than it takes from me."
PRIDE IN RESILIENCE
England raced into a stunning 4-0 half-time lead before France stormed back after the break, with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice to reduce the deficit to a single goal. Saka's penalty and Bellingham's stoppage-time strike eventually settled an extraordinary contest.
Tuchel admitted fatigue almost undid his team's outstanding first-half display.
"We had a brilliant first half and then a turbulent second half," he said.
"You could see the difference of what one day makes and the difference in the schedule. We are so, so tired and drained from the last weeks."
The England boss pointed to the demanding travel schedule and difficult playing conditions his squad had endured throughout the knockout stages.
"We played in the heat, at altitude. I was worried physically. You could see it in the second half, the cramps and all the tiredness, but I was never worried about the mentality."
Instead, Tuchel reserved his highest praise for the determination his players showed as France threatened an unlikely comeback.
"I have said it before, this team has created something very special, and they showed it again."
SAKA SHINES AGAIN
Saka was the standout performer, becoming only the fourth England player to score a World Cup hat-trick after Geoff Hurst, Gary Lineker and Harry Kane.
Tuchel revealed he had sensed one of his forwards was destined for a special afternoon, even if he only realised after the final whistle that Saka had completed his treble.
"Bukayo showed that he is a key player. There is never a doubt," Tuchel said.
"I wasn't aware he had a hat-trick. I lost the overview of the goalscorers, but brilliant."
England now shift their focus to the UEFA Nations League, where Tuchel believes another meeting with reigning world champions Spain will provide the next opportunity to measure just how far his side have come.
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
England manager Thomas Tuchel believes his side have taken a significant stride towards competing with international football's heavyweights after a thrilling 6-4 victory over France secured bronze at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
While the result did little to ease the pain of England's semi-final defeat to Argentina, Tuchel insisted overcoming France, one of the most consistent teams in world football over the past decade, proved that his squad is heading in the right direction.
Bukayo Saka starred with a hat-trick in Miami, while Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and Jude Bellingham also found the net as England survived a spirited French comeback in the third place fixture.
France vs England, FIFA World Cup 2026 3rd Place Play-Off: Highlights | Report
CLOSING THE GAP
Tuchel refused to declare England equals of France just yet, but felt Saturday's performance represented an important milestone.
"We have the ability to close it, but they have the ability to open it up again," Tuchel told BBC Sport.
"Eight years ago they were the champions. Four years ago they were in the final. There is a slight gap, but no problem. We want to close it."
The German revealed he had challenged his players before kick-off to use the third-place playoff as the first building block towards matching the world's elite.
"I said yesterday today is the first step to closing it. We did it. We beat them. The next one will be Spain in the Nations League."
Despite ending the tournament with bronze, Tuchel admitted England would still struggle to move on from missing out on the World Cup final.
"To see a team fight like this gives you energy. The tiredness will come after. We will still feel the pain when tomorrow is the final. This will take a while, but overall it gives me more energy than it takes from me."
PRIDE IN RESILIENCE
England raced into a stunning 4-0 half-time lead before France stormed back after the break, with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice to reduce the deficit to a single goal. Saka's penalty and Bellingham's stoppage-time strike eventually settled an extraordinary contest.
Tuchel admitted fatigue almost undid his team's outstanding first-half display.
"We had a brilliant first half and then a turbulent second half," he said.
"You could see the difference of what one day makes and the difference in the schedule. We are so, so tired and drained from the last weeks."
The England boss pointed to the demanding travel schedule and difficult playing conditions his squad had endured throughout the knockout stages.
"We played in the heat, at altitude. I was worried physically. You could see it in the second half, the cramps and all the tiredness, but I was never worried about the mentality."
Instead, Tuchel reserved his highest praise for the determination his players showed as France threatened an unlikely comeback.
"I have said it before, this team has created something very special, and they showed it again."
SAKA SHINES AGAIN
Saka was the standout performer, becoming only the fourth England player to score a World Cup hat-trick after Geoff Hurst, Gary Lineker and Harry Kane.
Tuchel revealed he had sensed one of his forwards was destined for a special afternoon, even if he only realised after the final whistle that Saka had completed his treble.
"Bukayo showed that he is a key player. There is never a doubt," Tuchel said.
"I wasn't aware he had a hat-trick. I lost the overview of the goalscorers, but brilliant."
England now shift their focus to the UEFA Nations League, where Tuchel believes another meeting with reigning world champions Spain will provide the next opportunity to measure just how far his side have come.
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
England manager Thomas Tuchel believes his side have taken a significant stride towards competing with international football's heavyweights after a thrilling 6-4 victory over France secured bronze at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
While the result did little to ease the pain of England's semi-final defeat to Argentina, Tuchel insisted overcoming France, one of the most consistent teams in world football over the past decade, proved that his squad is heading in the right direction.
Bukayo Saka starred with a hat-trick in Miami, while Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and Jude Bellingham also found the net as England survived a spirited French comeback in the third place fixture.
France vs England, FIFA World Cup 2026 3rd Place Play-Off: Highlights | Report
CLOSING THE GAP
Tuchel refused to declare England equals of France just yet, but felt Saturday's performance represented an important milestone.
"We have the ability to close it, but they have the ability to open it up again," Tuchel told BBC Sport.
"Eight years ago they were the champions. Four years ago they were in the final. There is a slight gap, but no problem. We want to close it."
The German revealed he had challenged his players before kick-off to use the third-place playoff as the first building block towards matching the world's elite.
"I said yesterday today is the first step to closing it. We did it. We beat them. The next one will be Spain in the Nations League."
Despite ending the tournament with bronze, Tuchel admitted England would still struggle to move on from missing out on the World Cup final.
"To see a team fight like this gives you energy. The tiredness will come after. We will still feel the pain when tomorrow is the final. This will take a while, but overall it gives me more energy than it takes from me."
PRIDE IN RESILIENCE
England raced into a stunning 4-0 half-time lead before France stormed back after the break, with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice to reduce the deficit to a single goal. Saka's penalty and Bellingham's stoppage-time strike eventually settled an extraordinary contest.
Tuchel admitted fatigue almost undid his team's outstanding first-half display.
"We had a brilliant first half and then a turbulent second half," he said.
"You could see the difference of what one day makes and the difference in the schedule. We are so, so tired and drained from the last weeks."
The England boss pointed to the demanding travel schedule and difficult playing conditions his squad had endured throughout the knockout stages.
"We played in the heat, at altitude. I was worried physically. You could see it in the second half, the cramps and all the tiredness, but I was never worried about the mentality."
Instead, Tuchel reserved his highest praise for the determination his players showed as France threatened an unlikely comeback.
"I have said it before, this team has created something very special, and they showed it again."
SAKA SHINES AGAIN
Saka was the standout performer, becoming only the fourth England player to score a World Cup hat-trick after Geoff Hurst, Gary Lineker and Harry Kane.
Tuchel revealed he had sensed one of his forwards was destined for a special afternoon, even if he only realised after the final whistle that Saka had completed his treble.
"Bukayo showed that he is a key player. There is never a doubt," Tuchel said.
"I wasn't aware he had a hat-trick. I lost the overview of the goalscorers, but brilliant."
England now shift their focus to the UEFA Nations League, where Tuchel believes another meeting with reigning world champions Spain will provide the next opportunity to measure just how far his side have come.
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
