World Cup Confirms 3rd-Place Goals Count in Golden Boot Race as Mbappé, Messi Stay Tied on 8

Q: With a $2 million prize on the line, can two heartbroken teams find motivation in the World Cup's most unwanted match?

Yes. Even in the World Cup’s least-loved fixture, England and France have enough at stake to be fully motivated. The $2 million gap between third and fourth place is real, even if it matters more to federations than to players directly. FIFA’s prize structure means the winner takes about $30 million and the loser about $28 million, and those sums can feed into player bonuses, staff rewards and federation funding. It is not the main reason elite players compete, but it is not trivial either. For England, the sporting incentive is stronger than the money. Beating France would deliver their best World Cup finish since winning the tournament in 1966 and finally improve on fourth-place finishes in 1990 and 2018. After the pain of the semi-final loss to Argentina, it is also a chance to avoid ending the tournament with back-to-back defeats. France have a similarly clear reason to engage. Kylian Mbappe is still chasing the Golden Boot, level on eight goals with Lionel Messi, and goals in the third-place play-off count. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, both on six, also have an outside chance. Individual awards often sharpen the edge of a match players say they do not want. There is also professional pride, ranking value and selection opportunity. Thomas Tuchel and Didier Deschamps may rotate, but that can create motivation for fringe players and veterans alike. However unwanted the match feels, bronze medals, records and a better ending usually ensure it is contested seriously.

3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 18

Third-place match goals count toward the World Cup Golden Boot, keeping Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham alive in the scoring race despite missing the final.
Eight goals leave Mbappé level with Lionel Messi, while Kane and Bellingham sit on six before France and England meet in Saturday's bronze match.
Assists break any tie on goals, which currently favors Messi 4-3 over Mbappé if neither adds to his total.
Four past winners — including Thomas Müller in 2010 and Davor Šuker in 1998 — clinched the Golden Boot with decisive goals in the third-place game.

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USA TODAY5d ago

World Cup Golden Boot: Third-Place Match Goals Count for Mbappé, Kane, Bellingham

Fox News5d ago

France vs. England in World Cup Third-Place Game; Mbappe Chases Golden Boot

GOAL English7d ago

Nobody wants to play' - Thomas Tuchel defends England's semi-final 'achievement' as coach slams World Cup third-place play-off against France | Goal.com

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After his semi-final 'tactical cowardice,' can Tuchel salvage England's best World Cup finish since 1966?

In Deschamps' farewell, will Mbappe's Golden Boot chase be enough to motivate a disappointed French squad?

With a $2 million prize on the line, can two heartbroken teams find motivation in the World Cup's most unwanted match?

World Cup Confirms 3rd-Place Goals Count in Golden Boot Race as Mbappé, Messi Stay Tied on 8

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