2026 World Cup Matchday Prediction – Third-Place Match

France was aiming to reach the World Cup final for the third time in a row. But Spain dashed those hopes in the semifinals with a well-deserved 2-0 victory in Dallas. Digne gave away an early penalty to Lamine Yamal, which Mikel Oyarzabal confidently converted (22’); in the 58th minute, Pedro Porro made it 2–0 after a give-and-go with Dani Olmo. Deschamps’ team remained alarmingly lackluster on offense—it wasn’t until late in the game that a deflected shot by Mbappé hit the outside post. Additionally, center back William Saliba, who had to be substituted due to injury in Dallas, will miss the third-place match.

England came close all evening against Argentina to reaching their first World Cup final since 1966. Anthony Gordon headed the Three Lions into the lead in the 55th minute off a cross from Rogers, but the Albiceleste pressed hard in the closing stages and turned the game around before the end of regulation time: Enzo Fernández equalized in the 85th minute with a long-range shot. Just moments later, Lautaro Martínez headed in the winning goal in stoppage time to make it 2-1, once again off an assist from the Argentine superstar. For coach Thomas Tuchel and his team, this near-final appearance is a bitter setback; nevertheless, England has proven to be extremely resilient and will do everything in its power to finish the tournament with at least a bronze medal.

Prediction: Both teams face the difficult task of mustering up their mental strength once again. The third-place match has a character all its own: For the loser, there is only a small consolation; the winner, at least, takes home the bronze medal. France has the slightly higher individual quality—Mbappé, Dembélé, and Olise are still capable of deciding a game at any moment, even after their semifinal loss.