In the 2026 World Cup third-place play-off, the French national team faced England at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium this Saturday, losing 4–6. Five Paris Saint-Germain players—all French—were involved in the match: Lucas Hernandez, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola, and Ousmane Dembélé. Here are the press ratings for Les Bleus, including four additional players who came on at halftime.
Le Parisien:
Mbappé (6)
Doué (2) – Cherki (2.5) – Olise (4.5)
Rabiot (3) – Zaïre-Emery (3)
T. Hernandez (2) – Lacroix (4) – Konaté (2) – Gusto (2)
Maignan (3.5)
Upamecano (7), Digne (5.5), Dembélé (5.5), Barcola (6).
L’Equipe:
Mbappé (7)
Doué (2) – Cherki (2) – Olise (5)
Rabiot (4) – Zaïre-Emery (4)
T. Hernandez (2) – Lacroix (3) – Konaté (2) – Gusto (2)
Maignan (3)
Upamecano (8), Digne (6), Dembélé (6), Barcola (7).
These ratings seem fair enough, given a very difficult first 45 minutes that proved damaging in terms of both the scoreline and the overall performance. The score at halftime was perhaps a bit harsh, as France hadn’t been completely idle in open play; however, they clearly lacked both clinical finishing and defensive solidity.
The substitutions at least helped shift the momentum and offered a glimmer of hope for a massive comeback. It was a close call, but the English managed to respond and clinch third place. At least we got to see a wild match on a night where the stakes were somewhat limited.
And Mbappé took the top spot for most goals in the competition (10) as well as in history (22). A meager consolation, pending a potential comeback by Lionel Messi (8 and 21) tonight against Spain in the final.
