England showcased their incredible team spirit even more after their third-place play-off win over France at the 2026 World Cup.
They may have missed out on the final but they were determined to end on a high and they did so in stunning style with a breath-taking 6-4 win in Miami.
Victory saw hat-trick hero Bukayo Saka claim the match ball, while he and the rest of his squad-mates all got a bronze medal placed around their necks.
However, once all 26 had been given out, several England stars then beckoned over one more player.
Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele didn’t make Thomas Tuchel’s final group, despite being called up for the Three Lions’ March friendlies.
He is still without a cap too, only making the substitutes’ bench against Japan and Uruguay.
However, he was taken to help the goalkeeping group, which consisted of Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, and James Trafford.
“We chose three goalkeepers plus Jason Steele,’ Tuchel said after unveiling his World Cup squad in May.
“I want to take the opportunity to thank Jason for being brilliant and thank Brighton for being so co-operative and supportive.”
Jude Bellingham was among those telling Steele to make it to the stage.
And Jordan Henderson doled out a medal especially for him.
England were keen to put the defeat to Argentina behind them and end on a high in Miami.
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Manager Tuchel again highlighted the spirit and mentality of the squad.
Meanwhile, he also revealed the key role of Jordan Henderson, who despite still being in a cast following his broken arm which he suffered after the win against Mexico, made an impact in the dressing room.
German coach Tuchel told talkSPORT: “Whatever happened in the last 30 minutes or maybe even in the full second half of the Argentina game happened.
“But the fact is we were up 1-0 in the 85th minute so we were super close and we didn’t go out in the group stage without having scored a goal or whatever, won a game.
“So we were right there. No one is happy about the second half, no one is happy about how we played after we scored the first goal and got the lead.
“This is now a painful part of the process to learn and to bounce back. I find it hard to imagine what it takes to step up 72 hours again in the heat and put it behind and make the most of the moment.
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“Jordan Henderson put everything into perspective in a very inspiring and very impressive speech in the hotel today before we went to the stadium.
“He put it just into perspective from his experience. He was in a semi-final and he was in a match and played for third place.
“It’s just like to worship the moment and what it means to play for England in every single match and especially in an official World Cup match.
“So it was very impressive. He said it much better than me. Very moving and played a huge part in our performance.”
When asked what he said in the dressing room after the game, Tuchel told talkSPORT: “I had a quick reflection of the last seven weeks and said thank you basically.
“No one can understand what it takes to play again 72 hours after that defeat, have one day less, have more travel, thousands of more travel miles in the legs and in our bodies than the opponent, given just the schedule and where we had to play and where they played.
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“It makes such a huge difference. Again we had one day less preparation and we played against this world-class squad who was for sure the favourites for everyone when they reached the semi-final.
“Then come out and show again the spirit and the determination and be ready to suffer through the tough moments in the second half.
“To get this win was an impressive reaction. So I basically said thank you. I said that the pain will go away, the scar will stay.
“It’s always a bit of a mixed feeling because we achieved something historic, the best World Cup result on foreign soil, the first medal after 60 years. and still there’s a part in all of us that is not happy and doesn’t allow yourself to be too proud. It’s just normal.
“This is what drives us and it’s very good because in seven, eight weeks we’re back together facing Spain and we want to be ready for that.”
Captain Harry Kane also told talkSPORT: “Really proud [of his teammates]. It’s been a difficult few days, obviously.
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“Everyone’s still trying to process what happened the other night, and you have this game in between that, you know, it’s not ideal for both teams, but I think the team with the best mentality won today.
“We spoke before about representing England, and no matter when you do it, it’s a big honour, and you’ve got to wear that shirt with pride.
“Let’s finish the tournament with a medal, at least. It’s the least we deserve for all the hard work, all the dedication we’ve put into it.
“It’s obviously our highest finish in 60 years, our highest finish ever on foreign soil, so a lot to be proud of.
“It doesn’t obviously take away from the fact that there’s a lot of what-ifs in the mind still, a lot of sadness and just things to process, but that’s part of dreaming big. You dream to have the biggest prize.
“When it gets taken away from you, it’s obviously hard to take, but that’s what these next few weeks will be about, to process it all and then obviously go again.”
