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The Messi Effect | Episode 44 | Saturday, July 18, 2026 Third Place Play-Off preview: England vs France (5 PM ET). Why the third place game exists — FIFA tradition since 1934, the consolation match nobody wants to play. England reeling from Argentina collapse, Kane and Bellingham exhausted, Southgate's lineup decisions. France bitter after Spain dismantled them 2-0, Mbappe isolated, Deschamps' rest-or-play dilemma. Two teams that expected to be in Sunday's Final, playing for bronze instead.
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