England participant rankings vs France: Bukayo Saka hat-trick piles stress on Thomas Tuchel
England achieved their finest World Cup showing since lifting the trophy back in 1966 with a pulsating 6-4 triumph over France in the bronze medal match in Miami.
Bukayo Saka was the hero, bagging a magnificent hat-trick as England looked to erase the agony of their devastating semi-final loss to Argentina just days before. The Arsenal star was missing against Argentina as Thomas Tuchel opted not to call him off the bench.
Appearing to be for fitness reasons, Saka confirmed he was ready to play with the German actually overlooking him entirely as England crumbled without an attacking outlet that Saka would have produced. Tuchel then confirmed he dropped Saka and stood by his tactical decision that cost England a shot at ending 60 years of hurt.
Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick(Image: The FA via Getty Images)
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England got off to the ideal start through their skipper for the evening, Declan Rice, who fired a screamer beyond the helpless Mike Maignan in just the third minute. Ezri Konsa extended that advantage from a Rice corner 15 minutes later to put England firmly in the driving seat.
Then it was the first of Saka’s moments, the Arsenal winger netting twice in nine minutes to hand England a commanding 4-0 advantage at the interval. However, France were in no mood to capitulate tamely in Didier Deschamps’ final match and threatened to completely flip the script with Kylian Mbappe finding the net twice either side of a Bradley Barcola effort.
Saka re-established England’s two-goal buffer with a late spot-kick and while Ousmane Dembele scored to create a tense finale, Jude Bellingham netted a breathtaking individual effort to guarantee the Three Lions would secure third place. Here, the Daily Star Sport rates the England stars in Miami.
England ended their World Cup campaign in incredible fashion(Image: Getty Images)
England player ratings
Dean Henderson
Excellent stops in the opening period. Found himself facing shooting practice in the second period. 7.
Jarell Quansah
A genuine tale of two halves. Dependable opening 45 minutes, completely exposed in the second period. 7.
Ezri Konsa
Netted from a Rice corner – a glimpse of what’s to come? – and defended solidly in the first half, less impressive in the second. 8.
Marc Guehi
An impressive opening 45 minutes. Sharp, determined and resolute. Attempted to keep the backline organised. 8.
Djed Spence
A magnificent moment when he hunted down Mbappe. Exposed after the interval. 7.
Declan Rice
Where has this iteration of Rice been lurking? Found the net and supplied an assist. Outstanding first half. 7.
Eberechi Eze
Genuinely excellent in possession – courageous, too – and embodied what Tuchel desired in terms of DNA. 7.
Bukayo Saka
This was Saka closer to his typical self! Scintillating opening period, was rewarded with a hat-trick. 9.
Morgan Rogers
On the verge of a switch to Chelsea, this served as an excellent showcase in midfield. Powerful and energetic. 7.
Marcus Rashford
Appeared more liberated and threatening – and delivered an assist for Saka. Withdrawn at the break. 7.
Ivan Toney
Spearheaded the attack effectively, retained possession well and demonstrated he genuinely can be a choice at No9. 7.
Substitutes
Watkins, for Rashford, 46 mins, 5.
Bellingham, for Eze, 79 mins. 6.
Anderson, for Toney, 79 mins. 6.
