Tuchel names Ivan Toney in much-changed England lineup for Bronze Final against France
England’s Bronze Final Lineup Revealed
England manager Thomas Tuchel has made significant changes to his starting lineup for the World Cup Bronze Final against France. The decision sees key players Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham omitted from the first XI, a move that underscores Tuchel’s approach to the third-place playoff match. Tuchel had previously described the third-place playoff as “the match no one wants to play in” following England’s semifinal defeat to Argentina.
Despite his earlier comments, Tuchel presented a facade of importance for the fixture, stating it was “a chance to have the best result since 60 years” and a “big game against one of the best teams in the world.” However, the lineup suggests a different priority, particularly given Kane and Bellingham’s crucial role in England’s attacking efforts throughout the tournament. The duo has been responsible for 12 of England’s 14 World Cup goals this summer.
The confirmed starting XI for England in a 4-1-2-3 formation includes Dean Henderson in goal. The defense features Jarell Quansah, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi, and Djed Spence. Declan Rice is positioned as the sole defensive midfielder, with Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze ahead of him. The attacking trio comprises Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, and Marcus Rashford.
The substitutes’ bench includes goalkeepers Jordan Pickford and James Trafford, along with outfield players Nico O’Reilly, John Stones, Trevoh Chalobah, Dan Burn, Reece James, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins, and Noni Madueke.
Tuchel’s Tactical Shift and Player Selections
Tuchel’s lineup for the Bronze Final appears to be a direct response to criticism he faced after the semifinal. His decision to switch to a back-five and introduce six defenders in the second half of the semifinal match was widely criticized by the English media. Tuchel, however, has stated his right not to engage with the “blame game.”
This new lineup represents a significant shift from his previous defensive strategy. While in the semifinal, England’s defense was described as men “lashed together on the bow of a sinking ship,” the German coach has now opted for an opposite extreme. Declan Rice, described as “half-fit,” is tasked with being the only overtly defensive-minded midfielder, operating behind Eberechi Eze and Chelsea-bound Morgan Rogers.
The wide attacking roles have been given to Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford, both of whom had a watching brief during the semifinal. Notably, Ivan Toney, whom Tuchel has referred to as a “specialist,” has been selected over Ollie Watkins, a player many had advocated for. Toney’s inclusion has generated considerable discussion.
The Bronze Final itself is often viewed as a match that neither team truly desires to play. France defender Ibrahima Konaté echoed this sentiment, stating, “None of us wanted to play in this game for third place, but we don’t have a choice to play.” Tuchel also acknowledged that “Nobody wants to be, tomorrow, in this game.”
Significance of the Bronze Final
Despite the general reluctance surrounding the match, there are still objectives for both teams. For England, a victory would mark their best World Cup finish in 60 years. The team previously lost the third-place playoff to Belgium in 2018. Tuchel has emphasized that it is impossible to simply switch off the competitive mentality, and his team will give their all.
For France, the match offers an opportunity to provide a winning farewell to outgoing manager Didier Deschamps, as this will be his final game in charge of the national team. Deschamps, who led France to the World Cup title in 2018, has had a successful tenure, and his players are reportedly motivated to honor him with a victory. Konaté expressed this sentiment, stating, “We want to pay back our coach. He did so much for the France team. We must be grateful to him for that, and we need to do everything we can to win this game … to get this chocolate medal, this bronze medal.”
Additionally, the game holds individual significance for Kylian Mbappé, who is in contention for the Golden Boot. He currently shares the same goal tally as Lionel Messi, and this match presents his last chance to surpass the Argentine for the individual award. The match is scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. ET today in the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
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Source: si.com
