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Although France and England may have failed to reach the World Cup final, they still have something to play for.
The two European powers will play for bronze in the World Cup third place match at Miami Stadium on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on FOX.
France failed to reach their third consecutive World Cup final when they lost to Spain 2-0 on Tuesday. The French had dominated throughout the World Cup before the defeat against Spain.
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(Left) Harry Kane of England leaves the field at the end of the first half during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Georgia, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Right) Kylian Mbappe (10) of France celebrates the opening goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between France and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass. near Boston, Thursday July 9, 2026. (Rebecca Blackwell/AP Newsroom; Steven Senne/AP Newsroom)
France had won by multiple goals in all but one of its six victories before the semifinal, a round of 16 victory over Paraguay. In seven World Cup matches, they have only allowed a total of four goals.
Spain’s first goal in the semi-final was the result of a critical error. Veteran defender Lucas Digne misread the ball and contested a ball on a cross, but instead kicked Lamine Yamal, committing a foul giving Spain a penalty in the 22nd minute.
Mikel Oyarzabal stepped up for Spain and buried the penalty, giving the Spaniards a lead they would not relinquish.
Pedro Porro doubled the lead for Spain in the 58th minute, when he broke through the French defense and found the back of the net after beating French goalkeeper Mike Maignan from a neat pass from Dani Olmo.
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France’s Kylian Mbappe looks dejected after the match as France is eliminated from the World Cup in Arlington, Texas. (Jérôme Miron/Imagn Images)
The French were desperate to get back into the match, but the Spanish defense was too strong for them to break through. Spain held on for a historic sixth shutout of this World Cup.
For England, they had around 35 minutes plus injury time left to advance to the World Cup final after taking a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute.
Anthony Gordon scored when he buried a Morgan Rogers cross to put England on the board with an acrobatic finish. Harry Kane sparked the counter with a long pass that left the Argentina defense baffled for the first time in the match.
Unfortunately for England, it was all Argentina next. After falling behind, the Argentines made a furious push to equalize.
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Lautaro Martinez of Argentina scores his team’s second goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Alex Livesey/Danehouse/Getty Images)
Argentina were kept off the scoresheet for 85 minutes, and finally broke through when Lionel Messi set up Enzo Fernandez just outside the penalty area, and the 25-year-old hooked a shot around England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford into the back of the net to equalize at 1-1.
Lautaro Martinez then played the hero by coming off the bench and making Argentine football history by scoring the winner in stoppage time. In the 92nd minute, Messi recorded his second assist after collecting a loose ball and making a beautiful pass into the penalty area, where Martinez was waiting unmarked. Martinez headed the ball past Pickford to send the Argentina fans into a frenzy as they completed the comeback.
Argentina’s comeback ended the Three Lions’ bid to win the World Cup, but England can still claim bronze by beating France on Saturday.
WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONE
Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez reacts after Argentina’s victory against England in the World Cup semi-final in Atlanta, Wednesday July 15, 2026. (Jacob Kupferman/AP)
When: Saturday July 17, 2026
Where: Miami Stadium, Miami, Florida
Television: FOX
Stream: Watch on FOX One and FOX Sports
