France 4-6 England: Three Lions win World Cup wooden spoon with bonkers but brilliant performance that might just vindicate Thomas Tuchel, writes CRAIG HOPE

No doubt about Thomas. At least if you’re Thomas.

For Tuchel, this absurdly bipolar victory will be a vindication, silencing the boos that tarnished his name before kick-off and the chorus of criticism that has followed him since Wednesday’s semi-final defeat against Argentina. It was England’s best World Cup final since 1966. Although he was not the second star he promised, he received the first bronze medal. For a German it will always be his way or the highway.

But those who have formed that mass inspection chorus in recent days will also see this as a justification. Look what happens when you attack a lead instead of defending it, Thomas? There will be regret for them. Even a 6-4 win against the tournament favorites will create outrage. They will also point to England’s second-half collapse as evidence of tactical cowardice and inevitable retreat. That’s what this flash referendum on the country’s coach has led to in the midst of negativity in Argentina.

On the eve of the match, Tuchel described the split among the fans as ’50-50′; This was both a positive and naive comment. It would have been painful if his appearance on the big screen had provoked jeers from the more white than blue crowd in Miami.

But his team’s reaction was even louder, which moved both his manager and assistant Anthony Barry. With England’s score at half-time an almost unconvincing 4-0, Barry said: ‘I have no words to describe how proud I am of these players. We are playing a game with 11 young people with broken hearts.

‘I’ve seen them in the hotel with broken hearts for the last few days. The pessimists will say it’s too late now, but we’re still playing against top class opposition and I’m very proud of the boys.’

England raced with “broken hearts” to claim third place in Miami after losing to Argentina on Wednesday

Kylian Mbappe failed to help France cap a dazzling end to both countries’ World Cup journeys

Pessimists will say it’s too late now. Where was the courage when we were up 1-0 in Atlanta? Where was Bukayo Saka against Argentina? Here he was sending Theo Hernandez into the baguettes every time he received the ball. So much so that the full-back was hooked just before half-time. Saka had scored two goals by then. He finally scored a hat-trick. England was inspired individually and collectively. At least they were for 45 minutes.

We mistakenly thought that Tuchel’s performance in the pre-match press conference would be more important than anything that played out on the pitch. There we got an insight into his thoughts as he had time to think about Argentina. And his thought was exactly the same as the one immediately afterwards; England’s departure was not in his power. Yes, he would take responsibility, but he was not responsible. It’s a subtle difference, but it’s one that will hit the locker room like a sledgehammer. After parking the bus in Atlanta, he felt like he was shoving his players under the bus.

Tuchel’s subsequent team selection had an uneasy whiff of self-preservation. There are seven changes and no Harry Kane or Jude Bellingham. Of course we wouldn’t be able to criticize him if the substitutes weren’t performing, right? Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise were in France’s 11.

England’s start, then, was a shock. They played with freedom, adventure and precision. God, they were brave with the ball. When they took the lead in the third minute it was too late, they started with that aim.

Declan Rice intercepted the ball on halfway and when France’s efforts to make amends resulted in nothing more than a shrug from Gaul, the midfielder took it as an invitation. He advanced into space in front of him, collected himself 25 yards out and smashed into the bottom corner.

Thomas Tuchel received a lot of criticism after the defeat to Argentina and was somewhat subdued in Miami.

Didier Deschamps managed his last game from the France bench but failed to win the final game

A few minutes after the match started, Declan Rice was the first name on the scoresheet.

Mbappe at least helped cement his Golden Boot title by going two goals clear of Lionel Messi.

Jude Bellingham then became a substitute and was the final goalscorer as England closed out their World Cup portion in the United States.

What to do now? Should we bring in Dan Burn? Switch to the back five? There were only 87 minutes left until launch. No, England is gone for a second. They puffed out their chests, put on their gloves, and tried to land another blow. Fast learners, that’s it.

Marcus Rashford had a shot disallowed for offside, as did Saka. There were chances at the other end – Dean Henderson pulled off a good save from Ryan Cherki – but there would have been opportunities for France too if England had held back. Instead, here they were, standing and walking forward.

In the 18th minute, Rice fired a teasing shot from a corner, something he had not done since the opening game, and Ezri Konsa headed home into the far corner. There were two more goals after halftime and neither goal was a surprise. After the pair fell behind, Rashford linked up Saka to finish and Saka made it an easy fourth after being pushed forward by Eberechi Eze.

But we never knew how dangerous a 4-0 scoreline could be. From the start of the second half, apparently without Tuchel’s instruction, England’s back four were camped out in their own penalty area. And so the invaders came.

Mbappe evaded Konsa to receive Olise’s pass for 4-1. Mbappe turned provider when Bradley Barcola saved Jarell Quansah for 4-2. Mbappe finished the match with France’s ability to weave passes around a distraught England, all before the 67th-minute drinks break. At 4-3 o’clock you could hear the knives sharpening from across the Atlantic.

But England reached for his own cutlery and found a knife of his own. In the 86th minute, Djed Spence charged into the penalty area and tripped Malo Gusto. Saka completed a hat-trick and sent the ball into the net from the penalty spot. Ousmane Dembele beat the French fourth before Bellingham danced in the goalmouth for England’s sixth. Thus, the World Cup wooden spoon became theirs.

Tuchel will likely use this to ward off skeptics.