France don't want 'chocolate-medal' match but team want to deliver for departing coach
France's national football team is preparing for a third-place playoff match against England, which serves as the final game for departing coach Didier Deschamps. Despite the team's disappointment over missing the final, players are motivated to secure a bronze medal as a tribute to their coach.
Why it matters
It captures the emotional and professional stakes of international sports tournaments and coaching transitions.
France are unhappy about having to play a World Cup third-place playoff against England on Saturday in Miami but it is the team's duty to deliver a bronze medal to the nation, France coach Didier Deschamps told a press conference on Friday.
The French, world champions in 2018 and finalists four years ago, were one of the main title contenders and were hoping for a third straight final before being knocked out by European champions Spain in the semi-final.
It was their third successive major semi-final defeat by Spain, following Euro 2024 and the Nations League, and Saturday's game will be the last under the 57-year-old Deschamps, who announced last year that he would leave when his contract expired after the tournament.
England on Saturday were ousted by Argentina, who staged a two-goal Lionel Messi-inspired late comeback to win 2-1.
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