Thomas Tuchel wants his England players to eventually appreciate their third-place finish at the World Cup, even as the bitter sting of missing their ultimate target lingers. The German manager watched his side defeat France 6-4 in Saturday's third-place playoff at Miami Stadium, securing England's best showing at the tournament since winning it on home soil in 1966. Main Developments England's bronze medal marks the first World Cup medal for the nation in 60 years and their best ever finish on foreign soil. Tuchel acknowledged the squad's fierce competitiveness makes it difficult to celebrate third place when the goal was winning the tournament outright. "We almost don't allow ourselves to be proud of the third place because 18 months ago we set ourselves the highest goal … to make it to the final and win the World Cup," he told reporters. The victory over France came just days after a painful 2-1 semi-final loss to Argentina, a match that drew sharp criticism of Tuchel's defensive tactics after England took an early second-half lead. Tuchel pushed back against the intensity of the backlash, saying the post-match press conference "felt as if we went out in the group stage without a win, to be very honest." He added that the best response is on the pitch: "Everything else is just talking, and talking doesn't get you points." Read also: Why Muchova’s Surgery Could Reshape Her U.S. Open Bid Background England's only previous World Cup triumph came in 1966 when they hosted the tournament. Saturday's third-place finish represents their best result in the competition since that victory, breaking a six-decade drought without a medal. Tuchel, who took over as England manager 18 months ago, set the highest possible target from the start: reaching the final and winning the World Cup. Bukayo Saka's hat-trick against France immediately raised questions about why the right winger was left out of the semi-final against Argentina. Tuchel explained it was a tough decision driven by caution over an Achilles injury Saka had been managing for months. "I had the feeling that Morgan Rogers had something special to give to us with his physicality and his body in the match against Argentina," Tuchel said. He noted that Saka warmed up several times during the Argentina match but the game's chaotic nature led to a different tactical option being chosen. Why It Matters The debate over Tuchel's squad selection and tactics reflects the intense pressure on England to end their long wait for a second World Cup title. Tuchel's defensive approach against Argentina drew heavy criticism, highlighting the manager's willingness to prioritize pragmatism over fan expectations. His handling of Saka's injury — protecting the player despite the cost — underscores the balancing act between short-term results and player welfare at the highest level. Tuchel's insistence that Saka remains a "fantastic teammate, fantastic football player, key player for us" signals that the winger's role in the squad is not diminished. The third-place finish provides a tangible achievement for a team that came within one match of the final, offering a foundation for future tournaments. What's Next Tuchel and his squad will return to their clubs as the international break ends, carrying both the bronze medal and the lessons from their semi-final defeat. The manager's tactical decisions — particularly regarding Saka's fitness and the defensive approach against Argentina — will likely remain a topic of discussion among pundits and fans. England's next competitive matches will offer a chance to build on this World Cup experience, with the 2026 tournament cycle already looming as the next opportunity to chase the title that remains elusive.